London hotels and neighborhoods for summer travel

March 11, 2025 5:27 AM

I am vacationing in London during the summer and am feeling overwhelmed by all the lodging options! Can you suggest either specific properties or general area where I can focus my search, with my specific parameters? Looking for hotels only, not vacation rentals.

For the first time in over a decade, I am taking a solo vacation and will have about 8 days in London without my delightful wife and kid. I have been to London a number of times and this vacation will, in fact, be my second visit to London in the space of three months. I have great fondness for the place.

Since I have no idea when/whether I ever will be back in London with this amount of freedom, I want to make the most of it. I have not planned my itinerary, but I will be focusing on art museums, music/theatre, shopping, gardens, and eating. I’m less interested in science, history, literature, or general touristy stuff (London Eye, etc.).

I have no issues getting around by Tube, cab, Uber, etc., but want to minimize time in transport (even if it means spending more time walking from place to place). E.g. Kensington/Chelsea seem too afield from where I expect to spend most of my time to make sense for my hotel for this trip.

I’m flexible on cost. I don’t need to be in a big hotel in Picadilly nor am I trying to cosplay that I’m a Londoner and need to be in a quaint independent hotel in a residential neighborhood—either could be fine. Corporate is fine, funky is fine. When I go on business, I stay on Bayswater on Hyde Park, and the last time I was there on vacation, we stayed at the Novotel in Southwark—both were nice, and were in areas where I’m certain to pass through during my trip, but felt more like spokes, rather than the hub of my stay. But I’m having trouble figuring out where my hub should be.

Many thanks in advance!

posted by Admiral Haddock to Travel & Transportation around London, England (13 answers total)

Bloomsbury would be my suggestion.
posted by Rhedyn at 5:54 AM on March 11 [3 favorites]

Draw a rough square boundaried by Southampton Row to the east, Regent Street to the west, Euston Road to the north and the river Thames to the south. Anywhere in that area will have plenty of all you require* in easy walking distance, plus plenty of public transport options when you want to go further afield. Broadly speaking, it covers the postcodes of WC1 and WC2, including the areas of Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury and Soho. You'll find both boutique and chain hotels scattered throughout that whole area, though the location means they'll be a lot more expensive than those further out.

* Gardens would be the weak spot, but you will find lots of tiny parks and pleasant garden squares to explore.
posted by Paul Slade at 6:56 AM on March 11 [2 favorites]

When I was in London a year and a half ago, I stayed in one of the ticky tacky touristy hotels in the blocks just south of Paddington Station. The room was a tiny closet, but I was there on the concept that "you don't spend your time in the room", for me it worked out just fine. The immediate area was souvenir shops and unremarkable restaurants, but with Paddington right there, transit and rail connections were excellent, and on a nice day, a ton of attractions were within a pleasant walk's distance.
posted by gimonca at 6:59 AM on March 11

I go to London around 3 times a year, usually on business.

However, my favourite stay of all was in the Camden Market area. It just felt away from the "business" side of London and a little closer to a quirkier side of the city while still close enough to the "centre". It's incredible how an active canal with boats on it can change the whole vibe of the area!

There is a couple of hotels there, including a Holiday Inn, which (on my stay) was absolutely fine.
posted by jacobean at 7:14 AM on March 11 [3 favorites]

King's Cross isn't the most glamorous part of central London but it's alarmingly well connected and has actually a great bunch of things on your doorstep: Granary Square and all that; quick to get on the canal and walk to either Regents Park or towards the East and Victoria Park; 20 mins to the West End; near to the British Library and British Museum. It's by Bloomsbury but will have more options of an evening than going back to the West End, it's by Camden but you're better connected. The travelodge Kings Cross Royal Scot is great value!
posted by london explorer girl at 9:28 AM on March 11

I had a very good stay at Hazlitt's in 2022. The company has two sister hotels in Clerkenwell and Shoreditch. Not cheap, but very nice.
posted by minervous at 11:02 AM on March 11

Imperial College in Kensington rents rooms out in the summer. Might not be what you’re looking for but it’s located in a great area. We barely spend time in the room so as long as it’s clean and safe, it works for us.
posted by Gusaroo at 11:24 AM on March 11 [1 favorite]

Seconding the Imperial college room idea. I stayed there a couple years ago, and it was clean, perfectly located, well equipped and incredibly cheap. In some cases you get breakfast as well.
posted by Bigbootay. Tay! Tay! Blam! Aargh... at 12:18 PM on March 11

In general, check out availability on university rooms.com for reasonably priced central accommodation in university halls. In your place I'd opt for Bloomsbury or thereabouts - quiet but central.
posted by altolinguistic at 1:27 PM on March 11

You mentioned art museums, theatre and music.

Most of the art museums are around Trafalgar Square; most of the theatre is in the West End between Leicester Square and Covent Garden.

For art, there's also the two Tate galleries on the river and the V&A in South Kensington, as well as smaller galleries. And there are fringe theatres just about everywhere.

For accommodation, I would look in the Covent Garden, Holborn and Bloomsbury areas. Maybe Soho too-- all of life is there if you don't mind noise. There are a bunch of large hotels around Aldwych which may have deals if you book in advance.

If you love gardens, take a day to visit Kew. Don't miss their collection of botanical illustrations.
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:05 PM on March 11

If you are walkers, consider visiting the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park. In the summer they have a special, "starchitect" commissioned pavillion where you can enjoy an alfresco drink, followed by a stroll around the ponds. Bonus: Walk in the direction of Notting Hill Gate, followed by Portobello market for food, antique and clothing stalls. (As anywhere in London, watch your pockets and backpacks!)
posted by Bigbootay. Tay! Tay! Blam! Aargh... at 2:37 PM on March 11

Bloomsbury, Victoria or Paddington will give you centrally located, relatively inexpensive townhouse hotels. The rooms can be small but otherwise they’re great for what you want.
posted by plonkee at 1:42 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Some great advice above! I thought I'd chime in on the want to minimize time in transport part.

As well as the usual, if you cycle then I'd highly recommend getting one of the community e-bike apps (Lime is my preferred one, but there's also Forest, or there are a mix of regular and e-bikes available at the Santander cycle stations!).

Lime bikes are 100% my favourite way of getting about London, especially in the summer. It's always quicker than the tube, it's inexpensive especially if you buy a pack of minutes, and you get the benefit of the exercise AND seeing more of the city. You can (generally) pick up and leave Lime bikes anywhere in the city.
posted by citands at 5:37 AM on March 12