London › Piccadilly Circus Hotels
Updated: August 13, 2025
By Santorini Dave
Staying near Piccadilly Circus (and the Piccadilly Line) makes getting around London easy and time efficient.
• Best Hotels near Piccadilly Circus: Dilly • Hotel Café Royal • Cavendish • Ritz • Ham Yard Hotel • The Z Hotel Piccadilly • Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
A Guide to Staying Near Piccadilly Circus
Location: The Absolute Center of Tourist London
Staying near Piccadilly Circus means you are at the very heart of the action. It is not just a hub; it is the main junction that connects London’s most famous neighborhoods. From here, you are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the restaurants of Chinatown, the bars of Soho, the theaters of the West End, the cinemas of Leicester Square, and the museums of Trafalgar Square. Everything you need for a classic London visit is right on your doorstep.
Things To Do Right Here
This area is packed with attractions. For discount same-day theater tickets, head to the official TKTS booth in the center of Leicester Square. For shopping, world-famous Regent Street and the classic menswear shops of Jermyn Street begin right at the circus. For families, the massive M&M’S London and LEGO Store are major draws. And for world-class art, The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are a five-minute walk away at Trafalgar Square.
Food and Drink
You will be spoiled for choice. For incredible and often affordable Asian food, head to the dozens of restaurants in Chinatown. The streets of Soho are filled with trendy restaurants, many offering excellent value pre-theater dinner menus. For a classic London experience, I recommend booking afternoon tea at The Ritz or a grand European-style meal at The Wolseley. For a quick bite, fast-food options are everywhere.
Nightlife
This is London’s nightlife hub, without a doubt. The main draw is the West End theatre district; nearly every major show is within a 10-minute walk. The cinemas in Leicester Square host red-carpet movie premieres. For bars, Soho is unmatched, with everything from historic English pubs to world-class cocktail lounges. You will also find several large nightclubs and casinos, including the famous Hippodrome Casino, right in Leicester Square.
Our room at the Ham Yard Hotel, a two-minute walk from a tube station.
Where to Stay
The area is dominated by luxury and mid-range hotels, with few true budget options. Based on our previous discussions, the best hotels are right here.
• Luxury: For top-tier service, you cannot beat The Ritz, Hotel Café Royal, or the incredibly stylish Ham Yard Hotel (my personal favorite).
• Mid-Range & Boutique: The Cavendish and The Dilly offer a classic London feel, while The Z Hotel Piccadilly is a great value, modern option.
• Unique: Zedwell Piccadilly Circus offers windowless rooms designed for perfect sleep, a quiet escape right in the center of the noise.
• Rentals: Airbnb, VRBO, and other vacation rental sites have many studios and small apartments available, which can be a good option for longer stays.
Getting Around
Walking is your best mode of transport for exploring the immediate area. For going further, you are perfectly connected.
• Tube: Piccadilly Circus station is on two key lines: the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines.
• Heathrow Airport: The Piccadilly Line gives you a direct, cheap, one-hour journey to all Heathrow terminals. Taking it to Paddington to get the Heathrow Express is an unnecessary and expensive detour.
• Eurostar & National Rail: The Piccadilly Line also takes you directly to King’s Cross St. Pancras station for Eurostar trains to Paris and Brussels, and national trains to Edinburgh, York, and Cambridge.
• Gatwick Airport: Walk 7 minutes to Green Park station and take the Victoria Line two stops south to London Victoria Station for the Gatwick Express train. It’s a very simple transfer.
• Buses: Dozens of bus routes, including many 24-hour services, pass through Piccadilly Circus, making it easy to get anywhere in the city.
About Santorini Dave
Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.