Hotels in London
London is a global hub for business and culture, attracting travelers with its iconic landmarks, first-rate museums, and diverse culinary scene. Visitors often stay to explore historic sites like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, or to experience West End theatre and bustling markets. The city's extensive public transport network makes it easy to navigate its distinct neighborhoods, from the financial district of the City of London to the bohemian streets of Camden.
London's rooftop hotel scene is spread across neighbourhoods rather than packed onto one strip, and what a terrace overlooks changes completely with the district. Along the South Bank and around London Bridge, views run north across the Thames to the dome of St Paul's and the City's cluster of towers, with The Shard rising close behind. Shoreditch and Spitalfields put terraces on converted warehouse roofs that look towards the Gherkin, while Kensington and Mayfair keep quieter balconies above garden squares and Hyde Park. Protected viewing corridors hold much of the centre low-rise, so many terraces face chimney pots and church spires instead of a wall of glass. Terrace season runs roughly from May to September, and around midsummer the light lingers past 9pm, giving an evening upstairs real length.
No published hotels here yet — check back soon.
What to expect
- The City's tower cluster around the Gherkin, Walkie-Talkie and Cheesegrater, best read from Bankside
- The Shard rising above London Bridge, a landmark visible from most terraces east of Westminster
- St Paul's dome kept in sight by protected viewing corridors across central London
- Long midsummer evenings, with June sunsets after 9pm stretching the hours spent outdoors
- Shoreditch and Spitalfields roofs looking over warehouse brick towards the City towers
- Kensington and Mayfair balconies facing garden squares, Hyde Park and rows of chimney pots
Local tips
- ✓Book a table a week or so ahead for summer evenings at the popular City and South Bank rooftops; weekday afternoons are far easier for walk-ins.
- ✓Bring a light layer even in July, because the breeze on an open terrace above the Thames feels noticeably cooler than street level once the sun drops.
- ✓Reserve a timed slot for Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street in advance to see Tower Bridge, the river and The Shard from inside the City cluster.
- ✓Pick a south-bank terrace if you want St Paul's and the City towers in front of you, and a north-bank one for The Shard and the London Eye.
- ✓Check whether a hotel terrace is open to non-residents before you go, since several London hotels keep their upper terraces for guests or members on summer weekends.
- ✓Head up in the hour before sunset in late May or early September, when the low light catches the Thames and terraces are calmer than in July.
FAQ
Which London neighbourhoods have the best rooftop hotels?
It depends on the view you want. Southwark and Bankside face St Paul's and the City towers across the Thames, Shoreditch looks over warehouse roofs towards the Gherkin, the West End suits a terrace before the theatre, and Kensington trades skyline for calmer balconies above Hyde Park and garden squares.
Can you see St Paul's Cathedral from London rooftops?
Yes, and that is by design. Protected viewing corridors keep sightlines to the dome open from places such as Parliament Hill and King Henry's Mound in Richmond Park, and from rooftops around Bankside and the City the cathedral sits right among the modern towers.
Which side of the Thames has better rooftop views in London?
Each bank shows you the other. Terraces on the South Bank and in Southwark look north at St Paul's, the City towers and the river bridges, while north-bank rooftops around the Strand and the City look south towards The Shard, the London Eye and the South Bank's riverside.
Do you need to book London rooftop bars in advance?
For summer evenings at the best-known rooftops, booking ahead is wise. Sky Garden works on timed entry slots released in advance, and hotel rooftops often prioritise residents at busy times, so ask at check-in rather than counting on walking straight in after dinner.
Are there hotels with rooftop pools in London?
Only a few, as the climate favours terraces and bars over open-air pools. The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is the best-known example, with a rooftop pool above Hyde Park's edge; elsewhere, balconies, roof terraces and sky bars are far more common than somewhere to swim.
Are London rooftop bars open in winter?
Some are, usually with heated, covered or glazed sections, while fully open-air terraces often close or shorten their season between October and April. Check with the venue before heading up, and bring a warm coat even under heaters, as the river wind carries well above street level.