Last Updated on December 13, 2022
London is one of the single most popular destinations in Europe and around the world. With a metro surface that exceeds 8,000 square kilometers and a staggering population of more than 8.9 million, London is a large city in the fullest and most meaningful sense of the word.
Add all these people to the 20 million tourists that visit London every year and you have a city that is not only extremely populated but a city that can be downright confusing when you don’t know where to start.
What is the best area to stay in London? What are the specific best places to stay in London?
We have some tips for you – so read on and find out more.
Where to Stay in London – Neighborhoods, and Areas
London is immensely large, and it will seem so pretty much wherever you come from. It cannot be said that one area is better than the other in terms of tourism, as most of them have something special to offer.
At the end, which area is best is all about what you are looking for with your visit to London. Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods and why they are so famous among tourists:
- If you are looking for nightlife and partying (of which London has plenty to offer, as you would expect), Soho is the area you should focus on, as this is where all the good parties and concerts happen.
- If you want to experience a lot of delicious foods in London, we’d suggest you go for Covent Garden, as this is where most of the famous restaurants are (you will definitely not be disappointed by them!).
- If you want to travel to London with your loved one and experience a trip full of romantic touches and beauty, we would suggest for you to stay in Marylebone, Mayfair, or in South Kensington.
- If you are the kind of person who likes walking around the city a lot and exploring every inch, good starting points are Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho. Of course, you can stay any other place, but these areas tend to be more offering for those who love long walks and discovering interesting places all on their own.
- Traveling with your family? If you want peace and quiet (as much as you can get it in London, at least), Marylebone and South Kensington are perfect for you. Not only are these neighborhoods quite quiet, but they also offer you a pretty good variety of attractions right there, within your reach.
- Are you afraid that this is the first time you are traveling to London and want to make sure you are in a neighborhood that will not feel too overwhelming, then check out Covent Garden? It is very central, so it will provide you with easy access to a lot of attractions within walking distance, but it can easily connect you to public transportation as well, just in case you want to see something that is farther away.
Is London safe?
Well, yes. But there are some neighborhoods you might want to stay away from, as they can get a little too sketchy (especially at night). For instance, you might want to stay away from parts of East End like Shoreditch and Hackney.
They can be quite scary, especially if you are alone and at night. Don’t think of anything horror movie-scary, but in general, it is probably best to simply avoid the areas.
Other than that, most of London’s areas are very much tourist-friendly and they can be considered quite safe from a number of points of view.
Best Hotels in Each London Area
While it would be absolutely impossible to create an entire compendium of hotels and accommodation options in London in one article, we would like to point out some of the hotels that have been consistently voted as the best in their respective areas (and ergo, among the best in London as well).
Here they are:
#1. Covent Garden
The Nadler is consistently top-rated among former tourists who stayed here, so it is definitely an option for those of you who want a luxurious experience in London. Aside from the Nadler, however, you might also want to check out Strand Palace and Seven Dials for the more medium-priced hotels in the area.
And if you are looking to get the least expensive option, Travelodge London Covent Garden is probably the best option for you.
#2. South Kensington
The Nadler Kensington is a pretty good option here as well, along with Radisson Blu, and a more expensive option, The Kensington. All of these are either luxury in the fullest sense of the word or they are at least mid-range.
If you are searching for something less expensive, then we suggest you settle for Park International, The Rockwell, or YHA Earl’s.
#3. Soho
This is one of the most expensive and luxurious areas of London, so you might not want to expect very low prices for accommodation here. The very best rated hotels include The Langham and the London EDITION, but you can find less expensive options as well, such as SoHostel, for example.
#4. Mayfair
This too is a pretty expensive option, but if you are looking for the best of the best in the area, Flemings Mayfair, Chesterfield, and Brown’s Hotel are consistently appreciated by everyone who travels here.
#5. Marylebone
Some of the best hotels here include Z at Gloucester Place, The Summer Hotel, the Marble Arch, and Hyatt Regency London. There are options for all kinds of budgets here, but the ones mentioned are in the more medium-range to the luxury ballpark.
#6. Leicester Square
By far one of the more budget-friendly options in London, this area has plenty of good, decent-priced hotels. Take, for example, the Holiday Inn Leicester, Mercure Leicester the Grand Hotel, and even Hilton Leicester and you will see that prices are more than decent here.
Of course, the best hotel depends on what you actually want. If you want luxuriousness, expect London to be quite hefty when it comes to this – you can find anything ranging from 50 pounds a night to 1,000, really!
If the actual area matters more to you, you should know that most neighborhoods will provide you with a pretty good open towards a variety of accommodation options meant for every type of pocket and traveler.
In the end, you decide which is the best accommodation option for you. We strongly encourage you to read reviews and constantly lookout for red flags (such as too many reviewers that are very upset, for example).
London is a fascinating, multi-cultural, colorful, and energizing city. It can embrace you with uniqueness and good vibes every single step of the way.
Moreover, the wide range of cultures it fosters and the wide range of attractions make it a perfect destination regardless of whether you are the traveler who would much rather sit back and enjoy a couple of drinks and good food or the traveler that wants their feet to hurt at the end of the day from so much walking.
We guarantee you will be left with amazing memories from your trip to London, that’s for certain!
