This month, we begin by wishing happy birthday to the London Hilton on Park Lane, the first Hilton hotel to open in the UK, which turns 50 this week.

New Hotels

As spring arrives, so does a bumper crop of new London hotels. Here are London’s hottest new hotels:

Great Northern Hotel – Relive the romantic age of train travel at the Great Northern Hotel, which re-opened this month. The hotel, which was London’s first railway hotel, has undergone a £40 million refurbishment and offers a quiet oasis in the hub of King’s Cross and St Pancras. The 91-bedroom hotel has been refurbished to exude “timeless elegance with a hint of modernity”. Room rates from £250

The Apartments by The Sloane Club – For stays of seven days or more, try a luxury serviced apartment in the exclusive neighbourhood of Sloane Gardens. Apartments are set in two beautiful late 19th century buildings and guests have access to a 24-hour concierge. Rates from £220 per night excluding VAT. Opens this week

One Leicester Street – A new boutique hotel comes to London on 1 May. One Leicester Street is the first hotel from the Unlisted Collection to open in the capital. Opening on the site of the former St John’s Hotel on the edge of Chinatown, the property will feature 15 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar. The restaurant will be headed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Harris. Opens 1 May

Nadler Soho – Boutique hotel brand base2stay is becoming Nadler Hotels, and opening a new property in London. The Nadler Soho promises “affordable luxury” with stylish rooms and Local Ambassadors on the front desk providing an introduction to the best bars and restaurants nearby. Opens late May

Xenia – Coming to South Kensington next month is Xenia hotel, situated in a restored Victorian building with contemporary interiors. The boutique hotel includes 99 bedrooms, an Italian restaurant, and a bar with a herb garden terrace. Opens in May, room rates from £160

Chelsea Flower Show

Even if you haven’t got tickets to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, you can still be there in spirit thanks to London’s hotels.

Belgraves – A Thompson Hotel in Knightsbridge will be transforming its terrace into an edible garden for the duration of the show (21-25 May), with edible flower cocktails, and food and flower pairing classes. Both the Landmark London and the Royal Garden Hotel are offering floral-themed afternoon teas during Chelsea Flower Show week – reservations recommended.

Extra, extra

• The Goring hotel has received the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2013
• The Berkeley has launched new balcony rooms which include luxury wooden birdhouses on the terraces!
• In its 175th anniversary year, Brown’s Hotel is celebrating with a Victorian menu at HIX from 20 May and welcoming British nail brand Ciaté to its spa

This month, we’ve got the latest hotel openings, hotel deals and news of how London’s hotels are preparing for the fashion crowd to hit town.

Don’t forget, if you’re planning a (very) last-minute Valentine’s break in London, check out the capital’s romantic hotels.

New openings

First up, the ibis Styles London Excel (formerly Custom House Hotel) has re-opened following extensive refurbishment of its bedrooms and public spaces. The hotel is handy if you’re in London for a conference, as it’s located next to ExCeL Exhibition and Convention Centre. It’s also an easy journey to The O2, Westfield Stratford City, the Olympic Park and Greenwich.

Luxury hotel ME London opens next month in Marconi House, the original home of BBC Radio. The hotel features 157 guest rooms, including 16 suites and a two-storey penthouse. The hotel’s hotspot will be the Radio Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, offering panoramic views over London.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is on its way and official hotel partner The May Fair is sporting illustrations by designer Manolo Blahnik on its façade from today until 19 February to celebrate.

St James’s Hotel and Club are launching a gluten-free afternoon tea in time for Fashion Week. Indulge for £19 (or £34 with a glass of champagne). Available from 15 February.

Special offers

Last chance to book a two-for-one Detox Spa Day at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. The deal includes use of the hotel’s gym and a 60-minute power plate session; access to the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room; plus a 60-minute Dr Murad treatment. £125 for two people. Offer available until 28 February, for reservations call +44 (0)20 7902 8023 or email mhrs.lonch.theclub@marriotthotels.com

Apex City of London Hotel is offering two complimentary travelcards with their London Unlimited package on stays before 14 April. Rooms from £131 per night. Find out more

Enjoy a free airport transfer from Heathrow or Gatwick for stays before 15 March with onefinestay. The company offers holidaymakers the chance to live like a local by staying in a Londoner’s home while they’re out of town.

Extra, extra

Cheval Residences will be opening a new set of serviced and non-serviced apartments, Cheval Three Quays, in 2014. The apartments will be within walking distance of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and The Shard.

More hotels in London

The latest news from the London hotel scene, including openings, refurbishments and more.

New Openings

The new DoubleTree by Hilton London – Marble Arch hotel has opened just in time for anyone planning a Christmas shopping trip to London. Situated behind Marble Arch Tube station, the 121-bedroom hotel is just a few steps from the shops of Oxford Street. If the hotel looks familiar, that’s because it was formerly the Best Western Premier Mostyn Hotel and is also home to the famous Texture restaurant and champagne bar.

Hotel Xanadu opened this month, offering boutique accommodation from £150 a night in Bond Street – Bond Street Ealing, that is! The stylish hotel’s West London location makes it an easy journey to and from Heathrow Airport, and to attractions including Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and Wembley Stadium. There’s also a restaurant, Koobla, offering Asian cuisine.

Drink, Dine, Play

The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill hotel is opening a new venue, The Churchill Bar and Terrace at the end of November. As the name suggests, the bar pays homage to Winston Churchill, including a life-sized bronze statue. The bar will serve classic cocktails, liquors, spirits and fine cigars, and has an outside heated terrace. Opens 29 November.

Get into the festive spirit at the Andaz Liverpool Street’s Andaz Lounge, which is installing a jukebox next month. Guests can choose a Christmas song for 50p, with proceeds going to London homeless charity Providence Row. Available from 1 to 28 December.

Film fans can indulge at 51 Buckingham Gate’s new Cinema Suite, a huge two-bedroom suite with décor inspired by iconic movie stars and an 85-inch plasma screen TV and 3D sound system. If you fancy a bit of A-list treatment, the suite is available from £5,100.

Extra, Extra

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is now available at Guoman’s luxury hotels including The Tower, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Charing Cross Hotel.

Hotel Openings

This month, Blackfriars has gained two new hotels: Ibis London Blackfriars and Novotel London Blackfriars, which both opened on 1 October.

Ibis London Blackfriars is a new build and the new flagship for the economy hotel brand. Ibis London Blackfriars features 297 comfortable bedrooms with free WiFi, Freeview TV and USB docking stations. There’s also a communal “living space” where guests can relax and socialise.

Novotel London Blackfriars is another new build, with 182 guest rooms. This four-star hotel is all about the technology, from self check-in desks, to a virtual concierge, and electronic shower privacy screens. Hotel restaurant Elements serves up British-European cuisine and offers TV tables and iPads to entertain lone diners.

Coming Soon

Hot on the heels of ibis London Blackfriars, ibis London Shepherd’s Bush opens on 15 October. The hotel offers similar facilities to its sister hotel but in West London.

Coming to London this November, the first new InterContinental hotel in the capital for 36 years. InterContinental London Westminster will be located in Queen Anne’s Chambers, a former government building opposite St James’s Park Tube station. It will feature 256 guestrooms, including 44 suites; a smoke house restaurant and bar; and a lounge named after Emmeline Pankhurst.

Drinking, Dining and Partying

The Montague on the Gardens is bringing some Christmas cheer to its outdoor Wood Deck by turning it into a ski lodge complete with pine cones, falling snow and reindeer. The Montague Ski Lodge will be open to guests, parties and visitors from 20 November to 31 December. Book a personal pass for £20 and enjoy three vodkas from a choice of 12 and a tasting platter, but hurry as many days are already fully booked.

Guests at One Aldwych can enjoy some R&R in the hotel’s new private lounge. The area is fully serviced with a changing menu throughout the day; coffee table books chosen by designer Paul Smith; and iPads, newspapers and magazines. Watch the video to find out more:

Hotel Vegas is offering the ultimate New Year’s Eve party. Hosted by Pacha London and The Grosvenor Hotel, revellers can party all night at the club and then stay at the nearby hotel for just £110 per person (£220 per room based on two people sharing). Not bad as club tickets alone cost £45 each, and breakfast and late checkout is included. Book tickets

Extra, Extra

• A new restaurant, The Oceanic, has opened at Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow, serving up steak and seafood in Art Deco surroundings
• St Martin’s Lane hotel is showing an exhibition of work by artist Beatrice Boyle until 29 October
• The Melia White House hotel is hosting an Italian food festival from 15 to 29 October. Visitors can sample dishes from North East Italy at the hotel’s bars and restaurants, including antipasti from £1.50 per dish

Hotel Openings

Novotel London St Pancras has re-opened as the Pullman London St Pancras following a comprehensive refurbishment. The four-star hotel offers 312 bedrooms, free Wi-Fi and a new restaurant serving modern European cuisine. Pullman London St Pancras is just three minutes’ walk from King’s Cross St Pancras Station, making it ideal if you’ve got an early or late train to catch. It’s also well-located for sightseeing, with the British Library and Wellcome Collection within walking distance, and excellent Tube, train and bus links.

Coming Soon

Hotel operator Accor has announced it will open four new hotels in London this October. Novotel London Blackfriars; the flagship ibis London Blackfriars; ibis Shepherd’s Bush, within five minutes’ walk of Westfield London; and Mercure Greenwich in Maurice Drummond House, a 1930s building once used as accommodation for Metropolitan Police Officers. More information about all properties next month.

Eat and Drink

You can now drink and dine at Hilton London Wembley. The hotel has opened Association restaurant, serving modern British fare, and Icons bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail and views of Wembley Stadium.

The Trafalgar Hotel is hosting a pop-up art installation of work by Mark Fairhurst, who became an artist this August after being inspired by the Olympic Games. The hotel has created three new cocktails in celebration of the exhibition, which can be enjoyed in the Rockwell Bar & Restaurant.

The Dorchester Collection have also indulged in some mixology, and created five cocktails inspired by each of the designers shortlisted for this year’s Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The cocktails are available until 3 October.

Other News

Fancy staying in a hotel run by Gordon Ramsay and Mary Portas? Then book your stay at Hotel GB, setting up in London for one week only in October as part of a TV series for Channel 4. The hotel will be staffed by TV celebrities and unemployed people looking to gain experience in the hospitality industry. To book, phone + 44(0)20 3227 5851 or email hotelguest@optomen.com explaining why you’d make a good guest on the show. There is a charge to stay at the hotel, which will be donated to unemployment charities.