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Home » Travel » London Guide: Where to Stay

London Guide: Where to Stay

May 25, 2017 Travel

Where To Stay in London

So many choices!

It can be overwhelming to choose a spot to stay in a city as massive and diverse as London. As in any great city, there are many sides to it. Luckily, the multiple personalities of London can be experienced through its many neighborhoods. One great way to discover the city on a deeper level is to explore a single area in more depth. Choose a certain part of the city to base yourself in during your trip, and with a little wandering plus healthy curiosity…voila!

In truth I have spent most of my time in the British capital staying with friends. Still, these are the best places I have stayed at across many of my visits, (and what I can vouch for that’s not a couch!) Coincidentally, they are all located in favorite parts of the city.

Here are my recommended places for where to stay in London, organized by neighborhood and described at different price points:

Where to Stay in Chelsea, London: Cheval Residences Phoenix House at Sloane Square
Chelsea: Cheval Residences Phoenix House at Sloane Square

A comfortable, luxurious spot in one of my absolute favorite parts of London. It feels like part-hotel, part-flat complete with a full kitchen but with hotel level service and personal touches. Best suited to the business traveler who wants a touch of home.

The Hoxton Hotel, Shoreditch, London
Shoreditch: The Hoxton

This hotel is trendy East London at its best. At the heart of the artsy action, it’s got a bustling lobby and individually designed rooms (don’t you just love it when every room at a hotel is not the same!)

Tea at The Athenaeum Hotel London
Mayfair: The Athenaeum

If you’re after a more luxury hotel experience, it’s tough to beat the Mayfair location of this gem. I felt both spoiled and comfortable at the same time here, which is hard to accomplish as a hotel. Many of the rooms also have views of adjacent Green Park.

Gin hotel in London - The Distillery in Notting Hill
Notting Hill: The Distillery

If you like your stay with a side of gin, you can’t beat the experience at this newly opened hotspot at an ideal Notting Hill location. There are only three rooms, so you’ll want to book well in advance. But if you snag one of them, you’ll be mere steps away from one of the most exciting parts of London (including their gin bar.)

Covent Garden: The Strand Palace

At the recommendation of a friend, I stayed at this large hotel which turned out to be one of the better budget options in central London. If you’re looking for a hotel and not a hostel in the heart of London, it’s hard to beat this place. I was only there one night, but it was around many of the places I needed to be and saved me a lot of time (without costing a ton of money to be in such a great location.)

Where To Stay in London
Notes:

  • My favorite hostel in the world is in London. It’s Palmer’s Lodge (Swiss Cottage) and though my true backpacking days are mostly through, I’d stay here again in a heartbeat.
  • Cheval Residences has locations all across the city.
  • In full disclosure, I had booked several nights with a flat rental company called FG Properties and left after one night. I had a negative experience and would not recommend them.
  • I’ve got my eye on the Zetter Townhouse or the Stafford London (recently renovated) for my next stay in central London.
  • Another side note: I was invited to dine at The Athenaeum and The Hoxton’s restaurants and really, really enjoyed both meals. I’m not one to enjoy hotel food, but both were exceptional!

More London Guides:

What To See in London // Where To Eat in London

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Winner of Gold and Silver 2019 Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing.

About Anne

Anne Lowrey is an award-winning travel writer based in San Francisco.

After spending a year in the world, she insisted on building a life at home she loved as much as she loves travel. The result was a move to SF, which she affectionately calls her “soul city.” She believes in the balance of and connection between time spent at home and abroad.

Comments

  1. Debra says

    May 25, 2017 at 11:19 am

    What a great resource! Very well laid out also. Thank you

    Reply
    • Anne says

      May 25, 2017 at 12:08 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad you find it helpful!

      Reply
  2. Trees Rotteveel says

    May 28, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Great locations! I am very curious to Nothing Hill! Hope to go there soon. Yes, it is a good idea to concentrate on one part of London. I feel overwhelmed by London indeed.

    Reply
    • Anne Lowrey says

      May 29, 2017 at 10:16 am

      Notting Hill was a place I finally got to spend some more time in on this trip. I love it there!

      Reply
  3. Balayi villasi says

    August 16, 2017 at 3:04 am

    Great destinations and locations. Thanks for your post. since I’m London lover, I travel there much. I like Covent GArden most. It is easy to reach and find everything.

    Reply
    • Anne Lowrey says

      August 31, 2017 at 8:01 pm

      I like Covent Garden too! Well, all of London really 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lisa Scott says

    April 25, 2018 at 11:05 am

    Good recommendations, the strand palace location is best. You can go for walk and see Convent garden attraction and all public transports are nearby just on walking distance. We were on fixed budget tour so it helped a lot

    Reply
    • Anne says

      December 28, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      So glad to hear that Lisa!!

      Reply

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  1. London Guide: Where to Eat - Part Time Traveler says:
    May 25, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    […] For where to stay, including a gin hotel you can roll upstairs to, refer here! […]

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  2. One Week in London: A Guide to Top Spots - Part Time Traveler says:
    August 31, 2017 at 8:12 pm

    […] Where To Stay // Where to Eat // What to Pack […]

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  3. Ten Must-Visit European Capitals says:
    May 10, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    […] more:London itinerary, where to eat in London, and where to stay in London, and going beyond […]

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