Tired of waiting in hotel check-in queues? Stay at one of these self check-in hotels in London and get straight to the good stuff.
Say goodbye to queuing, having to show forms of ID and interacting with other humans (the bit we loathe the most, really, isn’t it?), and hello to contactless check-in. There’s not much we can’t do from our phones these days, so it makes perfect sense that we can now check in to hotels in a few taps.
These are the very best self check-in hotels in London right now.
Best self check-in hotels: at a glance
| Best self check-in hotels, top picks | Hotel |
| Best overall self check-in hotel | CitizenM |
| Best self check-in app | Stow Away |
| Best self check-in hotel for amenities | Holmes Hotel |
| Best self check-in hotel for location | Park Plaza |
Best self check-in hotels in London
CitizenM Hotel
Tower Hill
£££
CitizenM Hotels are stylish, luxurious and great for business or fun. One of the reasons CitizenM is the best place to stay in London is that it’s a self-check-in hotel.
Travel made easy, check in to the hotel via CitizenM’s convenient and easy-to-use app, it really is that simple.
You can also use the app to control in-room features like the mood lighting or to order food from your phone straight to the door, we love this feature.
The Grand at Trafalgar Square
££
Embrace the liveliness of central London at The Grand at Trafalgar Square, a boutique hotel just steps from the National Gallery and Big Ben.
The best feature about this hotel is its mobile check-in service, you can check in easily through its mobile app.
This means you can get to all the fun stuff the hotel has to offer, room service, yoga and gym equipment, and an impressive ambient sound system, that little bit faster.
ME London
West End
£££
Located in the heart of the West End, ME London is the place to book if you’re looking for a self-check-in hotel that’s modern and sophisticated.
It’s never been easier to check in online at ME London, you can check in from 96 hours before your arrival and receive your digital key, meaning your stay is stress-free even before it begins.
With all the time you’ll save checking in online, you’ll have more time to spend at the wellness centre and the Radio rooftop bar.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
££
Park Plaza, located on Westminster Bridge, is one of the best locations in London for sightseeing.
Eager to get exploring, or just don’t feel like talking to someone at the front desk? Download Park Plaza’s handy app for a speedy, seamless self check-in experience.
You can check in 30 seconds before you arrive and head straight to your room with the digital key, exactly what you want after a long journey.
YOTEL London City
Farringdon
££
YOTEL is a quirky place to stay on Clerkenwell Road and one of the best self check-in hotels in London.
Priding itself on tech-driven experiences for guests, YOTEL’s contactless check-in and smart key are genuinely convenient. It’s quick, easy and will save you time and hassle, especially if you’re arriving late at night or early in the morning.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your hotel with no one there to let you in, we’ve all been there.
Eccleston Square Hotel
Pimlico
£££
Forward-thinking luxury boutique hotel Eccleston Square Hotel offers a friendly, personalised guest experience, and you can check in prior to your arrival.
You should receive a self check-in link via email, and it really is as simple as the click of a button.
The smart rooms have plenty of luxurious features, electrically adjustable Hastens beds and in-room Samsung tablets you can also order room service from among them.
Judd Hotel
Bloomsbury
££
Looking for a contact-free check-in hotel near Euston station? Stay at Judd Hotel. You can check in online 48 hours before your arrival, meaning all you have to worry about is which restaurants you’re going to dine at during your stay, it’s a hard life.
Judd Hotel occupies three London townhouses with elegant Georgian features, plus gardens and tennis courts for guests to use if you fancy hitting some aces. There’s also a complimentary cooked buffet breakfast during your stay, which should fuel you until lunchtime.
Stow Away
£££
Eco-apart hotel Stow Away is located in Waterloo, close to plenty of tourist attractions, restaurants and bars.
Skip the queue and use the contactless check-in service, leaving more time for wining and dining at Unwined Restaurant on site.
Download the Stow Away app before your trip, check in online, and use your phone as a digital key too.
Bedford Hotel
£££
Looking for somewhere peaceful to stay in London? Book a stay at the Bedford Hotel, small and intimate, with a fuss-free online check-in system ensuring your stay is nothing but relaxing. Download the Imperial London Hotels app, check in remotely, and enjoy keyless entry to your room.
The hotel sits in Bloomsbury, and its secluded garden is a tranquil space to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine after your day working or exploring.
Holmes Hotel London
£££
Holmes Hotel really is a home from home, situated inside four Georgian buildings in Marylebone, a great location for exploring London. The hotel is inspired by Sherlock Holmes and mixes heritage with playfulness across 118 guest and loft rooms.
Holmes has gone digital, so you can check in, get your digital key, check out and order food and drink straight to your door from your phone.
Download the app before your trip to make the most of it.
The London x London Take: if you only care about one thing, speed, CitizenM and Park Plaza both let you get from front door to room key in under a minute. If you want the app itself to be part of the experience (controlling lighting, ordering food, the works), CitizenM and Holmes Hotel do that best of the group.
Self check-in hotels in London: practical tips
- Remember to pack your smartphone if you want to check in online, it’s mostly glued to our hands, but it’s easy to forget until you need it.
- Download the app for most hotels before your arrival and check in early.
