For the fifth time in seven years, London has been named the most popular city for international visitors. According to MasterCards Global Destination Cities Index, the British capital is expected to end the year with 18.82 million overnight visitors, beating out Bangkok, Paris, Dubai, and Istanbul. Its a good thing, then, that Londons hotel scene is hotter than ever, with a dizzying number of new properties opening every year to accommodate the ever-growing tourist numbers. There are still several highly anticipated openings later this yearThe Old Street Courthouse Hotel, The Tobacco Dock Hotel, and citizenM Tower of London among thembut our listincludes the best of the bunch that have opened since fall 2013. With private butler services, eye-popping dcor, bars with dramatic views, and cutting-edge technology, these are Londons best new hotels.SEE ALSO:11 of the best new hotels in the worldDON'T FORGET:Follow Business Insider's Lifestyle page on Facebook!The Hoxton HolbornThe Hoxton, born in Shoreditch in 2006, has brought its brand of sophisticated cool to the relatively quiet environs of Holborn, not far from the British Museum. Opened in September 2014, the Hoxton Holborn houses 174 rooms in an unglamorous-looking five-story building that was formerly a BT office block. Inside, however, theres a handsome lobby thats bustling no matter what time of day, stylishly distressed vintage furniture throughout the hotel, and smartly appointed guestrooms with wallpaper designed by East London artist Toby Triumph.There are four room optionsShoebox, Snug, Cozy, and Roomyyet aside from size they all feature the same plush beds, sleek bathrooms, and winning dcor, not to mention free Wi-Fi and a breakfast bag that arrives at your door at the time of your choosing. The property is also home to Hubbard & Bell, Chicken Shop, and Holborn Grind, all of which have become local favorites. The Holborn location was just the beginning of an expansion plan, with an Amsterdam property set to open in July andoutposts in Paris and New York City scheduled to follow in 2016.Ace Hotel London ShoreditchAs if to cement gritty East Londons status as the epicenter of cool, the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch opened its doors here in September 2013, making it the American brands first foray into Europe. Like many of its Shoreditch neighbors, the Ace has taken a setting that was once drearyin this case, a hulking Crowne Plazaand transformed it into one that is extremely desirable. As with other Ace properties, the lobby here is just as much for the locals as it for hotel guests, if not more so; in addition to a communal working space, the lobby houses a bar, coffee shop, florist, gallery, restaurant, and a front desk that doubles as a gift shop.Upstairs, seven types of rooms and suitesthere are 258 guestrooms in totalfeature minimalist design schemes, patchwork quilts designed by French brand APC, and long, built-in benches that invite lounging. Vintage-looking Revo satellite radios, wall murals inspired by street art, and guitars and turntables are other standout aesthetic touches. The somewhat industrial feel may not appeal to all travelers, but if its scene youre after, the Ace cant be topped.Shangri-La Hotel, at The ShardSouth of the Thames, Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard occupies floors 3452 of the Renzo Pianodesigned skyscraper and impresses all guests with its jaw-dropping views of the city. This is London's first high-rise hotel, the tallest in Western Europe, and home to the citys highest cocktail bar and infinity pool. This is a luxury property, no doubt, with prices to match, but all rooms feature elegantly understated dcor, Asian influences, large marble bathrooms with heated floors, and, of course, that view.With regards to which of the four room types to choose (there are also six suites), the Iconic City View Room offers the best vistas of the city, and youll be able to spot just about any landmark you can think of with the binoculars provided to you at check-in. It should be noted that an early design flaw that inadvertently allowed guests to see into other rooms has been corrected, and staying here is still a once-in-a-lifetime experience.See the rest of the story at Business Insider NOW WATCH: Forget work-life balance and focus on inner balance
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