In a nutshell
- London is huge, so choosing a good location for your stay makes all the difference.
- If you’re wondering where to stay in London for the first time, the West End is ideal thanks to its central location. Our hotel tip: Z Hotel Strand – right in the middle of everything, affordable, modern, and very clean – though the rooms are compact
- For a more refined vibe, Kensington and Chelsea are among the best areas to stay in London, home to galleries and Michelin-star restaurants. Our hotel tip: Blackbird – a charming boutique hotel with cozy rooms and a fantastic breakfast.
- If you’d like to experience London’s creative side, head to Shoreditch, one of the best places to stay in London for nightlife and street art. Our hotel tip: CitizenM Shoreditch – great value, stylish rooms, and famously comfortable beds.
How Much Does a Hotel in London Cost?
It’s no secret that a trip to London is not exactly cheap.
The price of accommodation depends a lot on the location – how close you are to the main London attractions – as well as what you expect from your hotel.
In simple terms: for a double room in a clean, comfortable hotel with a fair value for money in a central location, you should budget around 150 to 200 euros per night.
Prices also change depending on the season. If you book early and plan your London city break in the low season – for example in February – you can find better deals.
If you’re happy to save money by making a few compromises and don’t mind longer trips to the sights, you’ll also find cheaper accommodation in London.
The Best Areas to Stay in London
Each of the neighborhoods we recommend is a good match for different types of travelers. In the next sections, we’ll show you which area is right for you.
We recommend these 4 areas if you’re looking for the best places to stay in London:
- West End: perfect for first-time visitors – Z Hotel Strand
- Kensington and Chelsea: stylish and elegant – Blackbird
- Shoreditch: creative and alternative – CitizenM Shoreditch
- King’s Cross: affordable but still central – Pullman London St. Pancras
Our tip: Stay on the north side of the Thames. While many southern districts are being redeveloped and becoming trendier, some areas, like Brixton, can still feel a bit rough around the edges.
The best districts to stay in London on a map
To help you get your bearings, here’s a map with our recommended neighborhoods and the most important sights. This makes it easier to decide where to stay in London.
Where to Stay in the West End
If you’re wondering where to stay in London for the first time, the West End is the best choice. You’ll be within walking distance of the main sights.
Where exactly is the center of London? Good question! There’s no official definition.
Most would say it’s the West End, which includes Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. Think of it like Times Square in New York City – it’s the city’s tourist hub.
The West End is also famous for its shopping streets and for being the heart of London’s musical scene. You’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants around Regent Street and Piccadilly, but also plenty of budget-friendly spots near Leicester Square and Chinatown.
Big sights like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey are just 15–20 minutes away on foot or only a few minutes by tube.
Pros of staying in the West End:
- You’re right in the middle of the city and can reach most highlights on foot.
- Lots of tube stations make it easy to get anywhere else in London.
- A huge choice of hotels and restaurants.
- Easy transfer from Heathrow Airport to the West End.
Cons of staying in the West End:
- The West End is very touristy. If you’d rather experience “local” London, you might prefer another neighborhood.
- It’s always busy, especially in peak season. If you want peace and quiet, this isn’t the best area for you.
The best places to stay in the West End
If you don’t want to spend too much on your hotel in London, we recommend the Z Hotels.
The Z Hotel Covent Garden and the Z Hotel Strand are just a short walk from Trafalgar Square – the location couldn’t be better.
The Z Hotels are very affordable by London standards, offering small, simple rooms that are modern and spotless.
Where to Stay in Kensington and Chelsea
A hotel in Kensington and Chelsea is perfect if you want to stay in one of the most elegant parts of London.
These neighborhoods are located southwest of central London and are some of the best areas to stay in London if you enjoy style and sophistication.
Here you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury boutiques, and some of London’s most famous museums and galleries. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a celebrity or two among the designer shops.
Of course, the charm of Kensington and Chelsea comes with higher prices.
From here it’s a 20–25 minute tube ride to the main attractions in the center. But you can easily walk to Hyde Park or wander over to pretty Notting Hill in about 15 minutes.
Pros of staying in Kensington and Chelsea:
- Two of the most stylish neighborhoods in the city.
- Excellent restaurants and high-end shopping on your doorstep.
- Quieter atmosphere while still being in the heart of London life.
Cons of staying in Kensington and Chelsea:
- Hotels, restaurants, and shops are all on the pricey side.
- You’re a bit further from the main tourist sights.
The best places to stay in Kensington and Chelsea
We love the Blackbird. This boutique hotel has chic rooms, excellent breakfast, and a wonderfully cozy vibe.
There are only nine rooms, each individually designed, making it one of the most charming places to stay in London if you want something special.
Vincent House London Residence
Blackbird Our favourite!
Where to Stay in Shoreditch
A hotel in Shoreditch is the right choice if you want to experience London’s creative side and explore the nightlife.
Once considered a rough area, Shoreditch has transformed into one of the trendiest places to stay in London and is especially popular with younger travelers. If you want to be in the middle of a buzzing, alternative neighborhood, this is it.
The district lies northeast of the city center, and it takes about 30 minutes by tube to reach the major sights.
On weekends, Shoreditch hosts some of London’s coolest markets. The rest of the week, it’s all about hip bars, street food, art, and vintage shops.
Food lovers will find everything here – from Indian curries and Thai noodles to German bratwurst and the classic British scotch egg. It’s one of the best areas to stay in London for first-time visitors who want to see the city beyond the usual tourist trail.
Pros of staying in Shoreditch:
- You’re right in the middle of a vibrant, creative district.
- A huge variety of restaurants, pubs, and nightlife.
- You’ll see a very different side of London.
Cons of staying in Shoreditch:
- It takes around 30 minutes by tube to reach the main sights.
- It’s not as polished and elegant as other central neighborhoods.
The best places to stay in Shoreditch
We’re big fans of the CitizenM hotels, and the CitizenM Shoreditch is no exception. The rooms are modern, the beds are incredibly comfortable, and the value for money is excellent.
If you like this style, there are also two other CitizenM hotels we recommend: the CitizenM Tower of London and the CitizenM Bankside.
CitizenM Shoreditch Our favourite!
Montcalm East
Where to Stay in King's Cross
King’s Cross is one of the best areas to stay in London if you want affordable accommodation with great connections to the center.
Hotels here are usually a bit cheaper than in other parts of the city. If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll also find more ideas in our guide to affordable places to stay in London.
King’s Cross is part of the lively Camden district in north London and has fantastic transport links. From here, you can reach sights like the London Eye in about 30 minutes by train.
In the neighborhood itself, you can visit Platform 9¾ from Harry Potter, explore the Charles Dickens Museum, or spend some time in the impressive British Library. Over the past few years, the area has become a favorite hangout for Londoners, with plenty of new restaurants, bars, and pubs offering everything from trendy food concepts to classic British dishes.
Pros of staying in King’s Cross:
- Lots of affordable accommodation compared to other central areas.
- Excellent transport connections across London and beyond.
- Not as crowded with tourists as places like the City.
- Safe and increasingly popular with locals.
Cons of staying in King’s Cross:
- Even with great connections, it still takes a bit longer to reach the main sights.
- Among the new modern buildings, some hotels may not look very charming from the outside.
The best places to stay in King’s Cross
The Pullman London St Pancras is just five minutes from King’s Cross. The upper floors offer fantastic views, the rooms are stylishly decorated, and the breakfast is excellent.
If you’d like a touch of luxury, we recommend The Standard London. Expect a cool rooftop bar, striking design, and very stylish rooms.
Pullman London St Pancras Our favourite!
Do you have a hotel tip for London?
These were our tips for where to stay in London. Have you been before — and which neighborhood did you stay in? Can you recommend a hotel or do you have a question about the best places to stay in London? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!