The best areas to stay in London on a first visit are the city centre, Westminster and the City of London. Staying in the city centre puts the theatres, restaurants and shops on your doorstep, Westminster is ideal for sightseeing, and the City of London is well connected and offers good value, especially at weekends.
I have been to London several times, and I have never stayed in the centre. The prices simply never made sense to me. Instead, I have tried a few other corners of the city. I started out in Victoria, then moved on to the City of London, which has become my go-to on recent trips.
The last time, I booked the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London, a sleek, modern hotel right beside the Tower itself. I travelled at the weekend, when the City empties of business travellers and hotel prices drop, so I got a great deal. If you are watching your budget, that is the trick to keep in mind.
QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST AREAS TO STAY IN LONDON
- 🏆 Best area overall: City Centre
- 🏛️ For sightseeing: Westminster, South Bank – Southwark
- ✨ A great alternative: The City
- 🍸 For nightlife: Shoreditch
- 👪 Best for families: Kensington
- 💖 For couples: Notting Hill
- 👛 Ir de compras: City Centre, Knightsbridge
- 🕊 For peace and quiet: Kensington, Chelsea
- 💸 Budget-friendly areas: King´s Cross, Paddington
- 💎 Exclusive area: Kensington – Knightsbridge, Chelsea
The following round up will give the traveller more idea of the best areas to stay in London according to lifestyle, budget and preference.
Where to Stay in London: Best Areas and Hotels
1. City Centre (Covent Garden, Soho and the West End), Best for First-Time Visitors
The city centre is the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors. For this guide, I have grouped together Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone and the streets around Piccadilly Circus.
All these neighborhoods are part of the city centre and they offer a convenient base for sightseeing, shopping, theatres and nightlife.
It does not matter too much which of these neighbourhoods you choose, as you can explore the others on foot. Staying in Soho will not stop you from enjoying Covent Garden’s restaurants or Mayfair’s shops, and Marylebone also puts you within walking distance of the rest.
Some walks will be longer than others, but you can comfortably spend your days exploring this part of London without relying on public transport.
Each neighbourhood has its own character. Covent Garden is particularly good for first-time visitors, Soho for dining and nightlife, Mayfair for luxury, and Marylebone for a more residential atmosphere. Around Piccadilly Circus, you will be right in the middle of the West End’s bustle.
The West End is an area of the city centre best known for its theatres, shopping streets and nightlife. It includes Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, although its boundaries are not precisely defined. Many of London’s major stage productions are performed here, making it the city’s main theatre district.
Covent Garden is one of the best places in London to enjoy live entertainment, from opera and ballet at the Royal Opera House to the many theatres in and around this part of the West End.
The main square is a stage in its own right, with street performers drawing crowds with music, comedy and acrobatics. Performers must audition to secure a spot, so it is worth stopping to watch a show as you explore.
The historic market hall is now a shopping and dining destination, with shops and stalls selling gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothing and much more.
The area is a thriving and successful one, bursting with performers, shops, artisanal coffee shops and boutique eateries. Being a busy tourist area aimed at entertainment and creativity, there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, bars and places to spend an evening.
The square is a good place to linger, and it is worth exploring Covent Garden at different times of day to see this historic and vibrant area in all its moods.
Neighbouring Soho is one of London’s main areas for dining out and nightlife. Its concentration of restaurants makes it an easy choice for dinner, whether you are planning a whole evening out or looking for somewhere to eat before a West End show.
Chinatown is also here, around Gerrard Street, adding Chinese restaurants, bakeries and other places to eat to the options in and around Soho.
Home to cabaret, burlesque, theatres and cinemas, Soho is as much a Londoner’s playground as it is a place for tourists to explore.
Cocktail bars, truly unique boutiques, coffee shops and all sorts of pubs, clubs and nightlife entertainment can be found. It is often best to follow only a loose itinerary, seeing what is on offer each day and visiting galleries, performances and other entertainment based on what is available.
Shopping in Soho ranges from cutting-edge designers just starting out to the weird and wacky indulging their distinctive tastes, so you will be able to find interesting and unusual gifts for family and friends back home.
There are also family-friendly attractions and shops in the surrounding streets, as well as performances and shows. On nearby Regent Street, Hamleys is a large and magnificent toyshop, with seven floors of toys, elaborate displays and demonstrations that can easily keep children occupied.
Piccadilly Circus puts you close to Soho, Leicester Square and the West End’s theatres, with Regent Street’s shops nearby. It is a convenient location if you want busy streets and entertainment on your doorstep, although the crowds and traffic will not suit everyone.
For a more exclusive stay, Mayfair is known for luxury hotels and designer shopping, particularly around Bond Street. Its location also gives you access to Hyde Park and Green Park, making it appealing if you want to combine shopping with walks through the city centre.
Marylebone offers a more residential atmosphere, particularly around its high street, with boutiques, cafés and restaurants. It suits travellers who want to stay centrally while spending their evenings somewhere less dominated by nightlife.
Although you can explore these neighbourhoods on foot, London’s extensive bus and Tube networks are useful for reaching attractions elsewhere in the city.
Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn and Embankment serve Covent Garden and its surroundings, while Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road are useful for Soho and the nearby shopping streets. Bond Street and Baker Street are convenient for parts of Mayfair and Marylebone respectively.
As in other busy tourist areas, keep valuables secure and watch out for pickpockets, especially around stations, crowded streets and nightlife venues.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, Soho can become rather rambunctious as locals and visitors head out to let their hair down. If you are sensitive to noise, check the hotel’s exact street and recent guest reviews, particularly when booking above or beside a pub, bar or club.
The City Centreis very expensive, and finding decent, cheap accommodation is difficult. Mayfair is particularly associated with luxury hotels, but Covent Garden, Soho and the other neighbourhoods covered here also command high prices for their central locations.
I have never stayed in this part of London because I have not been able to find accommodation at prices I considered reasonable. I like the convenience of the location, but on my trips I have found better value elsewhere and travelled into the centre.
If your budget allows, staying here puts you in one of the most convenient parts of London for a first visit, with restaurants, theatres, shops and nightlife within walking distance. Just be prepared to pay a substantial premium for the location.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE CITY CENTRE
($$$) The Savoy: Edwardian and Art Deco interiors give this landmark hotel its character, with rooms overlooking the courtyard, city or, in selected categories, the Thames. The river-view rooms are the ones to consider for a special occasion. Its position on the Strand also makes it a practical luxury base for Covent Garden and the West End’s theatres.
($$) Gem Fitzrovia Hotel: Traditional English furnishings and marble bathrooms set the tone at this Fitzrovia hotel, which has 86 bedrooms, a restaurant and a panelled lounge bar serving afternoon tea. A classic hotel setting near the West End is its main appeal. Single and twin rooms broaden the options beyond a standard double.
($) YHA London Central: Shared dorms and private rooms give you several ways to stay in the city centre without spending a fortune, with Great Portland Street station nearby. Some private rooms have en-suite bathrooms, while others use shared facilities, so the room category matters. There is also a bar and snack bar, giving you somewhere to take a break without heading straight back out.
2. Westminster, Best Place to Stay in London for Sightseeing
Westminster is one of the best places to stay in London for sightseeing, with some of the capital’s most famous landmarks within walking distance. It is a great choice if you want to spend your days exploring London’s historic sights and walking between royal palaces, government buildings and the Thames.
Westminster is also the name of a much larger London borough, officially called the City of Westminster. For this guide, I am focusing on the area around the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the nearby streets extending towards Buckingham Palace.
Smack in the heart of London, Westminster is home to some of the city’s most iconic sights: the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
The London Eye is just across the river, and there are wonderful walks along the Embankment, watching the boats plying back and forth on the Thames.
Buckingham Palace is another major attraction, drawing visitors who come to watch the Changing of the Guard or simply admire the palace. St James’s Park is close by, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk towards Westminster Abbey and Parliament.
Much of the area is given over to businesses and government buildings, but there are many hotels here too. During the day, the streets fill with office workers and tourists visiting the famous landmarks.
In the evening, the area becomes quieter, making it a good option if you prefer a calmer atmosphere after a day of sightseeing.
There are plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars, although I would choose Soho or Covent Garden if evening entertainment were my main priority. The main attraction here is being close to London’s landmarks and having convenient connections for exploring further afield.
Within Westminster, Victoria is particularly worth considering for its transport connections and somewhat more affordable accommodation. Centred on Victoria station, this subarea puts you close to Buckingham Palace while offering a practical base for travelling around London and beyond.
The station combines National Rail services and Underground connections, with a bus station outside and Victoria Coach Station a short walk away. The Victoria, District and Circle lines serve the Underground station, while numerous bus routes provide further connections.
Elsewhere in the area, Westminster station is particularly convenient for the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
The Tube is a fast and efficient way to travel, although stations and trains can become crowded during weekday rush hours. If you have flexibility, travelling outside these periods makes getting around more comfortable.
Taxis are expensive, and traffic can make journeys slower than expected. For many trips, walking or using public transport will be quicker and cheaper.
As in other busy parts of the city centre, keep an eye on your belongings, particularly around stations and major attractions. Watch out for pickpockets, theft of unattended bags and people approaching travellers with unsolicited offers.
Westminster is a convenient but expensive place to stay. Hotels close to Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the river tend to charge a premium for their location, and luxury accommodation can be particularly costly.
Around Victoria, prices tend to be somewhat more affordable, with a broader choice of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs. I would look here if you want to stay in Westminster while keeping accommodation costs a little lower, although this is still a city centre location and should not be considered cheap.
With Buckingham Palace nearby, Westminster’s other landmarks within walking distance and excellent transport connections, Victoria offers a useful balance of location, convenience and price.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN WESTMINSTER
($$$) St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection: The choice of family accommodation is particularly useful here: Family Rooms have two queen beds and two bathrooms, while larger family suites add a sitting area and sofa bed. Smaller doubles suit couples who need less space. The Caxton Street address puts you close to St James’s Park, making the hotel worth considering for a trip centred on Westminster.
($$$) The Goring: Individually designed bedrooms, marble bathrooms and views towards Belgravia or the hotel’s garden give The Goring a distinctly traditional feel. Garden-view rooms bring a different setting to a central London stay. There are also connecting family options and smaller rooms for solo travellers, so you can choose the layout as well as the level of luxury.
($$) citizenM London Victoria Station: An XL king-size bed, rainfall shower and tablet-controlled lighting and blinds are the main features of the bedrooms. Downstairs, the living-room-style communal spaces and 24-hour canteenM give you more room to spread out. The combination of Victoria’s transport links and a bedroom designed for two makes this a practical choice for couples spending much of the day exploring.
3. Kensington and Knightsbridge, Where to Stay in London for Museums and Luxurious Shopping
Kensington and Knightsbridge combine some of London’s best-known museums with beautiful gardens and high-end shopping. Kensington is particularly appealing for families, while Knightsbridge suits travellers looking for luxury shopping and a location within walking distance of many city centre sights.
Instantly recognisable to many tourists as being ‘the place where all the museums are’, Kensington is, indeed, home to the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
In brief, the one with the very cool interactive exhibits, especially for kids, the one with the blue whale skeleton, and the one with all the fascinating old clothes, statues, notebooks, and oddments of all sorts from all over the world, respectively!
The museums and nearby green spaces make Kensington a good choice for families, allowing you to combine sightseeing with time outdoors without having to travel across London for every activity.
As well as the museums, the area is home to beautiful Kensington Gardens, where Queen Victoria’s memorial to her beloved Albert can be admired, and also to Imperial College, the Royal College of Music and many international embassies and consulates.
Kensington Palace, in the grounds of the Gardens, is partly open to the public and offers another reason to spend time exploring this part of London.
Neighbouring Knightsbridge is a genteel shopping district, with high-end fashion outlets, luxury vehicles, and many of the kind of shops that do not have price tags – if you have to ask, you should not be shopping here, is the implication!
Of all the sights in Knightsbridge, Harrods’ immense department store is probably the most famous, a large, squarish building picked out in green and gold.
Inside, each department is like a store in its own right, giving the store the impression of being a massive mall, or even containing a whole village inside its walls!
Spend the whole day wandering around Harrods and you still will not have been able to see more than a fraction of what is on offer! Elsewhere in Knightsbridge, you can find budget-friendly restaurants, shops and boutiques, but the main theme of the area is wealth and opulence.
I particularly like Knightsbridge for its location. Hyde Park is close by, and I enjoy being able to walk to Buckingham Palace and continue through St James’s Park towards Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Some of these are fairly long walks, depending on where you stay, but Knightsbridge makes a convenient base if you like exploring London on foot.
Wealthy businessmen and even billionaires call this part of London home, and housing prices tend to be on the very, very high side – even for London.
There are many restaurants and bars in Kensington, including plenty of convenient places for foot-sore and weary museum explorers to refuel before getting on to the next attraction. Knightsbridge also has some pubs and nightclubs, although these tend to be exclusive and expensive, while many restaurants cater to visitors with higher budgets.
South Kensington, Gloucester Road, High Street Kensington and Knightsbridge tube stations serve different parts of the area, with numerous bus routes providing further connections. South Kensington is particularly convenient for the museums, while Knightsbridge puts you close to Harrods and the surrounding shops.
It is pleasant to stroll through the area, exploring its wide streets, gardens and shops, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a meal or browse for gifts for those back home. As elsewhere in London, take the usual precautions against opportunistic theft, particularly in busy shopping areas and around stations.
There are plenty of hotels in Kensington, with options ranging from simpler accommodation to luxury hotels. Kensington is by no means cheap, but its accommodation is generally somewhat more affordable than Knightsbridge’s, giving travellers more scope to find a stay that fits a moderate budget.
Accommodation in Knightsbridge tends to be more expensive, with luxury hotels reflecting the wealth of the surrounding neighbourhood. Kensington is a particularly good option for families who want museums and parks nearby, while Knightsbridge appeals to travellers looking for luxury accommodation, high-end shopping and walks to some of London’s most famous sights.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LONDON IN KENSINGTON – KNIGHTSBRIDGE
($$$) Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London: A 17-metre indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness centre make this hotel worth considering if you want time to unwind between sightseeing trips. Bedrooms have marble bathrooms, with views varying between Knightsbridge, the courtyard and Hyde Park. Connecting options are available, while the location lets you combine park walks with shopping in Knightsbridge.
($$) The Rembrandt: Across from the V&A, The Rembrandt pairs its museum-side location with bedrooms that include desks and tea and coffee facilities. Grand rooms add a seating area with a sofa bed. The adjacent Aquilla health club has a heated indoor pool and gym; access depends on your room or package and can cost extra, so check the terms of your booking.
($) YHA London Earl’s Court: A courtyard garden and self-catering facilities give this hostel useful space beyond the bedroom. Accommodation ranges from shared dorms to private rooms, with bunk beds in most categories. The guest kitchen helps keep meal costs under control, while nearby Earl’s Court station makes the hostel a practical base for exploring London by Tube.
4. The City, Business Area, Safe and Modern
Properly called ‘The City of London‘, this area deserves to be in any list of the best areas to stay in London. This is the business heart of the city: what is meant when high-powered businessmen say they work ‘in the city’, as opposed to having an office in one of the far-flung outskirts of London.
Despite the immense fortunes and huge deals – both in volume and value – that originate in The City, it is a relatively small area, size-wise.
It is small enough to walk clear across without even realising it, and there is little in the ranked arrays of modern office buildings to attract the attention of even the most capitalistic visitor for very long.
So small is it, that it is sometimes called ‘the Square Mile’ (it is, in fact, very slightly larger than that measure).
There are some points of interest in The City. These include various parks and gardens (all relatively small) which are maintained by the city authorities to provide peaceful havens and oases of green amongst all the relentless grey and glass urban-ness.
There is also the Temple Church, famed in several literary works, including Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and Fleet Street, formerly the home of any newspaper worthy of the name.
While many of The City’s denizens are tremendously wealthy, there are also a host of lesser mortals: secretaries, assistants and PAs who also need to eat lunch, have a drink after work, and occasionally enjoy drunken leaving parties.
Prices at pubs, bars and restaurants tend to be cheaper than Knightsbridge, although the overall trend is for upmarket and solid. Nightclubs are few and far between, but they can be found with patience and judicious questioning of waiters and concierges.
Despite its small size, The City’s population swells immensely every day with commuters flooding into the area, and thus it is served by many tube stations: Liverpool Street, Cannon Street, Moorgate, Mansion House, St Pauls, Bank and Monument, Blackfriars and Aldgate, while several others are close enough for commuters to make use of them and walk the rest of the way to work.
Cyclists are fairly common, thanks to the abundance of dedicated bicycle lanes that often ensure that bikes make better time through traffic than cars.
The City is a very safe area for visitors to stay in London, although the high finance and business dealings do make the area a potentially desirable target for political villainy.
To this end, the ‘Ring of Steel’, a series of checkpoints and barriers has been installed to protect the area, with police forces ready to implement defensive measures in minutes if necessary.
Hotels proliferate, probably not unexpectedly, given how many businessmen travel for their work, and prices range from budget friendly to the most luxurious, so that any traveller can be fairly sure of paying a reasonable price for their accommodation.
Note that The City of London is one of the best-value places to stay at the weekend. During the week, its hotels fill up with business travellers, but when they head home on Friday afternoon, many hotels drop their prices to attract leisure guests.
The trade-off is that the area is much quieter at the weekend: many offices, pubs and restaurants close, so you may need to head to nearby Shoreditch, Borough Market or the South Bank for dinner.
In return, you are within walking distance of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral, without the crowds of the West End.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE CITY
($$$) Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge: The spa, indoor pool and vitality pool are strong reasons to choose this hotel near the Tower of London. Its address at 10 Trinity Square also gives it a substantial historic setting, with a domed rotunda housing a bar and lounge. A City hotel with a full wellness offering, it suits a stay where the hotel itself forms part of the plans.
($$) Citadines Barbican London: Studios and apartments here come with kitchen facilities that make longer stays easier, and there is an on-site launderette and gym. The property also offers classic hotel bedrooms, so choose an apartment category if cooking matters to you. Barbican and Farringdon stations are useful nearby connections, and the Barbican Centre is close at hand for evening performances.
($) Wombat’s City Hostel London: A former sailors’ residence on Dock Street now houses this hostel, with a bar and an events programme that give guests places to meet. The social spaces are a central part of the stay, rather than an afterthought. It is in Tower Hamlets, east of the City, with Tower Bridge and Aldgate East among the nearby landmarks and transport options.
5. Notting Hill, Romantic and Charming
This area has two claims to fame: it is the site of the fabulous and flamboyant Notting Hill Carnival, which is held over two days in August, when the weather is likely to be hot, dry and sunny.
Almost always featured on the news because of the wonderfully vibrant multicultural joy it brings, the streets are shockingly quiet once the carnival is over for another year!
The other claim to fame is the 1999 Richard Curtis film, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant as Hollywood star and bookshop owner respectively.
The truth of Notting Hill lies somewhere between the extravaganza of the carnival, and the tranquillity depicted in the movie: and life plays out against a truly stunning array of beautifully painted houses in all colours and hues.
Portobello Road Market is one of London’s most famous markets and if you are in the area on Friday and Saturday make sure to allow enough time to explore the whole magnificent market area. There is a smaller market on other days, but the real deal is hard to mistake!
The area is packed with rich retail opportunities, galleries, boutiques and many cutting-edge designers, artists, writers and creatives learning their trade, making Notting Hill the place to go to find out what will be hot next year!
There are quirky museums, performances, clubs, pubs and bars: a little something for everyone.
Use Notting Hill Gate tube station for direct access to the area, otherwise, Westbourne Park Station, or Ladbroke Grove Station will bring you into the area ready to explore. Notting Hill is plied by several bus routes.
Once in the area, exploration on foot is recommended to be sure you absorb the sights and sounds of the area – and the smells too, Notting Hill is home to truly fabulous restaurants and walking along the right streets at the right time is a positive banquet for the nostrils!
Notting Hill has busy shopping streets and quieter residential roads, so check the exact location of your accommodation before booking. Recent guest reviews can help you judge noise levels, and your hotel can advise on the most convenient route back if you plan to return late at night.
During the Notting Hill Carnival, expect large crowds and take extra care with your phone, wallet and other valuables. Whenever you visit, follow the usual precautions for a stay in London, particularly in crowded places and when walking back late at night.
There is plenty of accommodation in Notting Hill, ranging from the high end of the budget market all the way up to the luxurious side, with prices that track that range.
Notting Hill is a popular area to stay in London and rooms do go quickly, so try to book in advance, unless you are certain you are travelling at off-peak times, if such a thing can be said to exist in London.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NOTTING HILL
($$$) The Laslett: Spread across five listed Victorian townhouses, The Laslett has the scale and layout of a residential address. Double bedrooms come with king-size beds, while larger categories offer super kings. The Henderson Bar & Kitchen adds a neighbourhood gathering place for breakfast, brunch or dinner, making the hotel appealing if you want to spend time in Notting Hill itself.
($$) 55 by Le Mirage: Rain showers, blackout curtains and desks feature in the bedrooms, with twin rooms and larger family options alongside standard doubles. The Queensway Family Suite has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a useful layout when travelling with children. Some accommodation, including that suite, is on the lower ground floor, so check the room description if natural light is a priority.
($) Urbany Hostel London: A guest kitchen and shared living and dining areas make Urbany a place to meet fellow travellers as well as sleep. Dorm beds have individual lockers, and bed linen is included. The London hostel normally accepts guests aged 18–40; travellers outside that range should contact it directly. I would consider it for a social trip rather than a conventional hotel stay.
6. Paddington, Good Area to Stay in London for Budget and Business Travellers
Paddington, like Notting Hill, is possibly better known from Hollywood than anywhere else, thanks to the tremendous popularity of the little bear who shares the area’s name.
Paddington Bear, from ‘darkest Peru’, was first introduced to the world in Michael Bond´s books, and then in the two movies released in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
But it is well worth knowing as a London region too: beautiful architecture, both modern and older, waterside developments and plenty of green open spaces make Paddington feel more like an old-fashioned town than a central part of one of the biggest cities in the world.
Paddington the bear takes his name from Paddington Station, an impressive edifice designed by none other than Brunel, one of the great engineering names of the Industrial Revolution.
Statues of both the literary bear and the genius architect can be seen in the station, which is immense, comprising two tube outlets, and forming a major nerve hub for almost the whole of London, with many different tube lines meeting here.
Alexander Fleming, who was credited with the discovery of the uses of penicillin, lived and worked in the area and made his famous discovery at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, and his laboratory is now a museum where visitors can learn more about the wonderful difference that penicillin made to medicine – and to the lives of the population.
The building in which the station is housed is stunning and well worth admiring, if you have the time, as is the canal-side area known as Little Venice.
It was reputedly named by Robert Browning, the poet, but in fact it was Lord Byron who gave the intersection of two canals that soubriquet – probably ironically! Regardless of his intentions, the name stuck and is now applied to a slightly larger area than was originally included in the description.
The revamped Little Venice is now a vibrant and welcoming scene, with street food markets, shops, restaurants and community attractions like a water maze, outdoor cinema screen and more.
The canal-side makes for relaxing and energising walks, and London Zoo is accessible (albeit with a lengthy walk) by this means.
As well as Paddington Station, as detailed above, there is Lancaster Gate station in Paddington and many bus lines work through the area also.
One of the reasons for the high volume of visitors to Paddington Station (upward of 38 million people use the station each year) is the fact that the Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes to and from the station.
There are several cycleways across the area, and there are also canals which can be used for strolls away from traffic and to enjoy the sights of waterfowl, like ducks, moorhen, gulls and swans, squabbling for territory and food.
Paddington’s crime rate is low, and the area tends to be very safe, as long as basic precautions are taken.
There are more than 90 hotels in Paddington, ranging from budget offerings to premium rooms. Most visitors to the area are businessmen, holiday-makers or student backpackers, and the available accommodations meet these requirements to stay in London.
As well as hotels, there are plenty of guest houses and some bed-and-breakfasts (B&Bs) too, often with beautiful outlooks over the many leafy parks and canal-side nooks throughout the area.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LONDON IN PADDINGTON
($$$) Royal Lancaster London: Views over Hyde Park and the London skyline are a major part of this hotel’s appeal, although the outlook depends on the room you book. There is a 24-hour gym for resident guests, alongside several places to eat and drink, including a breakfast restaurant overlooking the park. The setting suits a stay that includes time outdoors as well as sightseeing.
($$) The Crescent Hyde Park: The standard double rooms measure 17 m² and include Hypnos beds, rain showers, Nespresso machines and fridges. A well-equipped bedroom close to Hyde Park is the attraction here, rather than an extensive resort-style list of facilities. Compact doubles, twins and family rooms offer other layouts, so compare the category carefully if you are bringing more luggage or travelling with children.
($) 72 QT: This 17-room guest house north of Hyde Park offers a cooked breakfast and bedrooms with tea and coffee facilities. You can choose shared bathrooms or an en-suite category, including family rooms sleeping up to five. That distinction makes a substantial difference to the stay, so I would compare the bathroom arrangements alongside the price when choosing a room.
7. Chelsea, Where to Stay in London in a Residential and Chic area
Football and flowers are what spring to mind when the average person on the street thinks about Chelsea.
Chelsea FC, based at Stamford Bridge, is world famous, a premier league team that is frequently featured in the top-flight games, and Chelsea Flower Show a fragrant and visually stunning gathering of horticulturists, gardeners, agriculturists and anyone with any kind of an interest in plant life!
During the Flower Show, local businesses get into the spirit of things with glorious flower baskets, beautiful garden beds and planters bursting with all things sweetly scented and colourful.
In popular culture, Chelsea is represented by a rather niche selection of the population in ‘Made in Chelsea’, a ‘structured-reality’ show (which means semi-scripted or directed) about a group of wealthy young people, of the type that would be called trust-fund babies in the USA.
The ‘fly on the wall’ documentary style of the show takes the viewer into some of the most sumptuous homes and hotels and businesses in the area as well as elsewhere in London and, indeed, all over the world.
The world shown in ‘Made in Chelsea’ is simply one facet of a fascinating part of the city, which has down-home pubs and working-class residents, red-clad army pensioners working guided walking tours of the area, the wonderful work done by the Royal Chelsea Hospital, and the immense range of wonderful (if expensive) shopping opportunities which range from antiques to clothing boutiques to world class restaurants.
Tube links to Chelsea are somewhat lacking with only the infrequently serviced Sloane Square in the area. Bus links are numerous, and it will usually be fairly easy to walk or bus to the nearest tube station if travelling further afield in London.
Chelsea is largely a safe area to live in and travel through, with a lower than average crime rate taken against the city as a whole. Property crime is a little higher, but still in line with the city’s mainly low record.
Chelsea is not one of the more budget friendly areas to stay in London, catering instead to the upper-middle classes and minor gentry – even some lesser royals can be spotted in the area.
Hotels, accordingly, cater to higher-end budgets, with even the cheaper options running close to £200 per person per night, and go all the way up to several hundred pounds for luxury hotel rooms.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CHELSEA
($$$) Sloane Place: Rooms range from doubles to suites with a separate living room, giving you the option of more space for a longer visit. The hotel also has a restaurant and The Hideaway, a basement bar with Art Deco styling. The suites’ separate sitting space is particularly useful if you want somewhere to relax beyond the bed after a day in Chelsea.
($$$) The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London: Guests have access to Cadogan Place Gardens and its private tennis courts, an unusual addition to a London hotel stay; court bookings go through the concierge. The Drawing Room and the hotel’s dining spaces provide places to spend time indoors too. I would consider it for a Chelsea break where access to a private garden is part of the appeal.
($$$) San Domenico House: Antique furniture and artworks give the 19 individually themed rooms and suites a character distinct from a large chain hotel. The small scale and individually furnished bedrooms are the main reasons to consider this Chelsea townhouse near Sloane Square. There is also a room-service menu, useful when you prefer to stay in after exploring the neighbourhood.
8. Southwark, Best for Riverside Walks and Sightseeing
Just a short distance from Westminster and within easy walking distance, Southwark is bursting with famous London landmarks.
Five of the best known bridges in the city: London Bridge (a rather plain affair), Tower Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge and the Millennium Bridge provide a wealth of crossing places to ensure that traffic – both vehicle and foot – flows easily over and around the river.
The Shard, an immensely tall, glass skyscraper, is the tallest building in Western Europe and squarely in Southwark. Its shorter, bulgier counterpart – the Gherkin – is visible from the Shard, but lies across the river, a short eighteen minute walk away.
The Shard’s viewing platform offers stupendous views over London and is well worth investing in. Elsewhere in Southwark can be found the Shard’s polar opposite as a new, tall, spike of a building: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: a squat, round old-fashioned building, painstakingly reconstructed to resemble the original.
Also nearby are the Imperial War Museum, the Borough Market and the Tate Modern – three very different aspects, but all authentic facets of the wonderful melting pot that is the city.
A multitude of both underground and over-ground stations abound in Southwark, bus routes are well provisioned, and, while you enjoy your stay in London, you can even use boats as transport, with services running both up and down-river on a regular and frequent basis.
Nightlife bustles in Southwark, as all the tourists, freshly showered, and perhaps having had a short nap after exploring the sights of the city, head out to enjoy a meal, a few drinks and a dance or two at a nightclub.
Check with your hotel concierge or locals for the best place to go on each night: often the best revels are common knowledge to locals – who then don’t need to advertise the fact!
Despite its fabulous location at the heart of tourist London, there are a number of good budget hotels and guest-houses in Southwark for surprisingly reasonable prices. The luxury end of the market is also catered for, with a little bit of something for everyone in the area.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SOUTHWARK
($$$) Shangri-La The Shard, London: The Sky Pool and elevated views over London are the main draws at this hotel inside The Shard. A gym, sauna and dining and drinking venues add reasons to spend time in the building. Room shapes and sizes vary, and some have baths with a view, so it is worth choosing a category for the outlook you want.
($$) The Mad Hatter Hotel: Bedrooms at this Fuller’s hotel have en-suite bathrooms with baths, desks and tea and coffee facilities, with double and twin arrangements available. The location just south of Blackfriars Bridge makes it handy for walks along the river. Southwark Underground and Waterloo are nearby options when your plans take you beyond the South Bank.
($) St Christopher’s Inn Village – London Bridge: Capsule beds, shared dorms and private rooms offer different levels of privacy at this London Bridge hostel. Belushi’s bar and its regular events make the social atmosphere a major feature, while the female-only Oasis section has its own bathrooms and key-card access. I would choose it for meeting people and evenings out around Borough rather than a quiet retreat.
9. King’s Cross, Where to Stay in London on a Budget
While you might immediately think ‘Harry Potter’ and start plotting afresh on how to get onto Platform 9¾, you should also think ‘Boudicca’ when you hear the words King’s Cross.
The feisty Iceni leader is believed to be buried in a site that later became platform 9 or 10 in popular culture (or was she really a witch and vanished onto whatever the 60AD equivalent of the Hogwarts Express was?).
No matter your thoughts on either historical characters or fictional boy wizards, King’s Cross has benefitted enormously from the huge popularity of J K Rowling’s magical world.
The station – for which the surrounding area is named – was constructed on the site of a monument to the king, which was called ‘the kings’ crossroads’. The name was retained, but shortened to the snappier version we are all familiar with today.
While, like Victoria, the station distorts the landscape around it, all visitors, locals and transients seeming to be involved with the station in some way, there are some points of interest that should be enjoyed.
The British Library is in the area, several significant art galleries, and various orchestras and symphonies are based in King’s Cross.
There are also a good number of independent shops and boutiques, as well as small ethical coffee-shops and eateries, making the area an ideal one for casual exploration and low-key shopping expeditions.
The station is huge – deservedly so, as anyone who has seen it at rush hour will agree – and there is a strong Harry Potter presence, in the form of several shops and a trolley mounted so as to appear to be going through the wall (seen often on social media images of people’s visits to the city!).
While Victoria is also large, it seems designed to invite travellers to linger and shop or eat, but King’s Cross’s largeness seems designed to achieve maximum throughput at speed!
There are seating areas, and places to eat and shop, but the overall impression is one of impatience, as though the idea is to keep moving as speedily as possible.
The nightlife in King’s Cross tends to be of the pub and bar type more than nightclubs, but there are a few party destinations for those determined to let their hair down.
More sophisticated tastes might prefer to head to the party areas instead, relying on a taxi or the first train to get themselves back to their bed.
Obviously, the main transport connection for the area is the station, but there is another major tube station within the area: Euston Station, which is the main link to over-ground trains heading north, out of London.
St Pancras International is also within the area, and links, not only with the rest of the UK, but with international destinations via Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel.
In total there are three rail stations and two tube stations in the immediate area, but there are also coach and bus links in the vicinity.
King’s Cross in the recent past – before J K Rowling’s works brought the Station into the eye of the world – had a rather dodgy reputation with high crime rates; mainly opportunistic crime and some violence.
But the influx of tourists, especially with young children, has seen a dramatic change wrought in the area, and it is now largely safe, with some caution to be exercised if out alone late at night, as in any other big city.
Hotels and short-term lets in King’s Cross range from modest budget offerings all the way up to premium rooms, all within easy walking distance of the station.
These have almost certainly grown up with the station, increasing along with the insatiable demand for accommodation in London.
There is little in the way of either extreme: neither very cheap rooms nor luxurious suites, but most travellers will be able to find a room for their stay in London that suits their needs and pockets without too much stress.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN KING´S CROSS
($$$) The Standard London: Bedrooms range from windowless interior categories to rooms with daylight, so the category makes a real difference here. The seasonal rooftop bar adds panoramic city views, while the King’s Cross location suits arrivals at St Pancras. Standard Queen rooms include tea and coffee equipment and a Bluetooth speaker, useful touches when you spend time in your room between outings.
($$) Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras: Compact rooms and smart storage keep the focus on the essentials at this King’s Cross hotel. Double, twin and accessible layouts are available, with both windowed and windowless rooms to choose from. I would consider it for a short stay with little luggage, especially if convenient access to King’s Cross and St Pancras matters more than extra bedroom space.
($) Kabannas London St Pancras: Private rooms and shared sleeping spaces give Kabannas several ways to stay near St Pancras. Pods have individual storage and reading lights, while Nest rooms include a private bathroom. The Commons on the ground floor combines a café and natural wine bar, providing somewhere to eat and meet people before heading out or continuing your journey by train.
10. Shoreditch, Vibrant Nightlife
If you want to experience authentic street markets, delicious foods from countries all over the world and enjoy the vibrancy of an area where life is lived at full throttle with music, song, fabulous artwork and more, all available for simply walking down the street, then Shoreditch is the place where to stay in London!
Home to Brick Lane – an extravaganza of street art, markets, music and food – as well as many other equally vibrant and multicultural offerings in the surrounding streets.
Performers do their thing, hustlers hustle and the markets bustle with wares from everywhere, and food from Canada, Thailand, the Caribbean and more.
Train links come close but do not directly service the area but several bus routes ply the area fairly comprehensively. Cycle tracks provide some access for those looking for greener ways to travel and much of the area is easily walkable.
The nightlife in Shoreditch is exciting and widely available with many pubs, clubs and bars staying open for long hours, so that locals and travellers alike can let their hair down and unwind.
If a thumping bass line and frenetic pulse is your bag, Shoreditch is one of the best places to stay in London.
Shoreditch is a safe area, with some mild instances of pickpocketing. Mugging and violent crime is very rare. There are a good number of students living and working in the area which help to give it a youthful, and friendly vibe.
Like much of London, Shoreditch offers a wide range of accommodations, ranging from basic budget offerings for relatively low prices to more expensive premium rooms.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LONDON IN SHOREDITCH
($$$) Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch: Walk-in showers, dressing areas and floor-to-ceiling windows shape the rooms, while a rooftop pool adds an unusual facility for a Shoreditch stay. The Curtain Road address puts you close to the area’s restaurants and bars, with Liverpool Street and Old Street useful transport options nearby. Check the current pool access arrangements when choosing your rate.
($$) HSA – 129 Shoreditch: At 129 Bethnal Green Road, this adults-only property offers rooms within shared accommodation, with access to a communal kitchen, laundry facilities and a terrace. Some doubles have a private bathroom outside the bedroom, so read the category carefully. It is an option for travellers who value cooking and washing facilities over the services of a conventional hotel.
($) St Christopher’s Liverpool Street: Privacy curtains on dorm beds and The Flying Horse pub on site combine a little personal space with a ready-made place to meet people. The Wilson Street address gives you access to Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations, with Spitalfields nearby for exploring on foot. Its pub-centred social atmosphere will appeal most to travellers who want company in the evenings.
Now you know a little about the various areas of London, you can plot your best course of action for your stay in London.
Do bear in mind, however, that wherever you choose to stay in London, you can fairly quickly and easily travel across the city using the many comprehensive transport links on offer, so the place you stay does not have to define the sights you see.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in London
The city centre (Covent Garden, Soho and the West End) is the most convenient base, with theatres, restaurants and shops within walking distance. Westminster is a great alternative if sightseeing is your priority. Both are expensive, so many travellers choose Victoria or the City of London for better value.
Paddington, King’s Cross and Victoria are good areas to look for budget accommodation in London. They offer a choice of simpler hotels, guesthouses and hostels, along with convenient transport connections. Southwark is also worth checking for deals. London is expensive, so book early, compare recent guest reviews and expect cheaper rooms to be small and basic.
Yes, particularly at weekends, when hotels catering to business travellers often offer lower rates. You may find better value here than in the city centre, while still enjoying convenient transport connections and proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. The trade-off is a quieter atmosphere after office hours, with some pubs and restaurants closed at weekends.
No. London’s Tube and bus network makes it easy to reach the main attractions from almost anywhere. I have visited London several times without ever staying in the centre, and I have always found better value elsewhere.
Kensington is my first choice for families, with the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park nearby. The parks give children plenty of space to play and offer a welcome break between sightseeing visits. Although accommodation is not cheap, it is generally somewhat more affordable than neighbouring Knightsbridge.
Soho is the best-known area for dining and going out, and Shoreditch is a good alternative for bars, clubs and street food. Both can be noisy at weekends, so check the hotel’s exact street and recent reviews.
Notting Hill is the most charming choice, with its colourful houses, Portobello Road Market and many restaurants. Covent Garden is another great choice for restaurants and West End shows, while South Kensington suits couples looking for elegant surroundings and easy access to museums and Kensington Gardens. Mayfair is the option if you want luxury hotels and designer shopping. South Bank is one of my favourite areas for a romantic stay in London, especially if you enjoy riverside walks, skyline views and an evening at the theatre.
Most areas in this guide are safe for visitors. As in any big city, keep valuables secure and watch out for pickpockets around stations, crowded streets and nightlife venues.
I recommend at least four nights in London, giving you around three full days to explore its main sights without rushing too much. Five or six nights would be better if you want to visit several museums, and explore different neighbourhoods. Allow extra time for day trips outside the city.
Yes, South Bank is one of my favourite areas for a London stay, particularly if you enjoy exploring on foot. The riverside walks, views and cultural attractions make it an appealing base. Check the hotel’s precise location, though: accommodation around Waterloo offers a different base from hotels farther east towards London Bridge and Southwark.
Paddington is a practical choice, with direct connections to Heathrow on both the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line. You can also stay near a central Elizabeth line station, such as Tottenham Court Road or Liverpool Street. I would compare the airport journey with the hotel’s location for sightseeing rather than choosing solely for the transfer.
King’s Cross and the streets around St Pancras are the most convenient options, as Eurostar arrives at St Pancras International. Staying nearby saves you an additional journey with luggage, and the area has excellent transport connections for exploring London.
Zone 1 is convenient for a first visit, but Zone 2 can offer better value. What matters most is the hotel’s actual journey time to the places you want to visit. I would happily choose a hotel in Zone 2 near a useful Tube line over a more expensive option with a less convenient location in Zone 1.
I would look at residential streets in Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill if you prefer quieter surroundings. The exact street matters more than the neighbourhood name: a hotel above a pub or beside a busy road may still be noisy. Read recent reviews and consider requesting a room away from the street.