The most agonising question on every traveller’s mind is where to stay? Location can make or break a holiday, and there are just so many factors to consider: budget, safety and convenience are just a few. After all, it will be your home away from home, the place you return to after every tiring, fun-filled day, so the choice is a crucial one. Whether you’re checking into a hotel or booking into an Airbnb, here are some suggestions to help you out!
Pricing
After shelling out for airplane tickets, hotels and lodgings are the next big expense. Here are some estimations to consider before you really hit the ground running. As with any major city, some areas will be more expensive than others, depending on how central they are.
Hostels: £20-£80/night
Budget Hotels: £66-£100/night
Premium Hotels: £122-£240/night
Luxury Hotels: £300-£1,000/night
*These are subject to availability, types of rooms and periods of travel
London’s best areas
As a traveller, you’d want to maximise accessibility and comfort, amongst other things. You’d want the place you choose to stay in London to reflect you. Where you choose to stay will be your first place of contact, it will determine your first impression of London once you’ve left the airport and shape your experience from there on out. Pick from upbeat shopping districts and artsy neighbourhoods below, all at a price that suits you.
South Bank and Bankside
Staying by South Bank and Bankside you’ll see London as it is in the guidebooks. If you’ve ever wanted to ride the Coca-Cola London Eye, to get your picture taken by the Big Ben or jog by the Thames, then book your stay by South Bank for the quintessential London experience. A wonderful spot for first-timers, South Bank has the fortune of being close to all the major tourist attractions, making it easy for you to hit up all these places in a single day without having to go far.
Situated right by the Thames, you’re almost guaranteed an iconic view of London, complete with the parliament houses and the awesome outline of The Big Ben. For a thrill, explore the London Dungeons, or catch a show at the BFI Imax. The area is also full of museums, including the The Florence Nightingale Museum, dedicated to the late nurse Florence Nightingale and her charitable deeds, SEA LIFE London, home to Europe’s largest collection of marine life, and the quirky Tate Modern.
You’ll never go hungry either, quick bites to settle for include Honest Burgers, which does top quality vegan burgers, and Wahaca South Bank, London’s take on Mexican street food. For something swankier, Indian restaurant Mint Leaf Lounge and rooftop bar 12th Knot are possible options.
South Bank’s closest tube station is Waterloo, served by a total of five lines, making transportation a breeze.
- Premier Inn London County Hall Hotel $
Premier Inn operates as a chain of budget hotels in London, with locations all over the country. The affordable price and prime location make Premier Inn London County Hall Hotel a gem in this part of town, and breakfast is also provided at a reasonable rate.
- The Mad Hatter Hotel $$
With a solid commitment to value, comfort and convenience, you’ll be mad to pass up on The Mad Hatter Hotel. Whilst its central location is one thing to brag about, this hotel also offers guests several amenities like a lounge and baggage storage and takes pride in its classy decor.
- London Marriott Hotel County Hall $$$
Part of the luxury hotel chain Marriott, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall offers proximity to all of London’s most popular attractions. The great river view makes it a favourite amongst
guests and the hotel is known for its world class service and quality rooms.
King's Cross
A familiar name to every Harry Potter fan, King's Cross is a wonderful area to stay in for those hoping to make the most out of their holiday. Of course it’s where J. K. Rowling set her books, the station that young Harry heads to board the Hogwarts Express. Whilst the real Kings Cross station won’t bring you to Hogwarts, it’ll connect you to the rest of London, which is just as good, if not better! The station is where five of the major underground lines intersect, making it a viable rail hub favoured by those who are always on the go. King’s Cross Station is also convenient if you’re coming from any of London’s airports.
It is one stop away from Euston Station which connects you with the national rail services, there you can take trains out of London to explore the rest of England, ideal for a day trip to Bath or Cotswold.
Being near the underground and international station means you never have to worry about making your home, no matter what hour of the night it is. Shops at train stations also tend to open much earlier, and close much later- the same goes for restaurants, so all your meals are taken care of.
Just across the street is St. Pancras International, home to the Eurostar. If you’re planning to travel out of London to the rest of Europe, making arrangements to stay by this station can save you an agonising trip down with all your luggage (as well as a painfully expensive cab fee!) and ensure you’re well rested for the next leg of your journey.
- Point A Hotel King's Cross St. Pancras $
One of the budget options, Point A Hotel King's Cross St. Pancras is a steal. Surrounded by cafes and shops, it is a mere five minutes away from King's Cross and St. Pancras International. The clean, modern furnishings make for a comfortable stay.
- Comfort Inn and Suites King's Cross St. Pancras $$
Another budget hotel chain, that is a moderate lodging is also a short walk away from King's Cross and St. Pancras International. Rooms are all en-suite with complimentary continental breakfast provided for all guests.
- St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel $$$
Located right above St. Pancras International, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is truly in a class of its own. The grandeur of the hotel is sure to wow, from its imposing brick red exterior to the gorgeous interior design. Guests get to indulge in amenities like the Spa, Gym and indoor pool.
Soho
Formerly a red-light district, Soho has definitely cleaned up its act. Today, it’s much more family friendly, with cafes and shops for all. Indulge in a show at the West End near Shaftsbury, or delve into the local art scene by hitting up a Jazz Club (Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club comes to mind). If retail therapy is what you need, Soho is also the place for you. The range of shops clustered around Soho include those specialising in vintage clothing and independent designers, and you’ll be sure to find your next holy grail beauty product in the streets of Soho.
London’s colourful Chinatown is also located in Soho, with tons of fantastic eateries offering the best of Chinese cuisine right at your doorstep. Apart from authentic Chinese food, London’s Chinese restaurants specialise in Roast Duck, a must try while you are there. Juicy, tender and roasted to perfection, the Roast Duck in London is arguably the best in the world, given how fatty the ducks are.Four Seasons is often raved about by locals and tourists alike, and is often packed every meal time.
You’ll never crave bubble tea either, with rows and rows of bubble tea stores and snaking long queues. But you won’t find brands like Gong Cha or Koi here. Home brands like Happy Lemon and Biju will impress even the most serious bubble tea drinker. There’s no shortage of Instagrammable food either, Bubblewrap has got waffles topped with ice-cream down to an art, so you can feed yourself and your camera.
Soho is also a mere twenty minute walk away from most major tourist attractions, so travelling is not an issue.
- SoHostel $
This place comes highly recommended by most travellers and it’s not difficult to see why.Location aside, the hostel has a bar and restaurant offering cheap eats (five pound pizza, anyone?) as well as a shared TV lounge. Rooms are an absolute bargain, with ensuite and shared bathroom choices available.
- The SoHo Hotel $$$
A five star hotel that’s owned by the Firmdale Hotels group, The SoHo Hotel has ninety six individually-designed ensuite rooms that you can choose from. The Hotel offers airport transportation and other amenities like babysitting and a gym.
- W London Leicester Square $$$
Trendy hotel chain W can obviously been found in the hip neighbourhood of Soho. 192 guest rooms each rocking the playful style of Britannia give off the perfect vibe for your stint in Soho, and impeccable service to match.
Camden
One of London’s bohemian boroughs, Camden is a hip place to stay for those looking to get a taste of London’s buzzing art scene. Staying here means London’s world renowned Camden Market is just around the corner, the perfect place to while away hours hunting for bits and bobs to buy. A stroll along Regents Canal provides a well of inspiration, and every night can be spent at a different music show: The Roundhouse, The Jazz Cafe, The Blues Kitchen, The Electric Ballroom are just a few big names in Camden’s thriving music scene.
Camden’s vibrant nightlife is also the talk of the town. The “cradle of counterculture” is full of nightclubs. Notable names to check out include Camden Underworld, a nightclub in the basement of pub The World’s End that plays screamo and metal to an alternative crowd, and KOKO, a theatre turned nightclub that is one of the biggest party venues in London.
In the summer, a beach springs up in the middle of Camden, courtesy of Roundhouse, which takes the liberty of dumping heaps of sand on its rooftop every year, providing a man-made beach for all. As wacky as the idea is, it captures the character of Camden perfectly: quirky, outlandish and eccentric, the dream hideaway for an avid artist or moody musician.
Camden Town station is just a few stops away from the major underground lines, and the three major stations: Kings Cross, Euston and St. Pancras. Prices for accommodation in Camden are also noticeably cheaper than the rest of London which is definitely a plus point.
- Holiday Inn London: Camden Lock $$
A British-American chain that’s made it around the world, Holiday Inn has established a reputation for itself in terms of quality. This branch located in Camden Lock is modern, stylish and sleek, boasting six function rooms and five conference rooms on top of a terrific stay.
- OYO Camden BnB Hotel $
OYO bed and breakfast is a budget friendly option in the heart of Camden. A mere nine-minute walk away from Camden market, it’s colourfully decked out rooms and bright interior will put a smile on anyone’s face.
- St Christopher’s Inn Hostel $
Known in the backpacker community for cheap and comfortable stay, St Christopher’s Inn Hostel in Camden provides great rooms with a chill vibe. The hostel also has a bar attached, in case you get the late night munchies.
Mayfair
Stay in one of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods and live in the lap of luxury for the length of your holiday. Affluent Mayfair is a quiet area sandwiched between Hyde Park and the West End, brimming with high end hotels, expensive boutiques and upscale art galleries. For those who fancy a fancy time in London, or enjoy the finer things in life, Mayfair is the ultimate place to stay.
As a district, Mayfair is the capital of english excess, with Bond Street catering to brands like Chanel, Gucci, Dior and Cartier and Saville Row specialising in men’s tailoring. You’ll be surrounded by London’s most exclusive shopping areas, Mount Street, described as “label heaven” and populated by the likes of Christian Louboutin and Celine, South Molton Street and Regent Street. There are also several posh, charming arcades to walk down including Burlington Arcade and The Royal Arcade.
If the pickings are a little too pricey, there’s also Oxford Street in the Mayfair area, which is home to familiar brands like Zara, H&M, TopShop and Forever 21.
You’ll find quality gourmet restaurants in Mayfair, from ethnic cuisines like Indian food at Bombay Bustle and Chinese cuisine at China Tang. The well-loved Burger and Lobster also opened its first ever store in Mayfair. For a more novel experience, travel themed bar Mr Fogg’s is a secret bar complete with a hot air balloon and wicker bird cages—a tribute to Jules Vernes’ masterpiece, Around the World in Eighty Days.
- JW Marriott Grosvenor House London $$$
A historic hotel situated in the district of Mayfair, JW Marriott Grosvenor House is a landmark accommodation, offering luxurious rooms and suites as well as extensive amenities, from a 24-hour-gym to several on-site dining options that guests can choose from.
- The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel $$$
A luxury icon in Mayfair, The May Fair comes equipped with a 3D cinema, a casino and spa for guests to entertain themselves. Guests can indulge in cocktails at the bar or dine alfresco on the rooftop, when they aren’t relaxing in their lavish rooms.
- Flemings Mayfair $$$
This boutique hotel claims to be one of the best kept secrets in Central London, with eating and drinking options that will satisfy the fussiest of guests. The Drawing Room and Manetta’s bar are but a few of the choices. There is also a gym with the latest techno gym equipment for your posh retreat.
