Nestled in a chic Victorian townhouse in Clerkenwell, this cozy boutique hotel features uniquely designed rooms, a stylish cocktail lounge, and free bike rentals.
"Maybe it was that break-up. Or maybe you just watched that RSPCA puppy advert at a particularly sensitive moment. Whatever the reason, you’re having a lot of feelings right now. What you need is one of the comfy armchairs at the cocktail lounge at The Zetter in Clerkenwell. This place serves plenty of cocktails in case your mates are happy on the hard stuff, but it also has the kind of cosy feel where you wouldn’t be at all surprised if your favourite grandparent appeared, grabbed a seat by the fire, and joined you for a fig leaf fizz." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Sinead Cranna
"The vibe: English eccentricity Location: Clerkenwell Top amenities: The award-winning cocktail bar Best for: Those in the know In Clerkenwell, the maximalist Zetter Townhouse taps a rich vein of Victorian eccentricity to create an urban den with genuine warmth—a theme hotel without the cheese, and a lovely, under-the-radar hotel that’s for seasoned London lovers. With only 13 rooms and no check-in desk, there’s an intimate feel—and you couldn’t be anywhere but the U.K. with this decor. Expect Union Jack flags flying from the beds, over the headboards, and (somewhat more discreetly) in the colors chosen for the throws. Bottles from the East London Liquor Company fill the mini bars, while Wilhelmina’s Lounge, the award-winning bar downstairs, does a fine line in cocktails—its apothecary-like bar is a nod to the area’s historic distilleries. If you don’t know Clerkenwell as an area, that’ll be because it’s not at all touristy. Rather, it’s an interesting corner of the city between the famous West End and trendy Shoreditch that’s home to great pubs, literary agencies, and independent boutiques. Nearby Farringdon station is one of the hubs for the Elizabeth Line, the high-speed, cross-capital Underground line which opened in 2022." - Julia Buckley
"For anyone that won’t manage to escape home — or other — dining arrangements, but wants a suitably festive haven to escape to post-feasts, or to have a preprandial cocktail at, the Zetter will be open all day and serving up its famed Eggnogg (off menu, so just ask)." - Suze Olbrich, James Hansen
"Not only does it have one of the best cocktail bars in London, but the rooms are simply gorgeous. Their hospitality is second to none, even during these tough times." - @gbwineshippers" - PRINT_COLLECTIVE
"Get cosy in the Zetter’s cocktail lounge, which feels more like a Pinterest-ready, Etsy-everything living room in a good way than a bar. There are intriguing twists on classic like a gimlet with nettle cordial, a sazerac with pear rye and a piña colada royale with coconut and pineapple-infused rum, topped up with champagne. Just remember, it’ll probably be frowned upon to fall asleep on the sofa like at home." - Daisy Meager
