Exploring London: Finding the Perfect Neighborhood to Stay in

Where to Stay

Best Neighborhoods and areas in

London for every traveler

London is divided into 32 boroughs plus the city of London.  Each neighborhood is unique and depending on your plans some may be more convenient or desirable than others, but everything is usually a short bus or tube ride away

Soho

Located in the borough of Westminster, this is the place to stay to be within walking distance to major attractions and has some of the best nightlife

We recently stayed here and really enjoyed the ability to walk to many of the places we planned to visit, the restaurant choices were perfect, and we loved the way this part of the city stays alive into the early morning hours!

Pros:

• Central Location 

• Within walking distance to many of London's most popular tourist attractions

• Bustling Nightlife and great restaurants

Cons:

• Very busy and touristy

• Louder area 

Luxury Hotel:

The Soho Hotel

• 5 star hotel

• Great location within walking distance to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square

• Spa and Gym with personal trainer on site

• Stylish individually designed rooms and suites

• $$$$

Boutique:

Karma Sanctum Soho

• Fun and quirky

• Rooftop with jacuzzi

• You are made to feel like family, the staff is attentive and friendly

• great location!

Kensington & Chelsea

Located in the west end, this area is what you might envision when you think of royalty or British architecture.   Beautiful tree lined streets, picture perfect store fronts, picturesque cafes and fancy restaurants.  It is also the home to some of London's best parks, including Kensington Palace Gardens, which I thought was so beautiful and could have stayed all day. 

Pros:

• Very Safe neighborhood of London

• boutique quiet restaurants and bars

• near great museums and parks

Cons: ​

• More expensive area

• Very quiet and shuts down early (almost no nightlife)

Luxury Boutique Hotel

The Milestone Hotel and Residences

• Feel like royalty

• Located across from Kensington Palace

• Afternoon Tea

• Elegantly designed, friendly welcoming staff

• $$$$

Kings Cross

Kings Cross is in central London and is home of the world-renowned Kings Cross Station which is always bustling with travelers as it's one of the busiest stations in the United Kingdom.  We made a special trip here to, of course, see Platform 9 3/4 but also to catch our Eurostar to Paris.  This area has been completely revamped and now offers great shopping, dining, greenspaces, fancy supermarkets, and so much to do and see.

Pros:

• Great area of transient or business travelers

• Arguably the best business / culture lovers neighborhood

• Easy access to your next destination

Cons:

• Very Busy

Hip Modern Hotel

The Standard London

• Great Location right across from Kings Cross

• Upscale Modern design

• 5 Star Affordability

Elegant Luxury Hotel in a historic building

Kimpton - Fitzroy London, an IHG Hotel

• Great Location

• Historic building with lots of character and history

• Large rooms

• Friendly Staff

Camden

Located in central London Camden is surrounded by many of the city's university campuses and is home to Camden Lock Market. You could spend several days at the market which has all kinds of shopping and what seems like endless food stalls and restaurants and still feel like you didn't see it all.   Camden is also close to Regent's Park where you can visit the London Zoo.  Adjacent to Regent's Park is Primrose Hill, home to the rich and famous and is well known for it's beautiful hilltop park which is arguably one of the best views in London.

Pros:

• Great for young people and shopping fanatics 

• Lots of live music and a fun nightlife.

• Centrally Located 

Cons:​

• Less safe than other areas

• A lot of homeless

In the Heart of Camden Lock

Holiday Inn London Camden

• Great Location overlooking the market

• Nice Size Rooms
  

Mayfair / Westminster

The most posh neighborhood in London, Mayfair is known for it's upscale luxury hotels, shopping, and high-end dining, fancy afternoon teas and it is home to the iconic department store, Harrods.  If you are looking to experience a luxurious high priced visit to London, Mayfair is the place for you.  Our Airbnb was near this neighborhood and we did find that it was very quiet with almost no nightlife.

Pros:

• Luxury everywhere

• High end dining and shopping

• central location

Cons:

• Almost no nightlife

• Very Expensive

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

• Elegant, Luxurious Upscale 5 star hotel

• Great Location right by Hyde Park and walking distance to Harrods

• Very Expensive $$$$

Covent Garden

A vibrant neighborhood known for it's lively bars, pubs and topnotch restaurants, Covent Garden is conveniently located in London's west end and has one of the best shopping districts around.  Covent Garden Market is filled with restaurants, shops, bars and many unique independent sellers offering a wide range of items.

Pros:

• Great Shopping

• Fantastic dining 

• Centrally located

Cons:​

• Very Touristy

Southwark

Southwark is a busy area with lots to do and see and it's centrally located so you can easily walk to many things including the London Bridge, Vingar Yard, the Shard, and my favorite, Borough Market.  The market is the one of the largest and oldest food markets in London and definitely worth experiencing. 

Pros:

• Great location

• Busy fun area

Cons:

• Can be noisy at night

Amazing Views

Shangri-La The Shard

• Great Location with amazing views

• Five star service

• Beautiful pool on the 52nd floor with breathtaking views

Hammersmith and Fulham

Hammersmith and Fulham is located in West London, we recently stayed in this area when moving my daughter to London.  She is living in Hammersmith and attending University in Fulham.  This is a great area, conveniently located with access to the center of London.  It offers a large range of amenities, including lots of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and many shopping centers, including Westfield, which is the largest shopping center in Europe.  We really loved this area, felt very comfortable with our daughter living here and we enjoyed the easily accessible transportation to other parts of the city.

Pros: 

• Lots of places to shop and dine

• Safe and fun area

• Adjacent to the River Thame

Cons:​

• Not as walkable to major attractions, but it is an easy Tube or bus ride from most places

Historical Hotel

St. Paul's Hotel

• Boutique Hotel with history

  • where Winston Churchill planned the D-Day landings in WWII

  • the set of the 1971 film, "Melody"

• Close to Hammersmith Tube station and bus stations

• Onsite restaurant with beautiful outdoor terrace

---

London offers so much for everyone, no matter where you stay, you are a train or bus ride away to another part of the city

Helpful tips for riding the, "Tube," London's underground rail network:

• The tube offers 11 lines and is divided into nine zones

• The trains generally run from 5 am through midnight and they come frequently so don't worry if you miss one, another one is on the way shortly after.

• Take the Elizabeth line from the airport to central London and major stations in the East and West

• You can use contactless payment or purchase an Oyster card.

  • You can purchase a Visitor Oyster Card ahead of time and have it delivered before you travel. The visitor card offers discounts and the best available fare throughout your trip. After several trips in one day, you will reach a daily limit and the rest of the day is free!