Where to stay in London: our guide to the best places

Once a cornucopia of sex shops and rock ’n’ roll, Soho maintains pockets of hedonism, but overall is more family-friendly these days, with shops, restaurants and theatres in abundance. But keep Soho’s spirit alive with a stay at the Sanctum Soho, which is like a rock star’s crib. They have a 24-hour bar, rotating beds and a guitar tuning service at reception.

Staying in Kings Cross is as strategic as it is stylish in our opinion. Hailed London's coolest neighbourhood back in 2023 by Time Out's London Editor, Joe Mackertitch, Kings Cross is well-connected and kind of 'viby' too. For such a well-known pin drop on the old Monopoly, it feels oddly smaller, thanks to its neighbourhood feel. Lanmarks like Coal Drops and the station square popular among pingeons, street preachers and pic-n-mix pop up stalls, add a certain je nais sais quoi that that adds to King Cross' not-too-gritty-but-not-too-polished appeal. And what it lacks in beer gardens and cute artisinal bakeries, it makes up for in music venues like Scala, cafes, pizzerias, cocktail bars and even a pop-up cinema on the canal during summer.

To add a little countryside whimsy to your schedule, make a beeline for Richmond. Here you’ll find the very large and very royal park with freely roaming deer, the blooming lovely Kew Gardens, and a fine (if pricy) night’s stay at the Bingham. In fact, this stately riverside hotel has elegantly designed rooms (six of which overlook the River Thames) and a restaurant with a thoroughly Instagrammable menu, so showing off to your friends and family is easy peasy.

Drawing in tourists like a moth to a flame, Covent Garden is very special indeed. In one afternoon, you could easily shop both ends of the fashion spectrum, pick up a black lava sea salt ice cream and watch the world’s longest running play (Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ if you’re wondering). Afterwards, we suggest taking a totally lavish respite in one of The Hospital Club’s 15 boutique rooms, or alternatively in one of its bars, the restaurant or rooftop terrace.

Buzzing Shoreditch is all about going out out, with bars and clubs galore and a creative edge that's survived its more recent popularity with City types. When you’re ready to take a step back, boutique hotel Boundary makes for good shelter. This former warehouse was overhauled by Sir Terence Conran and boasts a rooftop terrace that's perfect for surveying the mayhem below.

This charming part of London offers stunning scenery and impressive views of the city from atop a historic hill. Around the village are quaint shops and cafés, an array of arresting architecture and unpretentious, welcoming family run B&B La Gaffe, which has been in business for over 60 years. As well as a cosy berth, you'll find a quaintly decorated Italian restaurant and bar downstairs and even a jacuzzi: perfect for soothing your muscles after a stroll round nearby Hampstead Heath.

Throw yourself into the heart of northeast London nightlife by staying in edgy Dalston, which is drowning in cool pubs, restaurants, and nightlife options. The main drag is pretty hectic, but the quieter charms of London Fields and leafy Islington are only short walks away and the Overground makes accessing other parts of London a breeze. 

Tourists haven't typically found their way to Peckham, but if you know where to look you'll find plenty to love about this south east London neighbourhood, from pocket-friendly restaurants on Rye Lane to the bougie charms of Bellenden Road. Lay your head at The Victoria Inn, a traditional British pub with beautifully presented boutique rooms upstairs. Lovely.

Ahh, Camden Town. While this place needs no real intro (because it's insanely cool), we'll give you a little snapshot: It's the bedrock of London's alternative scene, home of the bustling Camden Lock, which, btw, is choc-full of unique vintage boutiques and stalls worth checking out, iconic music venues like the historic Jazz Cafe where big-name artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele have both performed, the Roundhouse which dates back to the swinging sixties, and a truly tantalizing melting pot (no pun intended) of street food from all over the globe. A Yorkshire pud in a burrito? We're all for it. We'd highly recommend making Camden your base if you're looking for walkability, decent pubs, scenic canal views, oh, and don't mind the crowds. 

Named after Clerks’ Well, which can still be seen on Farringdon Lane, this location allows easy access to Michelin-starred restaurants (meat marvel St John is a highlight), buzzing markets and, if you’re visiting in May, Clerkenwell Design Week. Stay at The Rookery on Peter’s Lane, a Georgian townhouse that is impeccably decorated, has huge beds and an honesty bar.