London › Soho Hotels
Updated: August 19, 2025
By Santorini Dave
My wife and I in a Soho bar.
Best Hotels in Soho: Soho • Ham Yard Hotel • Hazlitt’s • Z Hotel Soho • The Resident Soho • Zedwell Piccadilly Circus • Mimi’s Hotel Soho • SoHostel
Why Stay in Soho: The Energetic Heart of London
Soho is the loud, crowded, creative, and always exciting heart of London’s entertainment district. This is the epicenter of the West End, a vibrant grid of streets packed with world-class restaurants, legendary pubs, cool cocktail bars, historic music venues, and the city’s top theatres. The vibe is pure energy, 24/7. While it can be noisy, it’s also endlessly fascinating and fun. I highly recommend Soho for nightlife lovers, foodies, theatre-goers, and anyone who wants to be in the absolute center of the action and thrives on the buzz of a great city.
Best Things to Do in Soho
• See a West End Show: Soho is Theatreland. Its southern border is Shaftesbury Avenue, the most famous theatre street in London. You are steps away from the city’s biggest musicals and plays.
• Go Shopping: Soho offers a unique shopping experience. Head to the iconic Carnaby Street for independent boutiques and brands with a 1960s legacy. Just next door is the magnificent mock-Tudor Liberty London, one of the world’s most beautiful department stores. The grand flagship stores of Regent Street and Oxford Street form Soho’s western and northern borders.
• Explore the Food Scene: This is one of London’s top food destinations. You’ll find everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to cheap and cheerful street food. Explore the bustling restaurants of Dean Street, Frith Street, and the vibrant eateries in neighboring Chinatown.
• Experience the Nightlife: This is what Soho is most famous for. Have a pint in a historic pub like The French House, visit a world-class cocktail bar (it’s a global hub for mixology), or catch a jazz set at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s. The area around Old Compton Street is the vibrant heart of London’s LGBTQ+ scene.
• People-Watch in Soho Square: Escape the most crowded streets in this green square. It’s the perfect spot to relax and watch the diverse and eclectic mix of people who make Soho special.
Best Hotels in Soho
Soho’s hotels reflect its character: they are stylish, often boutique, and put you right in the middle of the action.
Our room at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho.
Luxury Boutique Hotels
• Soho: A superb luxury boutique hotel from the Firmdale group, known for its bold, colorful design, huge rooms, and fantastic bar. An oasis of calm in the middle of the buzz.
• Ham Yard Hotel: Another Firmdale masterpiece. A unique “urban village” with a beautiful courtyard, rooftop terrace, restaurant, and even its own bowling alley. One of London’s best hotels.
• Hazlitt’s: A special and historic hotel that feels like stepping back in time. Housed in four 18th-century townhouses, it’s filled with antiques, four-poster beds, and incredible character.
The Z Hotel Soho in the middle of the action.
Mid-Range & Smart Value
• Z Hotel Soho: A very popular and smart budget choice. It offers clean, modern, and compact windowless rooms that are perfect for a short stay focused on exploring.
• Mimi’s Hotel Soho: A fantastic “compact luxury” hotel. The rooms are small but beautifully designed and the location is absolutely unbeatable for the price.
• The Resident Soho: An excellent aparthotel offering stylish rooms that all include a small kitchenette. A great value choice for families or longer stays.
• Zedwell Piccadilly Circus: Located right on the edge of Soho, this hotel offers unique, minimalist, windowless “cocoons” designed for sleep, providing a quiet escape from the noise.
Best Hostel
• SoHostel: A large, modern, and lively hostel with a great social atmosphere and an incredible location right in the heart of Soho, offering fantastic value for budget travelers.
Getting Around
• Walking: Soho is made for walking. You can easily get to Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Mayfair on foot.
• Metro: There are no Tube stations in the very center of Soho, but it is surrounded by some of the most important stations in London. You are never more than a 5-minute walk from a station. The key hubs are Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly, Bakerloo lines), Leicester Square (Piccadilly, Northern lines), Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern, Elizabeth lines), and Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, Bakerloo lines). This network gives you direct access to almost every part of the city.
About Santorini Dave