Stay In Central London
A post shared by Visit London on Sep 19, 2018 at 3:37am PDT
Choose a hotel in central London and have Londons greatest attractions on your doorstep.
Whether you are looking to stay in a bed and breakfast , or want to treat yourself to a luxury hotel in London, central London offers countless accommodation options. From your room, you will be steps away from Londons landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and St Pauls Cathedral.
Stay in Covent Garden and enjoy the fantastic array of shops, restaurants and theatres this area is famous for. Choose a West End hotel and be moments away from the buzz of Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, alongside iconic shopping destinations including Oxford Street and Regent Street. Or take in hundreds of years of history in the City of London.
Westminster Best For Tourists
If youre wondering which area is best to stay in London for tourists Im going to say that Westminster is a great bet.
Stretching back from the River Thames, Westminster is at the top of many London visitors lists thanks to sights such as The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and the National Galleries. For this reason, Westminster is the best London neighbourhood for tourists.
Its a short walk to the West End and there are good transport links to most parts of London. When it comes to the best neighbourhood to stay in London for sightseeing, Westminster is at the top of the bill.
Westminster Highlights
- Westminster Abbey Royal weddings, coronations and royal burials Westminster Abbey has seen them all.
- The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben The seat of British parliament is a suitably ornate affair on the banks of the River Thames. Plus you cant come to London without seeing Big Ben.
- Trafalgar Square There may be fewer pigeons these days, but Londons most famous square is still a great spot to people-watch in the shadow of Nelsons Column.
- The National Galleries The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery each house an impressive collection. Entry is free of charge, apart from to special exhibitions.
The Corinthia London, Westminster
Londons best spa hotel youll never want to leave
Whats not to love about The Corinthia? A grand hotel that opened less than a decade ago, its got luxury London lifestyle stamped all over it.
South Bank Best Neighborhood To Stay In London For Sightseeing
One of the things I love the most about the the South Bank neighborhood is its easy access to a lot of the main attractions and it is a great place to people watch.
I loved being so close to the Tate Museum, London Eye and treating myself to afternoon tea at the Shard. This is what makes central London such a great place to stay if you are into sightseeing and like to be in the heart of things.
There are also some great restaurants in this area and if you are into street food then you have come to the right place. Although most of the area is populated with luxury hotels there are a few midrange and budget options.
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Final Thoughts On The Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In London
Have you been to London before? What area did you stay in? Let me know in the comments below!
London will captivate you, and continue to lure you back for more and more. If youre like me, youll be so in love that you make it your home and learn the truths of living in London.
Every neighbourhood in London is different from the next, but with an overarching London feeling.
I hope you find this guide useful for when you start planning your trip to London. Having lived in London for seven years I feel I know the city well enough and can recommend the best areas to stay.
I divided it by neighbourhood vibes as opposed to listing specific hotels as I feel like it will be more useful for you, maybe you dont like the specific hotel I recommend but at least you get an idea of the area you want to stay in.
I hope you have an awesome time in London and love this city as much as I do!
Looking for more UK travel tips? Check out these guides:
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Recommended Hotels In The City Of London
Luxury The Ned
Lavishly refurbished in 2017, this 11 storey former bank has quickly become a favorite place to stay in The City. Decorated to enhance the traditional features of the building, The Ned also features modern amenities:
- indoor swimming pool
- rooftop bar
- walk in rain showers in bathrooms
The Ned is fast becoming a destination in itself thanks to the huge number of bars and restaurants onsite. The hotel has easy access to two major Underground lines and it is a quick walk over the Thames to the Southbank and Tate Modern. > Click here for availability and prices at The Ned
Closest Underground station: Bank
You might also like these modern luxury hotels in The City of London South Place Hotel or Grange Tower Bridge
Boutique Threadneedles
An elegant boutique style hotel in the heart of the financial district, Threadneedles is a converted bank headquarters with modern amenities. The hotel features
- views over London from guest rooms
- laptop sized safe
- bathrobes and slippers
- restaurant by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White
A magnificent dome covers the guest lounge area, letting in natural light. Threadneedles is the place for a grown up escape in The City > Click for availability and prices at Threadneedles
Closest Underground station: Bank
For a more traditional boutique hotel in The City consider Batty Langleys or The Rookery
Family friendly DoubleTree by Hilton Tower of London
- free cookies on arrival
Closest Underground station: Tower Hill
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Where To Stay In London: Best Areas And Neighbourhoods
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Where to stay in London when you first visit this city? Finding the right accommodation may seem a little overwhelming, considering that London is one of the most visited cities in the world. We break down the best places to stay in London from our personal suggestions!
London is an old city. A city of mosts: amongst others most expensive, most desirable, most influential, most powerful, and most visited. Visitors can be overwhelmed by the city it is immense and very intense, bursting with life, diversity, joie de vivre and passion, and everyone there moves fast, talks fast and walks fast!
The following round up will give the traveller some idea of the best areas to stay in London according to lifestyle, budget and preference although, of course, any visitor should try to see as much of London as possible!
Hotels In London Central Area
- Air BnB in City of London These one-bedroom apartments with comfort cooling are perfect for a stay in The City. The living and dining area features a luxurious sofa, designer soft furnishings and a large flat-screen Smart TV packed with plenty of TV channels as well as an Apple TV box, so you can easily stream your own content.
- London Bridge
- Leadenhall Market
So there you have it. My choices for the hotels and places to stay. The ever-popular London is world-famous and filled with such a variety of things to do that whatever your interests are, youll find things to fulfill them here with many world-class attractions, museums, galleries, theatres, restaurants and so many pubs.
It offers variety, and freedom to be yourself in it, and have a royally good time. So book your flights and pack your bags, as Londons calling.
For more London travel information to help your London itinerary, check out these links below.
Travel Planning Resources
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.
Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner
Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor
Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO.
Travel Insurance: Don’t leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:
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Southwark Great For 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 , 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 Shards viewing platform offers stupendous views over London and is well worth investing in. Elsewhere in Southwark can be found the Shards polar opposite as a new, tall, spike of a building: Shakespeares 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 Gallery 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.
How To Find The Best Area To Stay In London: Tips From A Londoner
London is one of those magnificent and iconic places that is on everyones travel bucket list.
The capital of England boasts some of the worlds most beautiful architecture, fun nightlife, delicious international food, a vibrant and diverse vibe and rich history.
There is so much to do and see in London for every type of traveller and holiday.
However London is a huge city and getting around it can be quite faffy. Ive been living in London for seven years now and still dread having to go somewhere that requires me to change tube lines.
Choosing the right area to stay in during your London trip is crucial to ensuring you have a pleasant trip, and dont spend all your time travelling back and forth or in a neighbourhood that is too boring or noisy .
Each area of London has a different vibe, and depending on what youre looking for, you can make sure you get everything you want within reach.
In this guide to the best areas to stay in London Ive used by experience as a Londoner to list all the best neighbourhoods and what makes them so special.
There are certain attributes that will resonate more with you, allowing you to choose the best area to stay in London for your specific needs.
Contents
Golden hour over the London Eye and Westminster in London, UK
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Kensington & South Kensington
Kensington is one of the wealthiest areas in the entire London and its extremely well connected to the center of the city!
Kensington and South Kensington are just South of Hyde Park and theyre excellent choices for families traveling to London, but not only. These areas are also hosting Londons Museum Quarter, so theyre absolutely recommended for culture lovers. Some of the most well-known museums are the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum, just to name a few. Youll also be close to Hyde Park, for example.
One of the best things about both Kensington and South Kensington is that you can find any type of accommodation youd like here, from luxury 5-star hotels to hostels and guest houses. Below I have selected the best ones I could find in this area of West London:
Luxury :
Milestone Hotel Kensington In case youre on the search for luxurious properties in West London, you might love this one! Its only a few minutes away from awesome attractions including Hyde Park and it awaits with a 5-star service, a fitness center, a luxurious spa and more.
Middle-priced :
Oliver Plaza Hotel Heres a great choice for all those of you looking for a mid-range place near all the unmissable attractions in the area such as the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. This 4-star accommodation was recently fully refurbished, so you can only expect the best service!
Budget :
Best Place To Stay In London For Shopping Soho
If youre coming to London for the first time to explore some of the world-famous shopping that the British capital has to offer then look no further then staying in Soho.
Soho is located within walking distance of Oxford Street, arguably Londons most famous shopping street with over 300 shops featuring some of the worlds best-known brands. You can also walk to Covent Garden for more boutique shops and possibly even go to the Knightsbridge to visit Harrods department store.
Soho is also full of restaurants and bars, as well as being within walking distance of most of the major theatres if you want to see a West End show during your time in London. All these things undoubtedly make Soho one of the best places to stay in London for first-time visitors and tourists who want to enjoy one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in London.
Accommodation Recommendations:
Budget:SoHostel funky hostel, only a few minutes walk from Oxford Street. Breakfast is included in the rate and they also have a TV lounge and bar downstairs to meet other travellers.
Mid-Range:Z Hotel Soho cool boutique hotel located right in the centre of Soho. The rooms have been stylishly decorated and there are a number of great cafes, restaurants and bars nearby.
Luxury:Sanderson Hotel a sleek luxury hotel which is only two minutes walk from Oxford Street. The hotel has amazing facilities include a modern gym, spa and a restaurant/bar downstairs. Very spacious rooms!
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Look For Budget Options
Reducing the price you pay per night is obviously the goal here, so our first tip is to focus on those budget options.
On popular booking tools like booking.com, you can usually filter by price per night. Wed suggest combining this with a minimum guest rating, starting with 8. After all, theres no need to compromise on quality just because you are on a budget.
Where To Eat In Mayfair And Marylebone
Some of Londons favorite fine dining experiences are found in this district. If you are interested in celebrity spotting or simply enjoying Londons luxury food experiences, make your reservations well in advance:
- Chiltern Firehouse Andre Balazs restaurant in a former London fire station
- Sexy Fish Asian inspired fish restaurant favored by London glitterati and visiting celebrities
- Locanda Locatelli Italian fine dining by celebrated chef Giorgio Locatelli
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Best Neighborhood For Sightseeing And Foodies: Southwark
This historic district on the south bank of the Thames has a lot going for it. Tourists flock to the neighborhood, as it is home to the Tate Modern and Shakespeares Globe Theatre. There are several food markets, but Borough Market is the best, especially for foodies. You cant miss Londons tallest, most modern building, the Shard. Make sure to take a walk along the river, as its a scenic route that affords great views of the city skyline. You can cross back and forth the Thames via the Tower, Millennium, or London Bridges.
Best Places to Stay in Southwark
Best Airbnb In Covent Garden: Private Room In Central Location
This massive room is great for travellers who visit London for the first time. The apartment is located in central Leicester Square. There are lots of great places, cafes and restaurants around. Youll also get free breakfast every morning. The main bathroom is shared, however, youll have a private toilet. If youve seen enough of the city, you can enjoy the free Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on your TV.
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Where Should I Stay For My First Visit In London
If its your first time in London and youve got the money, youll want to be as central as possible, and surrounded by all the best sights and things to do. For that, youll want to stay in the West End or Westminster. In Londons West End you have all the best theatres, shopping and shows at your fingertips, and Westminster features most of the must-see sights of London. This is absolutely the best area to stay in London for tourists.
Best Neighborhood Fo Luxury: Mayfair
Mayfair is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in London. Located between Hyde Park and the West End, its home to numerous five-star hotels, classy art galleries, and ultra-expensive shops but quiet at night. If youre looking to stay in one of the citys fancier and more beautiful neighborhoods, this is it!
Best Places to Stay in Mayfair
- BUDGET: Mermaid Suite Hotel There are no hostels in this neighborhood, but the Mermaid Suite Hotel on Oxford Street is one of the best affordable options. Youll get a private room with an en suite bathroom, satellite TV, and tea and coffee. Theres also a free continental breakfast.
- MID-RANGE: Mayfair Guesthouse Although all the rooms in this guesthouse are private and spacious , most of them come with shared bathrooms. Its a really good value property for this part of town.
- LUXURY: The Beaumont Hotel Walking into the lobby is like stepping back into time. The walnut-paneled walls are covered in original classic paintings and photography, and all the rooms are art deco style with king-sized beds. The marble bathroom floors are heated. Take advantage of the sauna, steam room, fitness center, and hammam. If youre going to treat yourself to dinner, try the fresh lobster at the Colony Grill. Or you can pretend its the 1920s and order a strong whiskey cocktail in the low light of Jimmys Bar.
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