Where to Stay in London-The Best Luxury Hotels

London is more than a major business center–it's a favorite city for vacation both for couples and families. In fact, after Paris and New York, London is the third favorite city of TravelSort Members, who love it for its culture, history, and even great food, as maligned as British food used to be (and don't believe the stereotype–just check out our post on London for Foodies to whet your appetite).

While London offers a plethora of hotel options, one recurrent complaint among first-time U.S. visitors is how small the rooms are. If you crave a little more space to relax in and superb service, consider booking one of our 5-star luxury hotel picks. In many cases it will cost about the same or not much more than one of the many 4-star chains, and the difference in your surroundings and level of service will make your trip feel more like a true vacation.

1. The Milestone Hotel

There's a reason why the Milestone Hotel seems to consistently pick up awards, both from critics and guests, year after year: it's one of, if not the finest, London boutique hotel with uniquely decorated rooms (no two are exactly alike) and warm, personalized staff, including butler service for each room and suite. Turndown surprises range from homemade cookies or candies to special candles and cards, there's complimentary WiFi (why can't every 5-star hotel provide this?) and of course its central location, near Kensington Palace and Gardens, Hyde Park and the museums, makes it a favorite choice.

Become a TravelSort Client to Book with These Virtuoso Benefits:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full English breakfast daily for two in-room guests
$100 food and beverage credit for use during stay
Suite bookings of 3 nights or more: complimentary one way airport transfer from London Heathrow
Early check-in / late check-out subject to availability

2. 51 Buckingham Gate

A Taj hotel, 51 Buckingham Gate is a restored turn of the century mansion with 86 spacious suites and a lovely courtyard with fountain, with al fresco drinks and dining. It would be easy to miss this hidden gem, even though it's very central, as it's on one of the warren of narrow lanes between Buckingham Palace and Westminster. In warm weather, you'll be welcomed with refreshing cool towels, ice water, and fresh baked goodies, before being escorted to some of the largest standard suites in London.

And although the hotel's elegance are especially well suited to couples getaways, the convenience of having a fully equipped kitchen in your suite also lends itself well to families with children. As a Taj hotel, Indian food lovers can look forward to Michelin starred Quilon Restaurant, where Chef Sriram Aylur wows diners with refined takes on the southern coastal cuisine of Kerala. But perhaps the biggest reason to stay here is the exemplary, personalized service from the gracious staff.

Become a TravelSort Client to Book with These Virtuoso Benefits:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full English breakfast daily for two in-room guests
Afternoon tea for two once during stay
Tickets to the Queens Gallery at Buckingham Palace
Stays of 3 nights or more: complimentary one way airport transfer from London Heathrow
20% discount for spa treatments
Early check-in / late check-out subject to availability

3. Sofitel St. James

It's hard to beat the ultra-central location of the Sofitel St. James, which is close to Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and other sights, and just a 2 minute walk to Picadilly subway station. Ask for a room on one of the upper floors, to enjoy a view of the London skyline and St. James Park. Enjoy the quintessentially comfortable Sofitel bed, the Rose Lounge for an elegant afternoon tea, and So SPA with its traditional Turkish hammam and fragrant Balinese massage.

4. Plaza on the River

If your taste is modern and sleek and you place a premium on great views, it's hard to beat the Plaza on the River. The 65 studios and suites are well-designed condos, which include fully equipped kitchens with microwaves and dishwashers, plus washers and dryers, in addition to comfortable king beds and leather sofa beds in the living rooms. These conveniences make it an especially great choice for families. One Bedroom Suites are 645-700 sq ft, which is enormous for London, and many offer a river view through their floor to ceiling windows. The Plaza on the River is located on the south bank of the Thames, opposite the Tate Britain art gallery and just a 5 minute walk to Vauxhall, the nearest tube station.