Destinations

Where to Stay in London: Our Editors' Favorite Neighborhoods

These are the best areas for your next trip to London, whether your priority is shopping, food, or family time.
City of London with Thames river at sunset
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A London getaway is always exciting—take it from someone who has lived here for a decade—but first, you must decide the best area to stay in London for you. Do you want to be in the center of the capital, close to the action and the best things to do in London, or a little further out in a more peaceful location? Is it important to be close to public transport options, major train stations such as King's Cross, or iconic cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum? Or perhaps you'd rather stay in one of the best neighborhoods in London to get under the skin of life like a local? Thankfully, whatever version of London you're interested in experiencing—foodie London, arty London, cultural London, or iconic London—there'll be world-class hotels to book as your base. But we get it—as one of Europe's biggest and busiest cities, it can be overwhelming when you need to decide where exactly to stay. Below we've listed our favorite areas of London for every type of traveler.

Where to stay in London at a glance

Covent Garden, LondonGetty Images

Best for: culture seekers

Covent Garden

In London's West End, Covent Garden's central square was once a fruit and vegetable market. These days, it's home to shops and restaurants that draw in tourists every day of the week – but that's not the only draw here. This is the heart of theatreland, making it an ideal choice for those hoping to catch a show while in town, as well as where you'll find the Royal Opera House. Once a bit of a culinary wasteland, the food scene here is thriving these days—we especially like The Barbary, with its Mediterranean sharing plates concept, and Toklas, a bakery-meets-restaurant.

Why we like it:

  • There's arguably no better location in London when it comes to getting around on foot
  • Cultural icons such as the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden Market are right outside your hotel
  • You're close to London's best theaters
  • There's a buzz in this pretty neighborhood every day of the week

Where to stay

Getting around

The best tube stations are Covent Garden and Leicester Square.

Mayfair, LondonGetty Images

Best for: shoppers

Mayfair

Many come to London just to shop—if that's you, Mayfair is your best bet for a base. In this affluent neighborhood right in the centre of London, you're within walking distance of Bond Street, where you'll find all the big-name designers, as well as close to Regent Street and Oxford Street for a more casual shopping experience. Mayfair is home to some of London's best hotels, and, in recent years, restaurants too—book tables at Michelin-starred HUMO, Japanese spot KOYN or the arty Mount St. Restaurant to sample the best of it.

Why we like it:

  • Some of London's iconic places to stay are in this neighborhood
  • Pretty architecture and well-groomed gardens abound
  • You're right in the centre of central London, so getting around is a breeze
  • Mayfair's restaurant scene is on a roll
  • You're within walking distance of some of our favourite London areas such as Soho

Where to stay

Getting around

The best tube stations in Mayfair are Green Park and Bond Street.

Shoreditch, LondonGetty Images

Best for: foodies

Shoreditch

If you had to ask us which neighborhood in London had the best food and drink scene, it'd be a tough decision between Soho, in central London, and Shoreditch, out east. In this neighborhood, you'll find some of London's very best restaurants, such as Brat, The Clove Club, and Lyle's. We'd choose Shoreditch as a base not only because of its thriving restaurant scene but also because of the excellent hotel options and the cool, artsy vibe that the neighborhood has managed to retain despite years of gentrification.

Why we like it:

  • Being based in East London opens up some of London's best neighborhoods such as Hackney Wick, Dalston, and more
  • You'll find some of London's best restaurants and bars here
  • While no longer an edgy part of the capital, Shoreditch has a younger, cooler atmosphere – with street art, great bars and galleries – than many other top areas to stay in London

Where to stay

Getting around

The best tube stations in Mayfair are Green Park and Bond Street.

Hyde Park, LondonGetty Images

Best for: families

Hyde Park

If you're visiting with the whole family—whether you've got little kids or teenagers to entertain—access to London's (many) parks is vital. Hyde Park, one of London's royal parks, is right in the centre of London in Zone 1, set between well-heeled Knightsbridge and Green Park. Here, you're close to some of London's most iconic sites, like Buckingham Palace, as well as within touching distance of neighborhoods such as Mayfair, Belgravia, and Kensington. Plus, of course, you have the park itself to run riot in.

Why we like it:

  • Access to acres of green space, playgrounds and more within Hyde Park
  • Close to central London for sight-seeing
  • Great for families staying during events such as Winter Wonderland

Where to stay

Getting around

The closest tube station to Hyde Park is Hyde Park Corner, on the Piccadilly line.

A version of this story originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller.