London hotels with 5 star service but not prices.

Rubens at the Palace (Victoria) is one of several London hotels featured below where the staff treat guests to 5 star service without charging prices to match

Isn’t it great to be in a hotel with that “little bit extra”?  It’s often based on an intangible “feel good factor” conveyed by staff who love working there.

We’re not talking here about marketing promises like Tune Hotels’ “five star beds at one star prices” slogan (Tune Hotels do certainly have their merits but they’re definitely still “budget” hotels!).

I am referring instead to the joy of being recognised and treated like royalty by staff who genuinely care about your wellbeing.

In short: we want the staff to feel like they are working in an ultra-deluxe hotel, but where the prices are a good couple of notches below!  It’s also lovely to find little luxury touches in a hotel when you least expect them.

Thanks to all the “inside information” gathered (we’ve met lots of staff, managers and CEOs of top London Hotels) and judicious use of bang up-to-date TripAdvisor reviews, London Hotels Insight can reveal some prime examples of London hotels that meet the above demanding criteria:

• Apex City of London Hotel.  Consistently in the top 20 TripAdvisor hotels, it has free WiFi, friendly staff, modern rooms – and is possibly London’s best mid-price hotel.  We particularly like the bathrooms!

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The walk-in shower at the modern and friendly Apex City of London Hotel is one example of a "luxury touch" which is better for being unexpected

• Montague on the Gardens.  Not the flashiest Red Carnation hotel in London and the room furnishings can be idiosyncratic to say the least: but this boutique Bloomsbury hotel has a gorgeous garden, caring management and a super location right by the British Museum.

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Your room at Montague on the Gardens has been individually-furnished by the hotel's owner - and they have guests who come back to the hotel for dozens of repeat visits!

• Rubens at the Palace.  Another highly-rated Red Carnation hotel which offers some great room rates if you are savvy when booking.  Handily-placed near Victoria station and Buckingham Palace.  Lovely staff trained to follow the standards which have allowed its parent company to dominate the TripAdvisor listing of the best London hotels.

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Rooms at the Rubens can be quirky and a bit small...but staff are wonderful and prices (if you book well in advance) outstanding for the location

• Hilton Canary Wharf.  This is the Hilton where staff try harder because they know they have to compensate for being out of the centre.  Superbly modern rooms – and Canary Wharf has its merits too – including excellent ice cream.  Another modern Hilton which is also highly-regarded and more central is the Hilton Tower Bridge.

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You can get a luxurious suite at the Hilton Canary Wharf along with the best of Hilton service, at a considerably cheaper price than in central London

• City Inn Westminster.  A fantastic free WiFi hotel climbing rapidly up the charts.  The staff get consistent rave reviews and you get computers in your room too – in the current TripAdvisor top 10.  This is a hotel that quietly does most things right without being overly “fussy”.

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City Inn Westminster provides some of the best technology amenities of any London hotel combined with good service and reasonable prices

• The Athenaeum.  Featured already as arguably London’s most kid-friendly hotel.  Luxurious accommodation with free amenities and very friendly service – for example they love to upgrade you for special occasions if you let them know.  Handy for shopping on Oxford Street.

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The Athenaeum also has some exceptional serviced apartments which are ideal for families - true luxury in the heart of London

The above hotels all “punch above their weight” consistently and offer a great price/quality trade-off.  All were offering free WiFi the last time we checked (though you should always check with the hotel to make sure).

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Photo credits: Rubens at the Palace Hotel, Montague on the Gardens (Red Carnation Hotel Collection), Hilton Canary Wharf, City Inn Westminster, Athenaeum Hotel, Apex City of London Hotel.

Tagged as: Apex City of London Hotel, Athenaeum Hotel, City Inn Westminster, Hilton Canary Wharf, Montague on the Gardens, Rubens at the Palace