The Best Area to Stay in London for First Time Visitors
London is huge, and tourist sights are spread all over. Choosing a place to stay can be overwhelming when you’re trying to find the best area to stay in London your first time. This guide narrows down where you want to stay to be close to everything.
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 know how much where you stay can impact your trip and put together this guide to help you make the most of your time in London.
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My Top London Hotel Recommendations
Quick quide to the best places to stay in London on your first visit. Each of these options will keep you in the heart of the city.
➡️ Luxury: One Aldwych, in Covent Garden’s theatre district
➡️ Mid-Range: Radisson Blu Hotel Mercer Street, in the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden
➡️ Budget: Z Hotel Covent Garden, located just behind the Covent Garden Piazza
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.
The 5 Best Areas to Stay in London for First Time Visitors
Central is great, but which area would suit you best? These five London neighborhoods are the best choices, whether you want to prioritize being close to major sights or make your airport transfers extra speedy.
1. Overall Best for First-Timers: Covent Garden
Covent Garden is the most central area of London’s tourist attractions. This is also the heart of the West End theatre district and a very bustling area. You can easily walk to many attractions from here and really feel immersed in the city.
Keep in mind that visitors who love quiet vacations don’t always love Covent Garden. This area gets crowded in the afternoons and the nearby theatres and nightlife mean that noise can be an issue if you don’t check hotel reviews carefully.
If you are flying into Heathrow, getting to Covent Garden is easy by taking the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road Station. That station is located just north of Covent Garden and a short walk from many hotels.
Where to Stay in Covent Garden
The Radisson Blu Hotel Mercer Street is right in the heart of Seven Dials, just around the corner from Neals Yard (pictured above).
2. Best Quiet London Neighborhood: Mayfair
If you worry that Covent Garden sounds too hectic for your holiday, consider Mayfair instead. This posh neighborhood is still very central, but removed enough from the city hustle to feel more relaxed.
While it is a posh area, hotels in Mayfair aren’t always the most expensive. It is possible to find good rates (for London) here with a little searching.
Where to Stay in Mayfair
The May Fair may not have the most unique name, but it does provide a luxurious place to stay that is still reasonably priced for this posh area.
3. Best London Views: South Bank
South Bank is my hidden gem location in London for first time visitors. It is just across the river from major London sights, but is often a less expensive option than areas north of the Thames.
A big perk of going south of the river is gaining gorgeous views across the river to those major London sights. If you want a hotel room with views of London icons like Big Ben, then South Bank is a perfect location.
The reason that South Bank is often less expensive than north of the river is because it is not as well connected to the London Underground. Most people who stay here walk across one of the bridges to Westminster or Embankment station for most Tube trips to London attractions.
Travel Tip: Waterloo train station is in South Bank, which does have Tube service that crosses the river, though you may need to change lines on your journey.
If you don’t mind a few more steps in your day, then South Bank lets you start and end your days with unforgettable London views river scenery.
Where to Stay in South Bank
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is just across the river from Parliament and has several rooms offering once in a lifetime views. In spite of that, their rates are routinely lower than hotels just across the Thames.
4. Best for London Icons: Westminster
If your first visit to London is all about seeing those “only in London” spots, then Westminster could be a great option. Buckingham Palace is right here, along with Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, and the iconic Big Ben.
Where to Stay in Westminster
Sanctuary House Hotel is located just a few minutes walk from both Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. You couldn’t pick a better spot to see London landmarks with minimal effort.
5. Best for Easy Transportation: Paddington
If you fly into Heathrow, the quickest route into London is either the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line. Both of these will drop you at Paddington Station within half an hour.
Staying here is a good bet if you want to limit your luggage hauling as much as possible. You’ll get into London fast and only need to navigate the streets between Paddington and your hotel.
The area around Paddington Station itself isn’t much of a tourist draw, but it’s well connected to several London Underground lines. This means you can get to all of London’s best tourist areas without fuss.
Where to Stay in Paddington
The Grand Hotel Bellevue London is a short walk from Paddington station, making it easy to drop your bags and get exploring quickly! Breakfast is included in the room rate so you can start each day energized.
London for Adventurous First Time Visitors
These neighborhoods are slightly less convenient, but also offer a slightly more local feel or get you close to specific sights you might have on your bucket list. They are still central enough to make getting around straightforward.
Confident travelers who don’t want to spend their first trip to London in the major tourist areas will love these choices.
Locals Love Marylebone
Marylebone 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.
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.
Travel Tip: There are no central Tube stops in Marylebone. You may have to trade more walking and a slightly longer commute to tourist sights for the charm of this neighborhood.
Where to Stay in Marylebone
The Churchill is a Hyatt Regency property offering a luxury London stay overlooking Portman Square Garden. The peaceful location is still only a 5 minute walk from Marble Arch Tube station.
History Lovers Head to 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 it also looks the part of a modern city. Roman ruins and Victorian architecture shoulder in with towering skyscrapers.
Some of the best London walking tours focus on this area thanks to its incredible history.
Travel Tip: The City of London is the financial district, and much of it runs on commuter time. It is normal for coffee shops and some stores here to only open Monday-Friday.
Where to Stay in City of London
Club Quarters Hotel London City caters to business travelers, but is also just over the road from Leadenhall Market and in the heart of the oldest part of London. Some rooms include a kitchenette to save costs on dining.
Museum Lovers Love 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, the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
You can also take a stroll to Hyde Park, shop til you drop at Harrods, or take in world-class entertainment at Royal Albert Hall.
Where to Stay in South Kensington
Try the glamorous Rembrandt for stylish rooms and a gorgeous hotel bar just across the street from the V&A Museum.
Where to Stay in London for a Romantic First Visit
If your first trip to London is to celebrate something special, this luxury and unique hotel will give you something to remember.
Find Romance at The Rookery
It doesn’t get much more romantic than the boutique rooms at The Rookery.
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, this hotel is an easy transfer from Heathrow on the Elizabeth line.
This is a smaller hotel, so book early if you have your heart set on staying here.
↳ Book your stay at The Rookery
Where to Stay in London on a Budget
It is difficult, but not impossible, to keep costs down in London. Staying central is rarely cheap, but there are a few spots I find consistently offer lower priced stays.
Stay in Covent Garden on a Budget
The Z Hotel Covent Garden is a great alternative to hostels for budget-minded travelers. You can find rooms here quite cheap for London, especially if you don’t mind that the cheapest interior rooms don’t have a window.
This hotel keeps you in the middle of everything at a no frills cost. Guests love the simple clean rooms, and you can also get a window room here for a bit more per night.
↳ Book your stay at Z Hotel Covent Garden
Map Guide to Central London
We keep talking about central London, but what does that mean? Let’s map it out.
The purple area outlines the best area to stay in for your first trip to London. Other neighborhoods discussed below are highlighted as well. You can also see popular tourist sights, the location of every hotel I recommend, and major transportation links.
London Hotel Pricing
Most mid-range hotels in Central London will cost £200+ per night. It’s not hard to find hotels running higher than £500 per night.
London is an expensive city. However, it is possible to find budget options, even in central London. The best time of year to save money in London is during the winter months.
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.
FAQs About Where to Stay in London as a First Time Visitor
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. Check out the TFL zone map for a visual of the London zones.
London does not have a downtown, which can be very confusing for first-time visitors. Covent Garden is the most central London neighborhood for first-time visitors that want to be in the middle of the action.
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.
Consider South Bank (near the river) and City of London neighborhoods to occasionally find cheaper options still in central London.
For a first visit, avoid staying near the airports or too far outside central London (Zone 1), as long commutes and transport costs can quickly add up. It’s also wise to avoid booking accommodation without solid reviews, since scams and misleading listings do exist.
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.
More Resources to Plan a Perfect London Trip
Choosing the best place to stay in London is an important part of your trip planning, but you still need to sort out what to see and how to get around the city. These guides will help you finish planning your first visit.
- Buildable London Itinerary: 1-5 Days
- Where to Stay in London With Kids
- Covent Garden Neighborhood Guide
- Top Things To Do in London
- How to Use the London Underground
- Ultimate London Travel Tips Guide
- How Many Days to Spend in London
- The Best Day Trips From London
- One Week in London and Edinburgh
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