London is huge — about 600 square miles — and where you stay makes a big difference to your trip. Stay central and you’ll walk to Big Ben, the theatres and the river. Stay too far out and you’ll spend an hour a day on the Tube. The good news: London has very different neighbourhoods for every kind of traveller, from historic Westminster and lively Covent Garden to leafy Kensington and creative Shoreditch.
This guide explains where to stay in London for the first time, as a tourist, with kids, on a budget, as a couple or for just one or two nights. For each area you’ll find who it suits, the pros and cons, typical prices and hand-picked hotels at different budgets. Hotel picks draw on our research and trusted guides such as Santorini Dave’s London area guide.
Best areas to stay in London at a glance
| Area | Best for | Typical double room / night* | Nearest sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covent Garden & the West End | First-timers, theatre, couples | £145–315 | Covent Garden, Soho, Trafalgar Square, theatres |
| Westminster | Sightseeing | £135–300 | Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace |
| South Bank | Views, families, first-timers | £120–255 | London Eye, Tate Modern, Borough Market |
| South Kensington | Families, museums, quiet nights | £150–340+ | Natural History Museum, V&A, Hyde Park |
| The City | History, weekend deals | £105–225 | Tower of London, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge |
| Bloomsbury & King’s Cross | Budget, Eurostar, museums | £100–200 | British Museum, King’s Cross, Regent’s Canal |
| Shoreditch | Nightlife, food, young travellers | £105–225 | Brick Lane, Spitalfields, street art |
| Notting Hill | Couples, charm | £115–240 | Portobello Road, Hyde Park |
| Camden | Budget, music, markets | £85–165 | Camden Market, Regent’s Park |
*Our estimates for a standard double room outside peak events, converted from 2026 rate ranges in US dollars. Prices rise sharply in summer, at Christmas and during big events — always compare live prices.
Where to stay in London for the first time
1. Covent Garden and the West End — the best area for first-time visitors
If you ask “where’s the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors?”, most people who know the city will say Covent Garden. You’re steps from the theatres of the West End, the restaurants of Soho, Chinatown and Leicester Square, and a 10–15 minute walk from Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery and the river. The Piccadilly, Northern and Elizabeth lines are all nearby, so getting from Heathrow is easy (see our Heathrow to central London guide).
Pros: walkable to almost everything, lively until late, endless places to eat. Cons: crowded, expensive, and rooms are often small.
Where to stay in Covent Garden:
- Budget/mid-range: The Z Hotel Covent Garden (tiny but smart rooms), The Fielding Hotel (charming, great location).
- Stylish mid-range: Hotel AMANO Covent Garden — rooftop bar, modern rooms.
- Luxury: The Savoy and NoMad London.
2. Westminster — best for sightseeing
Westminster puts you next to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St James’s Park, with Buckingham Palace a short walk away. It’s the best area to stay in London for sightseeing if your list is full of “classic London” landmarks. It’s quieter in the evenings, as it’s mainly government buildings.
- hub by Premier Inn Westminster Abbey — compact, good-value rooms in a top location.
- Citadines Trafalgar Square — apartments with kitchens, great for families or longer stays.
- The Trafalgar St. James — upscale, with a rooftop bar overlooking Trafalgar Square.
3. South Bank — views and an easy first trip
The South Bank runs along the Thames from the London Eye past the Southbank Centre and Tate Modern to Borough Market and The Shard. It’s one of the best places to stay in London as a tourist: a flat riverside walk links many sights, and Waterloo and London Bridge stations connect you everywhere.
- citizenM London Bankside — modern, good value, near Tate Modern.
- H10 London Waterloo — comfortable, with a rooftop bar.
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge — big rooms and a pool, a favourite with families.
- The Hoxton Southwark — stylish and well priced.
- Luxury: Sea Containers London and Shangri-La The Shard.
Where to stay in London with kids
South Kensington — the best area to stay in London with kids
South Kensington is home to three of London’s best free museums — the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A — and sits next to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, with the Diana Memorial Playground. Streets are calm and safe, and the Piccadilly line goes straight to Heathrow. The downside is price: it’s one of the more expensive areas.
- The Ashburn Hotel — boutique, with family rooms.
- The Queen’s Gate Hotel — elegant townhouse near the museums.
- Ampersand Hotel — design hotel opposite South Kensington station.
- Budget: YHA London Earl’s Court — private family rooms at hostel prices.
- Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Other good areas for families: the South Bank (London Eye, aquarium, riverside space to run around) and apartment-hotels in Westminster or the City, where a kitchen saves money on breakfasts. Our London 3-day itinerary includes a version with kids.
Where to stay in London on a budget
Bloomsbury and King’s Cross
Bloomsbury is the leafy, bookish area around the British Museum, with Georgian squares and lots of mid-range hotels. Next door, King’s Cross has been transformed into a modern district with canalside restaurants and Coal Drops Yard, plus the Eurostar at St Pancras. It’s central (Covent Garden is a 15–20 minute walk) and generally better value than the West End.
- Hostels: Clink261 Hostel and YHA London Central.
- Budget hotels: hub by Premier Inn King’s Cross and Premier Inn London King’s Cross.
- Mid-range: The Morton Hotel in Russell Square.
- A treat: Kimpton Fitzroy London and the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
The City of London — best weekend deals
The financial district empties on weekends, and many business hotels drop their prices. You’re next to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s, and well connected by the Elizabeth line at Liverpool Street and Farringdon.
- citizenM Tower of London — views of the Tower from some rooms.
- Motel One London-Tower Hill and hub by Premier Inn Tower Bridge — good value.
- Premier Inn London Blackfriars and YHA London St Paul’s — budget favourites.
- Luxury: The Ned.
Camden
Camden is cheaper and full of character — markets, live music and canal walks — and 10 minutes from the centre on the Northern line. It’s busy and loud at weekends, so it suits young travellers better than families.
More budget tips: stay near (not on) a Tube line in Zone 1–2, book refundable rates early and watch for price drops, and avoid big events like Wimbledon or the London Marathon week if you can. Many sights are free, so a cheaper room doesn’t mean a worse trip.
Best area to stay in London for couples
- Covent Garden: theatre, cocktail bars and late dinners on your doorstep.
- Notting Hill: pastel houses, Portobello Road market and cosy pubs; quieter and romantic.
- South Bank: evening walks along the Thames with views of St Paul’s and the lit-up bridges.
- Shoreditch: for couples who prefer restaurants, rooftop bars and nightlife — try The Hoxton Shoreditch, The Z Hotel Shoreditch or Hart Shoreditch Hotel.
Where to stay in London for a weekend, one night or two nights
For a short stay, location beats everything. If you’re in London for one night or two nights, stay within walking distance of the station you arrive at or a short ride from the sights you most want to see:
- Arriving at Heathrow: Paddington (Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line) or anywhere on the Elizabeth line.
- Arriving by Eurostar: King’s Cross / St Pancras.
- Arriving at Gatwick: Victoria or London Bridge.
- A weekend of sightseeing: Covent Garden, Westminster or the South Bank, so you can walk between sights and skip the Tube.
- An early flight: a Heathrow airport hotel can be calmer than leaving central London at 4 am.
Where to stay in London for the marathon
The London Marathon (usually in April) starts in Greenwich and Blackheath in south-east London and finishes on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. Runners usually stay either close to the start — Greenwich, or anywhere with a quick train or DLR link to Blackheath — or near the finish in Westminster, the South Bank or Victoria, so they can walk back to the hotel afterwards. Hotels book up months in advance for marathon weekend, so reserve a refundable room as soon as you have your place.
Areas to avoid (as a first-time tourist)
London is generally safe, and there are no areas you need to fear. But some areas are simply inconvenient for a first trip:
- Canary Wharf: modern and well connected, but very quiet at weekends and far from the classic sights.
- Outer zones (3–6): cheaper rooms, but you’ll spend 45–60 minutes each way on public transport.
- Directly around big stations like Victoria or Euston can feel noisy — pick a hotel on a side street.
As in any big city, watch your phone and bag in crowded places like Oxford Street, Leicester Square and on the Tube.
Tips for booking a hotel in London
- Book early for summer and December — 2–3 months ahead is ideal.
- Expect small rooms. London hotel rooms, especially older ones, are often smaller than in the US — check the room size in m² or square feet.
- Check if breakfast is included. If not, a café breakfast costs about £10–15 per person.
- Air conditioning isn’t standard. In older buildings it’s often missing — important for July and August heatwaves.
- Look near the Elizabeth line. It makes airport transfers and cross-town trips much faster.
- Tourist tax: London doesn’t charge one yet. In September 2026 the government announced that mayors in England will get the power to introduce a visitor levy, but no date or rate has been set for London (ITV News).
Ready to compare? See hotel prices in London.
More London planning guides
- London 3-day itinerary: what to see day by day
- Is the London Pass worth it?
- Heathrow to central London: every option and fare
- London travel guide
Also read: this detailed London neighbourhood map and Free Tours by Foot’s area guide for another local perspective.
FAQ: Where to stay in London
What is the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors?
Covent Garden and the wider West End, closely followed by the South Bank and Westminster. All three let you walk to many of the main sights.
Where should I stay in London as a tourist?
In Zone 1, close to a Tube station: Covent Garden, Westminster, South Bank, South Kensington or Bloomsbury are all excellent bases.
What is the best area to stay in London with kids?
South Kensington, thanks to the free Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A, plus Hyde Park. The South Bank is another good choice.
Where can I stay in London on a budget?
King’s Cross, Bloomsbury, Camden and the City at weekends. Budget chains like Premier Inn and hub, and hostels like YHA and Clink, offer central rooms at lower prices.
Is it better to stay in central London or outside?
For a first visit or a short trip, stay central. The money you save outside is often lost in transport costs and time.
Which area should I stay in London for sightseeing?
Westminster and the South Bank, which put Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the river right on your doorstep.
Does London have a tourist tax?
Not as of October 2026. The government has announced that mayors will be able to introduce one, but London hasn’t set a date or rate.
Book your trip: our favourite tools
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
