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Looking for the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors can be a challenge. Especially since… you know, you’ve never been there. Fear not, I’ve visited London multiple times, lived here for a few months, and these are the best areas I think travelers should consider when looking for where to stay in London.
I adore London, which is why I keep coming back again and again, but as a first-time visitor, it can be a bit intimidating. The city is big, and many London bucket list items are spread out.
No matter where you base yourself, you’ll probably still have to commute at one point or another to cover most of the highlights. But a central and accessible location will definitely make your days more efficient. And that’s what we’re after.
In this guide, I’ll focus on what I think are the top London neighborhoods based on location, vibes, convenience, and price point.
From charming Kensington to buzzing Covent Garden and quiet Bloomsbury, let’s dig into some of the best areas to stay in London for first-timers.
Where to Stay in London: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
I think one of the main things to consider when deciding where to stay in London is identifying how long you’re spending in the city.
If you’re spending a quick one day in London while doing a Europe trip, then you definitely want to stay as centrally located as possible to waste no time, somewhere like Covent Garden.
If you’re spending 3 days in London, you can afford to be slightly off-center, somewhere like Bloomsbury or Paddington.
If you’re planning a longer stay, 3+ days in London, I’m a big Kensington fan for a more residential, quiet place to regroup after spending the day exploring the city.
But let’s get into the details of the best areas to stay in London for you to decide what’s the best location for your trip.
Where to stay in London: My top hotel pick
Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington
The best value-for-money stay in London. Residence Inn offers studios with a cozy living room and kitchenette, ensuring you have a good space to rest after exploring all day.
To get into the city, you can take the tube from Earl’s Court or a bus from the lively Kensington High Street. Explore the surrounding Kensington and Notting Hill on foot.
This is where we lived for 3 months and loved it!
Hotel booking tips
- WHEN TO BOOK: If you’re visiting during high season (June through August), or Christmas, you’ll want to book your hotel 4-8 weeks in advance. The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have, of course.
If visiting during shoulder season, I often find that leaving hotel booking until the last minute improves chances of finding cheaper accomodations, as hotels lower their prices to fill up rooms.
The perfect equation, for me, is to secure a good accommodation with free cancellation early on in the trip planning process. Then keep checking hotels closer to the date, as you can often find something better for less money once the prices drop for “last-minute deals” on Booking.com - WHAT TO CHECK WHEN BOOKING: The main thing I always check when booking a room is the size; I’ve been surprised way too many times by closet-sized rooms while traveling i n Europe. Learn from my mistakes and always double-check the room size in square meters before booking.
If visiting in the summer, check if the room has AC. Something worth investigating when staying in a big city like London is checking the hotel reviews to see if there are any noise complaints. There’s nothing worse than being surprised by paper-thin walls when you’re exhausted after a day of traveling. - LOCATION: Always double-check the accommodation’s exact location on Maps, as sometimes the names can be misleading. A hotel might say Kensington, and be closer to Fulham in reality. And those are different vibes.
- METRO STATIONS: Like with any big city, staying near a metro station can save you commuting time during your stay. While considering an accommodation, it’s worth checking the Google Maps route to some of the city’s main attractions to make sure the area is well connected and you don’t spend all day changing metro lines or taking multiple buses.
- CANCELLATION POLICIES: I like keeping a certain level of flexibility while traveling; for this, I love booking my hotels with free cancellation up until a day before my stay. Booking.com makes this really easy. So if you’re like me and sometimes change your plans last minute, I’d highly recommend booking your accommodation with the option of free cancellation.
How I choose where to stay in London
I spend hours researching and looking through accomodations on Booking.com, checking design, room size, and location, and I try to only recommend places I would actually want to stay at myself, even when looking for budget-friendly options.
Budget options can be tricky to find, especially in a city as expensive as London, where many of the “affordable options” are not that affordable and are straight-up ugly and outdated. And I wouldn’t want to stay somewhere like that.
So you can be sure that all these options have been personally picked and are places I would also stay at depending on my budget for the trip.
Quick Overview: Best areas to stay in London for first-timers
| Area | Vibe | Best For | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covent Garden & Soho | Lively, central, full of restaurants, theaters, and shops | First-time visitors who want to walk to major sights, restaurants, and nightlife | Expensive hotels, busy streets, and noise at night |
| Bloomsbury | Historic, leafy, and relaxed, with bookshops and garden squares | Couples, culture lovers, and travelers seeking a quieter central base | Less nightlife, and some attractions require a Tube ride |
| Kensington | Elegant, residential, and green, with museums and beautiful architecture | Families, museum lovers, and travelers who prefer a quieter, upscale neighborhood | Can be expensive, and some parts are less central for sightseeing on foot |
| Paddington & Bayswater | Convenient, residential, and close to Hyde Park | Travelers looking for good transport links, airport connections, and a range of hotel prices | Further from some major sights, depending on the exact location |
| South Bank | Riverside walks, cultural attractions, and iconic views | Sightseeing, visiting the London Eye, and exploring central London | Busy tourist areas and fewer quiet residential streets |
Covent Garden & Soho: Best area to stay in London for first-timers who want to be central
Covent Garden is one of the places where I spend most of my time whenever I’m in London. This area is packed with all the good stuff: great shopping, lots of entertainment options, amazing restaurants, some of the best coffee shops in London, and more.
It’s basically impossible to be bored here. As a first-time visitor, this is a great place to start the day efficiently, with plenty of cafĂ©s around, dinner options for when you’re back from exploring, and the West End is right there to squeeze in an evening show before ending the day.
- Pros: Staying in Covent Garden & Soho puts you in the heart of all the action, with direct access to some of the best places to eat in London, great bars, shopping, and the West End.
Besides being a convenient location, you’re also within walking distance of some London attractions such as Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and more. There are a lot of bus routes going through this central area of London, as well as the tube. - Cons: Because both Covent Garden and Soho are such central areas with lots of dining and entertainment options, they are also quite busy, which can result in loud nights and pricier accomodations.
If you choose to stay in these areas, I would advise you to check the reviews of the hotel you’re looking at to see if there are any noise complaints by other guests.
Where to stay in Covent Garden & Soho, London:
Budget: Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel – This highly-reviewed pod hotel features soundproofed pod rooms with comfortable beds and an unbeatable location. The best budget option around Covent Garden & Soho. Check rates and availability.
Mid-range: Chic London Hotels Leicester Square – Beautiful, clean, minimalist-designed rooms in the heart of London, a block from Leicester Square Station, only a 5 min walk to Trafalgar Square, and about a 15-minute walk to Big Ben. Check rates and availability.
Luxury: The Lincoln Suites – Beautiful, modern apartments with everything you need for a comfortable stay in the heart of London: living room, kitchenette, small dining table. 7 min walk from Covent Garden Market. Check rates and availability.
Things to do in Covent Garden & Soho, London:
- Explore the covered Covent Garden Market
- Browse the many great shops in Covent Garden and SohoâI always stop by Glossier, Mejuri, and &Other Stories
- Walk to the beautiful Regent Street
- Watch a show in the West EndâI love Les MisĂ©rables, Waitress, and Back to the Future
- Have the perfect afternoon tea at The Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel
- Try a delicious craft cocktail at Mr. Foggs Gin Parlour
Bloomsbury: Best area to stay in London for first-timers who want to be central but in a quieter area
North of the super central Covent Garden, you’ll find Bloomsbury, a great option for still being in the heart of London without necessarily being right in the center of all the action.
Just a few blocks away from Covent Garden, Bloomsbury offers a quieter, more residential vibe, with cute garden squares, cafés, and bookshops.
- Pros: Staying in Bloomsbury allows you to be close to many great London neighborhoods, like Covent Garden, Soho, and the beautiful Marylebone, without having to be in the middle of the sometimes chaotic city center.
This is a great area to stay in London for first-timers looking to have a good night’s sleep, in a quieter part of town without having to go far out of the city.
A personal favorite highlight is the fact that Bloomsbury is right next to Fitzrovia, an area of London packed with incredible coffee shops. So if you’re a coffee lover, this is a great area to stay in. - Cons: One of the downsides of staying in Bloomsbury is that it is slightly further away from some iconic London attractions, like Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster, etc. But it’s not that bad; if you take the metro or a bus, you could be at Big Ben in 20-30 min, or walk there in around 35 min.
Also, if you’re looking for nightlife and restaurant options, there are not many around here, but you can always make your way down to Covent Garden for that.
Where to stay in Bloomsbury, London:
Budget: St. Athans Hotel – Quirky, charming hotel rooms, most of them with a shared bathroom, but the options with private ones are still affordable enough. 14 min walk from the British Museum and a 5 min walk from Russel Square Tube Station. A great budget option without going too far out of the city. Check rates and availability.
Mid-range: Travistock Hotel – Simple, minimalist-style rooms with warm wood headboards and classic white hotel beds. 12 min walk from the British Museum, and a 5 min walk to Russel Square Tube Station. Check rates and availability.
Luxury: The Zetter Bloomsbury – I love this hotel’s design; it’s colorful in an elegant, “grown-up” way. The rooms are stunning but a bit on the smaller side. If you really want to treat yourself, their suites are gorgeous and spacious. Just around the block from the British Museum. Check rates and availability.
Things to do in Bloomsbury, London:
- Visit the British Museum
- Explore the adorable Warren Mews
- Visit some of the charming garden squares in the area, like Russell Square and Bloomsbury Square
- Go coffee shop hopping in FitzroviaâKiss the Hippo is one of my favorite ones
- Browse the bookshops in the neighborhood, like the London Review Bookshop
Kensington: Best area to stay in London for first-timers who want residential vibes
Ah, Kensington! I’ll start by saying that I’m very biased towards Kensington, since this is where I lived for almost 3 months while working in London with our circus show, and I loved our time here.
Kensington is a charming, up-scale, residential side of London that not a lot of tourists get to explore. One of my favorite parts of staying in Kensington is that it gives you a fake sense of being a local. Walking out of your accommodation here makes you feel like you walked straight into a London movie set, with rows of white Victorian houses and cute private gardens.
- Pros: Staying in Kensington provides a quieter, residential vibe, away from all the buzz from the city center, and it allows you to experience London as a temporary local.
The neighborhood is so charming, and depending on where in the neighborhood you stay, you have Notting Hill and Kensington Palace to the north. Or if you’re in South Kensington, you’re close to some museums, the Royal Albert Hall, and Hyde Park. - Cons: Since this is an upscale area of London, accommodations can be pricier. But I’ve found it can also be more affordable for bigger groups, since you can find apartments instead of trying to get multiple hotel rooms in the city center.
Another downside is that it’s slightly further away from some of London’s main attractions. So you should double-check that your accommodation in this area has a convenient bus or metro route to get to the city’s highlights.
Where to stay in Kensington, London:
Budget: The Drey Kensington, Earl’s Court – After lots and lots of research, this is the best-looking, most affordable hotel I found in Kensington; modern, clean, snug rooms. Just beware that some of the most affordable options are windowless, though, so pay attention when booking if you prefer to have a source of natural light. 7 min walk to Earl’s Court tube Station. Check rates and availability.
Mid-range: Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington – This is where we got to live for almost three months and loved it! Offering modern studios and one-bedroom apartments, this accommodation has everything you need for a comfortable longer stay, with a cozy living room and kitchenette in every room, and a big grocery store at the end of the block. The only downside is the need to commute to most places. Check rates and availability.
Luxury: Royal Garden Hotel – Royal Garden offers modern, minimalist, homey bedrooms. For the ultimate luxurious stay, make sure to get one of their park-facing rooms. The location is unbeatable, just a few steps away from Hyde Park, right on Kensington High Street lined with lots of shops and convenient bus routes into the city center. Check rates and availability.
Things to do in Kensington, London:
- Stroll through Kensington High Street for restaurants, cafés and shops
- Visit the iconic Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum
- Catch a performance at the Royal Albert Hallâthis is where we worked with our show
- Get lost in the neighborhood’s beautiful streets and picturesque mews
- Take a stroll through Hyde Park and visit Kensington Palace
- Start your morning with the perfect cardamom bun and latte at Hjem café
Paddington & Bayswater: Best area to stay in London for first-timers looking for affordability
If your priority is to find a budget-friendly accommodation without sacrificing location or connection to the rest of the city, then Paddington and Bayswater, just north of Hyde Park, are great options for you.
- Pros: While being further from most attractions, the proximity to Paddington Station makes it relatively easy to move around the city by metro or bus.
Since this is not a central or upscale location, you have a better chance of finding more affordable options in this area of London than in any of the other options mentioned so far.
A great upside to staying somewhere close to Paddington Station is that it makes your arrival and departure from Heathrow Airport super comfortable, as you can take the direct Heathrow Express. - Cons: Since you are on the other side of the big Hyde Park, you’ll almost always have to commute to get anywhere in the city.
Where to stay in Paddington & Bayswater, London:
Budget: Point A Hotel London Paddington – Simple, affordable hotel rooms with wood floorsâit seems like most affordable hotels tend to have outdated carpet, which I’m not a fan of, so I prefer this one. Some rooms are windowless; double-check what you’re booking. Guests praise its proximity to Paddington station, making the arrival and departure from Heathrow Airport a breeze. Check rates and availability.
Mid-range: The Caesar Hotel – Beautiful, light-filled, elegant rooms in a highly rated hotel, just a few steps from Hyde Park, and both Bayswater and Queensway Station are about 7 min walk away. Rooms don’t seem to have measurements, but the most affordable options look quite snug. Their deluxe or junior suite offers some extra space. Check rates and availability.
Luxury: Hyde & Seek: A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – Eclectic, elegant rooms with colorful touches in a boutique hotel. I love the decor style of this property, and the fact that many rooms include a roomy bathtub, like their superior king room and their spacious townhouse king suite. Only half a block away from Hyde Park and two blocks from Lancaster Gate station. Check rates and availability.
Things to do in Paddington & Bayswater, London:
- Take a stroll through Hyde Park
- Visit the adorable Paddington Bear Statue at Paddington Station on platform 1
- Stop by London’s Little Venice, a cute neighborhood with waterside cafĂ©s and picturesque canals
- Visit the beautiful Kensington Gardens
South Bank: Best area to stay in London for first-timers who want to be within walking distance of main attractions
South Bank is the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors who want to be within walking distance of some of the most iconic attractions like the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
A stay in South Bank could even become a highlight of the trip if you manage to find accommodation facing the river with an unobstructed view, as this would mean incredible views over the London skyline.
- Pros: Depending on where on South Bank you stay, if you find something relatively close to the London Eye, you would be within a very short walking distance of some of the most iconic London attractions. Like a 10min walk to Big Ben, which is pretty cool!
You could come across some very impressive hotel room views from this side of the river. - Cons: The vibe here is less charming/residential, with a mix of modern architecture, big concrete buildings, and some skyscrapers; it just feels less quintessential London to me, and not the vibe I would want as a first-time visitor.
While being close to the London Eye and Big Ben is a massive plus, once you’ve ticked off those top attractions on the first day, you’ll have to commute into the city to see other parts of London.
Where to stay in South Bank, London:
Budget: Point A Hotel London Waterloo – Standard, modern, snug rooms in a more affordable range. For a cheaper option, you can opt for a windowless room. Guests praise its location: right across the street from Lambeth North metro station and a 10 min walk to the iconic Westminster Bridge. Check rates and availability.
Mid-range: The Wellington Hotel – Beautiful, elegant, cozy rooms with a modern touch across from Waterloo Station. Guests love the breakfast, the hotel’s location, and the traditional pub downstairs with great food and a cozy vibe. Check rates and availability.
Luxury: London Marriott Hotel County Hall – For the ultimate London stay, book yourself into one of the Marriott’s rooms with a river view or, even better, their Superior King with View of Big Ben. The view is everything Pinterest dreams are made of! This is a Marriott, so you know the rooms have a classic and clean style. The location is unbeatable, just a few steps away from Westminster Bridge and 4 min from Big Ben. Check rates and availability.
Things to do in South Bank, London:
- Admire the London Eye, or if you’re more adventurous than me, take a ride on it
- Get iconic views of Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster from this side of the river
- Take a leisurely stroll along the River Thames
- Visit the colorful Graffiti Tunnel
- Grab a coffee at Beany Green outdoor café with a view of London
- Take a break at the Jubilee Gardens
Final thoughts on where to stay in London for first-timers:
Choosing where to stay in London can be a hard task, especially if you’re looking for something on a budget. The priority when choosing your accommodation is starting with how long you have in the city.
If you’re short on time and spending 1-2 days in London, I would definitely recommend staying as central as possible to make the most of your stay, somewhere like Covent Garden to be in the heart of the city, or South Bank to be within walking distance of the classics: Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, etc.
If you have anything over 2 days and are looking for something more budget-friendly and don’t mind commuting, then Paddington is a great option.
Or, if you have a longer stay in London and enjoy more of a slow travel experience where you feel part of the city, then Kensington is the place to be.
Once you know the length of your trip and priorities, you should easily be able to narrow down which of the areas described in this post is the best one for you.
So, in which one of these areas do you think you’ll stay for your trip to London? Let us know in the comments.
Save this where to stay in London guide for later!
Your future self will thank you.