Top Ten New Hotels In London

London always has so much to offer to visitors, from unique museums to remarkable collections of art to avant-garde art galleries; from historical castles and palaces to breathtaking bridges to impressive cathedrals; theaters and restaurants, fashion and nightlife – as Samuel Johnson said “in London all that life can afford”. And of course, London is welcoming its visitors with fantastic accommodations. 2010 and 2011 brought many new exciting additions to the extensive list of London hotels. Let’s look at top ten new hotels in London.

Opened December 2009

The 65-room luxury Hotel Rafayel on the Left Bank proved that eco friendly design can be not only efficient but also fabulous. Rooms are beautifully designed and categorized under the names of rivers - Mississippi and Yangtze rooms, Amazon and Nile suites. In addition, there's a conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a WellWorld Spa, a 17th floor roof terrace with 360 degree views of the capital, and a riverside Champagne bar and restaurant with its own roof terrace for alfresco dining. Green activists would appreciate that the hotel is using only LED lights and recycling rainwater collected from the roof. Rafayel Hotel

Opened February 2010

Located on the South Bank with great views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the newly opened Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London Hotel is a vast hotel with contemporary designed spacious guest rooms, 54 suites and penthouses, over 500 Studio Rooms, five distinctive dining experiences, a pillar-free ballroom, 32 meeting rooms and two executive lounges, a 24h gym with 15-metre swimming pool and luxury spa. But perhaps most striking is its V-shaped atrium spanning 16 floors. This impressive £350 million project has an impeccable location within short walking distance of the city’s most iconic attractions including London Eye and the London Aquarium as well as Waterloo and Westminster train stations. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel

Opened March 2010

Conde Nast Traveller considered opening of Town Hall Hotel as one of the most exciting hotel openings of recent years in London. And indeed, the hotel is very exclusive. The former Town Hall building in Bethnal Green has been nicely restored and converted into a hip hotel with a perfect blend of architectural styles and designs. Baroque details blended with 1930s features, modern designs merged with preserved historical attributes. The old Town Hall is certainly rich in history. And the hotel takes the advantage of it: conference space - unique Council Chamber that can seat up to 70 people, or the 220sqm contemporary Henry de Montfort Suite, which comfortably accommodates an exceptional private dining experience for 20. Town Hall Hotel and Apartments

Opened September 2010

The first integrated hotel heliport solution in Europe – that’s how this unique hotel was billed. The Hotel Verta is part of the Bridges Wharf Battersea development next to the River Thames, and spectacular panoramic views of the Thames from hotel bedrooms, conference rooms and restaurants add a little extra to first class services and facilities of the hotel. The Verta has a techno-gym, spa with a beautiful pool and thermal rooms. Hotel Verta

Opened October 2010

After over a £100 million restoration, a British icon since 1889, The Savoy, is welcoming its guests with luxury, style, elegance and glamour. Located at the heart of London, with stunning views of London and the River Thames, The Savoy is an ideal place to stay whether you are coming to London for business or pleasure. The hotel has played host to many historic events, so a lot of original elements and interiors were nicely preserved to continue legacy of the place. Legendary bartender Harry Craddock’s classic cocktails are still served in the newly renovated American Bar and the new Beaufort Bar offers one of the finest selections of Champagne in the city. The Savoy

Opened February 2011

Chic and cool, stylish and fabulous - W London - Leicester Square (the first W hotel in London) is an exciting new venue and urban sanctuary in fashionable London. This Leicester Square Hotel is located in the heart of Theatreland where high-profile movie premieres and celebrity events happen through the year and the coolest shopping in the world is on your doorstep. The great location plus modern design and amenities such as a world-class restaurant and W Lounge make this spot a perfect place for guests to mix, mingle and relax in a stylish social atmosphere. Here, there are all attributes of W trademark, but in London style. For instance the hotel has a casino and two floors of shopping space. W London - Leicester Square Hotel

Opened March 2011

Like many new hotels in London, the St. John Hotel has its story. For 60 years the site was well-known to Londoners as Manzi’s, famous seafood restaurant. And now, with memories of Manzi’s, renowned restaurateur Trevor Gulliver and chef Fergus Henderson opened their new restaurant The St. John Hotel on the site. Yes, The St. John Hotel is, essentially, a very good hip restaurant with 15 bedrooms and a top floor suite. This unique combination and Leicester Square location of the hotel make the spot is a very attractive and distinctive place to stay in London. The St. John Hotel

Opened April 2011

The 13-room Zetter Townhouse on St John's Square is a new project from Mark Sainsbury and Michael Benyan, who opened the original Zetter hotel just across the square in 2004. The interior design of the hotel is truly jaw-droppingly fabulous: eccentric mixture of antiques with classic and street arts and taxidermy - but overall perfectly balanced and very appealing. The front door of this Georgian Townhouse leads straight into the cocktail lounge, which is worth to visit even if you are not staying in the hotel. Zetter Townhouse

Opened May 2011

The historic Metropole building now is returned to its original purpose - a £300 million luxury Corinthia Hotel with 300 bedrooms (that's £1 million per room) with multi-level penthouse suites and terraces from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the River Thames, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. Arranged around an elegant central courtyard foyer, facilities include a choice of restaurants, luxury spa, bar, meeting rooms and the refurbished grand ballroom - used for state balls in the 1880s. Corinthia Hotel London

Opened July 2011

Announced as Europe’s most high-tech hotel, this boutique hotel occupies two historic Georgian townhouses in Victoria. After a multi-million pound renovation, these Georgian townhouses have become a place where guests are comforted by luxurious products and swathes of futuristic gadgets. All 39 rooms are equipped with electrically adjustable Hästens massage beds, the latest 46-inch Panasonic 3D LED TV, complimentary 3D blu-ray movie library, VoIP phones, high pressure rainfall showers and a programmable ‘wake up and sleep’ experience. All rooms feature the iPad 2, from which guests can control curtains, heating and lighting, request in-room services. And for fun, there is a wee Aston Martin Cygnet for guests who want to rent stylish, but compact wheels. Eccleston Square Hotel