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Waking up to the London skyline turns a good trip into a memorable one. A number of the city's hotels make the most of their position, with rooms and suites framing the Thames, the Shard, Big Ben or Tower Bridge. This guide covers where to stay for the best outlook, at a range of styles and budgets.
Skyline and landmark views
For sheer drama, Shangri-La The Shard occupies the upper floors of the Shard, with rooms gazing out across the whole city from higher than anywhere else you can sleep in London. Beside the river, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall and the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge look directly across to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, one of the most iconic views in the world, floodlit at night.
Riverside and Tower Bridge
For the Thames and Tower Bridge, Sea Containers London on the South Bank offers stylish river-view rooms looking towards St Paul's, while hotels clustered around Tower Bridge, including Cheval Three Quays and the landmark Tower Hotel, frame the bridge itself. The grand river-facing rooms at The Savoy remain a classic choice for a Thames view with old-world glamour. When booking any of these, it is worth requesting a view room specifically and confirming what it overlooks, as rates and outlooks vary within the same hotel.
Which London hotel has the best view?
Shangri-La The Shard has the highest and most panoramic views in London, taking in the entire city. For the classic postcard view of Big Ben and Parliament, the riverside hotels by Westminster Bridge are unmatched, and for Tower Bridge, the hotels clustered around it are the best choice.
Do you pay more for a hotel room with a view in London?
Usually, yes. View rooms and higher floors typically carry a premium over standard rooms in the same hotel. To be sure of the outlook, book a room described specifically as having a view and confirm what it faces, since not every room in a well-placed hotel enjoys the same panorama.
Where to go next
Compare more places to stay in the best hotels in London, and for the best areas to base yourself, see our guide to the best areas to stay in London.
