By Susan Radcliffe

For a breath of fresh air and a fabulous view of the city, a rooftop garden can’t be beaten. There aren’t too many of them in London and they can be hard to find, so here’s a guide to some that I have discovered on my travels.

The Trafalgar Hotel
2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London SW1A 2TS

You can’t climb Nelson’s Column, but you can get a better view of him from the Roof Garden at this hotel. Seven floors up, you are a little closer to this national hero and you have a you have a fabulous view Trafalgar Square, the attendant bronze lions, the fountains, plinths and statues, and the grand façade of the National Gallery. On the terrace, coloured candles, trees and grasses create a calm oasis right in the centre of London, perfect for a Pimms on a sunny afternoon or a romantic dinner under the stars. This 4 star hotel is an unbranded Hilton property – designed to be discreet and unique. You have to look for the building with the black flags and the clock on the south side of the square. Inside, the design is sleek and modern. Standard, Deluxe or Studio rooms are on offer, all with huge double glazed windows, some with views of the square. The bathrooms have aromatherapy toiletries and power showers and for entertainment, guests have access to the DVD and CD library.

Searcy’s Roof Garden Rooms
30 Pavilion Road, London SW1X 0HJ

Another one of London’s little secrets, this building used to be a pumping station before it was transformed into a luxury B&B by the catering company, Searcy’s. The bedrooms lead onto its roof garden, where guests can take their breakfast at the cast iron tables amongst the bright flowers and sprawling shrubs in terracotta pots. It gives a real old English feel to this a 3 star hotel. The guest rooms are also decorated in a traditional style, with floral wallpaper and fabrics bringing the garden indoors. Thankfully, the comforts of modern life have not been overlooked, with Super King Size beds, free Wi-Fi access and plasma screen TVs. This hotel is a reasonably priced option in a great location, close to Harrods and the designer shops of Knightsbridge.

Sanctum Soho Hotel
20 Warwick Street, Soho, London W1B 5NF

The roof garden at this hotel is a minimalist sanctuary, with wooden flooring, wickerwork sofas and elegant greenery. You can find a shady or a sunny spot to take a drink, or you can unwind in the alfresco Hydro-Spa. It’s a 5 star hotel and the guest rooms are as plush as you would expect, with either King Size or circular beds, Wii consoles, iPod docking stations and flat screen TVs. They range in size from a 2 bed apartment to a smaller Crash Pad for a short stay. You can live out a rock star fantasy with the Guitar Hero game in the suites, or arrive at your own premiere in the cinema room, which can be hired for private screenings. It’s certainly in the right part of London for the movies – a Georgian townhouse, just off Regent Street, in the heart of the West End.

Susan Radcliffe is a travel writer who lives and works in London. She shares her knowledge of its hotels, restaurants and attractions as a writer for London hotels, a price comparison site for London hotels.