The Big Six: London townhouse hotels

40 Winks, Stepney Green

The vision of interior designer David Carter, this four-storey Queen Anne townhouse offers two quirky guest bedrooms in the East End. The 18th-century building has been transformed into an affordably glamorous "micro-boutique hotel". The hotel tag is as familiar as it gets here though – it's part Venetian palazzo, whimsical country home, noble English residence and prop mistress's archive rolled into one artistic residence.

40 Winks, 109 Mile End Road, Stepney Green, London E1 4UJ (020-7790 0259; 40winks.org ). Doubles start at £130, including breakfast.

Rough Luxe, King's Cross

As much a concept as a hotel, Rough Luxe is the new name in shabby chic. The Grade II-listed building has nine guest rooms across the tracks from St Pancras International. A shifting display of contemporary artwork is displayed over peeling paint, exposed plaster or worn wallpaper in the small, charismatic rooms. But before you think you've stumbled into a King's Cross squat, luxuries include high-quality linens, copper baths, antique furnishings, home-made bath products and afternoon tea.

Rough Luxe, 1 Birkenhead Street, King's Cross, London WC1H 8BA (020-7837 5338; roughluxe.co.uk ). Doubles start at £177, with breakfast.

Miller's Residence, Notting Hill

With seven rooms, each named after a Romantic poet, Miller's Residence is an eclectic mishmash of Byron-era lavishness. The drawing room brims with antiques and curiosities, while the rest of the house is furnished in decadent period fashion. Portobello Antiques Market is, fittingly, just around the corner and the hotel is a favourite for film and photo shoots.

Miller's Residence, 111a Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W2 4UW (020-7243 1024; millersuk.com ). Doubles start at £182, including breakfast and evening drinks.

Number Sixteen, South Kensington

Part of the Firmdale Hotels stable, Number Sixteen is in a mid-Victorian white stucco terrace with 42 summery bedrooms. There are dazzling white linens, colourful patterned fabrics and high ceilings, while afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the courtyard garden, conservatory or library.

Number Sixteen, 16 Sumner Place, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG. (020-7589 5232; firmdale.com ). Doubles start at £205, including breakfast.

Egerton House Hotel, Knightsbridge

At this 19th-century, luxurious pied-à-terre in well-heeled Knightsbridge, guests are greeted with champagne or tea before they head up to one of the sumptuous bedrooms. Original works by Matisse and Picasso complete the decadent but at-home ambience.

The Egerton House Hotel, 17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, London SW3 BX (020-7589 2412; egertonhousehotel.com ). Doubles start at £300, with breakfast.

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

Formerly home to the Gargoyle Club (a haunt of 1930s politicians, artists and intellectuals), this 39-bedroom hotel opened last year. It offers elegant New England-leaning design in the bedrooms, a restaurant decorated with Brit-art and on-request access to the owner's members' club, Soho House.

Dean Street Townhouse, 69-71 Dean Street, London, Soho W1D 3SE (020-7434 1775; deanstreettownhouse.com ). Doubles start at £90, room only.