Hotels in London

London

London, the fast-paced, cosmopolitan capital city of England has long drawn tourists to its shores, who come in search of culture, history, shopping, cuisine and its nightlife. Some of the most iconic attractions in the UK are found in this city, from Tower Bridge to Westminster, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the famed Buckingham Palace.

But make no mistake, London is a huge city, with more things to see and do than you could ever hope to do in a lifetime, so knowing where to stay can be a bit complicated. The best thing to do is pick a neighbourhood that has the kind of nightlife and cuisine options you are looking for, as transport is excellent in this city and getting from place to place usually only involves a journey on London’s underground system.

Where should you stay in London?

Central London

Central London, due to its location is the flashiest and most expensive part of the city. You have to have a fairly deep pocket to stay in this part of town, though there are lots of gorgeous, historic hotels in the centre of London, such as Claridges and the Ritz. However, there is the odd bargain to be found in smaller guesthouses, just be prepared that low prices will generally translate to small and cramped rooms. However, the inconvenience may be worth it, as you will be close to all the major sites of London, such as Trafalgar Square, Harrods, and Hyde Park, as well as having easy access to the popular nightclubs, theatres and restaurants that draw so many crowds on a weekend.

South London

To the west of the city you will find the famed neighbourhood of Wimbledon, and the leafy, gorgeous Richmond. Accommodation here is expensive, but the links back into the centre of town, especially from Wimbledon, are excellent. Clapham is also on this side of the river, and has a plethora of nightclubs, bars and trendy eateries to explore, and comes in at a slightly cheaper price than its western counterparts.  

East London

One of the cheaper neighbourhoods in London, the east of the city still has plenty of charm. With a rich history that includes a past shared with Dickens and Jack the Ripper there has always been a bit of a love-hate relationship with London’s east end. Shoreditch is the most favoured neighbourhood in this part of town, not least because of its hip reputation. This is the place to be if you seek the ‘latest’ in music, bar, club and restaurant culture. It is a little rough around the edges, so you can find a mixture of boutique hotels and budget hotels in equal measure.

North London

If you want to save some cash but don’t fancy the uber trendy east end, then North London is a great option. It has an unusual mixture of neighbourhoods, from the swish and genteel Islington, the rough and ready Wood Green, and the quirky punk feel of Camden. There are loads of things to do in this part of London, from traipsing through Camden Market to visiting London Zoo. You can find some good budget hotels in this part of London, though keep in mind hotels tend to be cheaper the further out you go.

Transport in London

It is worth purchasing an Oyster card as soon as you get into London, it is a smart travel card that you can top up and use on any transport system in London, including the buses, tubes, DLR and overground rail system.