A London getaway is always exciting—take it from someone who has lived here for a decade—but first, you must decide the best area to stay in London for you. Do you want to be in the center of the capital, close to the action and the best things to do in London, or a little further out in a more peaceful location? Is it important to be close to public transport options, major train stations such as King’s Cross, or iconic cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum? Or perhaps you’d rather stay in one of the best neighborhoods in London to get under the skin of life like a local? Thankfully, whatever version of London you’re interested in experiencing—foodie London, arty London, cultural London, or iconic London—there’ll be world-class hotels to book as your base. But we get it—as one of Europe’s biggest and busiest cities, it can be overwhelming when you need to decide where exactly to stay. Below we’ve listed our favourite areas of London for every type of traveler.
Where to stay in London at a glance
Covent Garden, LondonGetty Images
Best for: culture seekers
Covent Garden
In London’s West End, Covent Garden’s central square was once a fruit and vegetable market. These days, it’s home to shops and restaurants that draw in tourists every day of the week – but that’s not the only draw here. This is the heart of theatreland, making it an ideal choice for those hoping to catch a show while in town, as well as where you’ll find the Royal Opera House. Once a bit of a culinary wasteland, the food scene here is thriving these days—we especially like The Barbary, with its Mediterranean sharing plates concept, and Toklas, a bakery-meets-restaurant.
Why we like it:
