Where to stay in London

The centre of the West End, Soho and Covent Garden is known as ‘Theatreland’ for good reason. It’s also the heart of the LGBTQ scene, has plenty of old-school pubs and a smattering of museums to make this a lively place to base yourself. Accommodation ranges from 18th-century townhouses with traffic-free courtyards to modest-sized hotels.

Once you’re ready to start exploring, you’ll pass by the street performers of Covent Garden, the tantalizing aromas through Chinatown, the zany fashions of Carnaby Street and more. If you’re a first-timer to the capital, this is one of the best areas to stay in London; once you’ve finished exploring the charms of Covent Garden by day, you can go out to play in Soho at night, whether you want to try salsa-dancing, hit up G-A-Y or simply enjoy the atmosphere from a bustling pavement cafe.

One of the cosiest parts of London is Bloomsbury, with its Georgian bourgeois squares giving it an old-fashioned feel. It has long been associated with literary and academic sets, thanks to the British Library, publishing houses and universities situated here. It’s also been the haunt of many literary legends, from Virginia Woolf to T.S Eliot.

Bloomsbury also spans the redeveloped area of King’s Cross; another exciting place to explore. There’s loads of hostels to choose from in Bloomsbury, otherwise you can choose a grander affair in a renovated townhouse. Simply walking around allows you to see an old-fashioned sense of London; but in terms of sights, you’re spoiled for choice, with the Charles Dickens Museum, Foundling Museum and British Museum all vying for your attention.

The East End is as traditional as London gets, with its pie’n’mash shops, cockney locals and punchy diversity. You can make the most of the vibrant food scene (largely Indian) on Brick Lane, or get your art on at nearby Whitechapel Art Gallery. But the East End is turning trendy, and with that comes the hipster hangouts of Shoreditch, Dalston and Hackney.

After a day exploring, flop into bed at a slick modern hotel, friendly hostel or pub-hotel for some much needed rest.Venture even further east to the Olympic Park in Stratford, where the 2012 Olympics were largely held. Covering a wide stretch of ground, it’s a really spacious – and undeservedly quiet – part of London, making it ideal for picnics, chilling out or whizzing down the Arcelormittal Orbit Slide.

Another great area to stay in London for first-timers (or those who want to see all the sights) is the South Bank area, which looks across the River Thames to Westminster, the Strand and Somerset House. Base yourself here at a guesthouse, no-fuss hotel or Georgian townhouse with envious views, then head out for the belt of tourist attractions: the London Eye, National Theatre, Southbank Centre, Oxo Tower…

It’s the best area to stay in London for families, as it’s easy enough to get around by foot and all ages can enjoy the Aquarium, London Dungeon and Imperial War Museum.

Without a doubt, Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most expensive areas to live in London, let alone stay. Pound the pavements along with the other well-heeled locals as you check out the Wellington Arch or go window shopping past some swish stores. It’s easy enough to save some pennies, though, by strolling around the huge Hyde Park with its Serpentine Lake, popular Lido and Diana Memorial Fountain.

You can also head to Portobello Road Market, which is held daily excluding Sundays (antique market also on Saturdays), although you might find it hard not to treat yourself to a souvenir or bite to eat!

North of Oxford Street, Marylebone is another of the wealthier districts of London, although it doesn’t retain the same snobbish air as neighbouring Mayfair does. Still, there are plenty of exclusive shops and hotels to choose from, and the area boasts excellent dining options.

If anything, it has more of a village feel – on a high-end budget, that is. As you stroll the smart streets and picturesque squares, swing by the popular Sherlock Holmes Museum and book in advance to ‘meet’ celebrities at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Round off your day with a bike ride or game of rounders in Regent’s Park and you’ll be ready to hit the hay at a hostel, converted Georgian townhouse hotel or luxury B&B.