Best Areas to Stay in London

Planning a trip to London can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a place to stay. With many neighborhoods to choose from, each offering something different, looking for accommodation in London can be terrifying. When I lived in London for many years, so I got to live in almost every corner of the city. Now I can tell you what each area offers.

I stayed in most of the recommended hotels and can vouch for them. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write me a comment!

Best Areas to Stay in London – Guide for 2024

There is no universal ‘best’ neighborhood to stay in London since all the sights are spread out. There’s also no downtown as such, and much depends on your interests and budget. London is generally a safe place, no matter where you stay. There’s no such thing as a ‘no-go’ zone in London.

Similarly, the best hotels in London are not located in one neighborhood. It’s easy to find great luxury accommodations in most areas of London.

Best Hotels to Stay in London:

Best Luxury Hotels in London
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel • Ace Hotel Shoreditch • Sofitel St James • Hotel Cafe Royal 

Best Mid-Range Hotels in London
41 • Sea Containers • San Domenico House • Bloomsbury Hotel

Best Boutique Hotels in London
Dawson Place • Gower House Hotel

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Getting to Know Different Districts of London

The first issue with London is that districts aren’t always named the same everywhere. While it’s easy to get oriented in other big European cities like Paris, where districts (arrondissement) are numbered, but London is divided differently.

Officially, the city of London is a small part of London you expect (marked white on the map below). Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, London Eye, or any other iconic landmarks aren’t even part of it.

The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. Administratively, it forms one of the 33 local authority districts of Greater London; however, the City of London is not a London borough, a status reserved for the other 32 districts (including London’s only other city, the City of Westminster).

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Colloquial Districts of London

You might want to ask where is the West End area, as you’ve probably heard about it. West End is actually not an official geographical or municipal definition, but a term used colloquially by Londoners. Therefore the exact constituent parts are up for debate.

Depending on the person, the ‘zones’ of London can be divided differently and hold different names. Further on, I’ll be referring to the most used names of the districts and the closest major tube stations nearby.

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How to Get Around London

Before we delve too deeply into descriptions of different areas, let’s introduce you to the transport system. Don’t get intimidated by London tube map – it’s easier to navigate than it looks like and it’s perfectly safe. Here are a few things you should know:

1. Hotel shuttles from airports are rare. Taxi or Uber from the airport is insanely expensive. I don’t recommend taking private transportation unless you arrive exhausted in the middle of the night.

2. London has a great public transport system. It’s safe and usually works great (and it if doesn’t there’s always a replacement bus right away). But, not all tube stations have elevators and you might have to drag your suitcase up the stairs.

3. You don’t have to buy an oyster card anymore (a refillable transport card) to use the buses and tube. You can use any touch credit card.

4. Alternatively, if you’re planning on visiting many attractions, consider getting a London Pass. It gives you access to many London’s top attractions and hop-on hop-off bus ticket. 

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Where to Stay in London

The West End (Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, Oxford Street)

A vibrant district full of theaters, shops, pubs, clubs, landmarks and shopping opportunities.

Major Tube Stations: Leicester Square (Northern & Piccadilly Line), Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central & Victoria), Tottenham Court Road (Northern & Central)

Budget: London’s most exclusive hotel district with many of London’s most exclusive and expensive hotels.

Attractions Nearby:

• Covent Garden/Soho – Where all the nightlife is happening. During the day Covent Garden has live music, performers, and markets.
• Chocolate Shops
• Theaters – Buy tickets here
• Trafalgar Square
• Oxford Street Shopping – Most shopping you could want in London