The Best Area to Stay in London for First Time Visitors

Where is the best area to stay in London when you’re a first time visitor? London is huge, and tourist sights are spread all over. Choosing a place to stay can be overwhelming when you’re trying to navigate everything for the first time. This guide narrows down where you want to stay to be close to everything. I’ve also recommended hotels for all price points that won’t mean spending an hour on the train each day just to get near what you want to see.

I’m an American living in England. I’ve always lived just outside London, and have spent plenty of day trips, long weekends, and extended trips with visitors exploring the city. I’ve stayed in all of the areas I recommend and hope this guide helps you plan the perfect place to stay in London.

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How Important is Where You Stay in London?

In such a large city, it is easy to waste time on endless Tube rides rather than seeing the things you came here to see. Unless you’re a superfan of public transportation, staying near the action is vital to having a great first-time visit to London. Plus, less time spent commuting means more time to wander and uncover London’s hidden gems. 

Map Guide to Central London

So, you want to stay close to the things you want to see, and that seems to mean Central London. But where is Central London? Let’s map it out. 

The purple area outlines the best area to stay in for your first trip to London. I added some of the popular London tourist sights so that you can get a visual of how staying in this area will keep you close to a lot of what you want to see.

I’ll get into what to expect from each neighborhood below, and explain the slightly less central areas that you might still want to consider. 

The Best London Neighborhoods for Tourists

Central is great, but what should you expect from the different areas in London? Every neighborhood has its own unique feel, and you may find yourself more drawn to the personality of some neighborhoods over others. 

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is the most central area of Central London. This is also the heart of the West End theatre district and a very bustling area. You can easily walk to many tourist sights from here and really feel immersed in the city. 

If you are flying into Heathrow, note that the Elizabeth line (super bright and clean new underground train route) will bring you to Tottenham Court Road Station. That station is located just north of Covent Garden. This can make your airport transfers a straightforward Tube ride and short walk. 

If you aren’t a city person, then Covent Garden can feel overwhelming. It is busy here all the time. If you’re craving a quieter retreat at the end of your day, a different neighborhood could be a better fit. 

Mayfair

If you play the British version of Monopoly, the most expensive spot on the board is Mayfair. I share that to set the scene a bit for what to expect in this neighborhood. Not all of the hotels here are over the top, but you can expect a generally posh area with many ridiculously expensive cars parked along the roads. 

All of this fanciness makes for a quieter area than Covent Garden that is dotted with flowering window gardens and private parks. There are several embassies scattered about, which can be fun to spot as well. It’s a very pretty area that is still well connected, so easy to use as a base for exploring.

South Bank

This is my hidden gem of a place to stay in London for first time visitors. As you can see from the map, the River Thames runs through London. Most of Central London lies north of the river, along with many of the popular tourist sights. 

The area just south of the river tends to be a bit less expensive, but often has gorgeous views across the river to major sights. From here you have a choice of several bridges to walk across, giving you the chance to start and end your days with my favorite London city views. The London Eye is located here as well, and Tube service crosses below the river.  

South Bank isn’t going to give you the polish of Mayfair, but it is a central area with the potential for great views and river strolls. Avoid traveling far from the river to stick to the nicer tourist areas.

Westminster

If your first visit to London is a whirlwind fast stop, then Westminster could be a great option. Two of the very biggest tourist draws – Buckingham Palace and Big Ben – are both right here. If you fly into Gatwick airport, then train service will bring you into London Victoria station in Westminster. This is a top way to see the most in the least amount of time.

While not one of my top recommendations for first-time visitors, the DoubleTree by Victoria station is clean and convenient for quick trips focused on this area of London. 

Slightly Less Central

Marylebone

This is probably my favorite area of London, and one I’ve stayed in several times. The high street is loaded with lovely shops, including the surprisingly gorgeous Daunt Books (see why in my Rainy Day guide to London – it’s number 27 on the list). Depending on where you stay in Marylebone, it’s a short walk to find nature in either Regent’s Park or Hyde Park. If you want to pretend you can afford to live in Central London, this is a great place to do that. 

Unfortunately, there aren’t any central tube stops in Marylebone. You will have to trade more walking and a slightly longer commute to tourist sights for the charm of this neighborhood.

City of London

What could be more central in London than the City of London? Kind of a lot, it turns out. This is the oldest part of London, but looks the part of a modern city. There are some great bits to this neighborhood, and history pops up everywhere. 

My only caution for staying in the City of London is that many shops and restaurants aren’t always open when you’d expect. This is the financial hub of London, and a lot of what’s around supports the finance employees that commute in for work. Don’t be shocked when that coffee shop is closed weekends, or the streets start looking bare at night. 

Paddington

If you fly into Heathrow, the quickest route into London is the Heathrow Express. However, this brings you to Paddington station, which is not within the most central part of London. Staying here can still be a good bet if you want to limit your luggage hauling as much as possible. You’ll only need to navigate the streets between Paddington and your hotel.

Paddington is also a major station with connections to several Tube lines. The beautiful new Elizabeth line stops here, so you could hop on and be near Covent Garden at Tottenham Road Station in under 10 minutes. 

South Kensington

If you’re coming to London with museums high on your wishlist, South Kensington will put you right on the doorstep of Museum Row. This area includes the famous Natural History Museum and the V&A. For everything other than these museums, you’ll be traveling a bit further. 

How Much Does it Cost to Stay in London?

Most mid-range hotels in Central London will cost £250+ per night. It’s not hard to find hotels running higher than £500 per night. 

I know, it’s expensive here. However, it is possible to find budget options, even in Central London. I strongly recommend against booking cheaper lodging further out to save money on your trip. You will pay for it in higher transportation costs and less time to devote to sight seeing. 

The Best Hotels in London for First Time Visitors

These hotel recommendations are based on a combination of central location and strong review history. The criteria I used to source pricing was a five night stay in April 2024 for two adults. I have included family pricing for hotels that also offer family rooms. 

Top 5 Hotels in London for First Time Visitors

1. The Bloomsbury Hotel 

The Bloomsbury is an ideal base for first-time visitors that are flying in and out of Heathrow. Take the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Tottenham Court Road and find the hotel just around the corner. You’ll be right where you want to be in Central London with minimal fuss. The hotel features vintage charm and comfy beds. 

2. The May Fair  

While this hotel is located in posh Mayfair, and only a block away from The Ritz London, the May Fair offers luxury without completely breaking the bank. You’re only a short walk to Green Park station, making Tube access quick and easy. Expect comfy beds with plush pillows to sink into after a long day of sightseeing. 

Some room rates include breakfast, and there are family room options as well as luxury suites.

3. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge 

Fancy waking up to a view of Big Ben? You can find that here, as well as many room size options that are great for small family travel. The hotel also has great amenities, including a couple of restaurants, a pool, and a 24-hour gym.

4. Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street 

I’ve stayed in Radisson Blu properties in several cities, and have always had a good experience with them. This location is in the heart of Seven Dials, a wonderful bit of Covent Garden home to unique shops and delicious restaurants. The hotel has a restaurant on site, but I’d skip that in favor of exploring the Seven Dials streets. In fact, two of my favorite spots to eat are located very close to this hotel: Home Slice Pizza in Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials Market. 

5. The Londoner 

It does not get more central than this. The Londoner is located on Leicester Square. While Leicester Square itself can be over the top touristy, you’ll be within walking distance from many of the best London sights. The hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms that start at London-reasonable prices and go up to the slightly insane. An indoor pool and on-site restaurants and bars will help you unwind after your London sightseeing. 

Best London hotels for families and groups

Finding space for a group in London is hard. It’s an expensive city and lodging that can accommodate more than a small family isn’t available in high quantities. 

I’ve rented flats through AirBnB before, with very mixed results. I don’t recommend that for your first visit to London because it’s very hard to find something central that isn’t either outrageously priced or giving scam vibes. 

With that said, these two established apart-hotels get good reviews while keeping your family or group in the city center.

Citadines Trafalgar Square 

This apart-hotel offers studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom flats just down the road from Trafalgar Square. You’ll also have a kitchenette and small dining table in your flat if you’d prefer to have snacks or breakfast in. 

Arcore Premium Rental 

This is one of the few flat rental hotels in Central London that have options for up to three-bedroom flats. All of the apartments include a kitchen and living space to share with your group. 

Best London hotels for a special occasion

If your first trip to London is to celebrate something special, these luxury and unique options will give you something to remember. 

The Rookery 

I strongly encourage you to go check out the rooms in this place even if you don’t wind up booking here. Dark wood furnishings, including some four poster beds, will make you feel like you stepped into your own private London townhome. 

The Rook’s Nest is their signature suite, and includes a big canopy bed, fully stocked bookshelves, and a lofted seating area beside a circular window. 

Located near Farringdon station, which connects with the Elizabeth line for easy Heathrow transfers, and the Overground network in case your plans include day trips outside of the city.

This is a smaller boutique hotel, so book early if you have your heart set on staying here.

One Aldwych 

This luxury hotel is in the heart of Covent Garden, only a five minute walk from Covent Garden Tube station. Rooms here are plush and soothing – a good place to relax even when the city outside is noisy. The on-site pool plays underwater music, and you can spoil yourself in the spa and high-end restaurants. Their afternoon tea service tends to be at the top of lists for best spots to try in London.   

The Savoy 

This hotel has been one of the fanciest in London since 1889. It has seen celebrities and politicians over the years, and even boasts the only drive-on-the-right road in London at its entrance. The lobbies and rooms are all done up in either Edwardian or Art Deco style. You’ll also find several excellent restaurants on site. 

Best London hotels for budget and solo travel

If you really need to keep your costs down, or are traveling alone and just looking for a safe place to rest each night, are you out of luck in London? You can make it work, but may need to make some creative choices. 

Z Hotel Covent Garden 

This is a great creative option for budget-minded travelers who prefer hotels to hostels. You can find rooms here quite cheap for London, if you don’t mind a room without a window. This is the cheapest option in Covent Garden without sacrificing quality. You can also get a window room here for a bit more per night.

YHA London Central 

Hostels are a tried and true way to keep costs down. This one offers a convenient location with shared or private room options. It is located just a bit north of the Central London area I recommend, but is still just a few blocks from a Tube station and a reasonable walk to the British Museum.

FAQs

Which zone should I stay in when I visit London?

When you start planning your trip to London, you’re going to hear a lot about London zones. Public transportation in London is price blocked in zones, with Zone 1 representing the middle of London and circling farther as the zone numbers increase. Check out this TFL zone map for a visual of the London zones.

Most London tourist sights are in Zone 1, with a handful in Zone 2. For this reason, first time visitors to London should stay in Zone 1 to limit the time you spend traveling to sightsee each day.

Where is Downtown London?

London does not have a downtown, which can be very confusing for first-time visitors. Historic sights and museums are scattered around – check out the map above for a visual.

Covent Garden is the most central London neighborhood for first-time visitors that want to be in the middle of the action.

Are hotel beds smaller in London?

Yes, Americans may be surprised to learn that beds here are typically smaller than what you find in the U.S. Most hotels offer either a full or queen-sized bed. 

To add to the confusion, hotels may advertise a “King room” that actually holds a queen-sized bed. This is because the sizing system for mattresses is different here. What you’d call a queen bed in the U.S. is called a king bed here. 

Luxury hotels are most likely to have American-style king beds, and Booking.com does a good job of identifying the actual bed size in the room descriptions. 

Where are the cheapest places to stay in Central London?

Unfortunately, there are no cheap places in Central London. Check out the recommendations above for budget and solo travel options that keep costs low while staying in the middle of things. Consider South Bank (near the river), Marylebone, and City of London neighborhoods to occasionally find a deal. 

Where should I avoid staying in London?

London is a generally safe (use common sense as you would in any large city) and welcoming city, but there are some places I’d avoid to make sure your first visit is the best it can be:

• Near the airports – you may find a cheaper rate, but the airports are far from the city center and you’ll quickly reduce your savings with daily transport fees.
• Outside Zone 1 – for your first visit, stay near the things you want to see most. For instance, Greenwich is lovely, but you’ll again have a longer and sometimes crowded commute to reach Central London.
• In private lodging that isn’t well reviewed – There are unfortunately scams out there and lodging that won’t meet your expectations. For your first visit, don’t chance booking somewhere that hasn’t already received good reviews. And if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

How can I find the best prices on London hotels?

I use Booking.com to compare prices on all London hotels. You can use their flexible dates rate finder to find the cheapest dates that work with your schedule. This can be a big help when you want to spend some time in London and also explore other places outside the city. Use the rate finder to pick the best rates in London and plan your time outside the city for the more expensive dates.

If you have a hefty stash of hotel loyalty or credit card points, those can come in handy. Be ready to book early, though, as points rooms can fill up further in advance. Also keep in mind that most hotel programs only book standard rooms on points, which may be too small if you’re bringing kids along.

What else do I need to know to plan a London itinerary?

Check out this guide to London travel planning for more details on what to see and how to put together the perfect trip!