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Top Hotels in London for a Spectacular New Year’s Eve Celebration [2023]

Best hotels in London for New Year's Eve, fireworks over the London Eye
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Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.

As the countdown to the year-end festivities begins, it’s time to find the perfect place to ring in the New Year. And nowhere does New Year’s Eve celebrations quite like London!

From the iconic London Eye fireworks display to countless extravagant parties all across the city, celebrating New Year’s Eve in London is a huge bucket list item. But choosing a place to stay in the capital on one of the biggest nights of the year can prove quite a challenge.

Whether you’re a local looking to treat yourself to a luxurious NYE staycation, or you’re visiting the capital to see the famous fireworks display, I’ve carefully curated a list of the best hotels in London for New Year’s Eve 2023…

Note: In order to keep this article as informative and up-to-date as possible, I’ve reached out to each hotel directly for information on their NYE celebrations for 2023. I will continue to update the post as new parties and events are announced.

Where to stay in London for New Year’s Eve?

When picking a hotel in London for New Year’s Eve, the first thing you need to figure out is which area of the capital you want to stay in.

To do this, there are a few key questions you need to ask yourself…

Am I looking for a London hotel with views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks?

If so, you’ll ideally need to stay somewhere along the Embankment or South Bank, as close to the London Eye as possible. Many hotels in this area have great views of the display from their rooms, restaurants, and rooftop bars.

Or would I rather be right in the heart of the celebrations and watch the fireworks from ground level along the riverfront?

In this case, your hotel is just going to be your base. Choose a hotel within a 15-minute walking radius of the viewing zones along the river to avoid the crowds and transport chaos

Westminster Bridge, Whitehall, Northumberland Avenue, and Victoria Embankment on the north bank, and Lambeth and Waterloo on the south bank are all good options. Many hotels in these areas give guests free wristbands to watch the fireworks display from special cordoned-off zones.

Would I prefer to attend a party rather than watch the fireworks?

If you’re not bothered about seeing the fireworks, there are also countless hotels in London hosting extravagant New Year’s Eve dinners and parties. Drink and dance the night away without needing to leave your accommodation! What’s not to love about that?

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

View from the TĪNG Restaurant at Shangri-La at The Shard

Located within the capital’s tallest building, it’s no surprise that the Shangri-La at the Shard is one of the best hotels in London to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks over the city.

The hotel’s 202 luxurious rooms sit between levels 34 and 52 of the iconic skyscraper and offer sweeping panoramic views of the capital from large floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s one of the few places in the city you’ll get a unique bird’s eye view over the NYE fireworks.

You can treat yourself to a meal at one of the skyscraper’s world-class restaurants before retreating to your room for midnight. Or join the celebrations at one of the Shangri-La’s several glamorous New Year’s Eve parties.

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard will be hosting five parties for NYE 2023:

  • Luxurious NYE dinner at the TĪNG Restaurant (35th floor) with dishes created by a team of award-winning chefs
  • Cabaret celebrations at the GŎNG Bar (52nd floor) with live performances, Champagne, and Japanese delights
  • Rouge Party at the Sky Lounge (34th floor) with canapés, entertainment, and dancing
  • Exclusive buffet-style celebration dinner and drinks in the Ren Room (34th floor)
  • V.I.P gourmet buffet-style dinner in the Li Room (34th floor) with prime views over the NYE fireworks 

On New Year’s Day, enjoy a leisurely brunch before taking a refreshing dip in the hotel’s infinity pool, which is the highest swimming pool in Western Europe.

  • Hotel star rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
  • Location: Southwark
  • View of NYE fireworks: Yes
  • Walkable to London Eye fireworks: No
  • On-site restaurant: TĪNG, GŎNG
  • NYE party: Yes
  • Vibe: Contemporary luxury and opulence
  • Book the Shangri-La on Booking.com

London Marriott County Hall

London Marriott County Hall sitting on the bank of the River Thames next to the London Eye, one of the best London hotels for New Years Eve
Image courtesy of Marriot

If you’d rather stay right in the very heart of the NYE celebrations in London, the historic Marriot County Hall is about as close as you can possibly get. The hotel sits at the foot of Westminster Bridge on the South Bank, just a stone’s throw away from the famed London Eye fireworks.

The elegant 5* hotel has a handful of luxury suites with undisturbed views of the River Thames, Big Ben, and NYE fireworks. Some even feature balconies directly overlooking the London Eye. But even if you don’t get a riverfront suite, it’s still a great place to stay in London for the New Year.

Each December 31st, the hotel hosts a sophisticated Black Tie Gala Dinner, as well as a special Family Celebration Dinner. Both events include an after-party with live music, exciting entertainment, and exclusive views of the fireworks show.

And if black tie parties aren’t your thing, guests of the hotel also get free wristbands to access the fireworks viewing zone on Westminster Bridge just outside the front of the hotel.

Corinthia Hotel London

The Corinthia Hotel sits on the opposite bank of the River Thames to the London Eye, with direct views of the iconic NYE fireworks display.

The upscale hotel’s penthouse suites have large private rooftop terraces offering some of the most spectacular views of the NYE fireworks in the city. The penthouses also come with access to a personal butler and private wine collection. Some river-facing rooms also have a view of the display.

All guests of the hotel receive a free wristband for the blue zone along the Embankment to watch the fireworks from ground level. You can enjoy the display from the waterfront and be back in the comfort of your large modern room in just a matter of minutes.

You can also bring in the new year with dinner at one of the hotel’s luxury restaurants, including two NYE dinner sittings at The Northall and an NYE set menu at Kerridge’s.

Plus don’t forget to make the most of the hotel’s renowned ESPA Life spa the next morning. Nothing fights off a New Year’s Day hangover like treating yourself to a relaxing spa day.

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Also located on the South Bank of the River Thames, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is a contemporary hotel with spacious rooms just a short distance from the London Eye.

While certainly not ‘cheap’, the 4* hotel is one of the more affordable London hotels with views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The hotel is in an ideal location for attending the famous London fireworks display, with Westminster Bridge just a couple of minutes’ walk away.

Select rooms have views of the fireworks, so you can watch the display from the comfort of your bed if you so choose. If you are planning to stay in, make sure to confirm a fireworks view room with the hotel when you book as these are limited and in high demand.

The Royal Horseguards

The Royal Horseguards is an elegant hotel on the Embankment, offering a prime location with views over the River Thames and London Eye. Housed in a historic Victorian building, the grand hotel exudes a blend of classic charm and modern comfort that’s perfect for a luxury NYE getaway in London.

Many of the rooms have direct views of the London NYE fireworks, while the 5* hotel also hosts two spectacular New Year’s Eve parties on December 31st.

For those looking to drink and dance the night away, One Whitehall Place’s Black Tie Dinner features Champagne on arrival, a delicious 8-course dinner, unlimited wine and beer, live entertainment throughout the night, and unbeatable views of the fireworks.

Or for something a little more intimate, One Twenty One Two restaurant also hosts an 8-course dinner, but with a more laid-back vibe, acoustic entertainment, and firework views.

Club Quarters Hotel Trafalgar Square

Club Quarters Hotel Trafalgar Square sits on Northumberland Avenue between Trafalgar Square and the Embankment. While not quite as grand as some others in the area, the boutique 4* hotel’s opulent marble lobby and modern rooms still provide a fantastic base for New Year’s Eve in London.

The hotel doesn’t have direct views of the NYE fireworks. However, guests can enjoy a delicious dinner at the on-site Boyds Grill & Wine Bar, before heading to the complimentary viewing zone at the end of Northumberland Avenue, just a few minutes walk away.

CQ Trafalgar Square is also within walking distance to the many restaurants and NYE parties of vibrant Soho and the West End.

Sea Containers London

Sea Containers is a contemporary and stylish boutique hotel located along the south bank of the River Thames, close to Blackfriars Bridge.

With the hotel’s position on the same side of the river as the London Eye, only some rooms have views of the famous fireworks display. To ensure a view, you’ll need to book the “Ultimate View” package, which includes Champagne and canapés in your room for when the clock strikes twelve.

The hotel’s trendy rooftop bar 12th Knot offers unparalleled views over London and is a great place to watch the many NYE fireworks light up the city skyline. Each December 31st, the bar hosts a big NYE party, with plenty of drinks and live entertainment throughout the night.

If you’d rather head down to the river to watch the London Eye display, the hotel sits around a 15-minute walk from the pink viewing zone on Waterloo Bridge. The hotel gives all guests wristbands so you can access the bridge area at midnight.

The Standard London

If Victorian grandeur and black-tie gala dinners aren’t your thing, The Standard Hotel is a cool alternative hotel for a New Year’s break in London.

Known for its distinctive Brutalist architecture, the modern boutique hotel has a playful 70s aesthetic, with bold geometric shapes, colorful design features, and quirky furnishings galore.

Located in Kings Cross, the hotel is far from the busy NYE crowds of central London, so it’s not ideal if you plan on attending the fireworks. But not to worry, the hotel hosts its very own New Year’s Eve party each year in its swanky 10th-floor restaurant, Decimo.

Popular with the capital’s cool young crowd, Decimo’s NYE party is usually hosted by Radio 1 DJ Benji B (still to be confirmed for 2023) and a variety of special guests. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch some of the city’s midnight fireworks display from a distance from the restaurant’s wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows.

  • Hotel star rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
  • Location: Kings Cross
  • View of NYE fireworks: Possibly
  • Walkable to London Eye fireworks: No
  • On-site restaurant: Decimo
  • NYE party: Yes
  • Vibe: Young, hip, and lively
  • Book The Standard London on Booking.com

Boundary Shoreditch

The Boundary Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel nestled in the trendy neighborhood of Shoreditch in East London. Housed in a converted Victorian warehouse, it offers an industrial-chic aesthetic combined with modern luxury.

The hotel hosts an elegant NYE affair, with the option to enjoy an indulgent 7-course dinner menu in either the glass rooftop Orangery or ground floor Brasserie, before heading to the hotel’s rooftop terrace for some bubbles as the London NYE fireworks light up the sky above. The rooftop terrace features a warming firepit and cosy blankets, so no need to worry about the cold.

Plus for the first time for NYE 2023, Boundary will also be hosting a party in their elegant underground space, Below Boundary, so you can continue the celebrations into the night.

The small boutique hotel only has 17 rooms, so you’ll need to book early to avoid disappointment. You can still attend the NYE party even if you’re not staying at the hotel. But you do need to book tickets in advance.

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Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.

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