Planning a trip to London, but feeling overwhelmed by the enormous number of neighborhoods and hotels to choose from? You’re not alone. Unless you have lived there for some time, understanding London’s complex web of neighborhoods, villages, areas, districts, boroughs, and post codes can seem an insurmountable task.
Luckily, helping you explore new cities is what we love to do. So if you’d like some help deciding where to stay in London, let your search engine rest and enjoy this simple guide to popular neighborhoods and top hotels.
Covent Garden
One of the most common answers to those asking where to stay in London is the lovely and lively Covent Garden. An open-air (but covered) market with artist stalls, street performers, cafés, restaurants, and shops, Covent Garden is a must-visit on every London tourist’s list.
For those who love to be in the center of it all, easily walk from Covent Garden to West End theaters, Leicester Square film premieres, and Chinatown eateries.
- The Savoy: Maximize fairy tale romance vibes by staying in the hotel where Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) and William Thacker (Hugh Grant) declared their love to the world in one of London’s most beloved romantic comedy films, Notting Hill. Join a long list of rich, famous, and celebrity guests who have called the luxurious Savoy their temporary home in London.
- Wilde Aparthotels: Planning to stay a bit longer? Then check out the fabulous Wilde Aparthotels boutique chain. Combine apartment amenities with four-star hotel luxuries, and receive escalating discount pricing the longer you stay. On-site laundry rooms and fully-equipped kitchens make life so much easier and convenient.
- St. Martin’s Lane Hotel: If you’re a believer in the mood-enhancing effects of the right light, St. Martin’s offers floor-to-ceiling windows and LED color-changing light coves. Suites offer open-plan living, rainfall showers, and an overall vibe-check described as everything from “eccentric” to “sensuous” to “modern haberdashery.”
Mayfair
Looking to stay in London’s lap of luxury? Mayfair is the place. Home to the ultrawealthy and glamorous, Mayfair provides some of the most high-end shopping, dining, and accommodation in the world.
And in addition to all the glitz, its central location offers easy access via foot, black cab, or tube to all London’s major attractions. Here are just a few of its world-famous hotels:
- The Ritz: Who hasn’t heard of the Ritz? London’s crown jewel at the intersection of St. James’s, Mayfair, and Piccadilly, its reputation precedes it. Referenced throughout history in songs, movies, and books, the Ritz name has become synonymous with “best of the best.” In fact, you could make an entire vacation out of just staying at the Ritz and never setting foot outside. Dine-in at the world-class, Michelin-starred Ritz restaurant, and the next day feel like a royal at their world-famous Afternoon Tea.
- Claridge’s: Combining art deco with original period features, Claridge’s has been impressing guests and refining its reputation for understated elegance since the 1850s. If you’re looking to plan the wedding of the century, look no further than Claridge’s English Heritage-listed ballroom. And top it all off with a trip to the impressive Claridge’s Wine Cellar, featuring over 1000 varieties of wine and champagne. Bottoms up.
- The Connaught: When nothing but 24-hour butler service will do the trick, then the top-notch Connaught hotel is for you. Every room (even the smallest) has a separate dressing room/bar area, enhancing the 5-star luxury impact. Or is a stellar hotel bar your main concern? The Connaught won Best Hotel Bar in Tatler Travel Guide 2024. We’ll drink to that.
SOHO
If the hottest nightlife is what you’re after when determining where to stay in London, then Soho’s the place for you. By the 19th century, aristocrats had mostly moved west to Mayfair, and Soho became a thriving red-light district with music halls and theaters.
Today, the clubs pump all night and the shops and restaurants bustle all day. There’s never a dull moment in Soho.
- The Soho Hotel: If you want to be in the center of all the fun, but still get a great night’s sleep, the Soho Hotel is an excellent 5-star option. Hidden away on a quiet mews, but steps from the surrounding hustle and bustle, the Soho offers the perfect intersection of location, amenities, and vibes.
- The Ham Yard Hotel: When the weather is fine, stay at the Ham Yard and revel in the magic of their spectacular roof terrace. London skyline view? Check. Veggie patch growing produce you’ll have for dinner later? Check. And don’t forget the bees. Fully functioning beehives call this garden home and are tended to by the Ham Yard’s dedicated beekeeper. No wonder the Ham Yard gets so much buzz.
- The London EDITION: Just on the edge of Soho, in an area called Fitzrovia, sits the immaculate 5-star London EDITION by Marriott. Stay here for nautical-themed rooms and private rooftop terraces with views of the famous London Eye. Walk to all that Central London’s Soho, Mayfair, Covent Garden, and West End have to offer.
Westminster
For those choosing where to stay in London based on proximity to royalty, then Westminster’s the area for you. Stay here for quick access to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Downing Street. PS: Big Ben is actually the nickname for the bell inside the tower, not the tower itself (which is Elizabeth Tower) – now you’re in the know.
- St. Ermin’s Hotel: Steps from Buckingham Palace and the natural beauty of St James’s Park, the historic four-star St. Ermin’s hotel is a luxurious pet-friendly gem by Marriott. Combine interests in church, state, and royalty with ten minute walks to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk.
- Conrad London St. James: Bringing the whole family to London? Then check out Conrad London St. James’s family experience. Treat the kiddos to themed turndowns, personalized storybooks, and a dedicated children’s library. Fairy tale-themed bedrooms, complete with pre-built forts, might help make bedtime just a bit more enticing to young travelers – and maybe adults too.
- hub by Premier Inn Westminster Abbey: Looking for a great location, but just a bit more budget-conscious? hub by Premier Inn fits the bill. Rooms are compact, but still sleek, modern, and offering all the three-star amenities and central location you need for a successful trip to the British capital. Spend that saved cash on a trip to the pub.
