London has been one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for centuries, and this is reflected in a choice of tourist accommodation that ranges from the Edwardian luxury of the Ritz to the modern glamour and sophistication of the waterfront hotels in the Docklands area.
See All In London's Hotel Section.
Luxury Hotels
These luxury institutions are able to cater for the needs of almost every visitor, no matter their circumstances. Professional service is guaranteed; usually including 24 hour parking, wireless internet, and bar and restaurant facilities.
The Intimate Surroundings of a B&B
A more intimate and friendly atmosphere however can normally be found at Bed and Breakfasts, or B&Bs. Although probably not suitable for those looking to party the night away and round off the evening with a 3am salmon sandwich, these quieter and often family-run establishments are great sources of local knowledge for the traveller and offer excellent opportunities for meeting and making friends with fellow guests.
As a general rule, most luxury hotels are located in the central and City areas of London, while B&Bs and less expensive ‘Guest-houses’ are usually a little further out.
\n\nTurning to specific London districts, Park Lane in Mayfair boasts an array of historic and grand hotels not matched by a single street in any other capital city in the world. Some of the facilities available beggar belief. The spa at the Dorchester Hotel offers a relaxation programme specially tailored for those suffering from jetlag, the Four Seasons Hotel has an in-house florist, while the staff of the stylish Metropolitan will greet you clad entirely Giorgio Armani’s tailoring.
See a selection of Mayfair Hotels here.
If you can drag yourself away from the star treatment on offer inside, these hotels are perfectly placed for shopping trips on Oxford Street and Regent Street, and visits to the Science Museum, the Natural History, and Victoria and Albert Museum.
Business Travellers
The business traveller requiring easier access to the City’s financial district should find ample satisfaction for their desires. For supreme comfort and convenience, Threadneedles, literally around the corner from the Bank of England, is hard to beat, even providing complimentary fruit, coffee, and shoe shine services.
The 2 star rated Hotel Ibis Docklands, at 1 Baffinway, also provides a wide range of amenities around the clock at a greatly reduced cost. Rooms are available from prices of around £59 a night, and are three minutes walk away from the Docklands Light Railway which places Docklands hotels within even easier reach of St.Paul’s Cathedral, the Museum of London, and the Tate Modern.
West End and Soho Hotels
Hotels in and around the West End of London and Soho always prove very popular as you are placed right in the heart of the city where great attractions, shopping, theatre, restaurants and bars are just a short walk away.
See hotels near to Soho and Covent Garden
See hotels near to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
Hotels in these districts put you near to:
British Museum, Madame Tussaud’s, London Planetarium, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the various London Theatres and much much more.
Cheaper Accommodation
Less expensive accommodation is, of course, easily available, although it is rare to find a decent room for less than £50 a night in the very centre of London. Many cheap and extremely comfortable beds can however be had within a 10 minute bus ride from Oxford Street.
Earl’s Court, barely one mile from Park Lane, is an especially good place to find well maintained rooms at bargain rates.
See Earl's Court and Hammersmith hotels here; many of which offer an excellent buffet breakfast and a 24 hour reception from just over £50 a night for a double room.
Which area to stay in?
If you're having trouble deciding which area of London to stay in then use our hotel location map, which displays all of the main attracts and districts of London on one easy to use map. Then, just simply click on the map where you'd like to stay and the map then shows you all the nearest hotels to that point. Easy!
See our London Hotel Map here.
\n\nVisitors to London travelling in or out by plane may find a hotel next to their chosen airport the most convenient and hassle-free option. If this is the case, the price and quality of the accommodation will often depend on if you have the use of your own vehicle.
Stansted Airport Hotels
For instance, Stansted Airport is within 10 minutes drive of many excellent B&Bs that, because of their size and limited budget, are unable to otherwise offer transfers to the airport.
See:
- Ramada Stansted
- Express by Holiday Inn Stansted
Gatwick Airport Hotels
Gatwick is also well served with rural B&Bs, as well as hotel. Many Gatwick hotels also offer transfers into London as well as long-stay car-parking facilities for those flying out of the UK.
See Gatwick Airport Hotels
Heathrow Airport Hotels
Heathrow Airport is the world's busiest airport and so has a fantastic range of hotels on the doorstep; again, many of which offering transfers into London. Heathrow Airport is also served well by the London Underground System.
See Heathrow Airport Hotels
Choosing your London Hotel by nearest tube
If you know which London Tube Station you would like to stay near then don't forget that you can visit all of the London Underground tube stations here, select a tube and you will be shown all the nearest hotels.
