Destinations

If you’re planning a stay in London, the city’s West End has much to offer from art galleries and museums to educational institutions, embassies and shopping. The West End also features London theater with many hotels offering ease of access to everything.

The following list of five hotels offer excellent accommodations including that all-important Wi-Fi access today’s travelers demand:

The Savoy

Established in 1889, this most legendary among London’s hotels is also one of the city’s historical landmarks. The Grill Room’s Master Chef Augustus Escoffier has concocted dishes in honor of hotel guests like Lily Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt and Edward VII. The debut performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue took place in its ballroom. Diva Luisa Tetrazzini was welcomed with her pet crocodile and entourage who resided in suites with a Thames view range from Claude Monet (who actually painted it) and Judy Garland (who requested blackout curtains). The sheer grandeur of the Savoy inspired dishwasher Guccio Gucci to return to Florence and found his luxury goods house. Indeed The Savory is steeped in history but thoroughly modern when it comes to technological facilities. Personal voicemail, fax, high-speed internet connections, and Wi-Fi are among its many assets.

The Ritz

The Ritz remains a perpetual mecca for aristocratic and political grandees. The “” is as much an institution as Her Majesty’s Buckingham Palace and its interiors are actually grander and better proportioned; to strengthen the argument, it was awarded the royal warrant by the Prince of Wales himself. The grand rococo dining room makes Versailles look low-key while the Palm Court is still the place to take tea, sip a Kir Royale and surf the net on your iPad using courtesy Wi-Fi for all hotel guests.

One Aldwych

One Aldwych is likely the most design- and gadget-conscious hotel in the West End. The hotel is a huge success and ideal to stay at if you appreciate things like fiber-optic reading lights, in-bathroom TVs, Wi-Fi, a screening room, and a pool that plays music underwater.

St. Martin’s Lane

Such is the fickleness of fashion that it’s become chic to label Ian Schrager’s St. Martin’s Lane as passé. This hasn’t stopped a slew of London hoteliers from copying the clever Philippe Starck interiors and the New York style snappy service. The glass 1960s era cubic structure is an architectural jewel, particularly striking when the multicolored light show in each guest room illuminates the night sky over the West End. Asia de Cuba, like the one at L.A.’s Mondrian Hotel, remains a fashion hangout as does the ambient Light Bar.

The Trafalgar

Formerly the offices of the Cunard cruise line, the Trafalgar exudes the slick, luxurious modernism of the Art Deco era. You will be hard pressed to find a better location in London for sightseeing. From the rooftop garden terrace you’re practically at eye level with Sir Nelson perched atop the Trafalgar Square column. Locals have adopted the hotel’s Rockwell Bar (specializing in Bourbon with over 100 brands) as a central hangout. The organic comfort food menu at Jago is a must and if that’s not enough, you can always retire to the convenience of Wi-Fi in your bedroom.

Author Information

Firespin Jay is a Travel and Tech writer from London, often staying in plush Hotels after conferences in the and around the West End Here are some top picks for the fastest Internet. Come back to check more writing or if you would like to converse and Tweet @FirespinJay