Lady’s Guide to Choosing the Best Area to Stay in London for Your Style

Today I want to bring you my guide to how to choose the best area to stay in London. I often get asked that question, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. London is huge, the attractions are spread out, and every neighborhood is unique. To help you narrow it down, here’s A Lady in London’s guide to where to stay in London based on your style. I hope it helps you find the perfect London neighborhood for you. I’ve included a map, too.

Best Area to Stay in London

From east to west, the UK capital has no shortage of lovely areas to base yourself. When you travel to London, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to location and accommodation.

Whether you want to see the main attractions, live like a local, immerse yourself in culture, or soak up the side streets, there’s a neighborhood for you.

My list has links to my blog posts about specific areas to stay in London. They have more information about each part of the city.

Think of this post as the highlights reel and those posts as places where you can do a deep dive into what each neighborhood has to offer.

1. South Kensington

If you like pretty streets and love museums, the best area to stay in London is South Kensington. This is one of my favorite west London neighborhoods.

With plenty of mews to keep your inner explorer entertained and a wealth of world-class museums to discover, this part of central London is just right.

If the area sounds like your cup of tea, you can book a place to stay in South Kensington here. My top pick is The Resident Kensington. This hotel offers some of the best value for money in the area, and it’s a great option if you want good, affordable accommodation in an ideal location. You can book a room here.

2. Notting Hill

If you love all things bright and beautiful, Notting Hill is the best area to stay in London. From impossibly colorful houses to some of the best cafes and shops in the city, this London neighborhood is famous for a reason.

The Portobello Road Market is a great draw for lovers of antiques, and the neighborhood’s mews are perfect for explorers. Notting Hill is also close to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, making it a great place to base yourself in the city.

If this area appeals, you can book a place to stay in Notting Hill here. My top pick is The Portobello Hotel. This luxurious boutique bolthole features interiors that channel the bohemian spirit of the neighborhood. You can book a room here.

3. Bloomsbury

If you’re a book lover, Bloomsbury is the best place to stay in London. Home to the Bloomsbury Group and the setting of many a story, this neighborhood is also full of leafy squares with benches begging for you to sit down for a good read.

Add to that the British Museum and some of the city’s best coffee shops, and Bloomsbury is hard to beat. It’s one of my favorite central London areas.

If this place appeals, you can book accommodation in Bloomsbury here. My top pick is the Kimpton Fitzroy. This landmark hotel takes up a full block along the eastern side of Russell Square, and it’s beautiful inside and out. You can book a room here.

4. Covent Garden

If you want to be in the thick of things, the best area to stay in London is Covent Garden. With everything from theater to shopping surrounding you, it won’t be hard to stay entertained throughout your visit.

From the Covent Garden Piazza to Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials, there’s a lot to love about staying in this part of London. And that’s to say nothing of its great location in the heart of the West End.

If this place sounds good, you can book accommodation in Covent Garden here. My top pick is St Martins Lane Hotel. This Philippe Starck-designed hotel is a surrealist wonderland viewed through the looking glass of eccentric British taste. You can book a room here.

5. City of London

If you love big attractions, the City of London is a great place to be. Not only is it home to landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, but it’s also near the Tower of London, Tate Modern, and other major sightseeing spots.

Add to that the fact that it’s the historic heart of the city, and your inner explorer will be occupied for as long as you stay.

If that sounds up your alley, you can book a hotel in the City of London here. My top pick is Threadneedles Hotel. It’s ideally located near Bank tube station and it offers a great blend of all things historic and modern. You can read my review here.

6. Shoreditch

If you’re a hipster, beat a path to Shoreditch. The East End is the coolest part of the city, and it’s the best area to stay in London if you’re looking for all things new and trendy.

Shoreditch is one of the top places in east London because it’s relatively central, on a tube line, and has lots of great restaurants and bars. The shopping on roads like Rivington Street is good, too. And that’s to say nothing of the street art.

If living like a hipster appeals, you can book a place to stay in Shoreditch here. My top pick is The Hoxton. It’s one of the area’s most famous hotels, and I love that it has serious style. You can read my review here.

7. Victoria

If you love royalty, Victoria is the best area to stay in London. Just around the corner from Buckingham Palace and down the street from Westminster Abbey, this part of London is centrally located and replete with royal life.

As a bonus, the countless restaurants and cafes by Victoria station mean there’s no shortage of places to sit and watch the world go by. And that’s to say nothing of the great transport links and proximity to areas like Belgravia and Westminster.

If that all sounds good, you can book a place to stay in Victoria here. My top pick is The Resident Victoria. It’s in a great location right by Buckingham Palace, and it offers good value for money. You can book a room here.

8. Chelsea

If you love to see and be seen, get yourself to Chelsea. The King’s Road is one of the most fashionable places to shop, eat, and drink in London, and there’s never a dull moment from morning ’till the clubs close.

There are also beautiful side streets like Bywater Street with rows of pastel houses to admire. And that’s to say nothing of the Chelsea Embankment, which is great for walks on the Thames.

If that appeals, you can book a place to stay in Chelsea here. My favorite hotel in the area is the Sonder Chelsea Green. This boutique Victorian is tucked away on a residential street and has all the stylish amenities one could ask for. You can book a room here.

9. King’s Cross

If you’re taking the train to Paris, King’s Cross is the perfect neighborhood for you. It’s the best area to stay in London for those early morning departures.

Even if you’re not taking the train, the area has an abundance of restaurants, bars, and shopping to get excited about. Its proximity to great transport links and areas like Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell is a bonus, too.

If that sounds good, you can book a place to stay in King’s Cross here. My top pick is The Standard. This place features colorful decor and hip style throughout. You can book a room here.

10. Hampstead

If you want to live like a local, village-like Hampstead is the place for you. I used to live in this north London neighborhood, and it’s still one of my favorite places in the city.

From Hampstead High Street to Hampstead Heath, the area is full of picturesque lanes, pretty gardens, heritage houses, and tucked-away local pubs.

There are lots of options for accommodation in Hampstead. You can book a place to stay here. My favorite local hotel in the area is La Gaffe on Heath Street. I love its cozy ambiance and delicious cappuccinos. You can book a room here.

If you prefer your own place, the Mirabilis Apartments in Wells Court on Oriel Place are perfect. These elegant flats are right in the heart of the village between Hampstead High Street and Heath Street. You can book one here.

11. Hackney

If you’re looking to be on the cutting edge, you can stay in one of east London’s H-neighborhoods: Hackney or Hackney Wick. They’re some of the most hipster areas in London, and they’re home to unique and unusual hotels.

Hackney offers everything from London Fields to Regent’s Canal and the Columbia Road Flower Market, and Hackney Wick has a hip nightlife scene.

If that sounds good, you can book a place to stay in Hackney here. My top pick is Mama Shelter. This place immerses guests in all things cool, and it features sleek design elements and stylish touches. You can book a room here.

12. Mayfair

If money is no object, Mayfair is the best area to stay in London. From its luxurious shops to its fine-dining restaurants and impossibly pretty streets, this area is hard to beat.

Mayfair is also in a great location between Hyde Park, Piccadilly, Oxford Street, and Regent Street. If you love the finer things in life and you want to be in the heart of the city, this is a great choice.

If that appeals, you can book a place to stay in Mayfair here. My favorite hotel in the area is 45 Park Lane. This luxurious number is right on Hyde Park, and I love its elegant-meets-contemporary design. You can book a room here.

Map of the Best Area to Stay in London

Best Place to Stay in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best area to stay in London and that it’s helped you find the perfect place for your travel style and personal preferences.

If you need additional guidance, you can take a look at my blog post about the 15 best places to stay in London to see more of my hotel recommendations.

My guide to themed hotels in London is a great resource, too. It will help you find accommodation that fits your style. Happy travels!

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