London - the most visited city in the world. As you can imagine, there are thousands of great hotels here. And some of the best and most luxurious hotels in London can also brag with a great rooftop.
To get the full experience of London and your stay, you should definitely book a hotel with a rooftop. In summer especially, but some of the hotels offer winter open rooftop bars as well. No matter the season, you are in for both unbeatable pictures and an unbeatable experience.
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Check out our list of 9 great hotels with rooftops in London.
Located in the heart of London, just a short walk away from the London Eye, and smack in the heart of Trafalgar Square, the Trafalgar St. James is an excellent choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the city.
Boasting two restaurants, two bars, a rooftop terrace, a complimentary buffet breakfast, and a fitness center.
Each of the hotel's 131 rooms features tablet computers, flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, plush bathrobes, comfortable slippers, designer toiletries, espresso makers, and room service.
Places of interest within a short walking distance include the Trafalgar Square Market, the London Eye, the Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.
Known as The Rooftop, this beautiful rooftop bar boasts gorgeous views of London's skyline, top-notch service incredible drinks, and delicious food, making it one of the best in the city.
Up here, you can enjoy expertly-crafted cocktails, an impressive wine menu, signature drinks, world spirits, and beers, amongst other beverages.
Food-wise, you can enjoy pan-Asian cuisine meant to be shared.
This fantastic rooftop terrace offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as blankets and heaters, and a retractable roof that allows it to stay open year-round.
Reservations aren't mandatory, but recommended, as Trafalgar Square is a trendy spot in London, and The Roof tends to be crowded, particularly during the weekends.
Tucked away on a side street in the vibrant heart of City of London, just a few minutes from both Liverpool Street Station and Moorgate, South Place Hotel is an urban, luxurious, lively and fresh-faced boutique hotel.
Designed for wining, dining and dancing, before falling into a comfortable bed, this is the first hotel from restaurateurs D&D London, and features 80 bedrooms, five bars, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a floor of event spaces.
From the studio and deluxe rooms to the suites, all accommodations come with an ultra-modern en suite bathroom, a media hub, a minibar, delicate mood lighting, large windows and a Bang & Olufsen TV.
Amenities include a fully kitted and spacious gym open 24 hours a day, as well as a spa & wellness area with male and female steam, sauna and experience showers, and massage treatments.
Mix a Michelin-starred restaurant with a bright, lush and charming terrace & bar, and you have a rooftop setting really out of the ordinary. And this is precisely what the South Place Hotel offers.
Up on the 7th floor South Palace Hotel Rooftop, you can sip expertly crafted signature cocktails on the sun-drenched rooftop terrace, overlooking the city skyline. And if the sun refuses to shine, heaters and a retractable rain cover will keep you comfy anyway.
Or, you pay a visit to Angler Restaurant, where Executive Chef Gary Foulkes presents an ever-changing menu with the best sustainable seafood from British waters. Open for lunch (Tue-Fri) and dinner (Tue-Sat), the menu features only seasonal and carefully sourced produce, complemented with an extensive and sommelier selected bottled wine list.
On the first floor you also find the guests-only Secret Garden, a luxurious and hidden outdoor terrace, with waterfalls, twinkling lights and beautiful, hanging plants. A retractable roof makes this the perfect place for a social occasion no matter the weather.
The Londoner is an urban resort across 16 storeys, set on the south west corner of the iconic Leicester Square.
Curated to reflect the drama and elegance of West End life, this luxury design hotel offers prime accommodation, just a short walk from many of London's hot spots.
The 350 exquisite bedrooms and suites features bespoke design and contemporary art, as well as a flat-screen TV, private bathroom and exclusive access to The Residence, a residents-only club with three beautifully designed spaces to socialise, dine, and relax.
Other amenities at The Londoner includes six concept restaurants and bars, as well as a spa with pool, gym, superfood clinic and beauty salon.
On the 8th floor of The Londoner you find the aptly named 8 at The Londoner, an elegant rooftop bar that reimagines the traditions and informal style of Japanese drinking establishments.
Set over three different spaces, the rooftop features a striking bar, a chic, sleek and minimalist Shima Garden, and a lounge & terrace, playfully blurring inside and outside with retractable skylights and splintered glimpses of the city’s silhouette.
Here you can experience the izakaya style of drinking and dining, and the menu features innovative signature cocktails and fine Japanese spirits, along with contemporary Japanese cuisine.
Sophisticated, elevated and stylish in atmosphere, 8 at The Londoner is a fantastic venue for memorable London evenings, during weekend nights heighten by live DJs.
Located in the heart of London, just a short stroll away from The Gherkin and Liverpool Street, this fantastic hotel is a beautiful choice for those looking for a bit of action.
The Dorsett features two restaurants, a bar, a rooftop terrace, free WiFi in its public areas, ad laundry facilities.
There's also a daily English breakfast that you can't miss.
Each of the hotel's 267 rooms features flat-screen TVs, satellite TV, 24-hour room service, premium toiletries, well-equipped desks, and premium linens.
Located on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City stands one of the newest addition to London's skyline, as well as one of the most luxurious.
Known as the Jin Bo Law Skybar, this fantastic rooftop terrace offers spectacular views of the city, as well as tasteful furnishing and decorations, as well as top-notch service and excellent drinks.
Up here, you can enjoy well-prepared cocktails, carefully curated wines, a fantastic selection of world spirits, including drinks from Asia, champagnes, and creative, Asian-inspired signature cocktails.
Famous landmarks you can admire include the Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the Gherkin, all close enough that you feel like you can touch them.
Trendy, vibrant, and exclusive, this is the place to go when you want a night to remember.
This luxurious hotel is located within a 10-minute stroll of Liverpool Sreet and Barbican Arts Centre, as well as the Museum of London and the Royal Exchange.
The Montcalm features two restaurants, two bars, a full-service spa, an indoor swimming pool laundry facilities, and more.
Each of the hotel's 235 soundproof rooms features 24-hour room service, well-stocked minibars, pillow menus, plush bathrobes, comfortable slippers, premium linens, and designer toiletries.
The spa offers Swedish and Thai massages, amongst other services.
Known as Aviary, this fantastic rooftop bar offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a restaurant and a terrace bar.
The terrace bar is spacious and open-aired, featuring grand views of the skyline and a fantastic wine menu, as well as a wide selection of champagne and expertly crafted cocktails, be them classic, signature, or botanical.
The restaurant can be found indoors, and it features high-end British cuisine.
The Aviary is a remarkably popular spot for after-work drinks, so reservations are only available for large groups, which means you might have to wait to be seated.
Sundays feature and delicious and rather poplar rooftop brunch, and during winter, Aviary features large and cozy rooftop igloos, perfect to ward off the cold while you enjoy the bar's seasonal hot drinks.
Found in the financial district of London, just a few tube stops from some of the most iconic attractions, Novotel London Canary Wharf is a modern and impressive 39-storey hotel.
Apart from a great rooftop (more below), the hotel also holds nine fully equipped meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, a state-of-the art gym and a pool. Perfect for both business and leisure.
All 313 rooms of the hotel are stylish in design, featuring 55inch HDTV and high speed Wi-Fi, allergy free pillow, a work desk, seating area and central bedside control panel. The 26 designer style suites also comes with panoramic London views.
Set over three levels, the rooftop at Novotel London Canary Wharf offers something for pretty much every mood and occasion.
Called Bōkan, this is an easy-going and sophisticated hideaway, transporting you far from the city buzz of the busy streets below, and presenting some spectacular views over the London skyline.
Starting on the 37th floor, you find the Bokan 37 Restaurant, a stylish indoor restaurant serving award-winning European cuisine made using the finest British produce.
Continuing upstairs, the next two floors are home to the Bars 38|39, where the top floor holds an open air rooftop terrace. Open all year, the rooftop is decorated with stylish lounge furnishings and rooftop daybeds.
Here you can enjoy a wide range of cocktails made by a talented team of London’s top mixologists, a specialist gin bar, an extensive list of wines and Sunday jazz sessions.
Located just a short walk away from the Tate Modern and the London Eye, this gorgeous hotel features two bars, a restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, concierge service, aerobic and yoga classes, and a complimentary buffet breakfast.
Each of the hotel's 359 rooms features unique decorations, free WiFi, complimentary bottled water, plush bathrobes, comfortable slippers, and designer toiletries.
The hotel's restaurant serves British cuisine for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner.
Known as the 12th Knot, this eclectic rooftop bar offers stunning views of the Thames and the Blackfriars Bridge as well as a stylish and comfortable atmosphere.
The 12th Knot offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as comfortable lounge sofas and excellent service.
The outdoor terrace is small, so most of the action happens indoors, where you can enjoy iconic views, great cocktails, and a lovely atmosphere.
Wednesdays bring live music shows, and you can find live DJs from Thursday to Saturday, making this a fun choice for live music lovers.
Drink-wise, you can find a fantastic wine menu, champagne, beers, and both American and British cocktails, as well as the bar's signature offerings.
There's also a seasonal food menu of sharing platters, though if you're looking for a full dinner, we recommend the restaurants on the ground floor.
Proud recipient of the prestigious Conde Nast Host List Award in 2013, the ME London is an ideal choice for those looking forward to a luxurious stay.
Each of the hotels 157 soundproofed rooms features espresso makers, iPod docks, complimentary newspaper service, well-stocked minibars, comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, rainfall showerheads, plush bathrobes, pillow menus, down comforters and other creature comforts.
The hotel has a restaurant, a steakhouse, one of London's largest rooftop bars, event facilities, conference rooms, business amenities, a 24-hour fitness center, a coffee shop, and valet parking services. Guests can also enjoy the added security and privacy of VPN no logging, ensuring their online activities are kept confidential during their stay. With this feature, guests can browse, work, or connect with loved ones without concerns about their digital privacy.
Radio Rooftop Bar London is widely considered one of the best in the city and with good reason.
Stunning views, live DJ shows, delicious snacks, fantastic cocktails, and plenty of space to dance and move around make this a premium destination, and the vibrant and exclusive atmosphere only adds to the experience.
Up here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Big Ben, The Shard, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Somerset House, Tate Modern, the Parliament, the London Eye, and many other landmarks.
Food-wise, you can find a delicious Mediterranean inspired menu and drink-wise expect tailor-made signature cocktails, high-end spirits, a fantastic wine menu, and delicious beers.
Radio Rooftop is also open for lunch and afternoon tea, though keep in mind that the rooftop closes to the public at 11:00 pm, after which only hotel guests are allowed.
The DoubleTree by Hilton puts you in the heart of London, just a short stroll away from The Gherkin and Tower of London.
This beautiful hotel features a restaurant, two bars, a 24-hour fitness center, a conference center, and full breakfasts served daily.
Each of the hotel's 583 soundproofed rooms features free WiFi, DD players, fridges, round-the-clock room service, in-room dining possibilities, and premium beddings.
The hotel's restaurant, City Café, is open for breakfast, while the hotel's bar Savage Garden, serves drinks, lunches and light fares.
A relatively recent addition to London's skyline, Savage Garden is a modern cocktail lounge perfect for casual nights out and elegant dates.
Featuring a fantastic indoor lounge and two outdoor terraces, this beautiful venue offers stunning views of London's skyline and delicious drinks.
The Pink Gin Terrace faces south and features lush greenery, banquette seating, and stylish pink details. This spot is a popular one during summer. Perfect for enjoying a drink or two.
Facing north, you'll find the Wildside Terrace, an all-year destination thanks to its retractable roof and privileged location.
The drink menu of this innovative rooftop bar is creative and exciting, offering expertly-mixed signature cocktails, alongside an extensive wine menu and a wide variety of champagnes.
Savage Garden also offers a food menu, though its entries are described as "bar food, but not as you know it".
The food-menu features beef sliders, charred octopus, and more substantial meals like an aubergine burger; there are also sharing platters, perfect for large groups.
Savage Garden is open for most of the day and night, making it an ideal spot for all kinds of events.
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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