Where to Stay in London for the First Time (+ Where Not to Stay)

Deciding where to stay in London can feel like a monumental task.

This sprawling city is one of the largest in Europe and it is home to a long list of things to see and do. Most of these sights are clustered in the city center and along the banks of the Thames River, but there are a few outliers here and there. To get around, you will do a lot of walking, but you will also ride the Underground, maybe a taxi or two, or even a Big Red Bus.

The trick is to pick a place that fits in your budget but doesn’t have you spending hours every day on the Underground.

To make your decision easier, we narrowed down the long list of where to stay in London to much shorter list of the best hotels in the best locations. This list is organized by neighborhood and then further narrowed down by budget.

Table of Contents

Where to Stay in London for the First Time

Our Top 5 Recommendations

If you want to skip the geography lesson and the overview of each neighborhood, here are five hotels we recommend. We have either stayed here or the hotel has an excellent location and review score.

London Marriott Hotel County Hall: Amazing View of London

This is where we stayed on our most recent visit to London and overall had a very good experience.

The London Marriott Hotel County Hall is located on the Thames River, next to the London Eye and across from Big Ben and Parliament. Some rooms have a view of Big Ben and Parliament, ours included, and it was wonderful starting and ending the day with this view.

From here, we could easily walk to the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Whitehall. The Waterloo train station and tube station are also a short walk, making it handy to get around London and day trip to Windsor Castle, Bath, and Oxford.

The view from our room at the London Marriott County Hall

Master St. Paul’s: Apartments with a Central Location

This small hotel is located in The City, so it has a prime central location in London. Master St. Paul’s offers small studios plus a two-bedroom family apartment, so if you are a family or like the idea of an apartment stay, this is one of our top picks in London. Rooms are spacious, the hotel has a convenient location near Blackfriars tube station and St. Paul’s Cathedral, plus rooms come with a kitchenette and washing machine.

The Z Hotels: Excellent Mid-Range Hotels in Covent Garden

The Z Hotels are a 3-star hotel chain. If you are looking for a mid-range hotel that has both an excellent location and great review score, this combo can be hard to find in London. However, in Covent Garden, there are three to choose from. The Z Hotel Trafalgar gets the best review score, followed by the Z Hotel Strand and Z Hotel Covent Garden.

The Mad Hatter Hotel: Mid-Range Hotel in Southwark

This is another great pick for mid-range travelers. The Mad Hatter Hotel is located in Southwark, near Tate Modern and the handy Southwark and Waterloo tube and train stations. This building was once a factory, now it is home to one of the highest rated mid-range hotels in London.

One Hundred Shoreditch: Trendy Hotel in Shoreditch

On our next trip to London, this hotel is one we’d consider. Many rooms have a view of the city skyline. Some rooms have an outdoor terrace or balcony with panoramic views of London. There is even a rooftop bar and restaurant that boasts some of the best views of the city.

This hotel is located in Shoreditch, a trendy area of London. This neighborhood feels less touristy than Covent Garden and Southwark, another pro to staying in this hotel. It’s a bit outside of the city center, so you will spend a little more time on the tube, but that could be worth it for the views and a stay in a trendy neighborhood.

London Geography 101

Before we jump into where to stay in London, here is a quick geography lesson. This is very important if it is your first visit to London.

The Thames River flows through the heart of London. The main landmarks in London are located along this river, although there are a few outliers.

London is divided up into smaller areas, or neighborhoods. There are more than 30 different neighborhoods in London, although I won’t cover all of them. We will stick the more centrally located neighborhoods to save you time on public transportation.

There is not one prime location to stay in London. No matter where you stay in London, you will use public transportation to get around. However, the more centrally located neighborhoods do make it quick and easy to get to most sights but you will pay a premium to stay near the city center.

Here is a map of where to stay in London. Each color corresponds to a different neighborhood in London. The black markers indicate major attractions in London.

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Best London Hotels by Location

In this guide, we list six neighborhoods in London. For each, we let you know why they make a great home base, the pros and cons of each of them, and then list recommended hotels for all budgets.

At the end of this guide, we list hotels based on travel style (by budget, if you are a family, etc.), plus a section dedicated to hotels with jaw-dropping views of London.

Here is a very quick summary of each neighborhood (click the link if you want to skip ahead to the one that interests you the most):

Covent Garden & Soho: This is our #1 recommendation if it is your first time in London. This neighborhood is a prime central location, is filled with charm, and has a mix of high end and mid-range hotels to choose from.

Southwark & South Bank: This is the area that sits south of the Thames River. It’s another great central location, within walking distance of many big sights plus the Waterloo railway station. Some rooms have amazing views of London.

City of London: The City of London sits to the north of the Thames River. It is the financial district of the city. It doesn’t have the same charm as other neighborhoods on this list, but its central location is a big advantage of staying here.

Shoreditch & Spitalfields: This is one of London’s trendiest neighborhoods. It sits northeast of the city center, so you’ll spend more time using public transportation to get around, but hotel prices can be cheaper out this way, plus you’ll be close to one of the city’s best areas for restaurants, markets, and nightlife.

Westminster & St. James: This neighborhood sits west of the Thames River and is home to Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, and Westminster Abbey. Most of the hotels in this area that good reviews are high end, making this one of the most expensive areas to stay in London, but there are a few mid-range gems as well.

Mayfair & Marylebone: Mayfair and Marylebone are good picks for those who want a quieter, less touristy neighborhood. They don’t have the most central location, so it’s not a top pick if it’s your first time in London, but for those planning a 2^nd or a 3^rd trip, these lovely neighborhoods ooze charm and have some terrific properties to choose from.

How we chose these hotels: The hotels we list in this article are very highly rated. All but a few get 8.5 stars or higher on Booking.com, and many of them get at least 9 stars. They are also conveniently located near metro stations, an important factor in picking out where to stay in London.

I list hotels as luxury, upscale, mid-range, and budget. A luxury hotel is a 5-star hotel, an upscale hotel is a 4-star property, a mid-range hotel is a 3-star property, and a budget hotel is a 1 or 2-star property or a hostel.

Millenium Bridge & St. Paul’s Cathedral

Hotels in Covent Garden & Soho

Prime Central Location in London

Covent Garden and Soho are centrally located in London in an area that also includes the theater district, Leicester Square, and Chinatown. The shops along Regent Street and Oxford Street form the western edge of Soho.

If you are looking for a great central location with convenient access to the theaters, the opera, and some of the best shopping in London, this is the place to stay. From here, it is also very easy to get to many of London’ top sights.

Top Experiences in the Covent Garden & Soho: National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, theatre district, and the shops on Oxford and Regent Streets

Key Underground stations: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Oxford Circus

Pros: Central location; easy to walk to some of London’s top sights; great area for nightlife; this is the best place to stay in London if you plan to watch a show in the theater district

Cons: This bustling neighborhood is busy and can be loud at night; lacks the charm of some other neighborhoods; can be expensive; most budget hotels get terrible review scores, which is why we don’t have any listed for this neighborhood

Covent Garden

Neal’s Yard

LUXURY: The Savoy. This world-famous hotel dates back to 1889. It sits on the River Thames and from here it’s just a short walk to Covent Garden and the British Museum. Have a drink in the famous American Bar and dine in Gordon Ramsey’s Savoy Grill.

UPSCALE: Hazlitt’s. This boutique-style hotel features rich, sumptuous décor and antique furniture. This hotel was built in 1817 and with its Victorian furnishings and architecture, this is a great place to stay in London if you want to stay in a hotel with some history.

UPSCALE: Page8. This hotel is located in the heart of Covent Garden, just a short walk to the Charing Cross Underground station. It is one of the highest reviewed hotels in the area. It’s a bit on the expensive side but what you are getting is beautifully decorated rooms, blackout curtains, and an onsite rooftop restaurant.

UPSCALE: Wilde Aparthotels by StayCity Covent Garden. With apartments that can accommodate up to four people, this is a great place to stay in London for families. This property is located on The Strand near Trafalgar Square.

UPSCALE: Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel. This top-rated hotel is located in Seven Dials near the Covent Garden tube station. Rooms are modernly decorated. The onsite restaurant, Monmouth Kitchen, features Peruvian and Italian cuisine.

MID-RANGE: The Z Hotels. The Z Hotel is a hotel chain that has multiple locations in Covent Garden. The three I am about to list are located within a few blocks of each other. The Z Hotel Trafalgar gets the best review score, followed by the Z Hotel Strand and Z Hotel Covent Garden. So, if you are looking for a 3-star hotel stay in the center of London, these make three very good options to consider.

Hotels in Southwark and the South Bank

Handy Location & Great Views of London

This stretch of land is located on the south side of the Thames River, from Waterloo to Tower Bridge. If you stay here, you have a handful of London’s top sights right on your doorstep, and it is just a short walk to one of the most iconic views in London: Parliament, Big Ben, and the Thames River.

One of the best perks of staying in Southwark and South Bank are the potential for panoramic views of London from your hotel room. Since some of the top hotels sit on the river, these rooms come with a view. Imagine starting and ending each day with a view of Big Ben and Parliament (check out the London Marriott Hotel County Hall) or the city skyline (check out Sea Containers London).

Southwark is the eastern part of this neighborhood. This area is within walking distance of Borough Market, Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge, and a short walk to Tower Bridge. The Shard is this area’s most famous hotel.

South Bank sits to the west, on the bend of the Thames River. Stay here and the Waterloo train station will be on your doorstep, perfect if you plan to day trip from London to places like Windsor Castle, Bath, and Oxford.

Top Experiences in Southwark: London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, Tate Modern, Borough Market, The Shard, Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge.

Key Underground Stations: Southwark, London Bridge, Waterloo

Pros: Great for families; if you stay in South Bank (near the London Eye), it’s a short walk to Westminster Bridge and iconic views of Parliament and Big Ben; good central location in London; some rooms have panoramic views of London

Cons: Feels touristy if you stay near the London Eye, with places like the London Eye, The London Dungeon, and the SEA Life London Aquarium.

Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Bridge

London Eye

The view from The Shard

LUXURY: Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard. For the best view of London from a hotel, stay at the Shangri-La. The Shangri-La occupies levels 34 to 52 on The Shard. Each guest room has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer spectacular views over London. The rooms are luxurious and the hospitality is world-class. This hotel also has London’s highest infinity pool and highest bar.

LUXURY: Sea Containers London. If you want a room with a great view, this is a great place to stay in London. This innovative hotel is located in the Sea Containers House, right on the south bank of the Thames River. The rooms are modernly decorated and some rooms have a balcony with a view across the Thames River.

UPSCALE: London Marriott Hotel County Hall. We stayed here on our most recent trip to London. The location is unbeatable. It’s located on the River Thames, in between Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. Some rooms have views of Parliament and Big Ben. This hotel is within walking distance of two handy Underground stations: Westminster and Waterloo. We loved the location, the views, the onsite restaurants, and being just steps away from Westminster Bridge.

London Marriott County Hall

UPSCALE: citizenM London Bankside. This modern, tech-savvy hotel gets rave reviews. You can control everything in your room, from the TV to the temperature, from a touch screen tablet. Rooms are small and can only accommodate two people, so families should look elsewhere or consider reserving multiple rooms.

UPSCALE: London Bridge Hotel. This beautiful hotel boasts an excellent location just steps away from London Bridge and the London Bridge Underground Station, beautifully decorated rooms, and a chic hotel bar. Rooms are relatively large (for London) and there is even an onsite fitness center.

MID-RANGE: The Mad Hatter Hotel. This hotel is located in Southwark, just steps away from Blackfriars Bridge and Tate Modern. Once a factory, the building has been renovated and now is home to beautifully decorated rooms. Onsite is a pub-style restaurant. Waterloo Railway Station is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

MID-RANGE: Ibis Styles London Southwark – near Borough Market. There are two Ibis properties in Southwark. This one gets better reviews and is located near Borough Market and Tower Bridge, so I think that this is the best of the two hotels. If you stay here, it is just a short walk to Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and The Shard.

BUDGET: YHA London Thameside. This property is a bit of an outlier, sitting east of Southwark, but if you are looking for a budget place in London, it can be challenging to find one with that perfect combo of a good review score and central location. This hostel may not have the best location, but it does get very good reviews and offers everything from dormitory-style rooms to triple and family rooms.

Hotels in The City of London

Good Location on the North Bank

The City, also known as “the Square Mile,” is a sprawling neighborhood that is located along the north bank of the Thames River.

This is where London began. Romans established their rule here in 43 AD, in a small settlement called “Londinium.” Over the past 2,000 years, the city has expanded into what we know today.

This area is home to some of the oldest and most historic sites in London and it is also an important financial district. The Bank of England is headquartered here.

View from St. Paul’s Cathedral

Top Experiences in The City: St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Sky Garden, Monument to the Great Fire of London, and the Royal Exchange. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge sit just across the border of The City.

Key Underground Stations: Bank, Monument, Blackfriars

Pros: Good central location; with handy Underground stations, it can be easy to travel to other parts of London on the metro; short walk to many of London’s top attractions

Cons: This area looks and feels like a financial district, so it lacks the charm that you get in Covent Garden or Marylebone; if you are looking for a mid-range or budget hotel, there aren’t many in this neighborhood (we generally don’t consider anything that gets less than an 8.0 on Booking.com)

LUXURY: Vintry & Mercer. This 5-star hotels offers luxurious, modernly decorated rooms and an onsite restaurant that serves British and Asian cuisine. From here, you are just steps away from St. Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge.

UPSCALE: CitizenM Tower of London. This is one of our top picks in the City of London as it is hard to beat this location. Rooms are on the smaller side but some of them offer a view of the Tower of London. From here, it is a very short walk out to the Thames River and Tower Bridge, plus the hotel sits next to the Tower Hill tube station. Guests rave about the location, the facilities, and the view from the rooms.

UPSCALE: Locke at Broken Wharf. This property offers luxury apartments with views of the Thames River. The apartments can accommodate 2 or 3 people, so it’s not a great pick for many families, but if you are looking for some extra space or the ability to prepare some of your own meals, this is worth considering.

APARTMENT: Master St. Paul’s. If you prefer an apartment, Master St. Paul’s is a small, boutique property with an excellent location (just steps away from St. Paul’s Cathedral and several tube stations). It also gets rave reviews. Apartments range from small studios to a 2-bedroom apartment, perfect for families and small groups.

MID-RANGE: Motel One London Tower Hill. This hotel is located on the east end of The City, north of Tower Bridge. Rooms can accommodate up to 1 to 2 people and are stylishly decorated.

Best Hotels in Shoreditch & Spitalfields

Trendy Neighborhood in the East End

This neighborhood is located northeast of the city center, so it doesn’t have a central location, like you get from staying in The City or Covent Garden. However, this neighborhood is full of character, with street art, boutique shops and vintage stores, and one of London’s best areas for nightlife.

Another advantage of staying outside of the city center is cost. Hotels are cheaper here, just be prepared to spend more time getting around by bus or metro.

Top Experiences in Shoreditch: Try the street food at Boxpark or Dinerama; visit the Brick Lane Sunday market; Spitalfields Market; go bar hopping

Key Underground Stations: Liverpool Street, Shoreditch High Street

Pros: Has a local vibe; great place to stay for those who want to see London by day but stay close to the bars and clubs at night

Cons: Due to its location you will spend more time on the Underground; can be loud at night

LUXURY: Batty Langley’s. This boutique hotel is exquisitely decorated with antique furniture, rich colors, and eclectic bathrooms. Some rooms have a terrace or balcony with a city view.

UPSCALE: One Hundred Shoreditch. This hotel looks fantastic. Located in Shoreditch, this modern hotel has rooms with amazing views of the London city skyline. Take your pick from standard hotel rooms (which they call a Studio) to Studio Suites (larger rooms, some with a balcony). Also onsite is Seed Library, a cocktail bar, plus a rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic views of London.

UPSCALE: citizenM London Shoreditch. CitizenM advertises that it provides luxury at an affordable rate. This modern hotel offers a lot of unique touches, such as black out curtains, extra-large beds, and a “MoonPad” to control your room.

APARTMENT: The Eight Apartments Shoreditch. This property offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments that come with a kitchen and washing machine. If you prefer an apartment stay or simply don’t want to be in a cramped London hotel room, these bright and airy apartments are worth checking out. This also makes a great option for families.

MID-RANGE: The Corner London City. Like other neighborhoods in London, I struggled to find a mid-range hotel that got good reviews (8.0 or above). This hotel gets a good review score and has innovative space saving and modern designs to their rooms. This hotel is located in Spitalfields near the Aldgate East tube station.

Best Hotels in Westminster & St. James’s

These two neighborhoods form the royal heart of London. If this is your first time in London, there is a very good chance that you will be spending a nice chunk of your time here.

This is an excellent location if you want to stay in the city center. Westminster and St. James’s sit side-by-side, with Buckingham Palace and The Mall located smack in between them. If you have plans to watch the Changing of the Guards, visit Westminster Abbey, or stroll down Whitehall Street, this is the most convenient place to stay.

Top Experiences in Westminster: Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Park, Whitehall, 10 Downing Street, and the Churchill War Rooms

Key Underground Stations: St. James’s Park, Green Park

Pros: Centrally located; historic

Cons: Can be expensive; no handy Underground stations unless you stay near Green Park, so expect to transfer one or two times when traveling to other places in London

Buckingham Palace

Westminster Abbey

LUXURY: Hotel 41. This gorgeous hotel is worth checking out. At the time of the most recent update of this article, 41 is one of the top reviewed hotels in all of London on Booking.com. It gets rave reviews and it offers the ultimate in luxury. All rooms have a black and white theme, come with Bose sound systems, and complimentary snacks. Want to gaze at the stars from your room? Check out the Conservatory Suite. Plus, it’s located next to Buckingham Palace, so it has a prime location if it’s your first time in London.

LUXURY: Corinthia London. This hotel makes the list because of its unbeatable views from the rooftop terrace. From here, you can look across the Thames River to the London Eye. This hotel also has multiple restaurants and bars and a fantastic location just steps away from Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. If you want the ultimate spa experience in London, ESPA Life is a state-of-the-art wellness spa that offers everything from a variety of massages to acupuncture to light therapy.

LUXURY: Great Scotland Yard Hotel. Yes, I know, three luxury hotels are a lot, but it was very hard to narrow down these options. This hotel, which is part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is located in the original Scotland Yard building, making this one of the most historic hotels in the city. Not only would it be cool to say that you stayed in Scotland Yard, but the hotel is also renowned for its luxurious rooms, hospitality, and hidden whiskey bar.

UPSCALE: St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel. This hotel boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant (Quilon) and an award-winning afternoon tea. Rooms are elegantly decorated and this hotel is located very close to Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

MID-RANGE: The Sanctuary House Hotel. Just a 5-minute walk from Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, this is a great mid-range hotel to consider if you want to be centrally located in London. Rooms are tastefully decorated and there is a traditional pub on the ground floor that offers hearty meals like fish and chips.

MID-RANGE: Luna and Simone Hotel. If you are looking for a hotel that is affordable and gets good reviews, this is one to consider. It gets an excellent review score, something many mid-range hotels in London are lacking. Even so, it is good to know that some hotel rooms are tiny with very little floor space and this hotel is located south of Westminster, so you will do more walking to get to an Underground station.

See all of our articles on the United Kingdom

Best Hotels in Mayfair & Marylebone

Mayfair and Marylebone are two neighborhoods that sit side-by-side in central London, sandwiched between Hyde Park and Soho/Covent Garden.

Mayfair is one of London’s swankiest neighborhoods. With numerous five-star hotels, over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, and a short walk to the best high-end shopping streets in town, this area attracts well-to-do tourists and locals. In London, Mayfair is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods to call home.

Marylebone is a quiet, chic, trendy neighborhood that feels more residential than the other areas listed above. On our next visit to London, you just might find us here. Marylebone looks absolutely delightful.

Top Experiences in Mayfari & Marylebone: The list of sights is low but the streets and the shops are the main attraction here. Making the list are the Regent Street shops, Grosvenor Square, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Key Underground Stations: Green Park, Oxford Circus, Baker Street, Regent’s Park, Bond Street

Pros: Quiet neighborhoods; if you have the money to spend, the hotels and restaurants are top-notch; in Marylebone you could easily spend an afternoon here wandering the streets and hopping from shop to shop or pub to pub

Cons: These neighborhoods lack the top sights that make most first-timers to London’s to do list…but that is why it is so charming…it doesn’t look or feel like a neighborhood that caters to tourists. Not a good pick for mid-range or budget travelers.

Regent Street Christmas lights

Fortnum & Mason

LUXURY: The Ritz London. Not only does the Ritz offer the highest in luxury when it comes to service and comfort, but you can also dine in The Ritz Restaurant, a Michelin-starred restaurant, or have afternoon tea at the Ritz. This hotel is located in Mayfair, next to The Green Park.

LUXURY: The Marylebone Hotel. Not only is this one of the top hotels in Marylebone, it is also one of the top hotel picks in London on Trip Advisor. This beautiful hotel offers rooftop terrace suites. This hotel is located centrally in Marylebone and it is a short walk to Oxford Street and Mayfair.

UPSCALE: The Holmes Hotel. This boutique hotel is a bit different than a standard hotels in London. The Holmes Hotel is located in an 18th-century Georgian townhouse on Chiltren Street near the Baker Street station. Rooms are modernly decorated with tasteful Sherlock Holmes accents. This property looks like a real gem.

UPSCALE: 9 Hertford Street. These luxury apartments offer extra space that you don’t get in a traditional hotel room. Each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine. Some apartments can accommodate up to eight people.

APARTMENTS: Darley House by Viridian Apartments. If you are looking for a luxury apartment in a charming, trendy neighborhood, look no farther. These apartments are gorgeous, equipped with a full kitchen, washing machine, and beautifully decorated rooms.

MID-RANGE: Astor Court Hotel. This is a great choice if you want to stay in Marylebone without paying a small fortune. Rooms are tastefully decorated and the quad room can accommodate up to four people, a great choice for families.

Where Not to Stay in London

There are many more neighborhoods we could have included in this guide and I actually removed a few in our recent, big update of this article.

On our first visit to London, we stayed in South Kensington. We really liked it here, and with its architecture, neighborhood pubs, and local vibe, it just looked and felt “so London” to us. However, we spent loads of time on the Underground, sometimes with 45-minute rides to get places on the opposite end of the city.

Because of how much travel time it required to stay here, I don’t think it’s a great pick for your first time in London. And when updating this article, I struggled to find budget and mid-range hotels that get good reviews. If there were a few fabulous mid-range hotels out this way, it could be worth the extra travel time. But for some reason, there are not many mid-range hotels that get good reviews, something I find surprising for a huge city with a massive number of hotels.

But if you are curious, check out the hotels in South Kensington here.

Our Recommendations by Travel Style

Best Hotels with a View of London

The Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard offers one of best views of London. From this hotel, whether it is from your room or a hotel restaurant, you can look out over the Thames River, Tower Bridge, and London’s most iconic sites. If you can’t swing the price to stay here, it is also possible to get a similar view from The Shard’s viewing platform.

Sea Containers London offers rooms with a balcony and views across the Thames River.

You can also get an awesome view of London from a rooftop terrace room at The Marylebone Hotel in Marylebone, the Corinthia London in Westminster, and One Hundred Shoreditch in Shoreditch.

Finally, from the London Marriott County Hall, some rooms have a view of Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Bridge.

London Eye and the London Marriott County Hall

Hotels for Mid-Range Travelers

Z Hotel Trafalgar – Covent Garden
Sanctuary House Hotel – Westminster
Astor Court Hotel – Marylebone
The Mad Hatt er – Southwark

Hotels for Budget Travelers

Wombat’s City Hostel – Tower Hamlets (within walking distance of the Tower of London)
Onefam Notting Hill – Notting Hill
YHA London Earl’s Court – Kensington
YHA London Thameside – east of Southwark

Hotels for Families

London Marriott County Hall – South Bank
Master St. Paul’s – The City of London
Wilde Aparthotels by StayCity – Covent Garden
The Eight Apartments Shoreditch – Shoreditch
Darley House by Viridian Apartments – Marylebone

Top Rated Boutique & Upscale Hotels

The Savoy – Covent Garden
Hotel 41 – Westminster
Corinthia London – Westminster
CitizenM Tower of London – The City of London
One Hundred Shoreditch – Shoreditch

How Much Does it Cost to Stay in London?

London can be very expensive.

In London, you will have no problems finding 4-star and 5-star hotels that get impeccable reviews. There are also some great mid-range, or 3-star hotels and apartments to choose from. Finding a cheaper 2-star hotel or hostel that gets decent reviews in London is more challenging.

If you are a budget traveler, you can spend as little as £15 per night in a hostel. If you are traveling as a group of two or more, a double room in a 2-star hotel will cost between £50 and £130. For the mid-range traveler, on average you will pay between £100 and £300 per night for a double room. 4-star rooms usually range from £300 to £500 per night, and the 5-star hotels usually start around £500 and skyrocket up from here.

These are the prices for a standard room at this level. 4-star hotels can offer deluxe rooms or rooms with a view for two or three times the price of one of their standard double rooms.

These average costs can go up based on the time of year and during times of high demand for hotel rooms. Prices may also be cheaper during the off-season.

If you have any questions about where to stay in London, let us know in the comment section below. Or if you have a hotel or apartment that you recommend, we would love to hear about that too.

More Information about London