Where to stay
Stay in Westminster and St James’s to walk to the sights, on the South Bank for river views, in Covent Garden for theatres and nightlife, or around Victoria and Pimlico for value and easy trains.
The areas
Most centralOn the doorstep of the sights
Elegant hotels near Parliament, St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace, from grand Victorian buildings to quiet boutique stays. Quiet in the evenings, with three Tube lines at Westminster Station.
Best for: First-timers, sightseeing and short stays
River viewsAcross the bridge from Big Ben
Hotels with river views by the London Eye, and good-value stays around Waterloo, one stop from Westminster on the Jubilee line, near theatres and riverside restaurants.
Best for: Couples, views and walking the river
Theatre & nightlifeShows, shops and restaurants
Stay in the middle of theatreland, with Covent Garden, Soho and Leicester Square on your doorstep and Westminster about 15 minutes’ walk away. Lively late into the night.
Best for: Theatre lovers, food and nightlife
Best valueQuieter streets, great transport
Mid-range hotels and guesthouses in the white stucco squares of Pimlico and around Victoria station, with the Gatwick Express, coaches and two stops to Westminster.
Best for: Value, early trains and Gatwick flights
Central London has everything from grand Victorian hotels and modern chains to small boutique hotels in Georgian townhouses. Rooms in older buildings are often small, so check the room size before you book.
Serviced apartments are a good choice for families and longer stays, with a kitchen and more space than a typical hotel room.
Pimlico and the streets around Victoria have many small guesthouses, and there are hostels with private rooms near Waterloo and King’s Cross.
London hotels are expensive, especially in summer, in December and during big events. Weekday rates can be higher than weekends, as business travellers fill many central hotels. Booking a few months ahead usually gives the best choice.
Good to know
Westminster and St James’s put you within walking distance of Parliament, the Abbey and Buckingham Palace. The South Bank is just across the river, and Covent Garden is best if you want theatres and nightlife on your doorstep.
Yes. Westminster is mostly government offices, so it is calm in the evenings and at weekends. For restaurants and nightlife, Covent Garden and Soho are about 15 to 20 minutes’ walk away.
Victoria, Pimlico and Waterloo usually have more mid-range and budget options than Westminster itself, and are only one or two stops away on the Tube.
Book a few months ahead for summer, school holidays, Christmas and big events such as the London Marathon or Wimbledon. Weekend prices in central London are often lower than midweek, when business travellers fill many hotels.
Plan your London trip
Once you have a base, compare tours, attraction tickets and river cruises.