London is one of the most visited cities in the world – for good reason! Food markets, history and its incredible metropolitan feel make it a great city to explore.
With so many different neighbourhoods and hotels to choose from, finding the right place to stay in London can be an overwhelming task. Having grown up in the UK and lived in London, I am very familiar with London’s best areas to stay in and rounded up my favourites for every budget below!
Overview Of London Areas
With a population of nearly nine million, London is one of Europe’s biggest cities. Depending on your preferred location and budget, you can find small boutique hotels in areas like Chelsea and Notting Hill or bigger, renowned hotel chains in Kings Cross and Paddington.
A little bit of research (or this guide!) will help you in finding quality accommodation for your perfect trip!
Chic London Area: Chelsea
Chelsea is one of London’s more wealthy neighbourhoods. Have a stroll along Kings Road where you’ll find luxury boutiques, fine restaurants, and galleries. A relatively quiet and pristine area in west London, this neighbourhood offers beautiful architecture, quick connections to all of London’s top sights, Battersea Park and beautiful riverside walks at the nearby Thames.
If you want to get a feel for Chelsea life then make sure to watch the reality series Made In Chelsea!
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Chelsea
PROS
- Very quiet
- Nice and safe area
- Great for shopping and strolling around
- Nearby Thames river for riverside walks
- Battersea Park across the bridge
CONS
- Pricey to dine and stay in
- The area itself is walkable but other sights like the London Eye and the Shard are better to reach by tube
Luxury Hotels In Chelsea
Mid-Range Hotels In Chelsea
Budget Hotels In Chelsea
Classic London Area: Notting Hill And South Kensington
Notting Hill is most notably known for its namesake movie classic from 1999. Quirky shops, the famous Portobello Road Market and lots of bars and restaurants make this neighbourhood a favourite for Millenials and families.
I lived here for 5 years and it is my absolute favourite area of London because it feels like a small village within a big city. My top tip for this area would be to take a stroll around Hillgate Place, where you can find many colourful houses in a quieter environment than Portobello Road.
And to escape the (tourist) crowds head to Westbourne Grove for boutiques and restaurants – but be warned that the local hangout and you will have to wait in line for a table at the popular cafes like Granger and 202 if you visit on the weekend!
Nearby South Kensington is one of the most visited areas due to the many cultural attractions like the Natural History and Science Museum, Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Notting Hill / South Kensington
PROS
- Easy to explore and get around
- Holland Park and Hyde Park are nearby
- Lots of museums and cultural attractions to see
- Great for shopping (Kensington high street and small, independent shops in Notting Hill)
- Famous pastel coloured houses in Notting Hill
CONS
- Crowded due to nearby tourist attractions
- Pricey to dine and stay in
Luxury Hotels In Notting Hill / South Kensington
Mid Range Hotels In Notting Hill / South Kensington
- Portobello House
- The Abbey Court Notting Hill
- The Montana Hotel
- The Park City Grand Plaza Kensington Hotel
Budget Hotels In Notting Hill / South Kensington
Artsy & Hip London Area: Shoreditch & Camden
Shoreditch and Camden are no doubt some of the most lively areas in London. Formerly regarded as the more “grunge” parts of town, these two neighbourhoods have seen big developments in recent years with trendy coffee shops, unique store concepts, small watering holes, live music and lots of art.
Food markets like Brick Lane in Shoreditch or Camden Market in Camden offer a great variety of street food for cheap and give a great sense of character to these two areas.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Shoreditch / Camden
PROS
- Several food markets with unique and international cuisines
- Great nightlife with bars and live music
- Young, trendy, vibrant areas with lots of character
- Affordable for dining and going out
CONS
- Noisy due to its nightlife
- Littered streets after a weekend night out
Luxury Hotels In Shoreditch / Camden
Mid-Range Hotels In Shoreditch / Camden
- The Shoreditch Inn
- The Clerk & Well Pub Rooms
- The Z Hotel Shoreditch
- Point A Hotel London Shoreditch
Budget Hotels In Shoreditch / Camden
Traditional London Area: Victoria / Marylebone
Victoria is best known for its rail and coach station, but that doesn’t make this area any less coveted. Offering lots of chain restaurants and bars, Victoria station is only a short walk away from Buckingham Palace and some of London’s biggest green spaces: St. James’s Park and Green Park.
Marylebone is an elegant part of town with lots of fashionable shops, Madame Tussauds and a high street that is challenging Oxford street.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Victoria / Marylebone
PROS
- Easy access to tube lines
- Very central and close to sights, such as Buckingham Palace
- London’s biggest green spaces nearby, such as Hyde Park and Regents Park
CONS
- Lots of sights nearby make the area very touristy
- Doesn’t give the most authentic London experience due to lots of chain restaurant
Luxury Hotels In Victoria / Marylebone
Mid-Range Hotels In Victoria / Marylebone
Budget Hotels In Victoria / Marylebone
Transportation Hub London Area: King’s Cross And Paddington
Home to the biggest train and tube hubs in London, these two areas are great for a quick stopover in the city or base for day trips to England’s beautiful countryside. There is no shortage of late-night food and drink options, as the nightlife is bustling here.
London’s canal, home to its many narrowboats, and Little Venice district are close to Paddington station and make for excellent exploring.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In King’S Cross And Paddington
PROS
- Great transportation links to the rest of the UK and other parts of Europe
- Lots of late-night food and drink options
- Centrally located
CONS
- Lack of unique dining experiences due to chain restaurants
- Noisy and polluted because of traffic and nightlife
Luxury Hotels In Kings Cross And Paddington
Mid-Range Hotels In Kings Cross And Paddington
Budget Hotels In Kings Cross And Paddington
The Theatre District: Central Covent Garden
One of London’s most lively and vibrant areas, Covent Garden is great for food and art lovers alike. With street performances, ever-changing seasonal decor displays and a huge variety of nearby restaurants and bars, Covent Garden is a fun place to explore.
A paradise for shopping enthusiasts, Covent Garden is usually the first place a new international store will plant its UK roots. Fancy a musical? The West End is just around the corner, so make sure to catch a show or two!
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Convent Garden
PROS
- Lively and vibrant feel
- London’s West End is just around the corner to catch a musical or play
- Large variety of food
- Close to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square
CONS
- Can get very crowded
- Noisy due to crowds during all times of day
- Expensive hotel options
Luxury Hotels In Covent Garden
Mid-Range Hotels In Covent Garden
Best Hotels In London Wrap-Up
We hope this guide will help you plan your stay at some of the best hotels in London next time you visit! It is a beautiful city with lots of character, green spaces, history, and experiences.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit London and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Read More About London
- The Ultimate London Travel Guide
- A Guide To The Best Afternoon Teas In London
- London As A Local, The Best Non-Touristy Things To Do
We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of BeckyvanDijk.com
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