Best hotels in London: where to stay by area

London is huge and the area where you sleep changes everything: you can wake up among the theatres of the West End, among the museums of South Kensington or in the creative East. The tube is excellent, so even a slightly out-of-the-way base stays handy, but staying near the right sights saves precious time in such a big city. Here are the best areas to stay, the prices to reckon with and, at the end, a selection of real hotels with live rates.

Where to stay in London, area by area

The West End: Soho and Covent Garden

The beating heart of theatres, restaurants and shops: Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square are the liveliest London, on foot from almost everything. It is the right call for a first-timer and for anyone who loves evenings out, with the highest prices and streets lively late.

• The musicals and theatres of the West End
• The square and market of Covent Garden
• The bars and restaurants of Soho
• On foot from Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square

For life and a central base, look for hotels in the West End.

South Kensington and Chelsea

Elegant and quiet, the area of South Kensington and Chelsea is that of the great free museums and chic residential streets, next to Hyde Park. It is the choice for families, art lovers and anyone after quiet while staying handy, with high prices but a refined air.

• The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum
• The elegant streets of Chelsea and the King's Road
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
• Handy tube for the centre

For museums and quiet, see hotels in South Kensington.

Shoreditch and the East End

To the east, Shoreditch is creative, fashionable London: street art, markets, cafes and nightlife, often at better prices than the centre. It is the choice for anyone after the young, local side, with Brick Lane and its curries a step away.

• The street art and bars of Shoreditch
• The market and curries of Brick Lane
• The independent cafes and the nightlife
• The City and the Tower a short distance away

For style and good value, look for hotels in Shoreditch.

Southbank and Waterloo

Along the Thames, the South Bank is the cultural riverside: the Tate Modern, the London Eye, the theatres and Borough Market. It is the choice for anyone who loves walking by the river with views of the monuments, central and on foot from the centre.

• The Tate Modern and the Thames walk
• The London Eye and the South Bank theatres
• Borough Market for street food
• Views over Westminster and the London Eye

For river and culture, see hotels in Southbank.

Bloomsbury and King's Cross

Central and handy, the area of Bloomsbury and King's Cross combines the British Museum, excellent links (including the Eurostar) and more reasonable prices. It is the choice for anyone who wants to be central for the right money and for those arriving by train.

• The British Museum, free, in the heart of Bloomsbury
• King's Cross St Pancras station and the Eurostar
• Georgian squares and quiet gardens
• Tube for the whole city

For a central base and good value, look for hotels in Bloomsbury.

What it costs

Indicative figures: London uses the pound (GBP) and is one of Europe's priciest capitals.

• A double room in a mid-range 3-4 star: roughly 150-320 euros a night, more in the centre and during events.
• A dinner for two in a pub or restaurant with a beer: about 70-120 euros; a pint 6-7 euros, a coffee 3-4.
• Transport: a tube journey with a contactless card is around 3 euros, with a handy daily cap.
• Tourist tax: England has no tourist tax, so London hotels charge no bed tax (VAT is already included in the price). A possible future levy is under discussion, so it is worth keeping an eye out.

For a real sense before you choose, compare current prices in London.

Getting there and around

London has several airports. Heathrow (LHR), about 24 km away, is linked by the Elizabeth line, the Piccadilly line and the Heathrow Express. Gatwick (LGW) is served by the Gatwick Express; Stansted and Luton take many low-cost flights, while London City is the closest.

In town a car is best avoided, with the congestion charge, ULEZ and traffic. The tube, the red buses and the trains cover everything: get a contactless card or an Oyster and travel anywhere with the daily spending cap.

When to go

• January-March: cold and quieter, lower prices, museums without queues.
• April-June: a pleasant spring, parks in bloom, maybe the best window.
• July-August: relative warmth, long days and a crowded city, with many events.
• September-October: excellent, pleasant weather and more reasonable prices.
• November-December: cold but with the Christmas lights and markets; lower prices outside the holidays.

Good to know

Which area is best on a first visit? The West End: central, on foot from the theatres and well connected by tube.

Do I need a car in London? No, with the congestion charge and ULEZ it is a problem. The tube and buses do everything.

Is there a tourist tax? No, England has no tourist tax; you pay only the VAT already included. A levy is under discussion but not yet in force.

How do I get from the airport? From Heathrow the Elizabeth line or the Heathrow Express; from Gatwick the Gatwick Express.

How many days do I need? At least three or four nights for the centre, a couple of museums and a quarter further out.

The best hotels in London

Below is a selection of real hotels in London among the highest rated by guests, with live rates to compare right now. Choose the area first, then compare prices and book at the right moment.