Where to Stay in London – Neighborhoods & Area Guide

Written by Alex Bird
Updated on
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London, the capital of England, is one of the most contemporary cities that exists in the 21st century, yet its history dates back to the Roman era. Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, the city is considered as the “cultural capital” of the world. It is believed that if London lost all its glory and only had its landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Big Ben, it would still be regarded as one of the top cities in the world.

One of the most populous cities in the world, London is a common destination on every traveler’s list. And, how could it not! A city steeped in rich historical and cultural heritage and at the same time, an epitome of modernism and diversity is, of course, a place nobody wants to miss exploring.

Let us now explore some of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in the city of London.

Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury DistrictSource: Spiroview Inc / shutterstock
Bloomsbury District

Home to some of the finest educational establishments in London, Bloomsbury is often regarded as the ‘literary capital’ of the city. Despite being centrally located, Bloomsbury houses some of the most picturesque public parks in London, the most famous of which are Russell Square and Bloomsbury Square. Brunswick Shopping Centre is a hotspot for all shopping, dining, and recreational activities in the area. And, how could you miss the world-renowned British Museum – an exhibition of more than 7 million awe-inspiring artefacts under one roof.

Good for: All kinds of travelers, especially those interested in history and museums.
Other Highlights: Charles Dickens Museum, The Cartoon Museum, St. George’s Church, The Postal Museum and the Mail Rail, and Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • Boswell Residences – 500 meters from the British Museum and 900 meters from the Royal Opera House, the property offers fully-furnished studio apartments with ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, free Wi-Fi, and passcode-protected entry and exit. Great for solo travelers and couples.
  • Grange Beauchamp Hotel – Just a couple of minutes from the prominent British Museum, this 4-star property offers elegant guestrooms, 24-hour front desk, terrace, and a restaurant with extensive British menu and a wine list. Great for all kinds of travelers.
  • The Montague On The Gardens – A personification of luxury and extravaganza, the Montague On The Garden features 2 sun rooms, 2 restaurants, a gymnasium, private gardens, and is just a few minutes’ walk to the nearest tube. Perfect for all kinds of luxury travelers.

Westminster

Westminster, LondonSource: GagliardiImages / shutterstock
Westminster

It would be right to say that there is hardly another place in London which is as historic as Westminster. Home to some of the iconic structures of London such as Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, and the historic National Gallery, Westminster is an area you just can’t miss. Located north of River Thames, the neighborhood is known to house one of the largest concentrations of London’s attractions. It is also the site of the Parliament of United Kingdom, located within the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament). Of course, there is the “Changing of the Guards” ceremony every morning at Buckingham Palace. For the shopaholics, a stroll through Oxford Street, the busiest shopping street of Europe, is a must.

Good for: All kinds of travelers
Other Highlights: Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral, the Churchill War Rooms.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • The Nadler Victoria – Located within 300 meters of Buckingham Palace, this wonderful hotel offers fully-furnished guest rooms with a modern bath/shower, a kitchenette, and a Nespresso machine with free coffee kits. Great for couples and families.
  • The Sanctuary House Hotel – Located in the heart of London’s historic area, Westminster, The Sanctuary House Hotel provides stylish accommodation in a Victorian property, complimented with a traditional pub, restaurant, and in-room amenities such as ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV, and a work desk.
  • Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences – The award-winning 5-star hotel is a landmark of English hospitality. Extremely close to Buckingham Palace, the property houses three widely-acclaimed restaurants and one award-winning Spa. Perfect for all kinds of luxury travelers, even big groups of 6 members.

South Kensington

South Kensington, LondonSource: GlobalTravelPro / shutterstock
South Kensington

The most expensive district in London and among the top of its kind in the world, South Kensington is where the celebrities and the riches sojourn. Set in the middle of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, South Kensington is home to four of the most important museums in London as well as the Royal Albert Hall, the oldest and undeniably the most significant concert hall in the city. High Street Kensington is a great place for shopaholics – it’s almost like Oxford Street but less hectic and perhaps more affluent. Home to the revered Imperial College, South Kensington is often known as the “21st Arrondissement” because of the high concentration of French expats living in the area. In fact, the French population living in the South Kensington makes London the sixth largest French city in the world.

Good for: Affluent travelers.
Other Highlights: Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, Alfred Hitchcock’s House, Bram Stoker’s House, and Billionaires’ Row.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • London Court Hotel – Located just a few meters from the nearest underground station, London Court Hotel offers comfortable guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, flat-screen TV, and iPod docking stations. Great for all kinds of travelers.
  • Hotel Indigo London – Kensington – Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the nearest underground station, this Victorian-style hotel offers individually designed guest rooms, a fitness center, 24-hour front desk, and a bar and restaurant. They also offer specialized meals for kids. Perfect for all kinds of travelers, especially for small families.
  • Milestone Hotel Kensington – A 5-star boutique hotel, the hotel flaunts supremely luxurious guest rooms, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a rejuvenating spa. Hyde Park and Royal Albert Hall is within 10 minutes’ walking distance. Great for all kinds of luxury travelers.

Soho

Soho, LondonSource: Christian Mueller / shutterstock
Soho

At the heart of London’s throbbing nightlife, the area of Soho has gained the reputation of being the “go-to” destination for travelers or locals seeking fun and frolic. Entertaining the crowds since the 19th century, Soho is predominantly a fashion district with innumerable boutique shops and brand stores lining up areas such as Berwick Street and Kingly Court. Old Compton Street is the epicenter of London’s gay community while the entire area of Soho features quite a few adult entertainment avenues. The area is also famous for its jazz scene and houses several jazz bars and clubs. Amidst all the hip stores and jazz clubs, the streets here are lined with various kinds of diners from Asian to Italian to highly-sumptuous fine dining restaurants and patisseries.

Good for: Solo travelers and couples, especially the young.
Other Highlights: Queen’s Theatre, Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, National Portrait Gallery, Piccadilly and Leicester Squares.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • The Nadler Soho – Just a couple of minutes from the world-famous shopping district of Oxford Street, the Nadler Soho offers well-appointed guestrooms with modernized amenities such as access to free digital newspaper, LED TV, ensuite bathrooms, a kitchenette as well as free Wi-Fi. Great for all kinds of travelers.
  • Soho Stables – Located 200 meters from the famous Piccadilly Circus, this 200-year-old stable has been beautifully transformed into a two-storey hotel with opulent guestrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a common lounge, and French balconies. Great for couples and small families.
  • The Piccadilly London West End – The 5-star hotel offers boutique guestrooms with mood lightings, satellite TV, work desk, and fluffy bathrobes. Also, there is a fitness center and a bar on-site, if you are in the mood for a lazy day staying in. Perfect for all kinds of luxury travelers.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden, LondonSource: Lukasz Pajor / shutterstock
Covent Garden

Once just a fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden has significantly raised its standards over the years and is now considered as one of the most popular shopping and tourist districts in London. Home to the Royal Opera House (also known as “Covent Garden”), the district is bisected by Long Acre Street, north of which mainly comprises fashion stores and the south consists of historical buildings, entertainment avenues, and theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The Covent Garden Piazza is the most primary spot in the area and is a great place for alfresco dining and drinking.

Good for: All kinds of travelers

Other Highlights: London Transport Museum, St. Martin’s Courtyard, Neal Street, Seven Dials, and Covent Garden Market.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • The Henrietta Hotel – A couple of minutes’ walking from the famous Savoy Theatre, the Henrietta Hotel offers the best of a 4-star property with well-appointed guestrooms, restaurant and bar, 24-hour concierge, free Wi-Fi, room service, and much more. Great for couples and small families.
  • Club Quarters Hotel, Lincoln’s Inn Fields – Housing a beautiful outdoor terrace that overlooks the Lincoln’s Inn Field, the hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, a common living room with business facilities, on-site fitness center, and several other amenities. Great for couples and families.
  • The Bloomsbury Hotel – The perfect abode for theatre-lovers, the Bloomsbury Hotel is set in the heart of London’s theatre district with British Museum, Oxford Street, and Leicester Square within a walking distance. Rooms here are fitted with ultra-modern amenities such as aromatherapy toiletries, luxury bedding, and bubbly bathrobes. Perfect for couples and small families.

King’s Cross

King’s Cross, LondonSource: Ron Ellis / shutterstock
King’s Cross

Names after the statue of King George IV which once stood here, the area of King’s Cross has transformed from a red-light district to an exciting new hub filled with activities and entertainment. Served by one of the major railway stations of London, the region is home to several cultural institutions such as the London Canal Museum and the British Library. King’s Cross remains one of the most significant construction projects for London in the 21st century. Did you know that King’s Cross station is where Harry Potter boarded the train from “Platform ​934” for Hogwarts?

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Camden Town Hall, King’s Palace, St. Pancras Old Church, Charles Dickens Museum, British Postal Museum and Archive, and Gagosian Gallery.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • Megaro Hotel – A sophisticated property located within a short walking distance from the British Museum, the Megaro Hotel offers cozy guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and an easy accessibility to the tube, train, and bus stations. Great for couples and families.
  • Pullman London St Pancras – Within walking distance from the Eurostar, Kings Cross Underground Station, and Euston Underground station, this brilliant property is the next-door neighbor of the British Library. Facilities include a variety of well-appointed guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Suitable for solo travelers and couples.
  • Great Northern Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, London – Located in the heart of King’s Cross, the Great Northern Hotel offers luxurious accommodation fitted with ensuite shower, 40-inch flat-screen TV, hand-crafted furniture, and Hypnos bed. The first-floor restaurant offers dining with a view over the King’s Cross piazza. Great for all kinds of travelers.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch, LondonSource: EQRoy / shutterstock
Shoreditch

Regarded as one of the most artistic neighborhoods of London’s chic East End, Shoreditch keeps you busy from the moment you arrive in the area. Unlike the rest of London, the best of Shoreditch’s art and creativity is scattered around its streets. Every empty wall here is a future mural. The area is also a gold mine for shoppers, especially those interested in vintage and one-of-a-kind apparels and accessories. It is also home to Blitz London, the largest vintage shop in the European continent. Another prominent feature of Shoreditch is its fascination with street food – from bagels to Thai food to other international delicacies, name it and you shall find it. The region is also famous for its nightlife and clubbing culture and houses some of the best nightclubs in London.

Good for: All kinds of travelers, especially the young.
Other Highlights: Boxpark, Columbia Road Flower Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, and The Geffrye Museum.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • The Z Hotel Shoreditch – 5 minutes’ walking distance from High Street and Hoxton Square, The Z Hotel Shoreditch provides elegant guest rooms with hand-crafted beds, huge flat-screen TV, ensuite bathroom with toiletries, and a delightful breakfast at the Z café (for a nominal fee). Great for all kinds of travelers.
  • citizenM London Shoreditch – One of the classiest properties in London, citizenM London Shoreditch offers guest accommodation with comfy beds, wall-to-wall windows, mood lighting, black-out blinds, and much more. The hotel is within proximity of a couple of famous markets and railway stations. Perfect for couples and small families.
  • M by Montcalm Shoreditch London Tech City – Located within a short distance from London’s Silicon roundabout, this property offers luxurious accommodation along with a rejuvenating sauna and spa, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, an exquisite bar, a restaurant, and much more. Suitable for all kinds of luxury travelers.

Waterloo, South Bank, and Bankside

South Bank, LondonSource: LTerlecka / shutterstock
South Bank, London

Way more than just a train station and a gateway to South Bank, Waterloo is home to several cultural and entertainment avenues which attract tourists from all over. One of the most iconic landmarks of London, the London eye is just a few minutes’ walk from the station while Big Ben is only a 15 minutes’ walk across the Westminster Bridge. This place is a special gem for those who are interested in museums and theatres. Just east of Waterloo bridge on the South Bank is the famous National Theatre while east of Blackfriars bridge is Bankside, one of the oldest and most-lively areas of London, which houses Tate Modern, Bankside Gallery, and the Golden Hinde.

Good for: All kinds of tourists, especially history lovers.
Other Highlights: Florence Nightingale Museum, SEA LIFE London, the London Dungeon, the Old Vic Theatre, and the Shakespeare’s Globe.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • Marlin Waterloo – Within walking distance from the Waterloo Tube Station and Lambeth North Tube Station is the gorgeous Marlin Waterloo hotel that features fully-furnished guest rooms with an onsite kitchen, gymnasium, and laundry facility. Great for all kinds of travelers.
  • H10 London Waterloo – A newly constructed property equipped with the best modern amenities and services, H10 London Waterloo features luxury bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, LCD TVs, and minibars, and onsite facilities such as a restaurant and a bar, a fitness center, and a sauna. Great for solo travelers and couples.
  • citizenM London Bankside – 600 meters from Millennium bridge and 700 meters from Tate Modern is the highly affluent citizenM London Bankside hotel, one of the many properties of citizenM chain in London. The modern guest rooms include an ensuite bathroom with rain shower, a touchscreen tablet to control the electronics, and ambient lighting. Perfect for couple and families.

Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell, LondonSource: Eugene Regis / shutterstock
Clerkenwell

One of the coolest neighborhoods in London, Clerkenwell is known for its eclectic fashion and gastronomical treasures. A mix of Georgian and Victorian structures scatter around the streets of Clerkenwell and several Michelin-starred restaurants find home here. Named after Clerk’s Well in Farringdon Lane, Clerkenwell houses the first gastropub of London, the Eagle. The all-night pubs and joints in the area are a special attraction for the young tourists and party-goers. Charles Dickens Museum, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and Museum of the Order of St. John are some of the notable attractions in the area.

Good for: All kinds of travelers, especially epicureans.
Other Highlights: British Museum, Tower Bridge, Exmouth Market, Smithfield Market, Leather Lane, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and Clockmaker’s Museum.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • The Rookery – Only 100 meters from the nearest railway station, the Rookery offers comfortable guest rooms equipped with period furnishings, ensuite bathrooms with REN toiletries, and flat-screen TV. The 18th-century structure also houses a conservatory, a library, and an oak-paneled lounge. Great for solo travelers and couples.
  • Malmaison London – The Malmaison London boutique hotel offers accommodation in stylish bedrooms fitted with several amenities, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a bar, and a 24-hour front desk. A railway station and several trendy bars and restaurants are located nearby. Perfect for couples and small families.
  • The Zetter Hotel – An award-winning boutique hotel set in a 19th century warehouse, the Zetter houses 59 well-furnished guest rooms, including a few rooftop studios, a wonderful restaurant with an all-day menu, and an outdoor terrace that overlooks St. John’s Square. Great for all kinds of luxury travelers.

London Bridge

Southwark Cathedral, LondonSource: ollirg / shutterstock
Southwark Cathedral

The London Bridge area, named after the namesake iconic landmark, stretches from the London Bridge to the Tower Bridge on the southern bank of River Thames. Home to one of the busiest train stations in London, the area houses several notable attractions of London such as the City Hall and Borough Market and is close to many others such as the Millennium Bridge, HMS Belfast, and the Tower of London. Numerous theatres, museums and shopping avenues keep visitors occupied while plenty of local bars, cafes, and watering holes keep them replenished. The Shard, in the London Bridge area, is the tallest structure in Western Europe and offers a second-to-none panoramic view of the entire city.

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Old Operating Theatre Museum, St Katharine Docks Marina, London Wall, Potters Field, and Southwark Cathedral.

Hotel Recommendations:

  • London Bridge Hotel – A contemporary, stylish hotel by the iconic River Thames, London Bridge Hotel offers fully-furnished rooms with world-class amenities and an elegant décor. The onsite bar and restaurant has a delightful menu and the fitness center is perfect for shedding those extra calories. Great for solo travelers and couples.
  • citizenM Tower of London – Perched above the Tower Hill Underground Station, citizen M Tower of London provides beautiful guest rooms with a spectacular view of the River Thames. Amenities include a 24/7 restaurant, superfast Wi-Fi, iPad controls for all electronics in the guestrooms, and a rooftop that overlooks the London skyline. Perfect for all types of travelers.
  • Premier Inn London Southwark (Bankside) – Located near the south bank of River Thames, the hotel, which is part of a national chain of budget friendly hotels, is an easy walk from landmarks such as the Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, and the London Eye. With well-appointed guest rooms, an onsite pub, great breakfast menu, free Wi-Fi, and other such modern facilities, this is definitely a great value for money. Perfect for budget conscious travelers.


Where to Stay in London – Neighborhoods & Area Guide:

  • Bloomsbury
  • Westminster
  • South Kensington
  • Soho
  • Covent Garden
  • King’s Cross
  • Shoreditch
  • Waterloo, South Bank, and Bankside
  • Clerkenwell
  • London Bridge