The 2017 World's Best Hotels in London

Courtesy of Hotel 41

In a city teeming with luxury hotels — including recent openings from a number of boldfaced brands — what does it take for a London property to truly stand out from the crowd? One could do worse than pose that question to the team at 41, a small, independent hotel that has ranked among your favorites in the British capital for four of the past five years — and this year came in at No 1.

Though its 30 unique guest rooms and suites abound with characterful British charm, and its location just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is hard to beat, respondents in this year’s World’s Best Awards put 41’s success almost entirely down to its staff.

“Every time we visit a new hotel, my husband and I always say, 'It's no Hotel 41',” wrote reader Connie Wilson. “Everywhere else now seems ill-kept and lacking a personal touch. Stay at 41 but prepare to be disappointed by all other hotels,” she warned.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

Historic appeal was another feature common to many of our readers’ top-ranking London hotels, with the opulent Milestone Hotel coming in second, and Egerton House and the Goring, both strong on period styling, taking third and fourth place. “It is such a luxury, with the silk wallpaper, amazing afternoon tea, and personal attention,” said one reader of the Goring, which, like 41, is close to Buckingham Palace. “We will be visiting again!”

In Soho, the Ham Yard Hotel, from the London-based Firmdale group, made its World’s Best debut at No. 7. Here, the creative, colorful décor from owner Kit Kemp left an impression with our respondents (“Rooms very well done,” said one), as did the food, service — and bowling alley (“Tons of fun; my family's favorite!” said another). Read on for the full list of hotels.

Start Slideshow

1 of 11

10. Claridge’s

Courtesy of Claridge's

Score: 92.72

2 of 11

9. Rubens at the Palace

Courtesy of The Rubens at the Palace

Score: 92.97

3 of 11

8. Rosewood

Courtesy of Rosewood London

Score: 93.01

4 of 11

7. Ham Yard Hotel

Simon Brown

Score: 93.30

5 of 11

6. Chesterfield Mayfair

Courtesy of The Chesterfield Mayfair

Score: 93.54

6 of 11

5. Corinthia Hotel

Courtesy of Corinthia Hotel London

Score: 93.98

7 of 11

4. The Goring

Courtesy of The Goring

Score: 94.00

8 of 11

3. Egerton House Hotel

Courtesy of The Egerton House Hotel

Score: 95.79

9 of 11

2. Milestone Hotel

Courtesy of The Milestone Hotel

Score: 96.16

10 of 11

1. 41

Courtesy of Hotel 41

Score: 96.17

Readers were unanimous in their praise of the service at this small boutique property on Buckingham Palace Road, in the bustling Victoria district of London.

With each room enjoying 24-hour butler service, and two members of staff to every guest, it’s little wonder visitors came away raving about the personalized treatment they received. “The best service I've had in any country,” one respondent said. “There is nothing they can't or won't do to make your stay amazing,” said another.

It’s a formula that seems to inspire an unusual degree of customer loyalty, with many respondents claiming they would never consider staying elsewhere in London. As one put it, “Hotel 41 was BY FAR the best hotel we've ever stayed in ... service, amenities, comfort, extra surprises, coziness ... sublime!”

Replay gallery

The Top 10 Hotels in London in 2017