The hottest hotel bars in London
The capital is home to some seriously swanky hotel bars, but it's hard to choose which one to go to. Fortunately for you, fearless Travelzoo deal expert Kryssy has been making her way round them all, forcing down cocktails and canapés along the way, all in the name of research. Here we present our favourites - some of them even offer exclusive perks for Travelzoo members too.
Dukes Hotel
Location: St James's, 10 minutes' walk from Piccadilly Circus
The hotel: This stately spot is tucked away down a tiny alleyway off St James’s St and only a brisk walk from Buckingham Palace. Princess Diana is rumoured to have found refuge from the limelight here. The hotel is recommended by Condé Nast Traveller and praised by the Huffington Post for its "very intimate and traditional British ambience".
Why we love the bar: This is Bond author Ian Fleming's former watering hole and the place where he coined the phrase "shaken, not stirred". We're also particularly taken with the cognac and cigar garden, which is open year-round.
We recommend: A martini of course. But not just any martini. Bartender Alessandro Palazzi (main picture at the top of the page) makes a particularly special Fleming 89, which pays homage to the Floris No 89 cologne, as worn by Bond himself.
Travelzoo member perk: Daily continental breakfast, a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne on arrival, a room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability.
Price: From £294 per night for a Dukes Room
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Threadneedles
Location: City of London, near Bank station
The hotel: This 5-star boutique hotel is housed in a converted Victorian bank with a stained-glass domed ceiling in the lobby.
Why we love the bar: The on-site Marco Pierre White Wheeler's Oyster Bar & Grill Room has a distinctly classy feel - ornate ceiling, grand chandeliers, burgundy leather seating and tall Victorian windows.
We recommend: Propping up the old banking-counter bar and ordering a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut NV to go with your freshly shucked Maldon oysters.
Price: From £361 per night for a Standard Room
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Town Hall Hotel
Location: Just off Cambridge Heath Rd in Bethnal Green, East London
The hotel: Once Bethnal Green's Town Hall, this chic hotel has more recently featured in blockbusters "Atonement" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", and is now home to what Time Out recently named "the best restaurant in east London".
Why we love the bar: Peg + Patriot is emblematic of East London - trendy and creative, this place even has an in-house distillery. Faye Maschler from The Evening Standard says "each cocktail is not just a cocktail, it’s a whole taste experience".
We recommend: The Bethnal Green cocktail, of course. It's described on the menu as "unused, unloved and unknown", but it's actually a lot nicer than that.
Travelzoo member perk: Daily buffet breakfast, a bottle of wine (worth up to £24), a room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability.
Price: From £209 per night for an Executive Suite
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Rosewood London
Location: High Holborn
The hotel: Condé Nast Traveller describes the hotel as "one of the capital's grandest Edwardian buildings" and it was named The AA Hotel of the Year for London, 2014-2015.
Why we love the bar: Scarfes Bar is inspired by a gentleman’s club; it has a roaring fire, plush velvet armchairs and a cupboard with over 200 malts. "Scarfes has become the bar in Holborn," according to Tatler, and we definitely agree.
We recommend: Sipping with Churchill - a Remy Martin VSOP Mature Cask cocktail with Martini Gran Lusso, lemon juice and dry Curaçao.
Price: From £378 per night for an Executive Room
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The Milestone Hotel
Location: Bayswater
The hotel: This 5-star hotel provides the "best service around", according to Travel + Leisure. It won a place on Condé Nast Traveller's Gold List in 2013 and the hotel prides itself on its two-to-one staff-to-guest ratio.
Why we love the bar: Stables Bar, once a former carriage house, is adorned with traditional racing scenes and paraphernalia, including a life-size jockey.
We recommend: Try the Milestone Old Fashioned, a choice of house-blended and barrel-rested whisky, tequila or rum with home-made rose bitters and sugar.
Travelzoo member perk: Daily full English breakfast, entrance tickets to Kensington Palace, a room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability.
Price: From £365 per night for a Superior Queen Room
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Hotel Xenia
Location: Bayswater
The hotel: Hotel Xenia is a white-pillared Victorian building in South Kensington close to London’s museum district and Kensington Gardens. The lobby is a feast for the eyes; there are Vivienne Westwood tapestries, shimmering green chandeliers and faux-snakeskin chairs.
Why we love the bar: The Living Wall Bar is a heated herb garden and there's a specialist selection of cigars in the fully stocked humidor.
We recommend: When the sun is shining, order Domaine Thomas' Sancerre Blanc Les Pierriers 2011. If you want something that packs a punch, order from the "Strongs" cocktail menu.
Travelzoo member perk: Daily continental breakfast, £15 per room to spend on food in the restaurant or lounge, a room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability.
Price: From £365 per night for a Superior Queen Room
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The Savoy
Location: The Strand
The hotel: This 5-AA-Red-Star property opened in 1889 and from that first day, its name has been synonymous with London luxury. Similarly, the English Edwardian design and art-deco style remain perfectly intact.
Why we love the bar: You're spoilt for choice at The Savoy with two plush bars. The art-deco American Bar "needs to be seen to be believed", according to Time Out, and is said to be one of the first places to introduce US cocktail tradition to British soil. Then you've got the pièce de résistance, the Beaufort Bar (pictured below), which is dripping in gold and opulence; it's so decadent you feel as if you're sitting in a Fabergé egg. This is the place for champagne, cocktails and cabaret.
We recommend: The Hanky Panky - a sweet martini with a touch of bitterness, and signature cocktail of the American Bar's original head bartender Ada "Coley" Coleman.
Price: From £534 per night for a Deluxe King.
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Dean Street Townhouse
Location: Soho
The hotel: Whatever the occasion, this place fits the bill. Smack-bang in the centre of Soho, this is one of the places to see and be seen in London.
Why we love the bar: The restaurant and bar feels like a home-from-home - you'll want to move in straight away. The interior is effortlessly cool, with artwork by Tracey Emin and other emerging British artists.
We recommend: Propping up the bar and stayinghere until the wee hours, then ordering the scotch duck egg and sausage roll off the late-night menu.
Price: From £145 per night for a Tiny Room.
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Chiltern Firehouse
Location: Marylebone
The hotel: This 5-star former firehouse is one of London's hottest celebrity hangouts and has featured in Vogue, Tatler, The Daily Telegraph, The Evening Standard and The Guardian. It's listed in the Michelin Guide and the restaurant has three AA Rosettes.
Why we love the bar: Every nook and cranny exudes sophistication; everyone must experience this place at least once.
We recommend: Stopping for an aperitif at the bar in the restaurant, and enjoying the bacon cornbread with chipotle-maple butter while you're there. If it's sunny, head outside to the garden, order some sancerre and see how the other half live.
Price: From £595 per night for a Classic Room.
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The Zetter Townhouse
Location: Marylebone
The hotel: This Georgian townhouse on Seymour Street and is a treasure trove of antiques, ornaments and gawdy-yet-brilliant red walls.
Why we love the bar: Tony Conigliaro, bartender and mixologist who opened The Bar With No Name (69 Colebrooke Row) and Bar Termini in Soho, is in charge of the cocktails.
We recommend: Homemade cordials and infusions, bitters and herbal remedies and other potions make up the apothecary-style counter. Order The Rake - a mixture of Beefeater gin with powdered notes and juniper oil.
Price: From £270 per night for a Lower Ground King.
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