Where to stay in London – Close to Famous attractions for First time visitors

London hardly needs an intro but for those who don’t know, London is the capital of England. It’s a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times.

London has some very famous landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower, Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace (where the Queen spends her time) and St Paul’s Cathedral. You can easily spend a week in London and still miss some major sights!

We’ve done our best to provide a list of accommodations close to famous sights around London depending on your budget and your travelling style. The public transport system in London makes most sights withing easy walking distance.

We have also included some popular areas to stay in, there are plenty of hotels to stay in London and what you can see in the area. London is extremely easy to get around in for tourists, the tube is the best way to get around as taxis can be expensive and most expect cash payment and usually over charge.

Below we will cover off best neighborhoods to stay in London, the best cheap hotels in London, famous hotels in London, new London hotels, best hotel location in London and the overall best places to stay in London. 

We have updated this guide so you know where to stay in London 2023. It features the best areas to stay in London for 2023.

Where to Stay near Tower of London, London Bridge & Tower Bridge

Tower of London, London Bridge & Tower Bridge are all in very close proximity of each other and most other attractions are a short walk/tube ride. **Below estimates distance is from the Tower of London**. Wondering where to stay in London for one night – well this is it! It’s close to all the major attractions. Wondering best area to stay in London for couples?

This is the best place to stay for first time visitors to London, it’s right in the middle of most tourist attractions. Wondering where to stay in London for 3 days this would be the best area for you.

Quick Facts on Tower of London 

• • This historic castle is located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.
  •  The Tower houses the crown jewels. The estimated value of the crown jewels is said to be in excess of £20 billion with the Star Of Africa alone estimated at £250 million. 
  • The Tower used to house the Royal Mint where the coins of the realm were created.
  • Anne Boleyn the second wife to Henry VIII was beheaded in 1536 in the Tower of London, a monument was created for her.
  • At all times six ravens must be kept at the Tower of London. Legend says that if anything happens to the ravens the kingdom will fall.

Quick Facts on London Bridge

• • There were over 200 buildings on London Bridge in the Tudor Period. Some were more than six stories high and many overhung the road in the centre of the bridge.
  • Many different types of building were built on the bridge. In the 14th century, there were over 100 shops on the bridge along with a public latrine, making this area where to stay in London for shopping.
    
  • The severed heads of traitors were impaled on spikes on a tower of the southern gatehouse in full-view of everyone who used London Bridge.
  • William the Conqueror rebuilt the wooden bridge, but it was destroyed in 1091 in the ‘London Tornado’. It was also rebuilt and repaired by both William II and King Stephen.
  • Old London Bridge, as it is often referred to, was built upon 19 arches. It had a drawbridge at each end to allow tall ships to pass through it. 

Quick Facts on Tower Bridge

• • Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue in 1977, as a part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.
  • Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones, the City Architect.
  • More than 400 workers helped to build the bridge and over 70000 tons of concrete were was sunk to the bed of the River Thames to support the bridge.
  • Many people think that Tower Bridge is called London Bridge, when in fact they are two different crossings.

Cheapest Hotels near Tower of London, London Bridge & Tower Bridge

Hub by Premier Inn London Tower Bridge (400m away) 

Travelodge London Central Tower Bridge (400m away) 

Mid Range Hotels near Tower of London, London Bridge & Tower Bridge

CitizenM Tower of London Hotel (200m away) 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London -Tower of London (300m away) 

Novotel London Tower Bridge (300m away) 

Tower Hotel (100m away)

Luxury Hotels near Tower of London, London Bridge & Tower Bridge

Grange City Hotel (300m away) 

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square (300m away) 

Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London (800m away) 

Threadneedles, Autograph Collection (900m away) 

Where to stay near St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London.

Quick Facts on St Paul’s Cathedral

• • St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world.
  • One of the most well known features of the cathedral is the Whispering Gallery. A whisper against the wall can be clearly heard at the other side.
  • The cathedral was hit by several German bombs during the Blitz in World War 2. One was removed before it exploded. You can still see small “dents” in the façade from the shrapnel. 
  • In 1981, the wedding of Price Charles and Princess Diana was held at the cathedral. 

Cheapest  Hotels near St Paul’s Cathedral

Premier Inn London Blackfriars (Fleet Street) Hotel (400m away) 

LSE Bankside House (700m away) 

Travelodge London Central Bank (800m away) 

Mid Range Hotels near St Paul’s Cathedral

Club Quarters Hotel St. Paul’s (100m away) 

The Mad Hatter Hotel (800m away) 

Luxury Hotels near St Paul’s Cathedral

Grange St. Paul’s Hotel (100m away)

Crowne Plaza London – The City (400m away) 

Apex Temple Court Hotel (600m away) 

Where to stay near Buckingham Palace – Best place to stay in London for tourists

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality.

This is the best place to stay in London with kids, the central location makes it easier for families to get around. Wondering where to stay in London for 4 days this would be the best area for you.

Quick facts about Buckingham Palace

• • Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain’s monarchs since 1837.
  • The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
  • There are 1,514 doors and 760 windows in the palace. The windows are cleaned every six weeks.
  • ‘The boy Jones’ a teenager, Edward Jones was caught in the palace three times during Queen Victoria reign. He was arrested as deported to Brazil, came back again and broke into the palace again. The government imprisoned him on a ship for six years then sent him to Australia.
  • Over 800 staff members live at the palace.
  • The buildings and grounds suffered nine direct hits during the raids during World War II, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth publicly refused to leave.
  • The palace flies the Union Flag when the Queen is not in, and the Royal Standard when she is in,.

Cheapest Hotels near Buckingham Palace

Victoria Station Hotel (700m away) 

Premier Inn London Victoria Hotel (900m away) 

Mid Range Hotels near Buckingham Palace

The Z Hotel Piccadilly (1.1km away) 

Every hotel Piccadilly (1.2km away) 

Thistle Trafalgar Square, The Royal Trafalgar (1.2km away) 

Luxury Hotels near Buckingham Palace

Hotel 41 (400m away) 

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences (400 away) 

The Rubens at the Palace (400m away) 

Where to stay near Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London eye

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London eye are all in very close proximity of each other and most other attractions are a short walk/tube ride. **Estimates distance is from Big Ben** Wondering where to stay in London for a weekend – well this is it!, it’s also where to stay in London without a car as It’s close to some of the best London Attractions.

Quick Facts on Westminster Abbey

• • The official name for Westminster Abbey is the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster. Around 1560, the abbey was designated with a special “Royal Peculiar” – which is a church responsible directly to the Sovereign.
  • Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church for the British Monarch since 1066. In fact, 39 coronations have taken place at Westminster Abbey with the most recent on 2 June 1953. This coronation was for our current and soon to be the longest-serving monarch – her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Seventeen royal weddings have taken place at Westminster Abbey with the most recent on 29 April 2011. This was the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales now Duke of Cambridge, who married Miss Catherine Middleton now Duchess of Cambridge.
  • Westminster Abbey’s museum holds the wax figures of many previous monarchs, with nearly all of them in traditional costume. They were often used during funerals, either displayed on top of royal tombs or paraded before the casket..

Quick Facts on Big Ben

• • Officially the name “Big Ben” does not refer to the clock tower but rather to the huge thirteen ton Great Bell located at the top of the 320-foot-high tower.
  • The Big Ben bell has the following measurements: 9′-0″ diameter, 7′-6″ high, and weighs 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg)
  • Big Ben chimes every 15 minutes and the sound can be heard for a radius of up to 5 miles.
  • Big Ben is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock.
  • The clock became operational on 7th September 1859.

Quick Facts on the London Eye

• • The London Eye is not a Ferris wheel. It’s the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel
  • On average the London Eye receives more visitors per year than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza
  • The 32 capsules on the London Eye are representative of the 32 London boroughs, and each one weighs as much as 1,052,631 pound coins
  • Capsules travel at a leisurely pace of 26cm per second, which is twice as fast as a tortoise sprinting!
  • The London Eye is currently the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world.
  • More than 5,000 people have gotten engaged on the Eye since it opened, with both sedate proposals and orchestrated flash mobs among the celebrations. (If you want to do the same in a private capsule, it’ll cost you £360—about $559—but champagne is included.) More than 500 weddings have also happened there, with the first one taking place in 2001.

Cheapest Hotels near Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London eye

Premier Inn London County Hall Hotel (500m away) 

Premier Inn London Waterloo (Westminster Bridge) Hotel (600m away) 

Mid Range Hotels near Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London eye

The Sanctuary House Hotel (500m away)

Club Quarters Hotel, Trafalgar Square (700m away) 

Citadines Trafalgar Square London (700m away) 

Luxury Hotels near Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London eye

London Marriott Hotel County Hall (400m away) 

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (500m away) 

Conrad London St. James (600m away) 

The Royal Horseguards (600m away) 

Where to stay near Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London and one of its Royal Parks. The park is the largest of four that form a chain from the entrance of Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. 

This is the best place to stay in London for walking, the central area makes it easier to get around.

Quick Facts on Hyde Park 

• • Hyde Park covers 142 hectares (350 acres)Hyde Park was created in 1536 by Henry VIII for hunting
  • Hyde Park provides a unique habitat in the heart of London for a diverse variety of species of flora and fauna.

Cheapest Hotels near Hyde Park

Griffin House Hotel (1.1km)

Hotel Columbus (1.3km away) 

Mid Range Hotels near Hyde Park

Hyde Park Residence Apartments (500m away)

Hilton London Green Park (1km away) 

Luxury Hotels near Hyde Park

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London (400m away)

Bulgari Hotel, London (500m away)

The Berkeley (500m away)

The Park Tower Knightsbridge, A Luxury Collection Hotel, London (500m away)

**Popular areas to stay in London

Where to stay in Soho – Where to stay in London for nightlife

I personally love Soho I found it really easy to get around London, there are several tube stations around and walking to Trafalgar square, Covent Garden, Buckingham palace or Big Ben was really easy (just make sure to take a map).

Soho comes a live at night with the festive cheer…. It has come great pubs and restaurants. Make sure to check out a show at the West End theatre.

Soho is also known for its risqué vibe, here you will find many of London’s sex shops, burlesque shows and gay and lesbian bars. (I didn’t realise this was the case when I stayed there – didn’t see any sleezyness around).

This is the best place to stay in London for food and entertainment. Below is a list of the best hotels in central London:

Quick Facts on Soho

• • Soho has had a reputation for being a rather saucy area from its inception. The Hellfire Club was set up in 1719 by Philip, Duke of Wharton. It was rumoured to be the place where notable people could enjoy immoral acts
  • The Philip Morris cigarette factory used to be on Great Marlborough Street. This is where Marlboro cigarettes come from.
  • Look out for the noses on Soho walls. This was an artist bemoaning London’s CCTV turning us into a Big Brother state. The noses were originally put up where there were gaps in the TV coverage.

Cheapest Hotels in Soho

Premier Inn London Leicester Square Hotel 

Mid Range Hotels in Soho

The Z Hotel Soho 

The Nadler Soho 

Every hotel Piccadilly 

Luxury Hotels in Soho

W London Leicester Square 

Ham Yard Hotel

The Soho Hotel 

Hazlitt’s

City of London – Where to stay in London on a Budget

The City of London is a city and county within London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the agglomeration has since grown far beyond the City’s borders.

While this area isn’t the cheapest in London, It’s the best place to stay in London on a budget as it has a number of budget accommodations options.

Quick facts on City of London

• • 392,400 people are employed in the City of London
  • In 2012, Heathrow Animal Reception Centre dealt with over 63m individual animals including 200,000 reptiles and 25m fish.

Cheapest Hotels in City of London

EasyHotel Old St / Barbican 

Travelodge London Central City Road

Travelodge London Central Bank 

Mid Range Hotels in City of London

Citadines Barbican London

The Zetter Hotel

Apex London Wall Hotel 

Club Quarters Hotel St. Paul’s 

Luxury Hotels in City of London

The Montcalm at the Brewery London City

The Rookery Hotel

Montcalm Royal London House – City of London

Grange St. Paul’s Hotel

Threadneedles, Autograph Collection 

Where to stay in Westminster – Where to stay in London with family

The City of Westminster is an Inner London borough which also holds city status. It occupies much of the central area of Greater London including most of the West End. 

Westminster is just around the corner from Buckingham Palace and very close to Trafalgar square. Wondering where to stay in London with Kids? It’s the best area to stay in London with family offering a number of cheap hotels in West London.

Quick Facts on Westminster

• • Westminster Bridge is painted green to be in harmony with the seat colour of the House of Commons.
  • College Garden in Westminster was laid out in the 10th Century and is Britain’s oldest Garden. Part of it was originally for growing medicinal herbs.

Cheapest Hotels in Westminster

The Sanctuary House Hotel 

Mid Range Hotels in Westminster

Club Quarters Hotel, Trafalgar Square 

Doubletree by Hilton London – Westminster 

The Grand at Trafalgar Square 

Luxury Hotels in Westminster

Conrad London St. James 

St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection 

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences 

The Royal Horseguards 

Where to stay in Mayfair – Where to stay in London first time

Mayfair is an affluent area in the West End of London towards the east edge of Hyde Park, in the City of Westminster. It’s one of the best location to stay in London.

Quick facts on Mayfair:

• • The Ritz hotel in Piccadilly was built on a site previously occupied by The Old White Horse Cellar, one of the most famous coaching inns in London.
  • The home of the Dukes of Wellington, Apsley House at Hyde Park Corner is known as Number One London because it was the first house encountered after a ride through the fields of Knightsbridge.
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born in a house in Bruton Street and lived in Mayfair during her infancy. Prince Philip had his stag night at The Dorchester.
  • 50 Berkeley Square, which now houses Maggs Bros books, is said to be the most haunted house in London – haunted enough to give any psychic the equivalent of an electric shock, just by touching the external brickwork.
  • Jimmy Hendrix, the Bee Gees and Handel all stayed on Brook Street in Mayfair.

Cheapest Hotels in Mayfair

Travelodge London Central City Road 

Mid Range Hotels in Mayfair

Holiday Inn London Mayfair 

Mermaid Suite Hotel 

The Fox Club 

44 Curzon Street by Mansley 

Luxury Hotels in Mayfair

Le Meridien Piccadilly 

No. 5 Maddox Street 

Brown’s Hotel 

Flemings Mayfair 

The Chesterfield Mayfair 

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