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I\u2019ve always liked<\/em> London<\/a>, but, when I visited last year, something just clicked \u2014 and poof<\/em>! I finally saw the light and came to love it.<\/p>\n London has a million things to do<\/a> to keep you busy a lifetime over. With its amazing architecture, world-class art museums, innumerable historical sites, and unique shopping experiences, what\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n But it is huge, containing more than eight million people and 48 neighborhoods stretching over 607 square miles. Stay in the wrong neighborhood and you\u2019ll spend hours on \u201cthe tube.\u201d<\/p>\n So, which are the best neighborhoods and places to stay when you visit London?<\/p>\n That depends on a lot of things (especially what your idea of fun is). Each neighborhood has its own charm.<\/p>\n Today, I want to break down the best neighborhoods in London and the best accommodations in each of those neighborhoods, so you can pick the right place to stay.<\/p>\n Best Places to Stay in The City<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET: St Christopher’s Inn Liverpool Street<\/a> \u2013 Situated near the Liverpool Street train station, this is the newest of the eight St. Christopher’s hostels in London. The dorms are clean, the showers have great water pressure, and the pub right downstairs is a great place to meet other travelers.<\/p>\n MIDRANGE: Citadines Barbican London<\/a> \u2013 Located at the edge of The City’s boundaries close to the train station, this affordable hotel has soft-colored rooms, comfy beds, and a gym. It’s the best value hotel in the area.<\/p>\n LUXURY: Counting House<\/a> \u2013 The Counting House is an iconic English pub with 15 large luxury rooms above it with the most comfortable beds you\u2019ll ever sleep in (Egyptian cotton sheets!). Some rooms come with living rooms, and there is a free, hearty breakfast included. This is a very traditional, posh British hotel! Best Places to Stay in Kensington\/South Kensington<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET: Astor Hyde Park<\/a> – This hostel is in a quiet neighborhood right off Hyde Park. It’s very social, and the friendly staff can help you arrange tours and activities. I love the old, wooden d\u00e9cor \u2014 you feel more like you\u2019re in a home than a hostel. The dorms are huge, and there\u2019s plenty of room to sprawl out.<\/p>\n MIDRANGE: London Lodge Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This bright Victorian townhouse features rooms that are each uniquely decorated with colorful patterned wallpaper and carpeting and vintage furniture. It’s a very old-school but quaint style. The staff is helpful, the place is clean, and the price is great.<\/p>\n LUXURY: The Ampersand Hotel<\/a> \u2013 The Ampersand is a luxury boutique hotel next to the South Kensington station. Each beautiful room has a different theme, like music or astronomy, and if you\u2019re staying on the top floor, the rooms have incredible views of the city. They also serve a posh afternoon tea in the drawing room. If you want that classic British hotel experience, stay here. Best Places to Stay in Mayfair<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET: Mermaid Suite Hotel<\/a> \u2013 There are no hostels in this neighborhood (it’s entirely filled with four- and five-star hotels), but the Mermaid Suite Hotel on Oxford Street is one of the best affordable, no-frills options.<\/p>\n MIDRANGE: Marble Arch Inn<\/a> \u2013 There are no midrange hotels in this neighborhood either, but Marble Arch just outside of the northern bounds of Mayfair is a good choice. The rooms are clean and comfy, the bathrooms are spotless, and the service is excellent.<\/p>\n LUXURY: The Beaumont Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Walking into the lobby is like stepping back into time. The walnut-paneled walls with 1920s charm are covered in original classic paintings and photography, and all the rooms are Art Deco style, with king-sized beds. The marble bathroom floors are heated too. There’s also a sauna, steam room, fitness center, and hammam as well. It’s one of the nicest hotels in the district. Best Places to Stay in Soho<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET: YHA Oxford Street<\/a> – This is one of my favorite YHA locations in London, with a bar and lots of organized social activities to meet other travelers. The rooms are standard.<\/p>\n MIDRANGE: Mimi\u2019s Hotel Soho<\/a> \u2013 Mimi\u2019s is a newer hotel, and its affordability is based on the size of its rooms. They come in \u201ctiny,\u201d \u201cmini,\u201d cozy,\u201d and \u201clux,\u201d but even the lux rooms are pretty small. On the other hand, there\u2019s floor heating, filtered water, and really nice marble bathrooms. The hotel\u2019s on-street bar, Henson\u2019s, gets really busy at night.<\/p>\n LUXURY: The Soho Hotel<\/a> \u2013 No two guest rooms are the same at the Soho Hotel; they\u2019re also enormous, and most have floor-to-ceiling windows. There\u2019s a well-equipped gym and even a personal trainer on-site, but if you\u2019d rather take a book to the cozy library and read, you can do that too. There are tons of restaurants, bars, caf\u00e9s, and theaters surrounding the hotel, and Oxford and Regent Streets are both just a quick walk away. Best Places to Stay in Covent Garden<\/strong>:<\/p>\n BUDGET: The Z Hotel Covent Garden<\/a> \u2013 There are no hostels in this area, but for a budget-friendly option, the Z Hotel can’t be beat. The rooms are small and simple yet comfortable and clean, with all the common amenities, including in-room tea and coffee, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/LondonNeighborhoodsMap.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\nArea<\/div>\nBest for<\/div>\nBest Hotel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nCity of London<\/div>\nFamilies<\/div>\n Citadines Barbican London<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nKensington \/ South Kensington<\/div>\nHistory \/ Museums<\/div>\nLondon Lodge Hotel<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nMayfair<\/div>\nLuxury<\/div>\nThe Beaumont Hotel<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSoho<\/div>\nArts & Culture<\/div>\nMimi\u2019s Hotel Soho<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nCovent Garden<\/div>\nArts & Culture<\/div>\nStrand Palace Hotel<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nShoreditch<\/div>\nPartying \/ Hipsters<\/div>\ncitizenM<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nKing\u2019s Cross\/Camden<\/div>\nBudget Travelers<\/div>\nAmbassadors Bloomsbury<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nChelsea<\/div>\nFashion<\/div>\nSydney House Chelsea<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSouthwark<\/div>\nFoodies<\/div>\nThe Bridge Hotel<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nNotting Hill<\/div>\nCharm \/ Quiet<\/div>\nRavna Gora<\/a><\/div>\nSee More hotels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWhere to Stay for Families: The City of London<\/h3>\n
![\"people](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/cityof_london.jpg\")
\nThis is technically the center of London (sometimes called \u201cThe Square Mile\u201d), and it\u2019s where the Romans set up a small military outpost named Londinium in 43 CE. You can still see evidence of the Romans here, including the crumbling wall on Tower Hill. There are several good markets here, like Whitecross Street, Leather Lane, and the Sunday Upmarket in the Old Truman Brewery for handmade crafts and clothing. During the day, this area is busy with office workers. At night, it’s very quiet. I like it for all its history, for its quietness, and for its central location.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for History & Museums: Kensington\/South Kensington<\/h3>\n
![\"Kensington's](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/kensington.jpg\")
\nIf you have come to London to soak up British history or to indulge your love for all things royal, this is the neighborhood to stay in. Kensington is where London\u2019s Museum Quarter is, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum. It\u2019s really close to Hyde Park and the regal Kensington Gardens. I love to stroll the neighborhood and gaze at the mansion-lined streets. It\u2019s quiet and classically British.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Luxury: Mayfair<\/h3>\n
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\nMayfair is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in London. Centrally located between Hyde Park and the West End, it\u2019s home to numerous five-star hotels, classy art galleries, and ultra-expensive shops \u2014 but it’s quiet at night. If you\u2019re looking to stay in one of the city\u2019s fancier and more beautiful neighborhoods, this is it. It’s a stunning place to stay.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Arts & Culture (1): Soho<\/h3>\n
![\"Facade](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/londonwheretostaysoho.jpg\")
\nSoho is one of London\u2019s most vibrant neighborhoods and one of my favorites. This former red-light district is home to hundreds of restaurants, pubs, all-night coffee shops, stores, and theaters. I love Soho at night, when the pubs here spill onto the street with folks having a pint after work. You\u2019re also a twenty-minute walk from a lot of the main attractions (especially the theaters of the West End). It’s central and lively.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Arts & Culture (2): Covent Garden<\/h3>\n
![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/londonstay6.jpg\")
\nCovent Garden is just east of Soho. This is the theater district and is also known for its historic indoor market and throngs of tourists. There are plenty of street performers and lots of shopping opportunities. But it\u2019s also a quirky neighborhood with cobblestone streets, cool shops and restaurants, and a historic square. It\u2019s also very central and busy.<\/p>\n