London offers accommodation across its entire landscape, with choices reflecting 33 distinct boroughs and neighbourhoods. The directory lists more than 1,500 hotels, guest houses, and bed-and-breakfasts spread from Westminster to Greenwich, Kensington to Hackney—each area serving a different side of the city. Visitors may find Victorian grand hotels overlooking the Thames, boutique design properties in creative quarters, traditional townhouse hotels in literary Bloomsbury, or reliable budget chains within steps of mainline stations. London’s range is its strength: there is honest accommodation for nearly every purpose and budget.
Where to stay in London
Mayfair and Westminster Mayfair gathers the city’s ceremonial luxury. Lined with boutiques and auction houses, the area sits close to Green Park and the shops of Bond Street. Marble Arch Tube Station and Oxford Street are walking distance away.
South Bank and Lambeth The South Bank is London’s cultural engine. Museums, galleries, concert halls, and restaurants cluster here, with views of the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Waterloo Station provides fast access elsewhere.
Bloomsbury and King’s Cross North of the Thames, Bloomsbury and King’s Cross offer bookshops, the British Museum, universities, and Victorian houses. Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations connect to the rest of Britain and Europe.
East London Shoreditch has shifted from industrial to creative: galleries, street art, independent shops, and cafés occupy converted warehouses. Liverpool Street Station links the area to central London.
West End and Covent Garden The theatre district wraps around Covent Garden. Hotels here sit at London’s tourist centre, near the National Gallery and hundreds of restaurants.
The best hotels in London
Claridge’s
Claridge’s occupies Brook Street in Mayfair under an Art Deco façade dating to the 1930s, though the hotel’s history reaches back to 1812. The rooms and public spaces balance Victorian, Art Deco, and contemporary design. It is among the world’s most recognisable hotels, with generations of royalty, film stars, and statesmen in its guest book. Those seeking a grand London hotel with nearly two centuries of tradition find it here.
The Connaught
The Connaught sits on Mount Street and Carlos Place in Mayfair; the hotel opened in 1897 and holds 121 rooms. It is known for Michelin-starred dining, the Aman Spa, and understated British luxury. Guests value the unhurried pace of service and the sense that meaningful things have happened here.
Shangri-La The Shard
Shangri-La occupies the top floors of The Shard, London’s tallest building, on the south side of the Thames near Tower Bridge. The 202 rooms command views over the city; the property offers London’s highest infinity pool, the TĪNG Restaurant, and a spa. The location trades street life for height and spectacle.
The Montague on the Gardens
The Montague gathers seven Grade II-listed Georgian townhouses (1806) into a 99-room hotel opposite the British Museum in Bloomsbury. The Blue Door Bistro offers classical French cuisine; the Leopard Bar hosts live jazz. Garden-facing rooms overlook a private, shielded garden. It suits those drawn to London’s literary tradition.
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace opened in 1909 and remains one of London’s oldest operating hotels, standing on The Strand with 788 bedrooms. A recent renovation retained its Art Deco heritage while adding modern comforts. It is ideally placed for theatregoers—the West End is steps away.
Ham Yard Hotel
Ham Yard is a 91-bedroom design hotel by Firmdale Hotels in Soho, near Piccadilly Circus. The design by Kit Kemp includes a library, honesty bar, 1950s bowling alley, and 190-seat cinema. The restaurant serves seasonal British cuisine. The property received Two Michelin Keys in 2025. It appeals to those who value design and entertainment.
The Resident Covent Garden
The Resident sits in a historic Edwardian building overlooking the Strand, with 57 rooms that include mini-kitchens with coffee machines. Contemporary minimalist interiors; no on-site restaurant (the Strand has thousands). It consistently ranks first on TripAdvisor among London hotels.
Premier Inn London King’s Cross
Premier Inn operates a 276-bedroom property at Kings Cross, ten minutes’ walk from the station. Clean, compact rooms with good beds and showers; generous, reasonably priced breakfast. Bar + Block steakhouse on ground floor. Perfect for train arrivals from Edinburgh, Manchester, or Eurostar.
Travelodge London Central Kings Cross
Travelodge operates a site at Grays Inn Road, short walk from the station. Rooms are smaller and cheaper than Premier Inn. Location places guests within reach of Bloomsbury’s museums.
Guest houses and B&Bs
Bloomsbury holds several established guest houses occupying Victorian townhouses: the George Hotel, Crestfield Hotel, and others offer simple rooms with cooked breakfast. Westminster has similar properties near the Abbey and Parliament. Guest houses offer more character—period fireplaces, quirky layouts—than chain hotels, and breakfast is often included.
Practical notes
Getting around. The Underground is fastest between districts; a contactless card is cheapest. Buses cover more of the map. Mainline stations (Kings Cross, Victoria, Paddington) connect to the rest of Britain. Heathrow is 45 minutes away by Piccadilly Line; Gatwick is 30 minutes south by train.
When to visit. Summer is busiest and most expensive; spring and autumn offer the best balance. Christmas brings crowds and festive atmosphere.
Parking. Most central hotels do not include parking; leave the car outside and use the Underground.
Booking. Prices vary dramatically by season and by day of the week. Weekends in central London are often cheaper than weekdays. Booking direct with hotels or through hotel websites often yields better rates than aggregator platforms. Many hotels offer loyalty programmes and direct bookings rewards.
Key points
- London offers more than 1,500 hotels across 33 boroughs: grand hotels, design boutiques, and budget chains.
- Mayfair offers ceremonial luxury; Bloomsbury offers literary and museum heritage.
- South Bank has culture and restaurants; East London has galleries and younger energy.
- Guest houses offer alternatives to chains; the Underground connects all areas.
- Book ahead in peak season.
Every hotel, guest house and B&B in London, with addresses and postcodes: London in the UK hotel directory .