The Michelin Guide probably needs no introduction. Launched in 1926 by two brothers to award fine dining restaurants across France stars as a way to bolster sales for their eponymous tyre company – more trips equals more wear and tear, which also equals more tyres sold – the guide has become an internationally-recognised symbol of excellence which has changed the cheffing game irrevocably. Some say for the better, as it gives chefs something to aspire to, but some say for the worse, given the huge pressure that comes with the meticulous Michelin examination. Love it or hate it, the guide has ultimately become a restaurant bible for generations of chefs and discerning diners. 

The Michelin Guide made news earlier this year when it revealed it was going to judge the other pillar of hospitality: hotels. Now putting the most exceptional Grand Dames and newcomers in the world under its rigorous examination process, Michelin has replaced its classic stars with keys, and offers a three-tiered system which judges a hotel on its experience beyond the room, including dining, service and even the booking system. One key means its ‘special’, two suggests its ‘exceptional’, while the much-lauded three indicates an ‘extraordinary’ stay. 

As a global capital of luxury hospitality, it’s unsurprising that 43 of the capital’s five-star hotels picked up keys – and out of the 12 three-key hotels in the UK, eight were in Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Belgravia, and their neighbours. Ready to go inside? Step right this way to disover the excpetional Michelin Key hotels in London.  

Claridge’s, Mayfair

“Not that I intend to die, but when I do, I don’t want to go to heaven, I want to go to Claridge’s,” said legendary actor Spencer Tracy – and he’s got a good point. Dedicated to the golden age of luxury, Claridge’s has invited both locals and Londoners to soak up the best of Mayfair since 1856 and has welcomed all manner of society elite, from Audrey Hepburn to Kate Moss, through its glitzy revolving doors. 

Step inside to discover its gleaming chequerboard marble floor, cascading chandeliers, towering floristry displays and dramatically curved staircases that pay glittering homage to its Art Deco heritage. Home to 197 opulent bedrooms and 11 mind-blowing suites, there’s plenty to occupy every discerning traveller, from the historic afternoon tea in The Foyer to modern, sumptuous seafood at Claridge’s Restaurant, and the rooftop spa offering a wide-ranging treatment menu featuring MZ Skin, La Eva and Augustinus Bader products and an André Fu-designed, Japanese-inspired indoor pool. Needless to say, we’re rather unsurprised that this beacon of luxury was awarded three keys this year. 

From £840 per night. 

Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge

Compared to the others on this list, Bulgari is a relative newcomer to London’s hotel scene, having only opened its doors in 2012 – but it’s safe to say it packs a punch. With its penthouse suites boasting sweeping views of Hyde Park, this exclusive address offers doorstep access to one of London’s starriest designer streets and, despite its associations with high jewellery, the hotel itself is pared-back, modern, and sleek as opposed to overly flashy. 

The 85-key hotel spans six floors, and foodies can indulge to their heart’s content at the flagship Italian restaurant, Sette, owned by New York chain Scarpetta, and subterranean bar Nolita Social, which, with an elevated cocktail list and ever-changing roster of DJs, is poised for parties. If you happen to have an afternoon spare, head to the 47-seat private cinema followed by an appointment at the impressive Bvlgari Spa, featuring hyperbaric oxygen therapy champers and a 25-metre swimming pool tiled with gold leaf. Obviously. 

From £780 per night. 

Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane, Mayfair

Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane is at the heart – and at the very start – of the Four Seasons story. As the first Four Seasons hotel to open outside of Canada in 1970, it set the benchmark for the hotel’s international blueprint, and opened on Park Lane to be surrounded by the capital’s greenery, most famous sights and coveted shopping streets. Home to 153 guest rooms, 40 suites and three one-of-a-kind Speciality Suites designed by leading architect, Tara Bernerd, interiors nod to the hotel’s location between two of London’s main parks, with hints of sky blue and emerald green incorporated throughout, alongside contemporary touches. 

Feeling hungry? The heart of the hotel houses modern French restaurant, Pavyllon London, led by world-renowned chef Yannick Alléno which was awarded its first Michelin star within six months of opening (so perhaps a Michelin key was only apt, too). Bar Antoine – perfect for aperitifs, digestifs and everything in between – is Alléno’s first bar concept, and serves a cocktail list featuring extractions, foams, fermentations and fruits. Unwind at the rooftop oasis that is the spa, located on the 10th floor of the hotel and boasting panoramic views of Westminster and Hyde Park. Book here for immersive sound bath healing sessions with Sahana Sound and cutting-edge, anti-ageing skincare by Swiss brand Cellcosmet. 

From £895 per night. 

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge

Sitting between quintessentially English Royal parkland and the buzz of Knightsbridge, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park seamlessly blends timeless heritage with contemporary flair. It emerged from a multi-million-pound, top-to-toe refurbishment in 2019 to compete with London’s leading hotels – and its recent three-key accolade only cements its five-star position further. Each of the hotel’s rooms and suites were the brainchild of internationally-renowned designer Joyce Wang, who set what can only be described as a grand, golden and glamorous brief – so expect antique mirrors etched with feathers, marble accents and grand sweeping staircases at every turn.  

Elsewhere, an award-winning spa – which features treatments inspired by Asian healing practices, a nail studio by Bastien Gonzalez for all your mani-pedi needs, and a Bodyspace health club, complete with a 17-metre stainless steel pool – sits alongside diverse dining choices, from two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Japanese izakaya The Aubrey, traditional afternoon tea at The Rosebery and cocktails at the Mandarin Bar. 

From £870 per night. 

Raffles at The OWO, Whitehall

Transforming the former Old War Office into a five-star hotel was quite the undertaking – but Raffles seemed to pull it off without a hitch. This luxury behemoth – featuring 120 Thierry Despont-designed rooms and suites, 85 branded residences (at £5.8m a pop) and nine restaurants, including three unique dining experiences by world-famous French chef Mauro Colagreco – was one of London’s most highly-anticipated openings in 2023, and as rooms quickly filled up, it became clear Raffles didn’t skimp on its London debut. 

The storied Grade II-listed Edwardian baroque building, opposite Horse Guards Parade, is gobsmackingly gorgeous, if a tad overwhelming. At The Guerlain Spa a team of beauty and wellness experts are ready to cater to your every ailment, while the Health Club is brought to life by movement specialists, Pillar Wellbeing. Designed by Goddard Littlefair, this space comprises an extensive gym and fitness studio, striking 20-metre swimming pool, and an additional vitality pool for those much-needed chances to decompress in the city. 

From £660 per night. 

The Connaught, Mayfair

At the centre of Mayfair, The Connaught – managed by the Maybourne Group, which also oversees the aforementioned Claridge’s and other five-star hotels such as The Berkeley and The Emory – redefines the British luxury experience. Born in 1897, the five-star hotel retains much of its Edwardian charm – so enamoured was Ralph Lauren with the staircase in the lobby that he had a replica installed in his flagship store on Madison Avenue – but very much enjoyed a £70 million facelift in 2007 to tap into the creative nous of David Collins Studio throughout its interiors and launch the UK’s first Aman spa.

Michelin-starred French chefs Hélène Darroze and Jean-Georges Vongerichten complete the fine dining offering, while The Connaught Grill offers hearty, British fare on the ground floor of the hotel. A popular spot with cocktail connoisseurs in London and beyond, don’t miss an evening at the multi-award-winning Connaught and Coburg Bars, and venture outside to discover a delightful Japanese-inspired garden by renowned landscape artist Tom Stuart-Smith. The Connaught is a true London landmark. 

From £840 per night. 

The Peninsula, Belgravia

Another of London’s long-awaited 2023 openings to become a three Michelin Key hotel in London is The Peninsula, marking the Asian brand’s first foray into London hospitality. Situated at one of the city’s grandest junctures – where Hyde Park Corner meets Wellington Arch – the 190 rooms are centred around an expansive, off-street courtyard, landscaped in the style of a classic English garden with cascading ivy, wisteria vines, and 120-year-old Japanese maples 

World-class dining can be found at the rooftop restaurant, Brooklands, by Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi, as well as Canton Blue and its adjacent bar, Little Blue, specialising in innovative Chinese cuisine, cocktails and teas curated to celebrate the spice trade union of Asian and British cultures. At The Lobby, traditional afternoon tea and globally-inspired fare are served beneath soaring ceilings and soundtracked by live music. Meanwhile, the spa offers an extensive menu of mind-body therapies and, for guests who enjoy high-end shopping, the hotel’s ground-floor arcade features nine luxury boutiques including Asprey, David M Robinson, Mouawad, and Moussaieff Diamonds for when retail therapy calls. 

From £880 per night. 

The Savoy, Strand

If you want to sleep on a mattress worth £40,000 or stay in rooms approved by Frank Sinatra, Edward VII and Judy Garland, The Savoy is the destination for you. Dubbed the first luxury hotel in Britain, The Savoy trades on tradition in both service and looks – and takes the former so seriously that it was the first to establish its own school to train professionals. The hotel, from the outside, is tucked away among the hustle and bustle of The Strand, but walk right through to discover it offers a serene spot on the Thames, home to 265 rooms, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant empire and its flagship Beaufort Bar (one of the most celebrated in the capital). 

A new dining destination, Gallery, is due to open imminently, poised to serve the hotel’s famous afternoon tea alongside breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Additional highlights include 1920s-inspired cocktails in the American Bar and the Beauty and Fitness retreat, boasting a light-filled swimming pool in its own atrium, as well as a sauna, steam room and state-of-the-art gym facilities. 

From £570 per night. 

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