London › Soho Hotels
Updated: October 10, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
- Best Luxury Hotels in Soho
Ham Yard Hotel
The Soho Hotel
Hazlitt’s - Best Midrange & Budget Hotels
The Resident Soho
Mimi’s Hotel Soho
Z Hotel Soho
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
My wife and I in a Soho bar in London.
Why Stay in Soho?
Soho is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in London for restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping, and West End theaters. It’s central, easy to explore on foot, and particularly good for couples, solo travelers, and short stays. Covent Garden, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Mayfair are all within walking distance.
The downside is noise. Soho is crowded, busy, sometimes messy, and lively late into the night, especially around Old Compton Street, Wardour Street, and the main bar and restaurant streets. Hotel location and room choice matter here more than in most London neighborhoods.
For first-time visitors who want a central location without quite so much nightlife, I prefer Covent Garden. For quieter luxury hotels, look at Mayfair or Marylebone. But if restaurants, bars, and going out are a big part of your trip, Soho is hard to beat.
Who Should Stay Elsewhere?
- Families with young kids: Covent Garden, South Bank, South Kensington, and Marylebone are generally easier and quieter.
- Light sleepers: Soho can work if you choose the right hotel and room, but Marylebone and Mayfair are safer bets for a quiet stay.
- Visitors focused on royal sights: Westminster or Victoria is more convenient for Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben.
Best Hotels in Soho
Soho has some excellent boutique hotels, but rooms are often expensive for their size. My favorites are Ham Yard Hotel and The Soho Hotel for luxury, Hazlitt’s for historic character, and The Resident Soho for a comfortable, practical stay. For cheaper rooms, Z Hotel Soho and Zedwell Piccadilly Circus are worth considering, but pay attention to room size and whether you’re booking a window.
Our room at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho.
Best Luxury Hotels
- Ham Yard Hotel: Best overall luxury hotel. My favorite luxury hotel in the area, built around a courtyard just off Piccadilly Circus. Beautifully designed rooms, an excellent restaurant and bar, a rooftop terrace, and even a private bowling alley. The courtyard setting is a big advantage in such a busy neighborhood. Soho’s restaurants and theaters are a short walk away.
- The Soho Hotel: Best luxury hotel in the heart of Soho. A superb Firmdale hotel with colorful interiors, unusually spacious rooms for central London, a great bar, and a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere. On Richmond Mews, just off Dean Street, with restaurants and nightlife all around. Choose this over Ham Yard if you want to be right in the middle of Soho.
- Hazlitt’s: Best historic hotel. A small hotel in Georgian townhouses on Frith Street, with antiques, four-poster beds, old-fashioned bathrooms, and plenty of character. One of London’s most distinctive boutique hotels. Best for travelers who prefer historic charm to modern hotel facilities.
The Z Hotel Soho in the middle of the action.
Best Mid-Range and Budget Hotels
- The Resident Soho: Best for longer stays. Comfortable rooms with mini-kitchens that include a microwave, refrigerator, and sink. On Carlisle Street, close to Soho Square and Tottenham Court Road station. A good choice for couples and travelers who want more practical facilities than a standard hotel room.
- Mimi’s Hotel Soho: Best stylish small hotel. An attractive boutique hotel on Frith Street, with a popular ground-floor bar and rooms that range from small to extremely small. Check the room category carefully. Good for couples and solo travelers who want a stylish Soho hotel without paying The Soho Hotel prices.
- Z Hotel Soho: Best budget hotel in central Soho. Excellent location on Moor Street, close to Chinatown and West End theaters. Rooms are very compact and some are windowless, but rates can be considerably lower than at nearby boutique hotels. Best for short stays when you’ll spend most of your time out exploring London.
- Zedwell Piccadilly Circus: Best for basic rooms near Piccadilly Circus. Minimalist, windowless rooms on Great Windmill Street, close to Soho’s southern edge. The rooms are designed primarily for sleeping, with few traditional hotel amenities. A reasonable choice if the price is right and you don’t mind having no natural light.
Where to Stay within Soho
Soho is small enough that you can walk across most of it in 10 to 15 minutes, but the atmosphere changes from street to street. The biggest consideration when choosing a hotel is how close you’ll be to late-night bars and clubs.
- Dean Street, Frith Street, and Greek Street: The heart of Soho, with excellent restaurants, pubs, and bars. Great for going out, but street-facing rooms can be noisy. The Soho Hotel and Hazlitt’s are in this area.
- Soho Square, Carnaby Street, and northern Soho: Good for shopping, restaurants, and access to Oxford Street and Regent Street. The Resident Soho is particularly convenient for Tottenham Court Road station and the Elizabeth Line.
- Old Compton Street and Wardour Street: Best for nightlife, LGBTQ+ bars, and late-night restaurants. These are among the busiest parts of Soho after dark. I’d avoid a street-facing room here if you’re a light sleeper.
- Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road edges: Convenient for public transport and sightseeing. Ham Yard Hotel and Zedwell Piccadilly Circus are near the southern edge, while Tottenham Court Road is particularly useful for Heathrow connections. Piccadilly Circus itself is extremely busy, but Ham Yard’s courtyard location is more sheltered from the crowds.
Best Things to Do in Soho
- See a West End show: Many theaters are within a 5 to 15-minute walk of Soho, especially around Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus. Book popular musicals ahead. For last-minute tickets, check TKTS in Leicester Square or its online listings.
- Eat well: Soho is one of my favorite dining areas in London. Dean Street, Frith Street, Greek Street, Beak Street, and Kingly Street are packed with restaurants. Book ahead for popular places, especially Thursday through Saturday evenings. If you don’t have a reservation, eating early or late gives you more options.
- Explore Chinatown: Just south of Soho, around Gerrard Street, Chinatown is excellent for dumplings, roast meats, bakeries, bubble tea, and late-night meals.
- Shop Carnaby Street and Liberty: Carnaby Street is touristy but still fun, especially for a first visit. Liberty London, in its beautiful mock-Tudor building on Great Marlborough Street, is one of the best department stores in the city.
- Go out on Old Compton Street: The center of Soho’s LGBTQ+ nightlife, with bars, pubs, restaurants, and crowds well into the evening.
- Book Ronnie Scott’s: One of London’s great jazz clubs, on Frith Street. Book ahead, especially for headline acts.
- Have a drink at a classic Soho pub: Try the French House, Coach & Horses, Blue Posts, or Dog and Duck. Expect small rooms and plenty of people, especially after work.
- Take a break in Soho Square: A small public garden near Oxford Street, good for coffee, people-watching, or a break from shopping.
Getting Around Soho
You won’t need public transport for most trips within Soho or to nearby Covent Garden, Chinatown, Leicester Square, and Mayfair. For longer journeys, four Tube stations surround the neighborhood.
Best Tube Stations for Soho
- Tottenham Court Road: Best for northern and northeastern Soho. Serves the Elizabeth, Central, and Northern lines. The most convenient station for Heathrow if you’re staying near Soho Square or Oxford Street. See my Elizabeth Line hotel guide.
- Oxford Circus: Best for Carnaby Street, Regent Street, and northwestern Soho. Serves the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines.
- Piccadilly Circus: Best for southern Soho, Ham Yard Hotel, Regent Street, and Piccadilly theaters. Serves the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines.
- Leicester Square: Best for southeastern Soho, Chinatown, and nearby theaters. Serves the Northern and Piccadilly lines.
Getting to Soho from Airports and St Pancras
- Heathrow Airport: From northern Soho, the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road is usually the fastest and most comfortable public transport option. From southern Soho, the direct Piccadilly Line to Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square can be easier, particularly with luggage. The Piccadilly Line is cheaper but slower. Check which Heathrow terminal your train serves.
- Gatwick Airport: Take a Southern train from Victoria or Thameslink from Farringdon, then continue to Soho by Tube or taxi. Gatwick Express also runs from Victoria but usually isn’t worth the extra cost compared with Southern. Soho is convenient enough for Gatwick, though Victoria and Farringdon are better locations if airport access is your main concern.
- Eurostar: Take the Northern Line from Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square to King’s Cross St Pancras, then follow signs to St Pancras International. Allow time for Eurostar’s check-in and security procedures before departure.
- London City Airport: Take the Jubilee Line from Green Park or Bond Street to Canning Town, then change to the DLR for London City Airport. Allow roughly 45 to 60 minutes from Soho, depending on your hotel and connections.
Soho vs Covent Garden, Mayfair, and Marylebone
- Soho vs Covent Garden: Soho is better for nightlife, bars, and late-night restaurants. Covent Garden is prettier, generally calmer, and my preferred choice for most first-time visitors. Both are excellent for West End theaters and walking around central London.
- Soho vs Mayfair: Soho is louder, livelier, and more casual. Mayfair is calmer, more luxurious, and more expensive. Stay in Soho to go out. Stay in Mayfair to retreat.
- Soho vs Marylebone: Soho has better nightlife and more late-night restaurants. Marylebone is quieter, more residential, and better for a longer stay. I like Soho for two or three nights and Marylebone for a week.
- Soho vs South Bank: Soho is better for restaurants, bars, shopping, and nightlife. South Bank is better for river views, families, Westminster access, and riverside walking.
FAQ: Staying in Soho
Is Soho safe at night?
Yes, Soho is generally safe for visitors, with busy streets and plenty of people around late into the evening. Phone theft and pickpocketing are concerns around crowded bars, clubs, and tourist areas, so keep an eye on your belongings.
What is the best budget hotel in Soho?
Z Hotel Soho is my favorite budget option in central Soho, particularly for short stays. Rooms are very small and some are windowless. Mimi’s Hotel Soho is another good choice if you want more style, though its smallest rooms are also tiny.
How many nights should I stay in Soho?
Two to four nights is ideal, especially if you want to eat out, see shows, and enjoy the nightlife. For a week or longer, I prefer Marylebone unless going out in Soho is a major part of your plans.
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