Choosing places to stay in London really should depend on a few things…
Budget, length of stay, and what sort of accommodation you’re after.
For something social and a little cheaper on the finances, you can stay in youth hostels for around £25 or so a night.
If it’s something more homely you’re after, you can rent a room/flat with Airbnb.
Or you have a big choice of London’s luxury hotels to choose from.
I tend to select my accommodation based on the occasion.
If I have friends over for a boozy weekend, we’ll usually book a hostel just to save cost, but for other occasions it’s usually just a simple 3 or 4 star hotel.
Though one thing for sure is that location takes priority.
Which is the best location to stay in London?
For tourists, your best bet will be the West End (WC postcode), as it’s where the majority of the city’s star attractions are. It’s also where you’ll find a good chunk of London’s nightlife.
Though staying anywhere reasonably central is ideal. All of the following postcodes are good locations – EC, WC, E1, N1, W1, SE1.
Low-budget Places to Stay in London
Wombat’s Hostel, Shoreditch E1 8LL ★★
Probably not the most cockney-sounding place, but Wombat’s is considered one of the top hostels in London. The dorms hold the standard bunks, but each includes a light, and a USB port. The rooms are very clean and also include the luxury of an en-suite toilet and shower (any hostel dweller knows this is a big deal!). The rooms also include lockers, which you can open using the same card key to access the dorm – so no need to bring a padlock. The hostel has an awesome downstairs bar, and a breakfast area where you can enjoy an all-you-can eat brekkie for around £5. It has a good city location, being only a 10-15 min walk from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. It’s also a short walk from trendy Shoreditch. Free WIFI, city map, and even a free welcome drink when you arrive! (Price: $35+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hostel World | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
8 mins walk – from Aldgate East tube station (District/Hammersmith & City line)
Your Google Map route
10 mins walk – from Tower Hill tube station (District/Circle line)
Your Google Map route
Palmers Lodge, Swiss Cottage NW3 5LB ★★
Though maybe not as wild as your typical London hostel, Palmers Lodge has a touch of class over its competitors! The accommodation is based in a grand old Victorian building, with a beautiful wooden interior and cosy feel to it. The staff are very friendly, and on standby 24 hours for any help or assistance you may need. The hostel rooms are super-clean, and the beds even include a curtain for added privacy! Once settled in, you can head to London’s top attractions, which are a short distance from nearby Swiss Cottage tube station. Or, you can head downstairs and enjoy a pint in the hostel bar! The place offers free WIFI, and room lockers. There’s also breakfast available for £6. (Price: $25+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hostel World | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
6 mins walk – from Swiss Cottage tube station (Jubilee line)
Your Google Map route
St Christopher’s Inn Village, London Bridge SE1 1HR ★
Rated as one of the world’s top party hostels, if you’re young and full of fun, this will be your place to stay! You’ll get to mingle with fellow travellers, and enjoy the hostel’s drink deals and regular on-site activities, including beer pong and live music. If you’d rather something a little more chilled, the hostel has a TV lounge, and rooftop terrace to relax on. It’s also the UK’s first hostel to include capsule-beds, so if you choose, you can book your own private pod (check availability). The hostel location’s pretty good too, only being a stone’s throw from Borough Market and the Shard, and a short tube journey from the London Eye. The hostel offers a free city walking tour and a 25% food and drink discount at its party bar Belushi’s. Free WIFI, lockers and city map available. (Price: $27+ a night).
Recommended: Bring your own padlock and towels.
Compare prices at: Hostel World | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
3 mins walk – from London Bridge tube station (Jubilee/Northern line)
Your Google Map route
London’s hostels make super-fun and cost-effective places to stay in the capital.
You can check out more of London hostels by clicking here.
Mid-Range Places to Stay in London
Club Quarters, Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3JW ★★★★
As far as value for money in London, this hotel is pretty hard to beat! It’s positioned in a great spot, only within a short walking distance of hotspots like Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus, with Holborn tube station just round the corner. A standard Queen room includes WIFI, a flat screen TV, Netflix, a coffee maker, and if you’re a lucky, a nice view over Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The staff are known to go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable, and are known, if requested, to bring gym equipment to your room from the hotel’s on-site gymnasium. The hotel has a high number of repeat guests, so you can be sure it’s a good choice! (Price: $115+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hotels Combined | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
3 mins walk – from Holborn tube station (Central/Piccadilly line)
Your Google Map route
Ibis London City, Shoreditch E1 6BF ★★★
‘Snazzy’ and ‘modern’ are probably the best words to describe this trendy hotel. The rooms are typically decorated in bold colours and cool patterns, with a ‘pop-art’ vibe to them. But aside from its quirky interior, the hotel’s also praised for its great location. It’s situated in one of London’s hippest areas, filled with artists, creatives and rich cultural appeal. Shoreditch High Street, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London are all within walking distance. The hotel includes a restaurant and a bar, and serves a breakfast at around £10. Free WIFI available. (Price: $116+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hotels Combined | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
1 min walk – from Aldgate East tube station (District/Hammersmith & City line)
Your Google Map route
Ruby Lucy Hotel, Waterloo SE1 7AB ★★★
If you enjoy glamour and rock-star vibes, then the Ruby Lucy could be the hotel for you! The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with glitzy Hollywood-style mirror lighting. They’re also modern, with built-in glass-walled showers (but include a curtain if you’re worried about privacy!). In your booking you’ll also get your standard double bed, flat-screen TV, WIFI, hairdryer, and a safe for security. The hotel bar is open 24 hours, and is as quirky as they come with colourful vibrant decor. The location is a HUGE bonus, being only walking distance from Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. The rooms unfortunately don’t include tea and coffee, but overall it’s a good choice for an overnight stay in London! (Price: $122+ a night).
Compare prices at: Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
4 mins walk – from Waterloo tube station (Bakerloo/Jubilee/Northern/Waterloo & City line)
Your Google Map route
Luxury Places to Stay in London
Montcalm Royal London House, City EC2A 1DX ★★★★★
Top of the range luxury doesn’t come at a much better value than this place! With a Double Deluxe room you will get a Queen bed, a 55-inch Plasma TV, 24-hour room service, climate-controlled air conditioning, and even a pillow menu all included. The hotel is widely praised for its kind and hospitable staff, who will go out of their way to ensure you have the most comfortable stay. The hotel facilities include a rooftop bar, 2 restaurants, a spa, and swimming pool. All this in one of London’s trendiest areas! Close to the bars and cafes of Shoreditch, and a short walk from Liverpool Street station. The hotel offers breakfast, but there is a $31 charge! (Price: $166+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hotels Combined | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
6 mins walk – from Moorgate tube station (Circle/Hammersmith & City/Northern/Metropolitan line)
Your Google Map route
Rubens at the Palace, Westminster SW1W 0PS ★★★★★
Fancy mixing with the royals? Well, close enough, as you’ll be staying just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace! This classy hotel has the benefit of being a short walk from the royal residence, royal parks and Westminster Abbey, making it a great starting point for a day’s exploring. The hotel itself is grand and plush, with stunning rooms that include premium bedding, WIFI, 24-hour room service, a safe, and climate-controlled air-con. The one thing you’ll notice is that everything here is high quality, whether it’s the customer service, the furniture or the food in the restaurant. Definitely one to consider! (Price: $267+ a night).
Compare prices at: Hotels Combined | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
4 mins walk – from Victoria tube station (Circle/District/Victoria line)
Your Google Map route
The Trafalgar St James, Trafalgar Square SW1A 2TS ★★★★★
I know I always go on about location, but for me it’s one of the most important aspects in choosing a hotel, and this place has arguably the best location in London! The hotel is smack-bang in the middle of Trafalgar Square, meaning you’re already right in the heart of London’s excitement. It’s also within close walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Soho and Buckingham Palace. The hotel rooms are immaculate, and include WIFI, a king-size bed, safe, an espresso maker and room service. The staff are exceptionally helpful, and always on hand for any enquiries you may have. And if you haven’t heard enough, you can enjoy a drink and an amazing view over the square from the hotel’s rooftop bar (open Fri-Sat only)!. (Price: $283+ a night).
Learn more and compare at: Hotels Combined | Agoda | Booking.com
How to get there
1 min walk – from Charing Cross tube station (Bakerloo/Northern line)
Your Google Map route
Airbnb accommodation
Travelling doesn’t have to mean splashing the cash to have a good time. Even when staying overnight in London.
Airbnb has become an increasingly popular choice for travellers looking to save money and avoid the costs of London hotels.
The city has some stunning properties that can be rented out at reasonable prices. You can check them out by clicking here.
Wrapping things up…
That brings us to the end of my selection of best hotels and hostels in London. I hope you’ve found it helpful, and if so, don’t forget to share! 👍
But before you go, here are some other articles you may find helpful!
• London in 2 days: How to Conquer it Like a Boss
• 4 days in London: The Great Itinerary Guide
• Fun Activities in London: A Complete Guide
David is a travel enthusiast from the UK, and is the founder of City Anytime. Since a young age he’s held a lifelong love for travel and exploration, with experiences in the US and Central America, Europe, South-East Asia and Australia. Visiting the world’s cities has given him the passion to provide fellow travellers the necessary info they require to ensure they get the most out of their trips, and make every city travel experience a memorable one.
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