You know me – I love London. The thing about living here for over ten years though is that I experience the city like a local not as a visitor. Despite often viewing the city through a rather rose-tinted lens, I must admit the veneer of my life in London wore off some time ago. So, when folks planning to visit London hit me up for advice and recs, I’m sometimes left wondering what exactly I should suggest. Sure, I’ve got some must-see tips that I reckon everybody ought to consider checking out when they visit, but as dynamic and varied as London is, getting to what to do here really boils down to what interests you most.
Now, with respect to which part of town is best to serve as your base, the easy answer is that it all depends. Are you heading here to work or to play, with the family or on your own, on a budget or with designs to blow one? Still, whatever brings you to London, there’s a strong argument that your best accommodation option is to stay in Soho.
Here’s a list of four reasons to consider London’s centrally situated and social heart of Soho when booking somewhere to lay your head.
Soho Atti-Tube
Think of Soho as a wobbly rectangle with four Tube stations as its four points: Oxford Circus at its north-western corner, Piccadilly Circus in the south-west, Tottenham Court Road to the north-east, and Leicester Square at its south-eastern edge. No matter where else you may want to go in town, getting there from Soho via the London Underground will be a piece of cake. And with the Piccadilly Line passing through at Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square stations, you can even take the Tube to/from the airport if you’re flying in/out of Heathrow.
Centralise
With so many museums and major attractions within easy walking distance, you might not even need to rely on public transport when you’re here. Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the British Museum, the Thames etc etc etc – it’s all just a short stroll away. Soho’s at the very centre of town offering convenient access with urban buzz.
Shop Till You Drop
Oxford Street with its flagship shops and department stores, Carnaby Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, Bond Street … London’s most celebrating shopping destinations are in or very near Soho giving you the chance shop, drop you bags at your hotel and then shop some more.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Whether you have an appetite for Michelin stars, pub grub or street food, you’ll find it in Soho where all budgets and tastes are attended to and the best of London’s dining scene is well represented. Of course, Soho is also nexus of London nightlife where some of its most beloved pubs and notorious nightclubs await revellers of every ilk.
Sound Good?
Yep, there’s the gist of why you might like to consider crashing in Soho when you come to London. If that sounds like a bright idea, you can browse Soho hotels here.
