Pro Tip

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. It has a rich history, culture, and entertainment scene that draws visitors from all over the globe. If you're planning a trip to London and looking for a hotel in central London, there are several things to consider before making your reservation. DO make your reservations immediately after getting your plane tickets.  Hotels often get more expensive the closer you are the travel.  In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to finding the perfect hotel for your London stay.

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Determine Your Budget

The first thing you need to consider when looking for a hotel in central London is your budget. London is an expensive city, and hotels in central London can be especially pricey.  There are popular budget hotels all over London like Premier Inn and Travelodge  that fill up quickly. Determine how much you can afford to spend per night, and stick to your budget when searching for a hotel. Keep in mind that the closer you get to the city center, the more expensive the hotels will be. Kind of a middle range hotel most of the year will be around $200/night for 2 people.  You can go up or down from there.  But, London is not a $100/night hotel city unless you are pretty much willing to sleep in a hostel. 

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Choose Your Location 

London is a large city, and there are many different areas to choose from when looking for a hotel. If you want to be in the heart of the city, consider staying in areas like Covent Garden, Soho, or Mayfair. These areas are known for their lively atmosphere, proximity to popular tourist attractions, and abundance of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. If you're looking for something a bit quieter, consider staying in areas like Bloomsbury or Marylebone, which are still centrally located but have a more residential feel. My favorite neighborhood is Bayswater which is very close to both Paddington Station and Notting Hill. It's easy access to all the attractions, yet, has a quieter neighborhood feel.  

 

If you can't find anything in the central area, go a little farther out but pay attention to what the hotel says is the closest bus stop or tube station.  Go a little farther north, west or even south of the river a bit.  I personally don't find the area just northeast (Tower Hamlets) of the Tower Bridge to be comfortably safe. Many will say it's fine, though. You can go a little farther east to Canary Wharf and find good accommodation. Don't be tempted by the cheap prices at Heathrow hotels.  Commuting into London every day will be unpleasant and time consuming.  

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Look for Amenities

Once you've determined your budget and chosen your location, it's time to start looking for hotels that meet your needs. Consider what amenities are important to you. Do you want breakfast to be included?  Do you want a hotel with a restaurant or bar? Do you need a hotel with free Wi-Fi? Do you want Air Conditioning (you do)?  Does it have an elevator (lift)? Are all the rooms ensuite (common, but not always the case for lower end old hotels)? Bed size?  Note that UK bed sizes are different than US bed sizes.  Pay attention or you might end up in an uncomfortably small bed.  Make a list of your must-haves and look for hotels that offer those amenities. 

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Read Reviews

Before making a reservation, it's important to read reviews from previous guests. Websites like TripAdvisor and Google Maps are great resources for finding reviews from real people who have stayed at the hotel. Pay attention to the overall rating, as well as the comments from previous guests. Look for patterns in the reviews - if multiple guests mention the same issue, it's likely that it's a real problem.  Use key word searches like "Bed Size", "Room Size" or "Air Conditioning".  Look at what the lowest rated reviews say and look at the newest reviews.  Thin walls and creaky floors are a problem in some older hotels.  Look for any reviews mentioning those issues.  I always say that "English Charm" can sometimes mean "Rundown" or "Creaky".  There are so many converted Georgian and Victorian houses and they are charming.  But, you want ones that have pretty much been gutted and rebuilt on the inside.  Take a look at guest photos to see the truth.  Hotel marketing photos are always going to show you the room on its best day.  

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Book Your Hotel

Once you've found a hotel that meets your budget, location, and amenity needs, and has good reviews, it's time to book your stay. You can book directly with the hotel or use a booking website like Hotels.com or TripAdvisor to compare prices and find the best deal. Make sure to read the cancellation policy before booking, in case you need to make changes to your reservation later.

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Short term flat rentals are common in London.  I exclusively recommend Plum Guide for them over other sites. Plum Guide has curated the best places and offers you information and support not found other places.  If you book with Plum Guide, will you please do me a favor when you book and click the "I have a partner code" and if it doesn't automatically populate, please add the code MCT-KG.  I have stayed in Plum Guide properties before and they really offer some great ones - they vet each property and take very few that apply. They are my go-to vacation rental. Note that their prices are all inclusive- there are no additional cleaning fees on top of what they charge.  

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Finding a hotel in central London can be overwhelming, but by following these steps, you'll be able to find the perfect hotel for your stay. Remember to determine your budget, choose your location, look for amenities, read reviews, and book your hotel. With a little research, you'll be able to enjoy all that London has to offer from the comfort of your centrally located hotel.

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If you want help, I offer a hotel booking service where we find a hotel that suits your needs and I book it for you.  It doesn't include an itinerary but it's a free stand-alone service I offer.  Contact me if you want me to sort out a hotel for you!