The Best Places to Stay in London: Accommodation Choices for Every Budget
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With so many options, choosing the perfect place to stay in London can be tough.
Before booking accommodations, I always try to read reviews from real travelers before making my choice. This is especially true in a city with so many options! Before booking my London hostel for my New Year’s Eve trip to the city, I probably combed through hundreds of reviews before making my decision!
To help you decide where to stay in London, I’ve reached out to some of my fellow bloggers to compile this list of the best places to stay in London, England. Here, you’ll find reviews on everything from some of London’s best budget-friendly hostels, affordable and comfortable hotels, and some of the most luxurious accommodations that London has to offer. There’s a place to stay on this list for everyone!
The best part? All of the reviews on this list are from real travelers who have stayed at these accommodations!
Planning a trip to London? Keep reading for a list of reviews on some of the best places to stay in London for every budget, from backpacker to luxury!
NOTE: Prices are listed in both pounds and US dollars. Prices are courtesy of TripAdvisor and are for a standard room/dorm. Room rates and currency conversions are accurate at the time of publishing (last updated July 17, 2021).
This post was first published in August 2019 and was last updated in July 2021 for accuracy.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Best Hostels in London – Best Places to Stay in London
Safestay Holland Park – Best Hostel in London
Location: Holland Walk Kensington, London W8 7QU, England // Map
Dorms from £10 ($14 USD) // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
If you’re a solo traveler looking for a perfect hostel in London or a group looking for an affordable place to stay, look no further than Safestay Holland Park. Located in an old castle right in the middle of London’s beautiful Holland Park in Kensington, Safestay Holland Park is one of the best places to stay in London on a budget. Dorm prices start around just $14 USD (£10) a night.
Safestay Holland Park offers dorms with as many as 21 beds and as few as 4 beds, some with ensuite bathrooms and some with shared ones. Private rooms are also available. Each dorm includes lockers, comfortable beds with personal outlets, reading lights, and privacy curtains, and free WiFi. There is a café on-site (food and non-alcoholic drinks are served), as well as social spaces, laundry facilities, and luggage storage. Though the hostel bar does not serve alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own drinks to enjoy.
The hostel is located in Holland Park and is just steps away from the Design Museum and Kensington High Street. There are tons of great restaurants and shops within walking distance, and you’ll be able to easily access all the attractions on your London bucket list. Hyde Park and Kensington Palace are nearby, and you’re just a few minutes walk away from both the High Street Kensington and Holland Park tube stations, perfect for exploring elsewhere in London.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm at Safestay Holland Park
RELATED POST: Incredible Hostels in Europe – Recommended by Travelers!
Clink78 Hostel – London
Contributed by Dagney of Cultura Obscura
Location: 78 King’s Cross Road, Loncon WC1X 9QG, England // Map
Dorms from £21 ($29 USD) // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Clink78 Hostel is one of my favorite hostels in London (and I’ve stayed in a few).
For starters, it is conveniently located just down the road from King’s Cross Station. But the vibe of the hostel is also fantastic. The building it is housed in was once the courthouse where the band The Clash were tried after shooting racing pigeons with air rifles.
These aspects of the building’s history are important to Clink78 Hostel. Not only can guests opt to stay in former prison cells, but they can potentially stay for free if they are willing to play a gig on site. You do need to apply ahead of time, though. Their bar, aptly named ClashBAR, is a great place to meet fellow travelers and discover new music.
Despite being a bit of a party hostel (and thus the perfect place to start a London pub crawl), I always find the atmosphere and the people very chilled out. Make sure to opt into breakfast as their buffet breakfast is immense!
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm at Clink78 Hostel
William Goodenough Residences at Goodenough College
Contributed by Nabiha of Verses by a Voyager
Location: Mecklenburgh Square, Camden, London WC1N 2AB, England // Map
Rooms from £88 ($121 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
The William Goodenough Residences is a great accommodation choice for students and teachers in the capital city of the UK. It is one of the lavish student accommodation located in central London. Set in the townhouses of Georgian architecture, Goodenough Residences provides excellent facilities for the guests.
Primarily built for the students and the teachers at the college, Goodenough House also accommodates outside guests. The main benefit of this accommodation is the guests can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere set by the residences and can enjoy the collegiate atmosphere in the form of various sporting events, lectures, and musical concerts. The accommodation has some beautiful courtyards and gardens to enjoy. There is a great hall which features concerts and various lectures that everyone staying in the residences can enjoy.
The amenities provided are excellent. Every single room gets its own separate bathroom with a shared kitchen and all basic facilities in the room. Free Wi-Fi is available across the entire accommodation. There are some major London attractions which are within walking distance from the accommodation including the British Museum, Trafalgar Square, British Library, and King’s Cross St Pancras railway station. The nearest tube station is just 600 meters away from the accommodation, making it an idle choice for those surviving on public transport in the city. The single rooms usually cost around 90 USD for a night, making the Goodenough Residences a perfect choice for a budget-friendly stay in London.
Book a room at the William Goodenough Residences
The Best Hotels in London – Budget to Luxury
hub by Premier Inn – London Tower Bridge
Contributed by Andrea of One Savvy Wanderer
Location: 28 Great Tower Street, London EC3R 5AT, England // Map
Rooms from £45 ($62 USD) // Book a room on Trivago
Premier Inn is a chain of budget accommodations that can be found throughout London. Their micro-hotel brand, hub, offers modern accommodations at micro-pricing. While the rooms are small in size, they are designed to make use of the space in a very functional way. A hub by Premier Inn can be found in central London locations throughout the city, one of them being their Tower Bridge location.
The hub by Premier Inn Tower Bridge is located right by one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, the Tower of London. This prime location is perfect for taking a walking tour along the South Bank from Westminster to Tower Bridge. The hotel is also within walking distance of the Bermondsey Beer Mile, the Shard, Borough Market and several tube stations. Brew Dog Brewery has a restaurant across the street, which is a great option to grab a pint or a quick meal. The Coppa Club and their famous riverfront igloos is also around the corner, but be sure to make a reservation in advance for dining in one of the igloos!
Rooms at the hub by Premier Inn can be booked for as little as 51 pounds which is a very budget-friendly price especially considering the location, the modern decor and range of amenities offered at their locations. This hotel is perfect for solo travelers or couples looking for contemporary rooms and don’t plan to spend a ton of time in their room and therefore won’t mind the smaller size.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at hub by Premier Inn Tower Bridge
Travelodge London Central Marylebone
Contributed by Bernie of A Packed Life
Location: 3 Harewood Row, Marylebone, London NW1 6SE, England // Map
Rooms from £52 ($72 USD) // Book a room on Agoda
Located a short trundle from Marylebone mainline station and tube, this Travelodge is a calm spot in the hustle and bustle of central London. Suitable for couples, friends or singles, its rooms can be had for a bargain £52 per night if booked a couple of months in advance. If you’re booking from the UK, don’t forget to use a cashback site to get an additional discount.
In a Travelodge you get good quality accommodation without frills, including a comfortable king size bed, tea and coffee making facilities, and a shower room. Last trip we opted for a new SuperRoom and got extra perks like a coffee machine.
This Travelodge is brilliantly situated. There’s a supermarket around the corner, and all kinds of shopping needs can be met at Marylebone station. You’re not short of nearby places to eat. Madame Tussauds is just around the corner, and you can walk to Marylebone High Street and Regents Park with ease.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at the Travelodge Central Marylebone
Tavistock Hotel
Contributed by Lesley of Freedom 56 Travel
Location: 48-55 Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1H 9EU, England // Map
Rooms from £92 ($128 USD) // Book a room on Trivago
The Tavistock Hotel in London is the perfect hotel for budget travelers looking for a simple hotel that is close to many of London’s best attractions.
Situated in Russell Square, Bloomsbury, the Tavistock Hotel is amazingly affordable for a central London hotel, with rooms starting around £92. Breakfast is included consisting of a full English breakfast served in a very busy yet efficient dining room.
The rooms at the Tavistock Hotel are small and basic, with simple wooden furnishings. Everything is sparkling clean, the beds are comfortable, and some rooms have beautiful views of the garden across the street. All rooms come with WiFi and are air conditioned. The Tavistock is directly across from Tavistock Square Gardens, a lovely little green space perfect for sitting with a cup of tea and a book.
Nearby attractions within walking distance include the Russell Square tube station (five minute walk, perfect for pulling your wheeled backpack), the British Museum, and the Charles Dickens Museum. There are many excellent restaurants close by as well as coffee shops and cute boutiques. The great theatres in the West End are an easy 30 minute walk from the hotel through London’s winding streets.
Read Reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at the Tavistock Hotel
Motel One London Tower Hill
Contributed by Helen of Destination>Differentville
Location: 24-26 Minories, London EC3N 1BJ, England // Map
Rooms from £99 ($136 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
A clean, modern hotel in London for under £100 a night – and where you can’t touch both walls at once as you lie in bed – is pretty rare, but the Motel One London in Tower Hill ticks all the boxes. This hotel is perfect for those who want a modern-looking hotel without paying boutique prices.
Motel One is a German chain that creates what they call “affordable design hotels” – that means rooms with a tasteful black, white, and blue color scheme and clever design that makes the most of the space – the ‘wardrobe’ is a hanging rail hidden behind the bed. Even the bathroom is big!
On weekends, when the area directly around the hotel can be a bit quiet, the hotel bar with its comfy chairs (and fire in winter) comes in handy. Don’t panic though, you’re only a 20-minute walk from Brick Lane (and the amazing curry restaurants that line it – Aladin is my favorite) and from trendy Shoreditch, home to some of the weirdest things to do in London. Obviously, it’s also right by the Tower of London, but some lesser-known attractions nearby include Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film) and St Dunstan’s in the East – a church over run by nature that’s one of the best hidden sights in London.
The £99 rooms do get booked out quite quickly, so try and book as far in advance as possible – it’s also normally cheapest on weekends.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at Motel One London Tower Hill
Premier Inn Waterloo and Premier Inn Southwark Bankside
Contributed by Helen of Helen on her Holidays
Premier Inn Waterloo Location: 85 York Road, Waterloo, London SE1 7NJ, England // Map
Rooms from £49 ($67 USD) // Book a room on Trivago
Premier Inn Southwark Bankside Location: 34 Park Street, Bankside, London SE1 9EF // Map
Rooms from £46 ($63 USD) // Book a room on Trivago
Whenever I go to London, I always check the prices for Premier Inn hotels as they offer such great value for money and many of the London hotels have amazing locations. Two of my favorite Premier Inns are on the South Bank of the Thames. These hotels are perfect for budget travelers who prioritize location over added extras.
Premier Inn Waterloo is just off Westminster Bridge and is about 5 minutes’ walk to both Big Ben and the London Eye. For getting around London you’ve got easy access to the Tube at Westminster and Waterloo. Ask for a room on a high floor; we got an amazing view over the curved roofs of Waterloo station and the glittering Shard beyond.
Another of my favorite London Premier Inns is just a little further east along the Thames. Premier Inn Southwark Bankside is a brilliant choice for a foodie visit to London as you’re just around the corner from Borough Market and the area is packed with pubs and restaurants. You’re also very close to Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and St Paul’s Cathedral – you could easily fill a weekend just with attractions within walking distance of the hotel.
Inside the room, Premier Inns are reliably clean and comfortable. There aren’t any frills, but all the essentials are there. Standard rooms have a double bed, and they also offer family rooms with an extra sofa bed. Both hotels have restaurants, but with so many places to eat on your doorstep, I’m not entirely sure why. I’d recommend these two Premier Inns to any kind of traveler and for any type of visit to London; either one would be a brilliant choice.
Read reviews of Premier Inn Waterloo on TripAdvisor // Book a room on Trivago
Read reviews of Premier Inn Southwark on TripAdvisor // Book a room on Trivago
Park Grand London Kensington
Contributed by Irene of RoadGoat
Location: 33-37 Hogarth Road, Kensington, London SW5 0QQ, England // Map
Rooms from £94 ($130 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
If you’re looking for the best place to stay in London, look no further than Park Grand London Kensington! Located in South Kensington and for as low as $100 a night, you won’t have to choose between convenient location and completely breaking your bank.
With a perfect score of 100 on TripAdvisor for walkers, this is the ideal area for exploring the city. Park Grand London Kensington is located right by Museum Quarter so you can spend a day or two learning all about the city’s history at the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, and more. You can see some famous London landmarks such as Harrods and Buckingham Palace within close proximity. If you want to relax, Hyde Park, Holland Park and Kensington Gardens are all beautiful parks to visit around the neighborhood and retreat from the hustle and bustle.
Last but certainly not least, there are tons of great restaurants within half a mile so you’ll never be at a loss for places to eat. Some favorites include The Wolseley, Oslo Court, and Granger & Co. If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel, they offer breakfast for guests.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at Park Grand London Kensington
Park International Hotel
Contributed by Kimberly of Pannali Travels
Location: 117/129 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4DS, England // Map
Rooms from £87 ($120 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
I stayed at the Park International Hotel in Kensington, London, just a couple minutes walk from the Gloucester Road tube station. It is set in a classic historic building, close to the Natural History Museum. Getting to other areas of the city, such as Westminster and Victoria is a breeze.
The Park International is a mid to upper-range hotel that feels opulent and comfortable. When I booked, it said it was a 4-star hotel. When checking in, they upgraded me to a junior suite, which was definitely a special treat!
The room was large and luxurious, with a sofa, a king sized bed, and a nice writing area. It would be comfortable for a family. The room overlooked a quiet street with windows that opened to let in the fresh evening air. The toiletries were world-class, as was the service. My favorite part of the Park International Hotel was the breakfast buffet, which had all types of classic British breakfast foods, an elegant tea service, and a nice selection of breads and pastries.
In the area of South Kensington, there are a wide range of restaurants, several coffee shops and cafes. Royal Albert Hall is less than a half mile away, as is the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Hyde Park. Overall, this hotel is perfect for the budget-conscious traveler who likes to live the 5-star life of luxury.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at the Park International Hotel
The Caesar Hotel
Contributed by Judi of A Boomer’s Life after 50
Location: 26-33 Queens Gardens Hyde Park, Bayswater, London W2 3BE, England // Map
Rooms from £89 ($122 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
When I was looking for a reasonably-prices hotel in London, I found the Caesar Hotel in Bayswater. It’s a boutique-style hotel located in a residential area near Notting Hill with four tube stations within a 10 minute walk.
The Caesar is ranked as a top spot in London on several major booking sites including Booking.com. It was one of the few hotels I found that had two twin beds in a room. The rooms are small, but sufficient for two and have air-conditioning. For such a perfectly-located London hotel, I would say this is moderately priced. Rooms start around $122 USD and increase during peak travel times. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and you can also add a breakfast package when booking in advance. WiFi is free.
We found great coffee shops a few blocks away in Notting Hill. Not too far is Ottolenghi’s Market, for those who are foodie fans of the Chef Yotem Ottolenghi and his cookbooks. Hyde Park is close by for picnics or strolling among the greenery. There were trendy shops on Oxford Street which is a short walk away.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at the Caesar Hotel
Thistle Piccadilly Hotel
Contributed by Karolina of Lazy Travel Blog
Location: Coventry Street, London W1D 6BZ, England // Map
Rooms from £142 ($195 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
A mid-range boutique hotel located in the heart of London, the Thistle Piccadilly Hotel offers world-class service and amenities at a central location that is close to the sights of London at a good price. After a long trip, a warm welcome from an efficient staff that will get you to your room in no time is always appreciated. It gets better as you step into your cozy, well-decorated room and find out that you will be sleeping on a comfortable bed tonight.
Centrally located, your exploration of London begins at the Thistle Piccadilly Hotel as most of the London attractions are literally at your doorstep. In some rooms, you may even spot Westminster Abbey or Piccadilly Circus from your window. With Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, and Leicester Square just outside the hotel and other sites like Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street just 10 minutes away, you will be able to explore London at a relaxed pace.
With the Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square Tube Stations just 100 meters away, access to other parts of London will be a breeze. Add that the Charing Cross Train Station which is connected to the airport is just an 8-minute walk away, you will have enough time to enjoy the tasty hotel breakfast before you set off.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at Thistle Piccadilly Hotel
K+K Hotel George Kensington
Contributed by Christine of Live Love Run Travel
Location: 1-15 Templeton Place Earl’s Court, Kensington, London SW5 9NB, England // Map
Rooms from £100 ($138 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
K+K Hotel George in London is a boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Kensington. While rooms typically start at around $200 a night, you can find deals for much less. We found a deal when we went at Christmas for $106 a night including breakfast. The rooms are spacious for London and clean. They are up to date and well-decorated.
The hotel also features a bar, bistro, and private garden. The garden was not used so much in the winter months when we visited, but you can eat in the gardens in the summer. The hotel is quiet as it is more popular with couples or people visiting the area on business. The staff is helpful and kind, doing whatever they can to make your stay the best it can be.
The hotel is located within walking distance of Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The best part for us was how close it was to the Earl’s Court tube station. Located less than a 5 minute walk away, this station made it easy to access the rest of London, such as the famous Coppa Club igloos.
While the hotel’s regular prices are a bit higher than other options in London, the hotel offers specials and you can often find deals on other booking sites as well. We loved the hotel for its proximity to the tube station as well as some of London’s top attractions and would highly recommended it for your London vacation.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at K+K Hotel George Kensington
The Ampersand Hotel
Contributed by Chrisoula of Travel Passionate
Location: 10 Harrington Road, London SW7 3ER, England // Map
Rooms from £192 ($264 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
Last time I was in London I was lucky enough to stay in the five-star Ampersand Hotel. This boutique hotel features 111 rooms but the intimate surrounds and impeccable service levels make it feel much smaller.
The stylish Ampersand Hotel is located in the heart of London’s luxurious South Kensington neighborhood which is absolutely ideal for exploring the nearby museums and galleries. South Kensington is home to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the world-famous Royal Albert Hall. Visitors staying at the Ampersand Hotel are also situated right next to the South Kensington Tube Station which allows easy access to the whole city.
The Ampersand Hotel seamlessly blends old Victorian elegance with modern-day luxuries. This can be felt as soon as you walk into the lobby, with the marble floor and sweeping staircase being modernized by feature lighting, color pops and chic plush furnishings. The modernity is also felt in the French-inspired salon-du-thé, The Drawing Room, the fitness room, and the games room.
Each of the bedrooms at The Ampersand Hotel draws inspiration from one of the nearby museums, with the themes of botany, music, ornithology, geometry, and astronomy running through the decor. These themes are subtle and tasteful while still giving you a hint as to the things you can enjoy in the area.
The Ampersand Hotel serves up an excellent selection of breakfast goods each morning, including pastries, cereal, bread, and yogurts as well as cured meat and cheese. This complimentary breakfast is the perfect way to start an activity-filled day in London.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at The Ampersand Hotel
BLOC Hotel London Gatwick – The Best Airport Hotel near LGW
Contributed by Kacie of The Rare Welsh Bit
Location: The Village South Terminal Gatwick Airport, Crawley RH6 0NQ, England // Map
Rooms from £55 ($75 USD) // Book a room on Booking.com
If you’re due to fly from London Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal anytime soon, consider staying overnight at BLOC Hotel London Gatwick. Conveniently located right next to the main Departure Lounge, this stylish hotel is the perfect place to stay ahead of an early morning flight. It literally only takes around ten minutes to walk from the hotel to the Departure Lounge!
With ambient mood lighting, touchscreen controls to adjust temperature, lighting and blinds, super-fast WiFi, sound-proofing, and designer Armani bathrooms, this just might be the most futuristic hotel you’ve ever stayed in! What’s more, the soft-as-a-cloud pocket-sprung mattress will ensure you sleep like a baby.
Although there’s no mini bar in the room, there are complimentary water bottles and tea and coffee-making facilities, while corkscrews are available from reception.
Accommodation stretches from mid-range to luxury. There are eight different room types available, ranging from the Smart Double Room; a tiny cabin measuring less than 10-square meters with no window, to the lavish Runway Suite; a first-class, eighth floor, 32-square meter penthouse with separate lounge and kitchenette. An overnight stay costs from £74 – £211 when you book direct through the BLOC Hotel website in advance, dependent on the dates of your stay and what kind of room you choose to book.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a room at BLOC Hotel London Gatwick
Don’t visit London without travel insurance!
Nobody likes to think about bad things happening on a trip, but anything could happen.
I use and recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance for travelers in London or elsewhere in the world. If anything scary happens while you’re traveling, like getting sick or getting robbed, having travel insurance will protect you and help you get home or get reimbursed for emergency expenses abroad. A small investment in travel insurance could save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in the long run.
Check out World Nomad’s policies before purchasing to see if they’re right for you.
Still looking for the perfect place to stay in London? Check out Booking.com to search for more hotels and hostels or click here to find the perfect London vacation rental!
As you can see, London is full of great places to stay at every price point. If you’re planning a trip to London, make sure to consider one of these great accommodations. They’re definitely some of the best places to stay in London! To make your trip even more great, check out these London tips and recommendations by a local.
Do you know of a great place to stay in London that’s not featured on this list? Comment down below and let me know about it!
Where do you like to stay in London?
Planning a trip to London? Read these posts next:
- The Ultimate London Bucket List
- Safestay Holland Park: The Best Hostel in London?
- 15 Unforgettable Day Trips from London
- Review: Stonehenge & Bath with Golden Tours
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