Planning a visit to London and wondering which part of town will be your ideal base?
The good news is that there are tons of accommodation options for just about every budget and taste. But considering how sprawling and varied London is, wading through all the information available about every property and area of the city and determining the right place for your London stay can be a daunting task.
When looking into how best to book a hotel in London (or just about anywhere for that matter), it’s worth keeping your interests, finances and schedule in mind and how certain areas of London reflect them.
Are you more of a night owl, culture vulture or early bird? Flying solo or with your flock? On a major migratory route or simply fluttering about for fun? To help you wing it in London without ruffling any feathers, here are three basic tips to you decide where to roost during your time in London.
Map It Out
Have a look at a map of London. It’s huge. Just because you’re staying in town doesn’t mean you’re staying nearby the things you want to see and do. Plot out where you intend to go while here and see how far apart activities are from each other. Do you have an East End agenda lined up for yourself? Or maybe you’re more a fan of the West End stage? Knowing where the stuff is that important to you will help you pinpoint the right area for your stay and save you from having to commute across Europe’s biggest city.
Be True to Yourself
Do you tend to be the type of person who thrives in the thick of it or do you prefer to have a buffer from the fray? Having a good idea of your personality and how it relates to your travels can make finding the right hotel a lot easier to do. If you know you’re going to want to hit bars and restaurants then you might do well to set up camp in Soho or Shoreditch. But if you’re more likely to want to regroup at the end of the day, somewhere more quiet and ‘village-y’ such as Hampstead or Richmond might be more your cup of tea. Going with the flow – especially when it’s your very own – is key to enjoying your home away from home and being able to access what’s most important for you.
Know Your Station
It’s one thing knowing where you want to go and what you want to do. Understanding how to reach them is quite another. Odds are you’ll need to rely on the London Underground to get around, and that you’ll arrive and leave via a mainline rail station. So, it makes sense to study a Tube map and to see where particular Tube and rail stations are in relation to items on your itinerary. Would a quick link to the airport be preferable to a short stroll from a major attraction? Do you want to stay next to your office or maybe a station or two away from there? Booking a room near the right station can mean a world of difference for your visit and save you time, money, frustration on the ground.
Obviously, there are many other factors to consider when booking your accommodation in London. But I hope this trio of tips leads you to the right choice for your visit. Let me know if you have any questions or your own advice to share. Thanks!
