Hotels in London

Best time to visit London

London has a mild climate overall, so extreme weather is usually rare. Spring lasts from April – June and has longer days with average temperatures of 11 – 15 degrees Celsius. In the summer months from June – August, you can enjoy plenty of greenery, music festivals, events, and outdoor cafés and cinemas. The average temperature is usually around 18 degrees Celsius. During autumn from September – November, the peak tourist season is over, so you can enjoy a less crowded side of London. Christmas lights and decorations are already up by mid-November, so if you visit London in late autumn, you will experience the pre-festive buzz of Londoners getting ready for Christmas and New Year. During winter, the average temperatures stay between 2 – 6 degrees Celsius. Make sure you dress in layers and carry your coats, boots, mufflers and gloves. You will find several cheap deals on accommodation, attractions and restaurants during this time of the year.

Getting around London

London’s dense public transport system includes buses, underground trains, river buses, local trains, and trams. The trademark black taxis can be easily spotted on every busy London street. You also have cycles available for hire. The hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus runs circuit loops covering all major sites and attractions. A 24-hour fare starts at £32.00 GBP.

Best places to stay in London

Are you thinking of fish and chips, or delicious curries, or Sherlock Holmes, or a walk across the London Bridge? Whatever your interests, a trip to UK’s capital promises to enthral you with an abundance of art, architecture, food, fashion, theatre, sports, history, and more. Every London neighbourhood has a unique identity and offers a distinct ambience. Most of the areas listed below are an easy commute within the city and have a wide range of accommodation options.

West End

An expensive central neighbourhood, West End is dominated by high-priced luxury hotels. A large part of the theatre district as well as London’s nightlife is in this area. Stay at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hotel at Piccadilly or The Stafford London hotel near St. James Street. If you don’t mind spending those extra pounds on celebrity-studded, stylish accommodation, stay at the high-end Chiltern Firehouse hotel in Marylebone.

Bloomsbury

Within walking distance of the West End, you have the Bloomsbury area which has several quirky attractions and a bookshop at every corner. Consider staying at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury, a contemporary-styled hotel in a Victorian building or My Bloomsbury, a My hotel property on Bayley Street just minutes away from the British Museum.

County Hall

County Hall is the riverfront area by Westminster Bridge, directly facing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. This is a convenient base for sightseeing but does not have much shopping or nightlife; hence, hotel prices tend to be cheaper on weekends. For upscale river-view accommodation, choose the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. For more mid-range budget accommodation, you have the Premier Inn County Hall hotel or the Marlin Waterloo on Westminster Bridge Road near the London Eye.

Victoria

A major transport hub, Victoria is a central location that boasts of residents like author J K Rowling, tech giant Google, and the Queen’s Buckingham Palace. This area offers a range of accommodation from budget to mid-range to top-of-the-line luxury. On a peak holiday weekend, the entire area can sometimes be sold out. The Hotel 41 on Buckingham Palace Road is an intimate luxury accommodation featuring a striking black and white lobby and matching rooms. To experience an interesting blend of history and luxury, stay at the St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection on Caxton Street.

City of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge

With the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral in the area, this primarily business dominated neighbourhood boasts of swanky riverside bars and restaurants and direct trains to all other London airports except Heathrow. You can look at The LaLit London hotel which offers convenient accommodation within a 5-minute walk from the London Bridge or the Hilton London Tower Bridge hotel which is a short walk from the Tower Bridge. You can also consider modern serviced apartments located next to the Tower Bridge at Cheval Three Quays at the Tower of London on Lower Thames Street.

Kensington

A fairly large neighbourhood, Kensington has several 4-star hotels offered by the international chains. For the leisure traveller, hotels around Gloucester Road and Earls Court are a convenient accommodation option. Enjoy a stylish and comfortable stay at The Kensington hotel at Queen’s Gate or stay at the grand and charming The Bentley Hotel located on a quiet leafy corner of 62nd Street. If you stay at The Pelham hotel, the South Kensington tube station is just across the road.

King’s Cross, St Pancras

The adjacent neighbourhoods of King’s Cross and St. Pancras are connected by direct trains to Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. Here you have several options for cheap and budget hotels. Home to London’s busiest Underground station, this area is well connected to other parts of the city and is an inexpensive base when you explore London. Stay at the St. Pancras Renaissance London located in a revived Gothic train station building or consider Hotel Megaro on Euston Road directly opposite King’s Cross station. You also have the Pullman London St. Pancras hotel right next to the St. Pancras railway station.

Paddington

A value-for-money neighbourhood with a large number of independent budget hotels, Paddington is a good location to explore London. If you are flying in and out of Heathrow Airport, the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect trains operate from this area. Enjoy the excellent location of a boutique hotel like Hotel Indigo London-Paddington near the Paddington station or the La Suite West hotel, next to the Bayswater tube station and a 5-minute walk from Hyde Park.

Cheap hotels in London

Areas such as Paddington, Bayswater and Kensington are host to plenty of cheap and budget hotels including several properties by leading hotel chains such as Premier Inn, Travelodge, Ibis and Comfort Inn. For hostel style accommodation, consider the YHA London Central in Bloomsbury or Safestay Holland Park hostel in Kensington. You also have the Clink78 hostel located in a centuries-old court house at King’s Cross or the Equity Point London very close to Paddington station.

If you are visiting London, be sure to indulge in culinary quests, explore the latest fashion, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Great Britain. Also, marvel at iconic buildings and architecture, get a flavour of world-class music and theatre, and explore internationally acclaimed sports clubs and stadiums. A trip to London means a little bit of everything and something for everyone!

• At the West End, discover the tranquil Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, visit the Hampton Court Palace, take enviable photographs with the celebrity statues at Madam Tussauds, and learn about English history and culture at the British Museum in Bloomsbury.
• Near the riverside area of County Hall, take a ride on the Coca Cola London Eye for fascinating views of London and the Thames river. Bike or walk around the popular landmarks like Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Houses of Parliament.
• When you explore the neighbourhood of Victoria, watch a show at the Victoria Palace Theatre, see the Little Ben (a miniature version of the Big Ben), stroll through St. James’s Park, indulge in retail therapy at the Cardinal Place, and most importantly, spend time at the Buckingham Palace with a guided tour of its state rooms and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
• In the neighbourhood of Kensington, shop at Harrods, visit the Albert Memorial, enjoy a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, explore Portobello Market, go to the Kensington Palace, and discover several free museums such as the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Design Museum.
• At the buzzing hub of King’s Cross, discover the world’s greatest collection of books at the British Library. At St. Pancras, visit the St. Pancras Old Church and Gardens.
• Explore Paddington’s grand station, take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a picnic at Hyde Park, go to Regent’s Canal, and take a canal boat from the picturesque Little Venice to Camden. For culinary delights, enjoy street food on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Merchant Square.
• Whichever area you visit, make time to explore a quaint pub or café, walk through a vintage store, and indulge in an afternoon of tea and scones. Don’t miss out on a taste of authentic English fish and chips, finger-licking good curry, and other tasty fare that London has to offer.