Guide to the most beautiful luxury and boutique hotels in London, bed and breakfast and self-catering apartments

Every big city has its clichés, but hardly any other European capital brings so many typical images to mind as London. In this multicultural capital, we have selected some particularly charming boutique hotels in London from which you can set out to discover the charismatic quirks of the English and the magic of their capital. Why not stay with friends at one of our authentic bed & breakfasts in London Belgravia, Chelsea or Notting Hill, or for a special occasion at a luxury hotel in London Kensington. Browse our selection and don't hesitate to write to us if you don't find the right one straight away.

London - multiculture at its best

The original alpha city of the world. Samuel Johnson once said that “He who is tired of London is tired of life”. It may sound a bold statement but in truth, no one in their right mind can ever get bored in London. There is simply too much to see and so in this vibrant multicultural city. England’s capital city has endless opportunities to enjoy plenty of cultural activities, feast on a whole range of national and international culinary delights, and experience the vibrant nightlife. There is simply too much to see and experience in this multicultural city to get bored. Some statistics underline this: shop till you drop - 30,000 shops make it possible. Pure culture with over 300 museums and galleries. More than 6000 restaurants bring the flavours of all countries to London. And don't forget the music: whether classical, pop or rock - there's always live music playing on one of the more than 400 concert stages.

London's markets full of curiosities and treasures are also legendary. There are too many to list here. Portobello, Camden Market, Brick Lane and Notting Hill are among the best known, but if you keep browsing, you'll find countless more. We are only scratching the surface here. Despite its imposing size and vitality, London is ultimately a collection of many small villages.

And if the concrete jungle of central London is no longer appealing, you can escape to one of the many green parks throughout London. Greenwich Park, Hampstead Heath, Regents Park and Clapham Common and Hyde Park all provide excellent access to green space. No chance to get bored.

London - culture and entertainment

London is almost too big to fathom. Immense in size and heritage, it takes time to enjoy everything it has to offer an it is impossible to get bored here, there is always something to do. Even for those who know it well, there will always be a hidden corner to discover, a small market you didn't know about, a charming little street or square where you can get to know a little more of London's soul. In any case, we will try to summarise its best-known spots.

The Palace of Westminster, which houses the two Houses of Parliament, is a Victorian Gothic building. Built in the mid-19th century to replace the old Parliament building, which was destroyed in a fire, its façade, with its pointed pinnacles, is one of the most famous images of the city. And surrounding the Palace are two of its other icons: the famous Big Ben, a 106-metre-high tower that houses four clocks, one on each of its faces. And Victoria Tower, which houses copies of all the Acts of Parliament since the 15th century.

Westminster Abbey, on the other hand, is London's oldest and most famous church. The site of royal coronations - since William the Conqueror in the 11th century - and the tomb of monarchs, this abbey - built over several centuries in successive alterations - has been the site of many important events in the history of the United Kingdom. Another of the city's best-known landmarks is the Tower of London. Although for many centuries it was synonymous with horror, as those who offended the king were imprisoned and tortured here, today it is one of the most visited attractions. It houses the Crown Jewels.

Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the Royal Family since the mid-18th century, is another must-see if you're in London. Queen Elizabeth II currently resides here, and the famous Changing of the Guard takes place in front of the palace. St Paul's Cathedral is the second largest church in the world - second only to St Peter's Basilica in Rome. This huge mid-late 17th-century church, which has witnessed some of the most important events in recent British history, is most notable for its dome, made up of three circular galleries.

Other monuments and places of interest include Tower Bridge, London's most famous bridge, the London Eye - a Ferris wheel built in the year 2000 to celebrate the turn of the millennium and from which there is a spectacular panoramic view of the city - and Kensington Palace, also home to the Royal Family.

Piccadilly Circus - London's best-known square, famous for its illuminated signs - is a favourite meeting place for Londoners. And Trafalgar Square - or Trafalgar Square, built to commemorate Admiral Nelson's victory over the Franco-Spanish Armada - is also very famous. Covent Garden, with its famous market, is one of the city's most charming districts. Also not to be missed is The Shard, the tallest skyscraper in the European Union - at 310 metres high - and Chinatown, London's Chinatown.

Gastronomy in London

Even if you spend a long time in London, you will fail to even scratch the surface of the culinary experiences available in England’s capital.  If you’re a foodie, then London’s many markets will provide ample opportunity to try a diverse range of food and drink. London is also home to an ever-growing specialty coffee scene. Walking the streets of London, you will never be far from a delicious cup of coffee.

London's gastronomic offer is very varied thanks to the diverse origins of many of its citizens, who have enriched it over the centuries. London is able to cater for all nationalities and food tastes, from spending time exploring the restaurants in Chinatown to eating in the many incredible Indian and Asian restaurants located in Southall, those seeking a great culinary and sensory experience will not be disappointed by what London has to offer.

Notwithstanding the international influence, we will try to stick to the typical and traditional dishes, because, despite what people might say, it is worth trying the local gastronomy.

What better way to start than by talking about one of the most famous British dishes: fish and chips. One of the first dishes to be sold as a takeaway, it is now one of the most popular dishes in the city. The fish - usually cod or haddock - is battered, fried and then accompanied by potatoes - also fried - seasoned with salt and vinegar.

Another of the best-known dishes is roast beef: grilled beef that is usually seasoned with mustard or wasabi sauces and accompanied by boiled vegetables such as potatoes or broccoli. Then there are all sorts of pies that  can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, chicken with mushrooms or sausages with potatoes. English sausages in particular are very popular in London. Another standout dish is Beef Wellington - a piece of sirloin prepared with foie gras, mushroom sauce, ham and wrapped in puff pastry, named after Wellington's victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Another simple and very successful dish is Welsh Rarebit - a sauce made with cheese, mustard and pepper and served on toast or with meat.

And don’t forget, there's nothing better than a good English afternoon tea to wind down after a long day discovering the city.