Posts in category: Travel

We were pulling into a lock north of Peterborough after a few days of navigating the Trent-Severn waterway in southern Ontario. We’d passed through the same lock maybe 72 hours earlier on our way north in our 42-foot Le Boat craft, and one of the Parks Canada lock workers recognized us on our return journey.

“Hey, guys! It’s Jim and Barbara, right? How’d it go?”

There are many things I’ll remember about our five-day, 20-lock trip on the Trent-Severn: my wife admitting she was scared to death at the idea of me piloting a massive boat with almost no boating experience; majestic blue herons gliding over still morning lakes; evening glasses of wine and night-time barbeques on the open-air top deck. But it was the people we met along the way that stood out for me.

First Timer

I was too busy navigating to keep proper notes on our trip, especially since there were only two of us on board and I did all the “driving.” But a young woman at Lock 19/Scotts Mills, the first one I had to maneuver our big boat into, gave me a wide smile and a thumbs-up as I slide the boat inside. Observers lining the locks to see how things worked – and to watch nervous boat operators – offered more words of encouragement.

I came in a little too fast at the next lock.

“A little hot, sir. Back it off. That’s it,” one of the workers called out.

At one of the locks, a Parks Canada worker explained that there was a movable roadway/bridge ahead of us that she would have to open before we could head north. The road was only a short distance away, so she hopped on her bike and rode on ahead, then sounded a horn to let us know we could proceed. Charming.

Navigating Locks

We got to the Peterborough Lift Lock, Lock 21 on the Trent-Severn, about five minutes before it was to close for the night.

“Sorry we’re so close to the deadline,” I said to Nick, one of the workers.

“No problem,” he replied. “Wait for me at the top, and I’ll help you tie up.”

Entering Lock 21 is pretty much the same as the others. But the Peterborough Lift Lock, as it’s also known, is the tallest hydraulic lift lock on the planet (65 feet). Other locks on the route usually take 15-20 minutes to go through, but this lifts you up or lowers you down in just 60 seconds.

The top of the lock looked a quarter-mile above our heads, not 65 feet, but we practically raced to the top. It was a gee-whiz boating moment if I ever had one, and I couldn’t stop grinning.

Once we had a docking place up top, I took photos of the lock at dusk and chatted with a lovely couple from Ottawa who stopped – one of many admirers we had along the way – to check out our boat and hear our story. There was only one other boat tied up at the top of the lock, which sits high on a hill and offers great views of the surrounding countryside.

What do You Do For Dinner?

Le Boat rentals come equipped with a gas barbeque, so we opened a bottle of wine and grilled some lovely chicken kebabs that the Le Boat people had bought for us (along with a whack of other local goodies, such as cheeses, fresh bread and tortilla chips) and dined on the top deck. 

It was a perfectly quiet, tranquil night in late May, and we didn’t hear a sound. We woke up to a sunny morning with a kayaker practicing on the water, his paddle rhythmically dipping into the shiny surface as birds twittered in the nearby trees. The shops and homes of Peterborough were only a few blocks away, but on our boat, it felt like light years.

Rookie at the Wheel

There were no other craft in the first few locks I pulled into as we sailed north on the waterway, and I thought I had the hang of it. But on day two, I believe at Lock 22 at Nassau Mills (again, with just my wife and I on board, my note-taking was beyond terrible), there were already two big boats tied up on the right side when I pulled up. I swear the opening was no more than two or maybe three feet wider than our boat. The lock worker waved me in, and I was suddenly sweating like a nervous bridegroom.

The folks on the other boats obviously wanted to avoid a collision, so they eagerly helped with a couple timely pushes. I pulled into the lock at a snail’s pace and used the thrusters to push our boat sideways so Barbara could get our bow line tied.

My heart was pounding, but I got another thumbs up from the lock workers.

“First time I’ve had to pull in with other boats,” I said. “That was not a lot of fun.”

“Pretty nice job for a rookie,” said the guy in the fancy boat next to ours.

By the time we got to Lakefield, I was again feeling pretty good about myself. But not for long.

Docking Can Be a Challenge

Rather than having us dock just past Lock 26 in Lakefield, which is quite protected, the folks from Le Boat had set us up to go past the lock and try the Lakefield Marina so we could look around and see what marina life was like, and also try a nice, local restaurant called The Loon. It was a solid plan, but there’s a pretty strong current at the Lakefield Marina, and it was windy that day.

I couldn’t make it into the spot the marina worker had called out to me as we approached. Our boat was 42 feet, and the suggested opening looked like 42 feet and six inches to me. I wasn’t sure what to do, but a group of friendly boaters who had gathered on one of the Lakefield docks pointed out an open spot behind a very large and very expensive-looking boat. I moved slowly forward and back and tried to judge the current, and I used the thrusters to move the boat closer to the open dock space. Finally, I got within a few feet and Barb tossed a rope to one of the people on the dock.

I think it took four adults and a helpful girl of about eight years to pull us in, but they managed. One of the fellows who did a lot of the grunt work and helped guide us in, Perry, gave me a pat on the back, as well as a power cord extension for the night to charge our batteries.

“Don’t feel bad,” he said. “When the current’s strong like this it can be very tough. See that slip over there? Nobody ever tries to dock there. Nobody.”

It’s All About Confidence

With a cold local beer in hand and the sun dipping towards the horizon, we sat on the top deck and relaxed. It was about then that Barbara confessed she had been “dreading” the trip.

“Dreading?” I replied. “I know you were worried. I get it. But ‘dreading’ is a pretty strong word.”

“I honestly wasn’t sure you could do it,” she said. “But I was wrong. You’re pretty good at this.”

The next two days were fantastic. We made it past Young’s Point, admiring a small marina with an attractive restaurant/patio. We puttered (top speed on Le Boat craft is about seven mph) along vast Clear Lake, and then made our way through narrow passages in Stoney Lake, which is dotted with small, pretty islands in shades of beige, pink, and orange. We took a minute to appreciate a pretty church on one of the larger islands called St. Peter’s Church-on-the-Rock, which, oddly enough, is only a short distance from a narrow, pretty passage called Hells Gate. (It’s not very tricky, truth be told, but it’s got a good name.)

Friendly Locals

We had a bit of trouble finding the lock at Burleigh Falls, but a friendly local escorted us most of the way there and told us where to find the entrance.

“It’s a bit hidden,” he said. “But it’s right over there, near that fancy cottage.”

We sailed through the lock and into Lovesick Lake, an attractive body of water that was apparently named for a heartbroken settler or perhaps an Indigenous woman who was unlucky in the affairs of the heart.

With plenty of time on our side, we made it all the way back to Young’s Point that night and docked on the far side of Lock 27, where we chatted with friendly locals out with their rods and reels and again dined on the top deck.

The next day we pulled up to the Lakefield Lock a few minutes before it opened for the day. A couple who live an hour or so away, Ken and Jo, were on their boat and came aboard for a look-see as we chatted about the area, and about our trip.

They were a delightful couple, and again, my wife and I found ourselves drawn to people who had been complete strangers a minute before. But we shared a boating bond, and I was quickly learning that those are some of the deepest kind.

We made it back to the Peterborough Lift Lock that night. It was Barb’s birthday, so we had a special toast on a superb, quiet, late spring evening.

Feeling Like A Pro

The next day, we made our way through Peterborough. A line of boats was coming upstream, and we had to nudge our boat to the side of the canal to let them through. But it was a glorious sunny day on a beautiful boat, and I wouldn’t have cared if they had taken an hour.

Pretty soon, we were through Little Lake, home to the new Canadian Canoe Museum. After going through Lock 19, it was a straight shot down the Otonabee River to Del Mastro Horseshoe Bay Resort Marina, where we had picked up the boat five days earlier. With the current pushing us along, our final stop came into sight far too early for my liking.  

Forty five minutes later we were heading back to the city on Highway 401, with cars whizzing past me and darting in and out of traffic.

“Damn,” I said to Barb as the cars crowded around us. “I miss that boat already.”

Just The Facts

This is the first year Le Boat has had ships for rent on the Trent-Severn Waterway. The company has been renting holiday boats since 1969 and has 18 destinations around the world, including the Canal du Midi and Burgundy region of France, Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, northern Italy, Holland, Ireland, and more. They’ve been operating on the Rideau Canal in Ontario for several years.

You don’t need a boating license to rent a craft from Le Boat. So that’s one worry out of the way. Does it help to have some boating experience? Undoubtedly. I have driven my friend’s boat, maybe a 20-footer, many times. But I had never tried to dock it.

A couple of weeks prior to our trip, the Le Boat folks sent us links to several videos that explained boating rules in general and their boats in particular. They also give you a roughly one-hour intro on the boat before your rental begins, going over buoy rules, offering navigation tips, and explaining the bells and whistles. After that, they take you out with an experienced boater to assess your skills.

Alan, our boating teacher, took us out on the Otonabee River south of Peterborough and showed me how to turn and slow down (in case you’re a novice, there’s no brake on a boat, so you just kick it into reverse, which takes a 50-year automobile driver some getting used to). He turned the boat over to me so he could see how I handled her and asked me to take some turns.

“Doing good,” he said. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems out there.”

Just in case, we had an emergency number that we could call anytime. And we had the fabulous lock workers and fellow boaters to lend a hand.

The Boat

The boats don’t go fast (top speed is 10 km/hour), and there are bumpers galore. They also give you detailed charts to help you navigate the waterway, as well as useful information for potential stops along the way.

We went in early June when it was not as busy as it would be at the height of the summer season. If you’re a first-timer, going early in the year, or perhaps in September, might be easier on your nerves.

One of the keys to my mind is the thrusters, which move the boat from side to side with ease. If you can drive slowly into a lock at a mile or so an hour, and it’s not hard, the thrusters should help you with the rest.

If you’re still leery, Le Boat is floating a new “Skipper for Hire” program on the Canal du Midi for next year. The program will see an experienced navigator help out on the ship on the first day and, pardon the pun, show newbies the ropes. If successful, the program will be expanded onto other Le Boat routes.

The folks at Le Boat have a variety of boats available. Ours was a 3-bedroom Horizon 3 Plus model. The main bed was spacious, with a small, en-suite bath with a toilet, sink and shower. The other two bedrooms were quite small, but had two beds, some storage area, and also en-suite baths with a toilet, sink and shower.

Costs

I looked for September and found a Le Boat rental for a week on the Trent-Severn Waterway in mid-September for four people for $3,272. That’s less than $500 a night.  Mooring fees often apply, and you’re responsible for your own fuel, any added electricity you may need, and extra water, and for any cost for pumping out your boat’s toilets and used water from doing dishes or having a shower.

So you’re traveling to London? It’s a massive city with so many hotels and apartments that deciding on just one place to stay can be an overwhelming task. But don’t fret – I’ve compiled this very detailed guide on the best London hotels, and I’ve got options for everyone! 

Whether you want to stay at a cheap hostel or the city’s most lavish hotel, you’ll find at least a few suitable options here. And no matter which hotel you book, you’ll never be too far from the tube. 

Listen to me because I’ve spent way too many hours going through hotels in London to select the best ones. They’re all close to the tube and offer clean rooms with comfortable beds. Nearly all of them have windows, too!

Where To Stay In London 

London is a huge city, and no matter where you stay, you’ll inevitably have to ride the tube at one point or another. So, look for a hotel near a tube station, and you’ll set yourself up for success. 

Also, consider which attractions interest you the most, and try to find a hotel within your budget in that area so you can explore a good part of the city on foot. 

Don’t Have Time To Read The Full Article 

Where We Stayed

We stayed in Southbank because I had to be near the Globe! We managed to get a good deal at the Sea Containers Hotel and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The views were my favorite thing about the rooms. 

Southbank: Our Recommendation 

Southbank is the area south of the Thames, which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. It’s already home to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, Tate Modern, and the Borough Market. 

And it’s also just across the river from other legendary sights like the Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Stay in Southbank for easy walking access to popular attractions in London, as well as for good deals on hotels and apartments.

Also, Southbank is home to several Tube stations, so you can easily get to farther parts of the city. All the hotels I’ve selected in Southbank are within easy walking distance of a tube station. 

Highlights of Staying in Southbank 

Southbank offers plenty of interesting attractions and things to do, from historic buildings to fantastic museums. It’s the neighborhood you’ll come to even if you stay elsewhere, especially if you’re into art. 

• Tate Modern is London’s most visited art gallery/museum. Featuring amazing modern works of art and a cafe with panoramic river views, it’s one of the best places in London for art lovers. 
• The London Eye is the most recognizable landmark of the UK’s capital and one of the top tourist attractions in the city. Go for a ride on the iconic Ferris wheel to enjoy a fabulous view of Londo’s skyline. 

• Head to Borough Market for fresh groceries, artisanal baked goods, and unique souvenirs. The vast open-air market is situated under railway lines, and it’s the best place for food shopping in Southbank. 
• I’m an English major, so I couldn’t possibly leave Shakespeare’s Globe Theater out of this list. Visit The Globe to see replicas of Elizabethan costumes and purchase unique, Shakespeare-themed souvenirs in the gift shop.   

Best Places To Stay in Southbank

Southbank is a great area for virtually anyone in London. It’s got everything, from $30 hostels to the city’s most expensive luxury hotels, all within five minutes of one another. Plus, no matter where you stay, you won’t be more than 10 minutes from a tube station or a bridge. 

Shangri-La The Shard, London

The Shard is one of London’s most iconic high-rise buildings, and the Shangri-La Hotel is the perfect destination for visitors looking for luxury. With rooms that average $850 per night, Shangri-La The Shard is a hotel only for travelers with very deep pockets. 

All 202 rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows with mesmerizing panoramic views of London. And thanks to The Shard’s excellent location, you’ll be able to see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and London Bridge from the comfort of your bed. Other room amenities include a spacious ensuite bathroom, TV, seating area, and a desk. 

Additional facilities at this lavish hotel include an infinity swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, and a gym. There are three venues for drinking and dining, including the building’s iconic cocktail bar on the 52nd floor. 

Sea Containers London 

Sea Containers London is a five-star hotel in the same price range as most midrange hotels in Southbank. I figured if you’re going to pay $300-350 per night for a hotel room, you might as well book one in a premium hotel with views of the city and the Thames.

Featuring spacious double rooms and private suites, the hotel is ideal for couples in London. It’s very close to the Blackfriars Bridge, which will take you to the Blackfriars train and tube stations in just under 10 minutes. The City of London is within walking distance, and even the Covent Garden market is only a 25-minute walk from the hotel. 

The hotel rooms are quite spacious and modernly furnished. Every guest room offers an ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV, and a desk area. Other amenities at the hotel include a restaurant, a spa and wellness center, a gym, and a bar. 

PubLove at Rose & Crown 

Rose & Crown is a pub and hostel in Southbank with dorm beds starting at roughly $30 per night. The hostel location is excellent; it’s just a short walk from Shakespeare’s Globe and only five minutes from the London Bridge tube station. 

The accommodation is great for travelers who want to explore the south bank of the Thames thoroughly, and still be within walking distance of the City of London. The hostel features a pub, a restaurant, and a garden, and anyone staying there gets a 10% discount on food and high-speed internet. 

There’s one shared bathroom per dormitory, which fits up to nine people in the triple bunk beds. The hostel is generally clean, but it’s nothing special. Stay here if you’re on a tight budget, but don’t expect bells and whistles. 

Westminster: Great Tourist Attractions 

Westminster is a great neighborhood for tourists, especially for first-timers in London. Many of the city’s major attractions will be within walking distance if you stay in this part of the city, from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben. 

The area also features excellent museums, sprawling parks, and easy tube access to the rest of the city. But it’s pretty central and packed with fun things to do, which usually translates to pricey accommodation and crowds of tourists. 

Highlights of Staying in Westminster 

Westminster is one of the best areas of London for sightseeing. It’s home to several world-famous landmarks, including the iconic Big Ben and countless red telephone booths. Even if you stay in Covent Garden or the City of London, you’re bound to make a trip or two to Westminster just to see the sights. 

• Westminster Abbey is the most famous religious building in London. The Gothic church is absolutely stunning both inside and out and it’s a top attraction to visit in the area. Here is our take on How to Visit The Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament in London. 
• The Big Ben is by far the most famous landmark in this London borough. The iconic clock tower is a symbol of the city and an attraction everyone should check out in person when they get the opportunity. 
• Buckingham Palace is legendary, and you can’t come to London without at least walking past it. Visit the palace to tour the staterooms or just watch the changing guard – either way, it will be a fascinating experience.  

Best Places To Stay in Westminster 

Westminster is an upscale area of London, so it’s generally best for mid-range and luxury travelers. There are very few options for budget travelers, and I don’t recommend this area if you’re trying to save money in London. 

Raffles London at The OWO

Raffles London at The OWO is one of London’s most exquisite luxury hotels. Featuring spacious rooms with opulent decor and nice city views, this five-star hotel is one of the top options for those who want to be pampered in London. 

My only issue with this hotel is that the nightly rate is over $1,000, and yet breakfast is not included. Other than that, I have no complaints. The rooms are modern and beautifully furnished, the private bathrooms are spacious, and the grand staircase is mesmerizing. 

Hotel facilities include a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a spa center. There are four restaurants at the hotel, and all are top-notch. 

citizenM London Victoria Station

CitizenM is a chain hotel with a four-star rating known for small rooms and excellent hotel facilities. It’s a good mid-range option for travelers who prioritize location, as this hotel is right next to Victoria Station. 

The rooms are somewhat small but feature comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms. Every guest room also has a desk and a TV, plus all guests get access to free WiFi. There’s also an iPad in every room, which is a nice addition. 

Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, and a lounge. Overall it’s a nice hotel with a decent nightly rate, but some travelers might be put off by the fact that the shower is practically in the room. 

hub by Premier Inn London

hub by Premier Inn London is the most affordable hotel in Westminster. The nightly rate for this budget hotel starts at $150, and that’s as cheap as it gets in this part of London. The upside is that the hotel is right next to Westminster Abbey.

St. James tube station is also very close to the hotel, and Buckingham Palace is just a 10-minute walk. If you’re mainly concerned about being centrally located in London, this affordable hotel is a top option. 

The rooms are small and equipped with just the basics – a double bed, ensuite bathroom, and TV. Guests can all make use of the free WiFi and the hotel lounge is pretty nice, but the rooms are a little cramped.  

Covent Garden is Central London’s hub for entertainment and shopping. Some of the best attractions in the city are within easy walking distance, which is quite rare in London. It’s a huge metropolis, after all, and it’s common that you need to ride the tube for an hour and then walk a while to reach an attraction that interests you. 

That won’t happen as much if you stay in Covent Garden because you’ll be very close to all the fabulous sights. Even if you have to ride the metro, it shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes, plus you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels and apartments. 

Covent Garden isn’t my ideal suggestion for travelers on a tighter budget, though; London City Center is expensive, and unless you’re willing to overpay for a hostel, you’re better off staying in a different area, like maybe Camden Town. 

Highlights of Staying in Covent Garden 

Covent Garden is a relatively small area, best known for shopping, nightlife, and its gastro scene. It’s also known as Theaterland, thanks to the abundance of historic theaters in the neighborhood. 

• Shopping is the number one thing to do in Covent Garden. The historic market sits at the center of the neighborhood, offering an overwhelming amount of shops and eateries. It’s particularly nice at Christmas time. 
• See the theaters! Covent Garden is home to many historic theaters, especially along St Martin’s Lane. 
• London’s Royal Opera House is right next to the Covent Garden Market, and it’s one of the most spectacular buildings in the area. Visitors can choose between several tours that allow them to discover the fabulous interior of the building. 

Best Places to Stay in Covent Garden 

Covent Garden offers a wide variety of mid-range and luxury hotels, but it seriously lacks options for budget hotels. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of “budget” options even in this neighborhood, but they’re not necessarily affordable enough for true budget travelers.

The Savoy

The Savoy is a lavish five-star hotel with spacious rooms and excellent facilities. If you want top-rated accommodation in Covent Garden, it’s easily one of the best options. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from the Covent Garden Market, and it’s equally close to three tube stations. 

The location of The Savoy is excellent for exploring London on foot. 

It’s right next to the Waterloo Bridge, which takes you to Southbank in no time. The City of London’s landmarks are also accessible on foot, as are some of Westminster’s best-known attractions. 

This fabulous hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a free airport shuttle, and a spa center. The rooms are spacious with an ensuite bathroom, desk, seating area, and flat-screen TV. Guests can also relax in the cocktail bar or one of the hotel’s two restaurants. 

Strand Palace Hotel

For mid-range travelers, the Strand Palace Hotel promises the best value for money. With average nightly rates of around $250-300, the hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms. Every guest room has a TV, coffee machine, and ironing facilities. 

The rooms are somewhat small, but I think that can be forgiven considering how great the hotel location is. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, free WiFi, room service, and two restaurants on the site. 

Strand Palace is on the same street as several historic theaters, excellent restaurants, and great shops. It’s also just five minutes from the Charing Cross tube station. 

Travelodge London Covent Garden

Travelodge is a hotel chain widespread in the UK, known for basic rooms and affordable nightly rates. Travelodge London Covent Garden offers rooms starting at around $125 per night for two travelers, which is a pretty good deal for London’s West End. 

The three-star hotel is just five minutes from the Covent Garden tube station and only 10 from the historic market. It offers basic rooms with double beds and ensuite bathrooms, with a TV, desk, and seating area in each room. 

Coffee-making facilities are also available in every guest room, which is a nice addition. Breakfast isn’t included in the nightly rate, but you can add it on for an extra £10.55 per person. Dinner is another £14, and it’s one of the cheaper meals you’ll be able to eat in London. 

The City Of London: Best For Sightseeing 

The City of London is the oldest part of the city, with some streets dating back to the Roman Times. Nowadays, it is mostly London’s financial district, with tall skyscrapers and numerous business hotels. Most of those hotels are surprisingly affordable, making the City of London a good place to stay even for tourists. 

The oldest part of the metropolis might not have as many interesting landmarks as Westminster or Covent Garden, but it has enough. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Tower, and the Sky Garden at the Walkie-Talkie attract tourists from other boroughs. The architecture of the oldest area in East London is a sight for sore eyes and makes walking around the town very enjoyable. 

Highlights of Staying in The City Of London

One of the best things to do in the City of London is to just roam the streets and admire the historic buildings. And when you’ve taken it all in, make sure to check the following landmarks off your list. 

• St. Paul’s Cathedral dates back to the 17th century and it’s one of London’s most famous churches. Visit it to marvel at the intricate detail on the ceiling, and to climb the clock tower for a fantastic city panorama. 
• The Sky Garden at the Walkie-Talkie is popular with both locals and tourists. Come here for a coffee or even lunch, with countless plants and a stunning panoramic view of London.  
• The Tower of London is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and a place you should visit no matter where you stay. Tour the castle to learn about its bloody history and see the Crown Jewels. 

Best Places To Stay In The City Of London

The City of London is vast and can be challenging to navigate for first-times, so being close to public transport is essential for quick and easy exploration of London. Luckily, plenty of excellent hotels are just a couple of minutes from the underground stations. 

The Ned

The Ned is a five-star hotel set in a historic building with a fantastic location. It’s roughly a minute from Bank Underground Station, where three subway lines intersect. Offering direct access to West End, Southbank, and Northern London, the location is excellent for exploring the city. 

The location is obviously the main selling point for me, but the hotel amenities and rooms shouldn’t be disregarded. The guest rooms are spacious and feature decor that reminds me of boutique hotels, with plenty of quirky and colorful accents. Every room offers an ensuite bathroom, a seating area with a table, and a flat-screen TV. 

The hotel facilities include concierge services, a pool, a gym, and a spa center. However, it’s important to note that the base rate of the rooms (which starts at roughly $400) doesn’t include access to the spa or the gym. 

YOTEL London City

The Yotel is a chain hotel known for small rooms, good facilities, and low nightly rates. I’ve seen the rooms at this hotel priced as low as $160, but the average nightly rate is around $220. 

The rooms at the Yotel are tiny – the smallest room is just 11 m², including an ensuite bathroom. But the bed is comfortable, you get a TV and WiFi, and they’ve even managed to squeeze a footstool into the room. My main issue with the room is that no real door separates the bathroom from the bedroom. There’s just the frosted glass of the shower, and the sink is basically in the room. 

That can work if you’re traveling with a partner or someone you’ve known your entire life, but it’s not the best option for friends. One big advantage of this hotel is that it’s super close to Farringdon station, which offers easy access to London’s West End. 

YHA London St Paul’s Hostel

YHA London St Paul’s Hostel is a good option for budget travelers. I’ve seen double rooms (with a shared bathroom) go for as low as $50, which is an insanely good deal for Central London. On average, the hostel charges $50 for a night in a dorm, but lots of deals are available. 

This hotel is a stone’s throw away from St. Paul’s Cathedral, and it’s a five-minute walk from three different tube stations and one train station. The location is excellent for exploring London, and you can even walk to Trafalgar Square in about half an hour. 

The rooms are clean, simple, and have windows. Hostel facilities include a lounge area, a meeting room, and a dining room. For an extra $12 per night, you can get breakfast included in the stay, and it’s worth noting that the guests aren’t allowed to use the hostel kitchen.  

Soho: Trendy Area With Luxury Hotels 

Soho is an energetic neighborhood in West London bordering Covent Garden and St. James Park in the southwest. With easy access to St James’s Park, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, and Tottenham Court Road, it’s one of the best areas of London for travelers who want to explore a good chunk of the city on foot.

Even the massive Hyde Park is just a 20-minute walk from Soho, which is a quick stroll by London standards. Soho is one of the best areas for dining, shopping, and nightlife, making it ideal for travelers who prioritize having fun in London over everything else. 

Highlights of Staying in Soho 

Soho is a vibrant area of London offering a ton of bars, restaurants, and excellent nightlife. The main thing to do here is go out for drinks and London food, party, and shop. But the neighborhood also features a few interesting landmarks and attractions that you’ll want to check out. 

• Soho Square Gardens is a small green park that offers a welcome escape from the crowds on the street. 
• Trafalgar Square is to London what Times Square is to New York, so you don’t want to miss it. Situated just a short stroll from central Soho, the busy square offers landmark sculptures, a fountain, and The National Gallery with fantastic artworks. 
• Strictly speaking, the British Museum is not in Soho, but it is just a short walk from most hotels in the area. It’s one of the museums in the UK for global antiquities, including mummies from Egypt and stunning Greek sculptures. 

Best Places To Stay In Soho

Soho is a top location for luxury hotel stays because the area offers many five-star hotels. But it’s a poor neighborhood for budget travelers, as the best options for them are either hostels or tiny hotel rooms without windows. 

Broadwick Soho

Broadwick Soho is a boutique hotel that offers exceptionally stylish rooms and elegant furnishings. If you’re going to spring for a five-star hotel in London, you might as well go for the one with colorful rooms with character. 

Every hotel room offers an ensuite bathroom, seating area, and windows. You’d think that last one was a given, but it’s apparently not, even in hotels that are in a similar price range as this one. The service is also impeccable, and you will feel at home at this luxury hotel. 

One thing to note is that Broadwick Soho lacks some facilities that would make it a fantastic luxury hotel. There’s no gym, spa, or pool, so might want to consider different accommodations if those amenities are something you usually prioritize. 

Hazlitt’s

Hazlitt’s is a four-star boutique hotel near Soho Square Gardens. It offers small but elegantly decorated rooms with wall panels and antique furniture. Every guest room has an ensuite bathroom with luxury toiletries and a desk area. 

The hotel building dates back to the early 18th century and still contains many original features like chandeliers and Victorian baths. It’s truly a special place in London and a great place to stay if you want to experience a small slice of the city’s history. 

Hotel breakfast is served in the rooms and includes delicious pastries and coffee. Hazlitt’s also offers an honesty bar but lacks a bit in other amenities as there’s no gym, spa, or pool. 

The Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road

With an average nightly rate of $220, the Z Hotel is one of the cheapest options in Soho. I must note that I’ve seen the nightly rate drop to $125, but I’ve also seen it skyrocket to $299. And that’s for the cheapest double room, which doesn’t include a window. 

The guest rooms are tiny and simple. They’re 9 m², which makes them some of the smallest hotel rooms I’ve seen in London. But they’re clean and include a reasonably comfortable bed, flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. 

Also, this hotel is only five minutes from the Tottenham Court Road tube station, which is one of the best for getting around London. You can be in Southbank, the City of London, and even Kensington within minutes. 

Kensington: Best For Budget Travelers

I’ve mostly focused on Central London so far, and I wanted to offer an alternative to travelers who prefer being away from the city crowds. London has nearly 9 million residents, and the crowds are perpetual in such a large city. So, if you want to avoid the constant stream of tourists in the city center, consider a hotel in an area far from the noise and bustle. 

Kensington is a really good option because it has lots of interesting museums and attractions, but it’s far enough from Soho and the City of London that it’s not swarmed with tourists. Stay here for easy access to Hyde Park and some of the city’s best museums, but also for more affordable hotels. 

Highlights of Staying in Kensington

Even though it’s quite far from Central London, Kensington has some excellent attractions. The likes of Kensington Palace, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum attract even those sleeping near Big Ben! 

• The Natural History Museum is the most visited museum in London. It boasts a fantastic collection of animals and natural phenomena, and it’s the one museum in the city I think everyone should visit. 
• Kensington Palace is a historic royal residence in London, and it has an exhibit of its former residents. Both the palace and its gardens are open for tours. 
• Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest museum of applied art and design in the world. It features a huge collection of sculptures, architectural elements, and even stained glass windows. 

Best Places To Stay In Kensington

Kensington offers accommodation in every price range, so it’s an option for everyone. Just choose a hotel near the tube, for the convenience of traveling into Central London. 

The Kensington Hotel

The Kensington Hotel is one of the best five-star hotels in the area, with a nightly rate equivalent to that of some mid-range hotels in Central London. The rooms are somewhat small but adorned with luxurious decorations. 

Every guest room has a desk, TV, and an ensuite bathroom. The hotel location is excellent; it’s a short walk from the South Kensington tube station and some of London’s best museums. 

As for the hotel facilities, the Kensington offers room service, a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness center. The staff is friendly and professional, and everything at the hotel is absolutely spotless. 

Blackbird

Blackbird is a four-star hotel situated above the namesake pub. It’s just a couple of minutes from Earl’s Court tube station and a 20-minute walk from the Natural History Museum. 

The hotel offers nice rooms with colorful modern furnishings. The beds are very comfortable, and every room has an ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. A coffee maker and a TV are also included in the rooms. 

One thing I really like about this place is that they include breakfast during the stay. The nightly rate for two travelers is $290 on average, which is a good deal when you also get to eat something for that price. 

The Crown and Sceptre

The Crown and Sceptre is a hotel and pub in Kensington, just a five-minute walk from the nearest tube station. It offers chic and affordable rooms for around $150 per night, although I’ve seen the nightly rate drop even further. 

All rooms include an ensuite bathroom, a desk, and a tea/coffee maker, as well as interesting, colorful accents. Although the hotel is close to the underground station, it’s a bit of a walk from other attractions in the area. 

Because this is a pub and hotel, it doesn’t have many amenities. Guests can dine at the pub restaurant, but there’s no gym or wellness center. 

Where To Stay In London FAQs

What area of London is best for tourists to stay? 

Central London is the best area for tourists. This includes the City of London, Westminster, Soho, Covent Garden, and Southbank. 

Where not to stay in London as a tourist? 

Canning Town, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets are some of the areas tourists should avoid. These neighborhoods have a higher crime rate than others and are quite far from the popular tourist attractions. 

What are the safest boroughs in London to stay in? 

Statistically speaking, the safest boroughs in London are Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, and Richmond Upon Thames. Out of these three, Kensington is the most suitable option for tourists. 

What is the nicest area in London?

Camden Town is often named the nicest area in London. It’s close to Kings Cross Station and is known for its shops, markets, and an excellent arts scene.