The short answer: in London, the neighbourhood matters as much as the hotel. For a first trip and easy sightseeing, stay in Westminster or on the South Bank. For luxury and shopping, choose Mayfair. For nightlife and food, pick Soho. For creative London, head to Shoreditch. And whichever you choose, sort your airport arrival before you fly, because after a long flight the Underground with your luggage is nobody’s idea of a holiday.
Where to Stay in London, in One Minute
Updated August 2026. Curated by Clara Whitby, The Londonologist, the travel voice of Welcome2London, and reviewed by the Welcome2London team.
You have booked the flight. Maybe it is seven hours from New York, ten from São Paulo, or a proper marathon of twenty-four from Sydney or Auckland. Now comes the first real decision of the trip: where to stay in London. Get it right and the city opens up on foot. Get it wrong and you will spend your hard-won holiday on trains, watching London slide past a window.
Here is the good news. In London the neighbourhood does half the work. Pick the right area and even an average room feels like a great trip. So before you fall in love with a photo of a hotel lobby, choose the postcode. Here is the quick version.
First-time visitor → Westminster or South Bank, so the famous sights are on foot.
Luxury and romance → Mayfair, for heritage hotels and quiet, elegant streets.
Nightlife and food → Soho, loud, brilliant and never asleep.
Families → South Bank, roomier hotels and the London Eye on the doorstep.
Cool and creative → Shoreditch, markets, street art and very good coffee.
Best value with a great location → Tower Hill or Shoreditch.
The rest of this guide is the long version, written for people crossing an ocean to get here. We cover the best hotels by category, the best areas to stay, how to arrive without the airport stress, whether London is safe (short version: yes), and the practical things that trip up first-time visitors. Prices are 2026 guide rates in pounds, and they move with the season, so treat them as a compass rather than a promise.
First Things First: Getting From the Airport
This is the part most guides skip, and it is the part that makes or breaks day one. London’s main airports are not in London. Heathrow is about fifteen miles west of the centre, roughly forty-five minutes to an hour by road. Gatwick is further south, Stansted and Luton sit well to the north. After a long-haul flight, that last stretch matters more than you think.
You have three ways in. The train or the Underground is cheapest, but it means stairs, changes and crowds while you drag a week of luggage and fight the fog of jet lag. A ride-hailing app works, but the price jumps with demand, no one is waiting for you, and after twenty hours in the air you want certainty, not a surge estimate. The third way is your own private driver, and for visitors flying in from abroad it is the one we quietly recommend.
Arrive the easy way. A private airport transfer with Chauffeurz takes you door to door. The price is fixed in your own currency before you book, so there are no surprises and no surge. Your driver tracks your flight and waits if you land late, at no extra charge, then meets you inside the terminal with your name on a board and helps with the bags. It is licensed by Transport for London, so it is a named, checked driver, not a stranger from an app. Transfers run from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, around the clock.
One more thing worth knowing: the same driver who collects you can take you out again later in the week. More on that below, because for anyone here on a longer trip it is a small luxury that changes the whole holiday.
Quick Comparison: Best Hotels in London at a Glance
Price guide, 2026 nightly rates for a standard double room: ££ under £250, £££ £250 to £500, ££££ £500 and up. Suites, weekends and peak dates cost more. In US dollars, roughly multiply by 1.3. "Walk to" shows the closest famous landmark on foot.
| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price | Walk to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ritz London | Mayfair | 5-star | ££££ | Buckingham Palace, 8 min | Classic British elegance |
| Claridge’s | Mayfair | 5-star | ££££ | Bond Street, 3 min | Art Deco style and afternoon tea |
| The Savoy | Strand | 5-star | ££££ | Covent Garden, 5 min | Theatreland and iconic service |
| The Dorchester | Mayfair | 5-star | ££££ | Hyde Park, across the road | Traditional luxury |
| The Connaught | Mayfair | 5-star | ££££ | Bond Street, 2 min | Privacy and quiet service |
| Raffles London at The OWO | Whitehall | 5-star (new) | ££££ | Trafalgar Square, 6 min | Grand 2023 landmark and spa |
| The Peninsula London | Belgravia | 5-star (new) | ££££ | Hyde Park Corner, 1 min | Service and Hyde Park views |
| Shangri-La The Shard | London Bridge | 5-star | ££££ | Borough Market, 5 min | The best skyline views in London |
| Corinthia London | Westminster | 5-star | ££££ | Trafalgar Square, 7 min | Spa days and central sightseeing |
| Ham Yard Hotel | Soho | 5-star boutique | £££ | Piccadilly Circus, 3 min | Design lovers and couples |
| Sea Containers London | South Bank | 4-star boutique | £££ | Tate Modern, 8 min | Riverside cool |
| The Hoxton Shoreditch | Shoreditch | Boutique | ££ | Old Street, 5 min | Creative travellers |
| Park Plaza Westminster Bridge | South Bank | 4-star | £££ | London Eye, 7 min | Families and first-timers |
| CitizenM Tower of London | Tower Hill | 3-star | ££ | Tower of London, 3 min | Smart, affordable city stays |
Is London Safe for Visitors?
If you are flying in from abroad, and especially if you are bringing the family, this is often the real question behind "where should we stay". So let us answer it plainly. London is one of the safer big cities in the world for visitors. The central tourist areas we recommend in this guide, Westminster, Mayfair, the South Bank, Kensington and Covent Garden, are busy, well lit and safe to walk both day and night.
Use the same common sense you would in any large city. Keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds and on the Underground, particularly around Oxford Street and the busiest tourist spots, where pickpockets work the crush. Late at night, a black cab or a pre-booked driver is the safest and simplest way home, which matters if you are travelling with children or exploring solo.
How We Chose These London Hotels
We did not rank these by star count. We chose them the way we would tell a friend flying in from overseas where to stay, weighing four things.
Location. A great London hotel puts the city on your doorstep, with sights, food and a Tube station close by. When you have flown a long way, every hour not spent commuting is a gift.
The feeling of the stay. Reputation and service matter, but so does character. We looked for the hotels people talk about long after they fly home.
A real identity. London is full of good chain hotels. The memorable ones have a personality, whether that is royal heritage, bold design or the flavour of their neighbourhood.
Who it suits. A honeymooning couple, a family of five and a solo business traveller want completely different things. We say plainly who each hotel is for.
Best Luxury Hotels in London
London does luxury better than almost anywhere, and for a once-in-a-lifetime trip these are the names to know. They mix historic architecture, faultless service, serious dining and addresses you could not buy your way into. Expect roughly £600 to well past £1,000 a night. Every hotel in this section is a five-star hotel in the heart of the city centre, and each one is a strong choice for couples marking a honeymoon or anniversary.
1. The Ritz London
Best for: classic British luxury, afternoon tea and a real sense of occasion
Area: Mayfair · Nearest Tube: Green Park · Price: ££££ (often from around £700, closer to £950 in high season)
The Ritz is one of those hotels people recognise before they arrive. Beside Green Park in Mayfair, it has welcomed royalty, film stars and the quietly wealthy for over a century, and it still knows exactly what it is. Louis XVI interiors, a grand staircase, and the most famous afternoon tea in the country.
Book The Ritz for the room and you have slightly missed the point. You book The Ritz for the feeling of walking in as though you belong there, being greeted by name, and eating scones under a chandelier while the rest of London queues for the bus. For a big anniversary or a first trip to remember, few places do it better.
Why stay: a genuine five-star occasion, a prime Mayfair address, that famous tea, and Buckingham Palace and Bond Street within a short walk.
Best for: couples, honeymooners, big birthdays, and anyone who wants the trip to feel like an event.
Check 2026 prices at The Ritz London
2. Claridge’s
Best for: Art Deco glamour and understated old-money style
Area: Mayfair · Nearest Tube: Bond Street · Price: ££££
If The Ritz is gold and grand, Claridge’s is cooler and a little more knowing. It has been a symbol of London style since the 1800s, and its sweeping Art Deco interiors still look like the set of a very expensive film. The service is famously discreet, which is why it has long been a favourite of people who would rather not be noticed.
Why stay: world-class design, superb restaurants, a central Mayfair position, and a reputation for privacy.
Best for: luxury travellers, couples, design and fashion lovers.
Check 2026 prices at Claridge’s
3. The Savoy
Best for: theatre lovers and a hotel with a real story
Area: Strand, next to Covent Garden · Nearest Tube: Charing Cross · Price: ££££
Few hotels are as woven into London’s history as The Savoy. It sits on the Strand beside the Thames and has hosted more actors, writers and world leaders than most theatres. It even has its own tiny street where cars drive on the right, the only place in Britain that happens. The location is unbeatable for the West End, with Covent Garden and the river both minutes away.
Why stay: a true London landmark, a brilliant Theatreland base, a riverside setting, and the legendary American Bar.
Best for: couples, theatre and culture lovers, and first-time visitors who want the full London postcard.
Check 2026 prices at The Savoy
4. The Dorchester
Best for: traditional, unapologetic luxury
Area: Park Lane, Mayfair · Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner · Price: ££££
The Dorchester has been a heavyweight of London luxury for decades and has no interest in chasing trends. Overlooking Hyde Park from Park Lane, it is all deep carpets, fresh flowers and staff who seem to remember everything. If minimalist grey design leaves you cold, this is the cure.
Why stay: a landmark Park Lane address, classic British grandeur, excellent restaurants, Hyde Park and the shops nearby.
Best for: luxury travellers, business guests and lovers of proper heritage hotels.
Check 2026 prices at The Dorchester
5. The Connaught
Best for: quiet luxury and service that reads your mind
Area: Mayfair · Nearest Tube: Bond Street · Price: ££££
The Connaught is where you stay when you have nothing to prove. Tucked into a calm corner of Mayfair, it is smaller and more personal than the big names, and the service is so smooth it is almost invisible. Its bar regularly lands on lists of the world’s best, a nice bonus when you never have to leave the building.
Why stay: a peaceful Mayfair setting, deeply personal service, elegant rooms, designer shopping a two-minute walk away.
Best for: couples, seasoned luxury travellers and anyone who values privacy above a big lobby.
Check 2026 prices at The Connaught
New for 2026, and worth checking: London’s luxury scene just had a growth spurt. Raffles London at The OWO opened inside the old War Office on Whitehall, all marble corridors, a huge spa and nine places to eat and drink, in the very building where Churchill once worked. The Peninsula London at Hyde Park Corner brings that legendary Peninsula service to Belgravia, with a rooftop restaurant and a fleet of house cars. Add Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and the all-suite The Emory, and 2026 is a very good year to treat yourself. All sit in the ££££ band, and all are worth a look for opening offers.
Best Boutique Hotels in London
Luxury does not have to mean ballrooms and chandeliers. Some of the best stays in London are smaller, bolder and more personal, with a story in every room and a bar the locals actually use. If you want character over grandeur, start here.
6. Ham Yard Hotel
Best for: design lovers, couples and a base in the middle of everything
Area: Soho · Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus · Price: £££
Ham Yard hides behind Soho’s busiest streets and feels like a secret once you are inside. Designed by Kit Kemp, it is a joyful riot of colour, with individually styled rooms, a leafy courtyard, a rooftop and its own little cinema and bowling alley. Step out of the door and theatres, restaurants and the best of Soho are all around you.
Why stay: distinctive British design, a bullseye Soho location, West End theatres on the doorstep, and social spaces you will not want to leave.
Best for: couples, creative travellers and theatre fans.
Check 2026 prices at Ham Yard Hotel
7. The Hoxton, Shoreditch
Best for: creative travellers and East London on a budget
Area: Shoreditch · Nearest Tube: Old Street · Price: ££
The Hoxton helped turn Shoreditch into one of the coolest corners of the city. It pairs stripped-back industrial design with comfortable rooms and a lobby that doubles as the neighbourhood’s living room, full of people working, meeting and lingering over coffee. Friendly, well priced and very East London.
Why stay: a buzzing Shoreditch setting, markets, food and nightlife all around, and real style at a fair price.
Best for: solo travellers, digital nomads, couples and anyone chasing the creative side of London.
Check 2026 prices at The Hoxton, Shoreditch
8. Sea Containers London
Best for: riverside style and a walkable culture crawl
Area: South Bank · Nearest Tube: Southwark · Price: £££
Sea Containers sits right on the Thames and takes its cue from a 1960s ocean liner, all curves, copper and confidence. The location is the real luxury: Tate Modern, Borough Market and Shakespeare’s Globe are a stroll along the river, and the rooftop bar has one of the best sunset views in the city.
Why stay: a Thames-side address, striking interiors, a strong restaurant and bar, and major sights on foot.
Best for: couples, culture lovers and anyone who wants to walk everywhere.
Check 2026 prices at Sea Containers London
9. Kimpton Fitzroy London
Best for: grand architecture without the grand attitude
Area: Bloomsbury · Nearest Tube: Russell Square · Price: £££
The Kimpton Fitzroy is a jaw-dropping Victorian building wrapped around modern, easy-going hospitality. It faces a garden square in literary Bloomsbury, minutes from the British Museum but a world away from the tourist crush. A lovely, calm base for a culture-heavy trip.
Why stay: a stunning historic building, the British Museum nearby, elegant rooms and a quiet, central setting.
Best for: couples, culture travellers and anyone who wants central London without the noise.
Check 2026 prices at Kimpton Fitzroy London
London Hotels With the Best Views
Some people choose a hotel for the bed. Others choose it for what they see when they open the curtains. London’s skyline mixes ancient landmarks, the river and glass towers, and a few hotels turn that into a view you will photograph far too many times.
10. Shangri-La The Shard
Best for: the best hotel views in London, full stop
Area: London Bridge · Nearest Tube: London Bridge · Price: ££££
Set high inside The Shard, the Shangri-La has views that make everyone do the same thing, which is walk straight to the window and forget the person they came with. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the Thames, Tower Bridge and the whole city, and there is a sky-high pool for good measure. It is not subtle, and it is not trying to be.
Why stay: unmatched views, a genuine wow-factor stay, a romantic mood, and Borough Market and Tower Bridge nearby.
Best for: couples, honeymooners, photographers and special occasions.
Check 2026 prices at Shangri-La The Shard
11. The Ned
Best for: dining, drinks and a hotel that feels like a night out
Area: Bank, City of London · Nearest Tube: Bank · Price: £££
The Ned lives inside a magnificent former bank in the heart of the City, and it has turned the old banking hall into a buzzing floor of restaurants and live music under towering columns. It is as much a scene as a hotel, with bars, a rooftop and a spa. You will spend more time out of your room than in it.
Why stay: spectacular architecture, a dozen places to eat and drink under one roof, a central base and a real buzz.
Best for: couples, food lovers, business travellers and anyone who likes a lively hotel.
12. Corinthia London
Best for: a spa hotel in the middle of the action
Area: Westminster · Nearest Tube: Embankment · Price: ££££
The Corinthia pulls off a neat trick: it is a serious wellness hotel with one of London’s best spas, yet it sits minutes from Trafalgar Square and the river. Sightsee hard all day, then melt into the spa in the evening. Ideal for shaking off jet lag on your first couple of nights.
Why stay: a superb spa, elegant rooms, excellent dining and a central Westminster location.
Best for: luxury travellers, couples and anyone who wants to be pampered between museums.
Check 2026 prices at Corinthia London
Best Family Hotels in London
Families need more than a pretty room. You need space, a good location, easy transport and attractions you can reach without a meltdown on the Tube. These three deliver.
13. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Best for: families and first-time visitors who want it all on the doorstep
Area: South Bank · Nearest Tube: Westminster · Price: £££
Stand outside the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and you are looking straight at Big Ben across the river. That is the whole pitch, and it is a strong one. The London Eye, the Aquarium and the South Bank are a short walk, the rooms are roomy by London standards, and the transport links make day trips easy. For a family seeing London for the first time, it is hard to beat.
Why stay: an unbeatable sightseeing location, family-sized rooms, top attractions on foot and excellent transport.
Best for: families, first-timers and sightseeing-focused trips.
Check 2026 prices at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
14. The Langham London
Best for: families who want luxury and the shops next door
Area: Marylebone · Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus · Price: ££££
The Langham was one of Europe’s first grand hotels, and it still knows how to look after a family in style. It sits at the top of Regent Street, so Oxford Street shopping and Regent’s Park are both close, and the welcome is warm rather than stuffy. A treat of a base for a smart central stay.
Why stay: the shopping districts on your doorstep, a proper luxury feel, a historic name and a central location.
Best for: families, keen shoppers and travellers who value convenience.
Check 2026 prices at The Langham London
15. CitizenM Tower of London
Best for: clever value and a killer location
Area: Tower Hill · Nearest Tube: Tower Hill · Price: ££
Let us be honest about the rooms: they are small. But CitizenM has thought hard about the small. The bed runs wall to wall, the shower is excellent, you control the lights and blinds from a tablet, and the shared spaces downstairs are genuinely nice places to sit. Right by Tower Hill station, with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge next door, at this price you forgive the square footage fast.
Why stay: brilliant transport links, smart tech, strong value against the luxury names, and the Tower of London on your doorstep.
Best for: solo travellers, couples, business trips and budget-savvy tourists.
Check 2026 prices at CitizenM Tower of London
Best Areas to Stay in London
Choosing the right neighbourhood can matter more than choosing the hotel. London is huge and each area has its own accent, so match the postcode to the trip you actually want. For a deeper breakdown, see our full guide to the best areas to stay in London.
Westminster
Best for: first-time visitors and sightseeing.
If it is your first trip and you want the postcard, stay in Westminster. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park are all within a walk, and the transport is excellent. Safe and central, if a touch quiet after dark.
Nearby: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye. Good for: families, couples, first-timers.
Mayfair
Best for: luxury travellers and serious shopping.
Mayfair is old-money London: handsome streets, the grandest hotels and Bond Street boutiques. It is beautiful and calm, which is the point. Just know that Mayfair goes to bed early. It is elegant, not lively, and if you want a nightcap after eleven you will be walking to Soho.
Nearby: Hyde Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street. Good for: luxury travellers, honeymooners, business guests.
Covent Garden
Best for: theatre, restaurants and atmosphere.
Covent Garden is pure London theatre, in every sense. Street performers work the old market square, the West End stages surround you, and there are more restaurants than you could eat through in a month. Wonderful for a first visit, if you do not mind crowds.
Nearby: Royal Opera House, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, the British Museum. Good for: couples, theatre fans, food lovers.
South Bank
Best for: families, river views and walkable sights.
The South Bank is the easiest place in London to sightsee on foot. Follow the river and you pass the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, with Westminster just across a bridge. Families love it because so much is within a pram-friendly walk.
Nearby: London Eye, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, Borough Market. Good for: families, couples, first-timers.
Soho
Best for: nightlife, food and being in the thick of it.
Soho is loud, packed and brilliant, the beating heart of the West End. Restaurants, bars, theatres and late-night everything on your doorstep. The best base for London after dark, and the worst if you are a light sleeper, so pack earplugs and lean in.
Nearby: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Chinatown. Good for: couples, younger travellers, night owls.
Shoreditch
Best for: creative travellers and modern London.
Shoreditch is where London goes to be cool. Street art, independent coffee, vintage shops, weekend markets and nightlife until dawn. A little less central and a lot more grown-up playground than the classic tourist areas, which is exactly why the right traveller loves it.
Nearby: Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market, Columbia Road, Old Street. Good for: solo travellers, creatives, culture-seekers.
Staying a While, or Stopping Over on the Way to Europe?
Not everyone is here for a long weekend. Many visitors from Australia and New Zealand use London as a base for exploring Britain and Europe, or stop over for a few days to break the journey. If that is you, a few things are worth knowing.
For stays of a week or more, look at hotels with strong transport links or aparthotels with a small kitchen, which make a long trip far more comfortable and cheaper on breakfasts. And save your energy for the good part. London is the perfect launch pad for the countryside, and some of Britain’s best days out are within easy reach.
See the Britain most visitors miss. Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath, Oxford and the Cotswolds are all comfortable day trips from London. When you are jet-lagged and time-rich, a private day trip beats a crowded coach: no queues, no fixed timetable, no strangers on board. Chauffeurz collects you from your hotel and brings you home the same evening, with a driver who knows the roads and the history, priced for your group rather than per seat. Some visitors keep the same driver for the whole stay, on call for shopping, dinners and days out.
London Booking and Practical Tips for Overseas Visitors
The right hotel is only half the job. A little planning saves money and spares you the classic first-timer mistakes.
Book early for the busy seasons
London is busy all year, but prices spike around summer, Christmas and New Year, major sporting events and the fashion and business weeks. For popular hotels and central areas, booking a few months ahead means more choice and better rates.
Weigh location against price
A cheaper hotel far from the centre often costs more once you add the daily travel, in both money and time. Check the nearest Tube station and how far you are from the sights you care about before you book. A slightly pricier central room usually wins on the maths.
You barely need cash
London is almost entirely card and phone. Tap a contactless card or your phone on buses, the Underground and in nearly every shop and cafe, with no need to buy a travel pass in advance. Tipping is relaxed: a service charge of around 12.5% is often already added in restaurants, and you are not expected to tip on top. Tap water is free and safe everywhere.
Go easy on day one
If you have flown through the night or crossed many time zones, do not over-plan your first day. Book a hotel where you can check in early or drop your bags, take a gentle walk to reset your body clock, and save the big sights for day two when you are human again.
Match the hotel to your trip
For all-out luxury, look at The Ritz London, Claridge’s, The Savoy or The Dorchester. For romance, the Shangri-La The Shard or Ham Yard Hotel. For a family holiday, the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or The Langham London. For value with a great location, the CitizenM Tower of London or The Hoxton.
Frequently Asked Questions About Staying in London
What is the best hotel in London for first-time visitors?
For first-time visitors, the best hotels are in Westminster, Covent Garden or on the South Bank, because the major landmarks are within walking distance. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Corinthia London and The Savoy all sit close to Big Ben, the London Eye and the West End, which keeps time on the Tube to a minimum.
Is London safe for tourists and families?
Yes, London is one of the safer big cities for visitors, and the central tourist areas such as Westminster, Mayfair, the South Bank and Kensington are safe to walk day and night. Use normal city sense, keep an eye on phones and bags in crowds and on the Underground, and use a black cab or a pre-booked driver late at night, especially with children.
What is the easiest way to get from Heathrow to my London hotel?
The easiest way from Heathrow to your hotel is a private airport transfer that takes you door to door with your luggage. Services such as Chauffeurz track your flight, meet you inside the terminal and charge a fixed price agreed before you travel, which avoids the taxi queue, the surge pricing and changing trains with suitcases after a long flight. Heathrow is about 45 to 60 minutes from central London by road.
Do I need cash in London?
You barely need cash in London. A contactless card or a phone works on buses, the Underground and in almost every shop, cafe and restaurant. It is worth carrying a small amount for the occasional market stall, but most visitors get through a whole trip on card alone.
How much do luxury hotels in London cost per night?
Luxury hotels in London usually cost from around £600 to over £1,000 per night in 2026, depending on the season, the location and how far ahead you book. The Ritz London, for example, often sits near £950 in high season, and suites cost considerably more.
How many days do I need in London?
Three to four full days is enough to see London’s highlights, and five to seven lets you slow down and add a day trip. If London is a stopover on the way to Europe, even two well-planned days cover the main sights, especially if you arrange your airport transfers so you are not losing time getting around.
What are the best day trips from London?
The best day trips from London are Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath, Oxford and the Cotswolds, all within easy reach for a day out. A private day trip with your own driver avoids the coach queues and fixed timetables and lets you travel at your own pace, which suits families and anyone still shaking off jet lag.
Which London hotels are best for a honeymoon or anniversary?
The Shangri-La The Shard, The Ritz London and Ham Yard Hotel are among the most popular choices for a honeymoon or anniversary in London, thanks to their romantic settings, dining and views. For couples who want a view, a high room at the Shard is hard to beat.
Do any London hotels include free breakfast?
Yes, though it is less common at the luxury end. Many mid-range and boutique hotels, and most aparthotels, include breakfast in the rate, while five-star hotels usually charge separately, often £25 to £40 per person. Always check the room rate details before booking, as the same hotel often sells both options.
What are the best hotels near Buckingham Palace?
The best hotels near Buckingham Palace are The Ritz London, The Goring and the properties around St James’s and Mayfair, all a short walk through Green Park or St James’s Park. They suit visitors who want the royal sights, the Changing of the Guard and the royal parks on their doorstep.
Where do celebrities stay in London?
Celebrities and public figures tend to favour discreet five-star hotels such as The Connaught, Claridge’s, The Savoy and Corinthia London, chosen for privacy, security and personal service rather than for show. The most exclusive stays are the suites, where guests can come and go with very little attention.
When is the best time to book a London hotel?
For peak seasons such as summer and Christmas, book several months ahead for the best availability and price. For quieter months like January, February and November, you can often book closer to your stay and still find good rates.
About the Author
Choosing Your London Hotel
London has a bed for every kind of traveller, from a gilded suite in Mayfair to a clever little room by the Tower. The trick is not to start with the hotel. Start with the trip you want.
Choose Westminster for first-time sightseeing. Choose Mayfair for luxury and calm. Choose the South Bank for families and river walks. Choose Soho for nightlife. Choose Shoreditch for the creative, modern city. Get the area right, then pick the room that fits your budget.
And when you have crossed an ocean to be here, do the trip a favour: arrange your arrival so a driver is waiting, not a train platform. Land, get met, get to your hotel, and start the holiday the moment you step off the plane. London will do the rest.
Clara Whitby is a London travel specialist and local insider at Welcome to London, passionate about uncovering hidden gems, neighbourhood guides, and the city’s best-kept secrets.
