Where to Stay in London: Best Areas for First Visit (+Map & Hotel Picks)

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Looking for the best area to stay in London for your first visit? After many trips to the city, we’ve put together this practical guide to the best areas for sightseeing, with a map and hotel recommendations by neighborhood.

You’ll find first-hand advice on where to stay based on location, transport, and your travel style, plus our personal recommendations and hand-picked hotels for different needs and budgets.

• For a more affordable stay in the very center, The Z Hotel Trafalgar and The Z Hotel Strand are among the best choices. Rooms are compact but modern and comfortable, and the locations are hard to beat. These hotels sell out quickly, so book early.

• If you’re looking for a luxury stay, The Londoner is one of the best value-for-money 5-star hotels in central London and a very popular choice. It offers stylish rooms, several excellent restaurants, a rooftop bar, and a beautiful indoor pool, all in a prime location.

• Traveling with kids? Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is one of the best-located family-friendly hotels in central London. It has spacious family rooms (rare for this part of the city), a pool, and is right next to the London Eye and many family-friendly attractions.

If you’re planning a multi-city European trip by train and want to stay close to St. Pancras International (for the Eurostar to Paris, Brussels, etc.), the Megaro Hotel is a great mid-budget option for this specific purpose. It’s not in the main sightseeing area like the hotels above, but it offers one of the best price-quality ratios near Kings Cross and the international train station.

PRO TIP: For the best prices and availability, book your hotel in London as soon as you know your travel dates. The best-value rooms in central locations tend to sell out first. For more practical advice, see our full guide with tips for visiting London.

London has excellent public transport, but if it’s your first visit, staying in the central neighborhoods will save time and make sightseeing much easier.

The most central area is around Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross (#1 on the map). From here, you can walk to many of London’s main sights. The South Bank (#2), just across the river near Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, is another excellent central base.

The Tower area (#3) is also a very popular area to stay in London for sightseeing. It often offers better value for money than the more central areas around Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden.

If you are looking for the most luxurious area to stay in London, Knightsbridge (#4) is the place to be.

For budget travelers, it really depends on availability for your travel dates. Sometimes, you can find excellent-value places in the heart of the city center, and otherwise, see #5–7 for some of the best areas for a more affordable stay in London.

My top recommendation: After many trips to London, our family’s favorite area to stay is around Charing Cross, Covent Garden, and Trafalgar Square (#1) because of its central location and easy walking access to major sights. Some of the best-value hotels in this area include The Clermont at Charing Cross and Page8, and for a lower budget, The Z Hotel Trafalgar.

TIP: Use the interactive map below to compare hotel prices by area and find the best-value options for your travel dates.

 

These are the best areas to stay in London:

1. Charing Cross

Best Area to Stay for First-Time Visitors

Ideally located between Covent Garden and Oxford Street, the area around Charing Cross (including Covent Garden and Soho) is one of the most convenient bases for sightseeing in London.

If you want to stay in the center and be within walking distance of major attractions, theaters, museums, shopping, and restaurants, this is one of the best places to stay in London for a first visit. Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery are right here, and some of London’s most famous theaters are just a few minutes away. Buckingham Palace is about a 20-minute walk, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster are less than a 15-minute walk, as is the London Eye across the river.

Covent Garden, just nearby, is a great area for boutique shopping, street performers, and restaurants. Chinatown is just north of here, offering plenty of choices for dinner. Leicester Square, with its cinemas, shops, and theaters, is also just a short walk away.

Oxford Street, famous for its flagship stores and high-street shopping, is close by as well. For designer brands, Bond Street is within easy reach, and Harrods can be reached in about 15 minutes on the Piccadilly Line.

Accommodation in this part of London ranges from luxury hotels to well-located mid-range and budget options, making it a good choice for different travel styles and budgets. It’s also possible to find a quality lower-budget hotel right in the city center – for that, the Z Hotels (see below) are among the best options.

Here are my top hotel picks in the Charing Cross area:

££££££+ Corinthia London (the ultimate luxury choice with celebrity treatment).
£££££ The Londoner (my top pick among luxury hotels).
££££ The Clermont London, Charing Cross.
£££ Page8 (one of the best-rated mid range hotels in this area).
££ The Z Hotel Trafalgar or The Z Hotel Covent Garden or The Z Hotel Strand (very popular lower-budget options in an excellent location).

TIP: If you are looking for ideas for things to do, take a look at our guides to the top sights of London and some of the most interesting hidden gems throughout the city.

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips from London

2. South Bank

For Sightseeing, Views & Families

Located just east of Westminster Bridge, the South Bank is one of our personal favorite areas to stay in London for sightseeing. Many of the city’s most famous family-friendly attractions are right here, including the London Eye, SEA LIFE, Shrek’s Adventure, and the London Dungeon. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are just across the bridge, and most places in central London are easy to reach on foot or by public transport.

We once stayed in this area when visiting London with kids, and it turned out to be an excellent base. Everything we wanted to see was close by, and getting around with kids was simple and convenient.

What makes the South Bank stand out is its combination of a central location and, in many cases, better value for money than hotels around Charing Cross and Covent Garden.

The area is also very nice to explore on foot. A short walk over Westminster Bridge takes you to Big Ben, while a riverside stroll in the other direction passes the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, The Shard, and the Southbank Centre.

Transport connections are excellent, with Waterloo Station nearby and easy access to the Underground, trains, buses, hop-on-hop-off buses, and Thames River cruises.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in this part of London:

£££££ Marriott County Hall (excellent views of Big Ben + indoor pool).
££££ Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (one of our personal favorite hotels in London, with an indoor pool and spacious family rooms, making it a great choice for families).
£££ Park Plaza County Hall.
££ Marlin Waterloo and NOX Waterloo (very popular and well-rated lower-budget options in a central location).

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in London with Kids

3. City of London

For History, Landmarks, Trendy Places & Business Travelers

The City of London, or simply “the City,” is the historic core of London. It’s home to the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and the Monument. It’s also London’s main financial district, with the Bank of England and many major financial institutions based here.

Because of the large number of offices, the City is busy during weekdays but much quieter on weekends. You won’t find many traditional pubs or shopping streets, but instead a concentration of high-end hotels, stylish restaurants, and rooftop bars.

Thanks to its central location and excellent transport connections, the City is also a convenient base for sightseeing. If you like a mix of historic landmarks and modern architecture, plus easy access to some of London’s best viewpoints and dining, this area is a good choice. There are also several hotels with great views of the Tower Bridge and the Thames.

The City is popular with both business travelers and tourists, so it’s no surprise that some of London’s most sought-after hotels are located here.

For sightseeing, we recommend staying closer to the Tower area. While this isn’t a budget neighborhood, there are several very good mid-range 4-star hotels with impressive views and a central location. Our personal favorite in the heart of the City is Vintry & Mercer.

Here are some additional recommendations close to the Tower:

£££££ Cheval Three Quays (superior apartments, amazing views of Tower Bridge).
££££+ DoubleTree by Hilton – Tower of London (amazing views from the rooftop bar).
££££ citizenM Tower of London (one of the best-value trendy hotels in London).
£££ The Tower Hotel.

4. Knightsbridge

Best Place for a Luxury Stay in London

Knightsbridge is one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods and a top choice if you’re looking for a luxury stay. It’s known for high-end shopping and famous department stores such as Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

There’s more to the area than shopping, though. A short walk brings you to Exhibition Road, home to some of London’s best museums and institutions, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Imperial College London. Bonhams Auction House, one of the world’s oldest fine art and antique auctioneers, is also nearby.

Knightsbridge is a pleasant area to walk around, with elegant streets and interesting architecture. Pont Street is known for its Dutch-style red brick houses, and Ennismore Garden Mews is a charming cobbled street that also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Frenzy.

Hyde Park is right next door, making it easy to enjoy some green space. You can walk through the Rose Garden, visit Speakers’ Corner, or go for an outdoor swim at the Serpentine Lido.

In line with its upscale character, Knightsbridge also offers excellent dining options, from classic afternoon tea in luxury hotels to the food hall and restaurants on the top floor of Harvey Nichols.

Here are some of the best 5* luxury hotels in Knightsbridge:

£££££££+ Bulgari Hotel.
£££££££ Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
££££££+ The Cadogan.

And here are the more-affordable luxury hotels in this area:

££££ The Franklin London – Starhotels Collezione.
£££ The Capital Hotel, Apartments & Townhouse.
££ Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge (reviews are really not great, though).

READ ALSO: Family-friendly Afternoon Tea in London

5. Camden

for Hipsters, Music Lovers, and Budget Travelers

Camden is one of north London’s most distinctive neighborhoods and a popular base for travelers looking for a lively atmosphere and good value. It’s known for its alternative scene, music history, and diverse food and shopping options.

Good to know: Camden Town is about 15 minutes by tube from central London, so you’ll need to use public transport to reach most major sights. This slightly less central location is one of the reasons accommodation here is often cheaper than in areas like Charing Cross or the South Bank.

Home to the famous Camden Market and closely linked to the early punk scene, Camden offers plenty to see and do both during the day and in the evening.

Independent shops and market stalls sell everything from vintage clothing and handmade items to pop art and streetwear. Food options are just as varied, with restaurants from all over the world and a large street-food area along the Regent’s Canal.

If you want a break from the busy main streets, the canal towpath offers a quieter walk and a completely different side of the neighborhood.

In the evening, Camden’s many pubs, bars, and music venues come alive. Live concerts, comedy shows, and club nights are easy to find, and the area’s strong music scene is still one of its main draws.

Camden is a great choice for groups of friends looking for a fun weekend in London. It’s easy to eat well on a budget here, especially if you make use of the market food stalls.

Accommodation ranges from quirky hostels and B&Bs to a few more comfortable hotels, making Camden one of the better-located areas in London for a lower-budget stay, with some mid-range options as well.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in Camden:

£££ Holiday Inn London Camden Lock.
££+ Camden Enterprise Hotel (excellent value).
££ The Hurdwick.
£ Smart Camden Inn.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Camden Town

6. Notting Hill

For a Romantic Break or CHEAPER Stay in London

Notting Hill is well known from the famous movie, but the neighborhood itself is just as appealing in real life. It has independent bookshops, colorful houses, attractive mews streets, and the popular Portobello Road Market, which is a highlight of the area, especially on weekends.

It’s also one of London’s best neighborhoods for dining, with everything from well-known fine-dining restaurants to relaxed cafés and bakeries. This makes it a nice choice for couples who enjoy good food and a pleasant atmosphere.

For an evening out, The Electric Cinema on Portobello Road is one of the oldest operating cinemas in the UK and a popular spot for a cozy movie night.

Notting Hill combines a more local, residential feel with good transport connections. Several Underground stations are within walking distance, so it’s easy to reach the rest of the city, while the area itself is quieter than the main tourist hubs.

Alongside upscale hotels, you’ll also find smaller and more affordable places to stay here, making Notting Hill one of the better-located areas in London where you can sometimes get better value than right in the center.

Here are some of the best hotels in Notting Hill for all budgets:

££££ The Laslett.
£££ The Premier Notting Hill.
£+ Blue Bells Hotel.
£ Ravna Gora.

READ ALSO: Best FREE Attractions & Places to Visit in London for Families

7. Greenwich

For Local Feel & Lower Budget

Greenwich is a good base if you’re looking for a more local atmosphere and slightly lower prices than in central London. It’s a historic area with several family-friendly sights, including the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, the Old Royal Naval College, the Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory, and the Cutty Sark.

The neighborhood has plenty of green space, a lively market, independent shops, and a good choice of casual places to eat, giving it more of a village feel than most central areas.

Good to know: Greenwich is quite far from the main sightseeing areas in central London. Even though it’s well connected by tube, train, DLR, and river boats, getting to places like Westminster or Covent Garden usually takes about 20–40 minutes, depending on where you’re going and how you travel.

Accommodation here is mostly in the lower to mid-range, with very few high-end hotels. If you’re traveling on a budget and don’t mind a longer commute, Greenwich can be a good-value place to stay in London.

Here are some of the best accommodation options in Greenwich:

£££ Doubletree By Hilton London – Greenwich.
££ Novotel London Greenwich.
£+ ibis London Greenwich.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Greenwich

So, this is our guide to some of the best places to stay in London.

From affordable B&Bs to prime central locations and luxury hotels, London has accommodation for every travel style and budget. I hope this guide helps you choose the right area and find the perfect place to stay for your trip.

Have a great time in London!

TIP: If you want to explore London deeper, be sure to get a bit off the beaten path. Take a look at some of the best recommendations via the link below.

READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of London (that most tourists never see)

More travel inspiration and info for your trip to London:

• What to see:
  • Top London Sights & Attractions
  • Best Views in London
• What to eat:
  • Traditional British Food to Try in the UK
• Itineraries:
  • 1 Day in London
  • 2 Days in London
• Greenwich:
  • Things to Do in Greenwich
  • Painted Hall & Old Royal Naval College
  • Queen’s House & Tulip Stairs
• A bit off the beaten path:
  • Camden Town
  • Canary Wharf
  • Camden Lock Market
• For families:
  • London with Kids
  • Family-friendly Afternoon Tea in London
• Outside the city:
  • Best Day Trips & Day Tours from London
  • Best Cities to Visit in the UK
  • Day Trip to Liverpool from London

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