Some cities are so big, brilliant, multicultural, and spectacular in their million random quirks that it would take a lifetime to see it all, let alone understand it. Welcome to London!
After disembarking from your cheap flight, settle into your hotel, pick a pub to make your own for the duration of your trip, and get acquainted with the Tube map—you’re going to need it. You can’t really go wrong when choosing what to see and do in London. If this is your first time, make sure to swing by Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the British Museum or Tate Modern, as well as Soho, London’s buzzing epicenter of cool and quirk, framed by world class theater and shopping. If you’ve been here before, head out to Notting Hill, Brixton, Primrose Hill, Peckham or Bermondsey for the parks, galleries, street art, and up-and-coming restaurants.
The key to experiencing London at its best is to look at it the way locals do: as a compilation of villages. Wherever your fancy takes you, plan out your days by grouping attractions that are close to each other, then stay in the area for dinner (just be sure to book ahead if you have somewhere specific in mind).
London is full of hotels, catering to every need and budget. A family trip will inspire a different hotel choice than a romantic break, so decide on your desired vibe and geography first, and take it from there. At the low end, basic hotels start at £100-150, mid-range will be around £250, and the high end starts at £350 and goes up to £650 and beyond. In general, all London hotels have good wifi, and it’s complementary everywhere but the most basic accommodation.
Where to stay for the first time in London: Bloomsbury
Central and lively but not too hectic, Bloomsbury will make you feel like you’re in the middle of things without feeling overwhelming. A brief walk from Soho, Bloomsbury is full of Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian architecture skirting leafy squares. It’s home to the British Museum and oozes literary heritage—the Bloomsbury Set (the group of English writers and intellectuals that included Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, and E. M. Forster) would hang out here. Bloomsbury is also the insider’s choice for charming restaurants, which continue into the buzzy Fitzrovia district to the west, as well as boutique-lined Lamb’s Conduit Street around the corner—this is an area that will make you feel right at home in the middle of the city.
Highlights:
- British Museum
- The Wellcome Collection
- Charles Dickens Museum
- Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
The Bloomsbury Hotel
Stylish, quirky, confident—in this regard, the Bloomsbury Hotel shares some of London’s best qualities. Located in a refurbished Georgian building where leafy Bloomsbury meets Soho, this is the perfect location for getting to know London. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at the very Instagrammable Dalloway Terrace that merges history and contemporary glamour.
- Price: From £320 for a double
- Vibe: Cool Britannia
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Nespresso machine, Malin + Goetz toiletries, Chromecast, sports channels
- Website
The Gyle
The Gyle is an intimate boutique hotel with a storied past—the streets near King’s Cross are slick now but still carry a history of radicalism and socially progressive activism, making this a uniquely personal stay for visitors to London. Located in a heritage Victorian townhouse, quirky details abound, from reclaimed vintage pieces to handpicked Scottish textiles. The restaurant provides respite from the hectic city with a selection of single malts and craft beers. Highlights include a social lounge where the ceiling is covered with a British lawn.
- Pricing: From £160 for a double
- Vibe: Whimsical
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: RFID room access and smart tablet, smart LCD TV, Scottish Arran toiletries
- Website
Where to stay with kids in London: Kensington
Green, comfortable, and relaxed, Kensington embodies what for some people is their favorite side of London. If you’re visiting with kids, it’s hard to argue for staying anywhere else. Kensington has Hyde Park, London’s sprawling green home to the Diana Memorial Fountain, designed for kids to play in. You’ll also find the Natural History Museum with its massive dinosaur skeleton and the Science Museum with its entertaining and intriguing exhibits, including a flight simulator, full-sized replica of lunar vessels, and an IMAX screen where you can learn about asteroids and Antarctica in style.
Highlights:
- V&A Museum
- Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park
- Natural History Museum
- Design Museum
Baglioni Hotel London
A five-star experience with impeccable service and boutique charm, the Baglioni Hotel London is located between Hyde Park and the museums—for kids (and adults) who need a short trip back to the room for a nap before they can carry on exploring, this is critical. The Baglioni is an unforgettable hotel experience, filled with flowers and opulence, but the fireplaces, slippers, and an attitude for doting on the littlest visitors also brings plenty of warmth.
- Price: From £480 for a double
- Vibe: Lush
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Spa, gym, concierge service, monogrammed slippers and black marble bathrooms
- Website
Hotel Indigo London
Hotel Indigo resides in a converted Victorian townhouse on a quiet residential street. Inside, there’s personality at every turn, with baroque furniture mixing with photography of London landmarks. Nearby is the Brompton Cemetery, where legend has it one of the mausoleums is actually a time machine. Hotel Indigo is a neighborly hotel with some unusual amenities, such as the use of a smartphone (with free local and international calls) for the duration of your stay—all designed to make you feel as welcome as if you were staying with friends.
- Price: From £250 for a double
- Vibe: Comfort with character
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: 24-hour room service, free minibar, smartphone with free calls, complimentary access to the neighborhood gym
- Website
Where to stay near attractions in London: King’s Cross
One of central London’s most exciting neighborhoods, King’s Cross has become a local favorite after an urban revival campaign. It’s the place to go for innovative restaurants and cool shops, a walk along the historic Regent’s Canal, and a visit to one of the area’s many unusual museums—take your pick between arts, science, and local history. King’s Cross is also in prime location to access London’s headline attractions: Central London is within walking distance, while the rest of the city is within reach via one of the many Tube lines that service King’s Cross station.
Highlights:
- British Library
- Harry Potter’s Platform 9 3/4
- London Canal Museum
- Francis Crick Institute
The Standard, London
A cool choice in a cool area, The Standard embodies London’s playfulness while taking comfort seriously. In addition to several on-site dining choices, there’s the Library Lounge, previously a public library that’s now a book-filled hideaway that serves food. However, hardcore book-lovers should head across the street to the British Library, which among its 400 miles of shelves has one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, as well as handwritten Beatles lyrics. The Standard’s suites have outdoor bathtubs, and in a city where the building density and lack of distinct hills make good views surprisingly hard to find, the view of the skyline from the rooftop bar makes it a choice second to none.
- Price: From £330 for a double
- Vibe: Brutalist cool
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: 24-hour gym, overstocked minibars, Bluetooth speakers, on-site cultural events including music, chess, life drawing, and talks
- Website
Hub by Premier Inn, London King’s Cross
Hub, the upscale choice by budget chain Premier Inn, is a rare opportunity to save some cash and still stay in the middle of London. This is a simple hotel with basic amenities, but the design is modern and the mood is relaxed. It’s a great base for those who want to spend their time exploring—leave your bags, head out to Granary Square, and take a stroll through the marvelous Gasholder Park before joining the dinner queue at Dishoom—there’s one at King’s Cross, but this mini-chain can be found across the city. Its unique menu, which is an homage to the Irani cafes of Mumbai, has made it as popular with locals as with visitors.
- Price: From £150 for a double
- Vibe: Budget chic
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: Smart features including contactless check-in, smart TVs, touchscreen controls in rooms
- Website
Where to stay with family in London: Notting Hill
Notting Hill is full of charming and peaceful English streets, but this being London, there’s a streak of electric blue in the elegance. Rows of colorful townhouses lead the way to the world-famous Portobello Road Market, a vast emporium of secondhand treasure, fashion, jewelry, antiques, and street food—perfect for families whose kids are too old for the playground. In August, the streets fill up with the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, which has roots in Caribbean culture.
Highlights:
- Portobello Road Market
- Notting Hill Bookshop
- Electric Cinema
- Westfield shopping center
The Lost Poet
If Notting Hill were a hotel, it would be The Lost Poet: It’s quirky, colorful, charming, and unexpected. Each room has a unique design, and fun art and antiques make this Victorian townhouse feel like home. The roof terrace, on the other hand, makes you feel like you’ve stumbled on a local secret—the entrance is so unassuming you wouldn’t notice it if you weren’t looking for it.
- Price: From £300 for a double
- Vibe: Secret club
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No (kids under 12 not allowed)
- Amenities: keyless entry, discounts to local bars, breakfast from local cafes delivered in the room
- Website
The Laslett
Around the corner from the energetic streets of Notting Hill is The Laslett, a haven of cool comfort in a row of Regency houses. This hotel is full of local history—its namesake Rhaune Laslett is the founder of the Notting Hill Carnival, and the design and artwork is provided by classic British names such as Waldo Works (a star of modern British design) and the founder of Biba (the shop that epitomized swinging 60s London). The Laslett was one of the first hotels to come in the resurgence of Notting Hill, and it continues to lead the way in defining what Londoners love about Notting Hill today: a place that’s cool yet cozy, quaint and unexpected, and decidedly goes its own way.
- Price: From £370 for a double
- Vibe: British modern classic
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Gym and spa, library, cable TV, REN bathroom products, Penguin novels, full-size bar in rooms
- Website
Where to stay for one night in London: Soho
If you only have one night in London, head straight for its heart: Soho. This is the most intense, compact, charming, and spectacular of all that London has to offer. The restaurants are second to none, the pubs are stone-cold classics, the shops are quirky, and the locals will share their neighborhood with you (and even tempt you to stay). It might be a little loud, but as you’re only here for 24 hours, you won’t be sleeping much anyway.
Highlights:
- Carnaby Street
- Chinatown
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
- The Photographers Gallery
Dean Street Townhouse
A Georgian townhouse-stay right in the middle of Soho? Right this way. This hotel will make you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret, especially when you slip upstairs after a meal at the popular ground-floor restaurant of the same name. The food alone might be enough to choose Dean Street Townhouse, but the decor is a close second, with plush fabrics, cool art, and classically decorated bedrooms.
- Price: From £295 for a double
- Vibe: Arthouse hideaway
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: Freestanding bathtubs, Marshall speakers, Cowshed toiletries, ice delivery for cocktail hour
- Website
Mimi’s Hotel Soho
Small but perfectly formed, Mimi’s Hotel Soho is an unexpected budget option right in the heart of the action. The color scheme is appropriately Soho—burgundy and leather—with some slick marble and eclectic artwork thrown in. The amenities are limited, and when we say it’s small, we mean it. However, if you’re in Soho for a good time, you will find it provides just what you need.
- Price: From £160 for a double
- Vibe: Old Soho
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: Nespresso machine, Molton Brown toiletries, Henson’s bar is downstairs
- Website
Where to stay for 3 days in London: Covent Garden
Right next to Soho is Covent Garden, home to the theaters, Royal Opera, Royal Ballet, and Covent Garden Market. A haven for treasure, fashion, food, and entertainment, this is one of the city’s most charming covered markets, surrounded by equally appealing streets. (Many Londoners even say it’s better than Soho.) A great hub for exploring, as well as staying put, Covent Garden is a sure thing for a long weekend.
Highlights:
- Covent Garden Market
- London Transport Museum
- Royal Opera House, home to the Royal Ballet
- Theatreland
The Covent Garden Hotel
Just off the Seven Dials square, past tiny Monmouth Coffee (arguably the best brew in London—Vogue calls it “a byword for top-notch London coffee”) is the Covent Garden Hotel. This hotel is elegantly designed as a best-in-class modern English hotel. It’s the choice for when you want to treat yourself and have a central base that offers respite as you make the most of a grand adventure.
- Price: From £550 for a double
- Vibe: English elegance
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Afternoon tea, concierge, body treatments, RikRak toiletries, children’s books, Nintendo Wii
- Website
Strand Palace Hotel
On the Strand—a street that separates Covent Garden from the bank of the River Thames—is the Strand Palace Hotel. Right in the middle of the action, the location makes this the perfect choice if a play or musical is on the agenda. The hotel itself is also brimming with art deco details and cool comforts, and you can even get a classic afternoon tea on-site.
- Price: From £200 for a double
- Vibe: Art deco comfort
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: 24-hour room service, gym, White Company toiletries, afternoon tea
- Website
Where to stay for a romantic trip to London: South Bank
Take a walk along the Thames in the evening looking out at Big Ben, following the tree-lined path where the Victorian lamp posts randomly have dolphins embedded in their design—can you think of a better way to end a day in London? The world-class Tate Modern makes the South Bank a destination, and after, walk across the river to St. Paul’s Cathedral and admire the striking dome; because the view to St. Paul’s is protected, the surrounding buildings are all shorter. The South Bank is home to an increasing number of great restaurants and hotels, making this one of London’s most romantic places to stay.
Highlights:
- Hayward Gallery
- The National Theatre
- Borough Market
- Shakespeare’s Globe
Sea Containers London
If you want to wake up to a view of the River Thames, Sea Containers is the place for you. The riverside suites make for an unparalleled experience. The building was once the home of a maritime transport company—the design is full of maritime references, and the result is cool, kitsch, and glorious timeless elegance. Awarded “World’s Best Bar” at the 2022 Tales of Cocktail Spirited Award, the on-site cocktail bar, Lyanness, is a destination in and of itself.
- Price: From £230 for a double
- Vibe: Maritime glamour
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: Spa, gym, Malin + Goetz toiletries, on-site cinema, award-winning cocktail bar
- Website
The Hoxton, Southwark
Exposed brick, tall windows, plants, and comfortable chairs, The Hoxton invites you to kick back. It’s the sort of hotel that Londoners like to come and hang out in, and it’s easy to see why: The sofas are comfortable, the art is curated by a Shoreditch gallery, and there’s a popular on-site co-working space. The restaurant not only has a view, but also a raw bar with ten kinds of British and European oysters—time it right and you’ll hit oyster happy hour.
- Price: From £220 for a double
- Vibe: Upscale urban
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Free international calls, handmade glassware, hypoallergenic bedding, wellness studio
- Website
Where to stay on a budget in London: Hackney
Staying in a less central district and spending a little more time on the Tube is a sure way to save some cash in London. (You could even compromise on style altogether and book into a budget chain, such as Travelodge, Premier Inn, or Point A.)
If you’re looking to make your pennies stretch in London, Hackney will sort you out. Choose between bare-bones budget or surprisingly fancy. Either way, this is a brilliant place to stay if you want a more local flavor of London. Start the day with a stroll through Victoria Park, then make your way to Broadway Market to pick up some lunch and enjoy it in the London Fields. In the evening, head to one of the Vietnamese restaurants on Kingsland Road; there’s several in a row, and they’re the best of their kind in London. Then, end the day in a bar on Hackney Road—just like the locals do.
Highlights:
- Victoria Park
- Young V&A
- Hackney City Farm
- Columbia Road Flower Market
Mama Shelter
Walking into Mama Shelter is a riot for the senses, with technicolor graffiti, granny lampshades, cool art, and pinball machines. Rooms are of the 70s-retro persuasion, the cocktails are signature, and the branding is high concept. The restaurant is popular, but there’s plenty of other options around if it’s full. Mama Shelter is perfectly placed for a night out in London’s coolest neighborhood.
- Price: From £150 for a double
- Vibe: Playful retro
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No
- Amenities: Photo booth, gym, free movies, DJ events, Lucky Voice karaoke
- Website
Town Hall Hotel
This former town hall building is now Hackney’s best pick for boutique luxury. Many of the rooms have cleverly hidden kitchenettes, making this a great choice for traveling with children. (The black-tiled basement pool even has rubber duckies.) One of the hotel’s restaurants is Michelin-starred, but the area is full of cheap and cheerful restaurants, making the Town Hall Hotel a curious mix of styles in this rapidly changing area.
- Price: From £170 for a double
- Vibe: Boutique luxury
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: In-room spa, gym, kitchenettes, luxury toiletries, international plug sockets
- Website
Where to stay in the city center in London: Marylebone
It’s extremely central, but somehow Marylebone—pronounced “maa-luh-bn”—has a village feel you rarely find unless you venture farther out. The area has cute shops, unusual museums, great restaurants, and a sense of timeless London that awaits you just a single block from hectic Oxford Street. We can’t say it’s hidden, but Marylebone is a gem for sure.
Highlights:
- The Wallace Collection
- Daunt Books
- Regent’s Park
- Selfridges
The Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone
Located in a row of Georgian townhouses, the eclectic Zetter is knowingly eccentric, in that unique London way. The theme is Victoriana, with gilt-edged furniture, sepia photographs, trinkets, and curiosities at every turn. The mood of the Zetter lounge is dark and sumptuous, and the cocktails draw a local crowd too. The menu consists of twists on the classics, such as a cosmopolitan with a splash of Electric Velvet liqueur and a bellini with artichoke.
- Price: From £270 for a double
- Vibe: Passionately eclectic
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: BOSE sound system, hot water bottles, White Company bath products
- Website
Chiltern Firehouse
The glamour is retro, and the style execution is flawless. Tucked away yet centrally located in Marylebone, Chiltern Firehouse is in a redbrick building that literally used to be a fire station. A popular choice for media types and more than the occasional celeb, Chiltern Firehouse is the place to see and be seen. If you don’t care about that, Chiltern Firehouse is still a winner, as it’s a place to enjoy a hotel experience that’s frankly hard to fault. All but two rooms have working fireplaces, and if you’re lucky enough to become a repeat guest, you get a monogrammed bathrobe.
- Price: From £650 for a double
- Vibe: Talk of the town
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: (Depending on the room) Walk-in showers, full drink bars, period furniture, and free-standing pewter tubs. The restaurant, booked out months in advance, holds tables for hotel guests.
- Website
Where to stay for nightlife in London: Shoreditch
If you want to walk out of your hotel and be right in the middle of the biggest nightlife buzz London has to offer, Shoreditch is the queen. And if you want to go dancing, Shoreditch has the spots for everything from indie techno to chart toppers—take your pick from large-scale venues to a tiny dance floor at the back of the pub. Endless bars and restaurants rub shoulders with boutiques, coffee shops, and drag bingo. Cute markets, breezy parks, cutting-edge street art, and unexpected treasure, whether in the form of a quirky vintage shop or an old-school pub with a theater upstairs, can be found around corners too.
Highlights:
- Hoxton Market
- Museum of the Home
- Kingsland Road Vietnamese food
- Beigel Bake on Brick Lane
CitizenM London Shoreditch
CitizenM brings a lively vibe, funky artwork, and stylish furniture, as well as creature comforts. Space can be a little tight, but this is great value for a crash pad to explore London’s coolest neighborhood. Also, the hotel’s amenities punch above their weight.
- Price: From £140 for a double
- Vibe: Pop art
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Check in and operate amenities via app, Chromecast and Airplay, power shower, use of books and iMacs, colored mood lights, soundproof windows
- Website
One Hundred Shoreditch
A very photogenic choice, One Hundred Shoreditch has the vibe of a sophisticated party. Downstairs has an exclusive cocktail club (Seed Library is all about “lo-fi” stripped back cocktails), the bedrooms are cool terracotta tones and have excellent amenities; for an extra charge, you can even rent a Peloton to your room. The roof terrace is inspired by Palm Springs and promises a “Californian escape” (perhaps in a hint to the site’s former life as the London Ace Hotel), but the view is decidedly East London. While you’re up there, try the signature margarita.
- Price: From £220 for a double
- Vibe: Cool-kid done well
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: On-site events (fitness classes, meditation, fashion pop-ups), concierge, meeting rooms, DS & Durga toiletries, HDTV, fully stocked minibar, Peloton studio and in-room rental, theragun rental
- Website
