HotelChatter

Elle's style soothsayers also chose their five favorites favourites among the openings, which include the big names we've been closely following and reporting on all year.

Despite a few middling reviews from major critics, the behemoth that is the St. Pancras Renaissance earned a spot on Elle's roundup, reaping props for its "cool bar," "iconic exterior" and the culinary cred that comes with having a Marcus Wareing-helmed restaurant onsite.

Also making an appearance, the W, located in the heart of the tourist-swarmed Leicester Square, which counted Kate Moss and Alexa Chung among the celebs at its glittery opening.

Clerkenwell's Zetter Townhouse, the Corinthia, and slim wingspan-ed Z Hotel Soho round out the list.

None of the properties are particularly close to the main Olympic Stadium in Stratford, which itself is located in the far reaches of East London. Though we've been also been reporting on the rise of East London hotels, it seems the city's overall strategy has been to pull in visitors who will likely spend more time (and money) pottering around Oxford Circus and Westminster than the more rough 'n' tumble East, and corral them in nearby hotels. But with half a year left until the Games, expect a few last-minute surprises to pop up on the local scene, and trust that we'll be here to tell you about them.