My Favorite Hotels in London
- 5-Star: The Connaught • The Savoy
- 4-Star: Ham Yard Hotel
- Boutique: Batty Langley’s
- Budget: Motel One • Z Soho
- For Families: Park Plaza Westminster
- For Couples: The Soho
- Kings Cross: St. Pancras Renaissance
- Victoria Station: DoubleTree Victoria
- Paddington: Hilton
- Airports: Sofitel Heathrow • Sofitel Gatwick
Map of London Neighborhoods
How to use this map
This map highlights the best central neighborhoods for visitors to London. I have hand-picked the top luxury and affordable hotels in each area to help you decide where to base yourself.
- First-Timers: Stay in Covent Garden or Soho. You are in the middle of the theater district, dining, and major sights like Trafalgar Square.
- Luxury: Look at Mayfair (near Hyde Park) or Westminster (near Buckingham Palace) for the most exclusive 5-star experiences.
- Families: South Bank (near the London Eye) and Marylebone are safe, walkable, and central without being chaotic.
- On a Budget: The East End (Shoreditch) and Camden offer great value and a cool local vibe, though they are slightly further from the classic tourist sights.
London Neighborhood Guide
1. Covent Garden & The Strand
The absolute heart of tourist London. It is packed with street performers, historic theaters, and endless restaurants. Stay here if you want to walk to everything. It is busy, vibrant, and safe, making it perfect for first-time visitors who want to be in the center of the action.
2. Soho & Leicester Square
The center of London’s nightlife and dining scene. It is busy, loud, and fun 24/7. Famous for its independent boutiques, LGBTQ+ nightlife, and being the gateway to Chinatown and Theatreland. Perfect for couples and groups who want to be out late.
3. Kensington, Belgravia & Chelsea
Upscale, quiet, and filled with world-class museums (V&A, Natural History, Science Museum). It feels like a wealthy residential village with beautiful Victorian architecture but is just a short tube ride from the center.
4. Westminster & St. James
The royal heart of London. This area is quiet at night but puts you on the doorstep of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. James’s Park. Ideally suited for travelers who want a calm, historic base.
5. Mayfair & Marylebone
Charming and affluent. Mayfair is the home of high-end luxury, designer shopping, and 5-star hotels. Neighboring Marylebone feels like a chic village with a fantastic high street, home to Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
6. Camden Town & Primrose Hill
Grungy, cool, and rough around the edges. Famous for the Camden Market, live music history, and pubs. A great spot for younger travelers or those looking for a lively, alternative vibe.
7. The East End (Shoreditch)
The hipster capital. Best for nightlife, street food, and a “local” London vibe. The area is famous for Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market, and incredible street art. It is less convenient for sightseeing but offers great value and culture.
8. South Bank
Located along the Thames, this area is fantastic for sightseeing. It offers a pedestrian-friendly riverside walk connecting the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, the London Eye, and The Shard.
Best Hotels on the Map
Best Luxury Hotels (Red Markers)
- Hilton (Paddington)
- The Landmark (Marylebone)
- The Marylebone (Marylebone)
- Claridge’s (Mayfair)
- The Connaught (Mayfair)
- The Dorchester (Mayfair)
- The Athenaeum (Mayfair)
- The Ritz (St. James)
- The Berkeley (Knightsbridge)
- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (Knightsbridge)
- Melia Kensington (Kensington)
- Millennium Gloucester (Kensington)
- 100 Queen’s Gate (Kensington)
- DoubleTree Victoria (Victoria Station)
- Taj 51 Buckingham Gate (Westminster)
- St. Pancras Renaissance (King’s Cross)
- The Montague on the Gardens (Bloomsbury)
- The Mandrake (Fitzrovia)
- Radisson Blu Edwardian, Bloomsbury Street (Bloomsbury)
- The Soho (Soho)
- Ham Yard (Soho)
- W – Leicester Square (Leicester Square)
- Fielding (Covent Garden)
- ME by Melia (The Strand)
- The Savoy (The Strand)
- Citadines Trafalgar Square (The Strand)
- The Rookery (Clerkenwell)
- Redchurch Townhouse (Shoreditch)
- Batty Langley’s (Shoreditch)
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (South Bank)
- Sea Containers (South Bank)
- Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard (London Bridge)
Best Affordable Hotels (Black Markers)
- Holiday Inn Camden Lock (Camden)
- Z Hotel Gloucester Place (Marylebone)
- Holiday Inn Bloomsbury (Bloomsbury)
- Z Hotel Soho (Soho)
- Premier Inn Leicester Square (Leicester Square)
- Strand Palace Hotel (The Strand)
- Citadines Barbican (The City)
- Holiday Inn Express (East End)
- ibis – Shoreditch (Shoreditch)
- ibis Blackfriars (South Bank)
- Novotel London Bridge (South Bank)
Best Hotels by Neighborhood
• Best Hotel in Kensington: Mandarin Oriental
• Best Hotel in Westminster: Taj 51
• Best Hotel in St James: The Ritz
• Best Hotel in South Bank: Shangri-La at the Shard
• Best Hotel in The City: Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square
• Best Hotel in Mayfair: The Connaught
• Best Hotel in Marylebone: The Marylebone
• Best Hotel in Soho: Ham Yard
• Best Hotel in Bloomsbury: Montague on the Gardens
• Best Hotel in Covent Garden: The Savoy
• Best Hotel in the East End: Batty Langley’s
Where to stay for easy airport access
- Heathrow Airport: Stay near Paddington Station (Hotels #1, #2). The Heathrow Express train takes just 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington.
- Gatwick Airport: Stay near Victoria Station (Hotels #7, #14). The Gatwick Express train runs directly to this station.
- Eurostar (Paris/Brussels): Stay near St. Pancras / King’s Cross (Hotel #16, #35). This is the arrival point for all international trains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in London for tourists?
Covent Garden and Soho are the best areas for first-time tourists because they are walkable to theaters, museums, and major landmarks like Trafalgar Square.
Where should I stay in London on a budget?
The East End (Shoreditch) and Camden Town offer the best value for money. You get cool nightlife, food markets, and a local vibe at a fraction of the price of West End hotels.
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