Are you visiting London for the first time and have no idea where to stay? Then you don’t have to worry about that. London offers many accommodations, from affordable comfort to luxurious options. If you’re unsure of the hotels, here’s a list of the best hotels for first-time visitors to stay in London. Each hotel has distinct features that make you comfortable on your first trip to London. Let’s get into it.
1. Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel
We don’t want your first time in London to be flawed because of your accommodation. In this light, you should go for comfort and convenience, and to get this, you should check out the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel. This 5-star hotel is in Leicester Square, London, making it one of the best hotels for first-time visitors to stay in London.
There are stylish rooms with great amenities for your comfort, with an on-site restaurant and great views of the London Eye and Big Ben. You will surely have a great stay in London with top-notch services, stunning interiors, and a prime location. The accessibility is quite good, as it’s a walking distance to the National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden. While at it, you can also explore the British Museum. At Radisson Blu, the nightly rates fall between £200 and £300, depending on the time of the year.
2. The Z Hotel Covent Garden
Located in the Covent Garden of London, the Z Hotel is among the best hotels for first-time visitors. It is also known as the Covent Garden Hotel, and staying here brings zero regret as it is affordable and close to a wide range of fun areas. It’s a walkable distance to Leicester Square, the Covent Garden Market, and the Royal Opera House. These areas promise fun, entertainment, dining, and different shopping options.
The rooms at the Covent Garden Hotel provide excellent support and pressure relief, which helps you relax well. It also has a modern bathroom with the key toiletries that make your stay easy. You also get complimentary cheese and wine in the evenings. With a price ranging from £100, you can get a room in this budget-friendly hotel.
3. Holiday Inn Express London
For first-timers, a nice hotel located in Southwark is a good option. Holiday Inn Express London is another accommodation situated in a prime location. You're sure not to have a boring stay if you stay at the Holiday Inn.
Regarding practicality and clean accommodation options, the Holiday Inn is ideal. For first-timers looking to explore London, Holiday Inn puts you at a spot where you can access iconic attractions and landmarks such as the Tate Modern, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Borough Market.
This accommodation offers excellent customer service and a complimentary breakfast, which you get once you pay for a room. It is ideal for families or business travelers who want comfort and affordability, with a price range of £110 to £140 per night.
4. Strand Palace
Talk of a classic hotel that is worth booking for vacation. With all its modern amenities, it offers a home-away-from-home experience. Strand Palace has been welcoming guests to London for over a century. This is no surprise since it’s one of the best hotels for first-time visitors to stay in London. The Strand Palace is a conducive environment, with great rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a gym, all to make your stay comfortable. Starting from £150–£220, you can secure a room in the Strand Palace for a night.
Strand Palace Hotel is in the right location in London. It is close to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, and Somerset House. You can also see London’s main theatres and stunning river attractions. If you’re in London for tourism, being close to these locations is a valid reason to stay at the Strand Palace.
5. Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington
If you’re staying in London for a long duration, whether for business or an extended vacation, you need accommodation that offers comfort for your long staycation. The hotel's price ranges from £160 to £200 per night. If you’ll be staying for a long time, you can check for a discount. Located in Kensington, this hotel is close to Holland Park, Kensington Gardens, the Natural History Museum, and Kensington Palace.
Marriott London Kensington offers an apartment-style hotel that makes you comfortable, no matter the duration of your stay. Not just that, you will get a full kitchen, workspaces, and even grocery delivery, which will surely make your stay comfortable. Aside from the room's convenience, this hotel offers a complimentary breakfast and top-notch facilities.
6. Central Park Hotel
Calmness and lush greenery are what you feel and see once you’re in the Central Park Hotel. From the name Central Park, you know this hotel is in the perfect location. Being just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the hotel keeps you within easy access to fun places. And if you want to explore the bustling streets of London, you can connect to other areas in London with the Queensway or Bayswater station, which are London Underground tube stations.
Central Park Hotel has a variety of room options. This includes luxurious guest rooms, executive rooms, and even short-stay rooms. With standard amenities like air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a refrigerator, Central Park Hotel offers an affordable rate starting from £90 to £130 per night. This is a steal for a hotel at a central location. In addition to the standard services, you can also get additional paid services like laundry service, dry cleaning, and others.
7. Thistle Hotels
Are you a first-timer in London looking for the best accommodation that connects you with major attractions in London, or do you want a place that connects you to other areas in London? Then Thistle Hotel does the magic. Thistle Hotel has a strong presence in London, with eight hotels in central London delivering similar quality. You can find any of them between Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden. Thistle Hotels are located in central London, offering accessibility to multiple tube lines.
If you want to experience London’s West End, any Thistle Hotel in central London is just right. You can easily access West End theatres, Chinatown, and the National Gallery. Some Thistle hotel branches, like the Thistle Holborn, are closer to the British Museum and Bloomsbury, which is quieter.
Thistle hotels offer warm, well-furnished, and surprisingly quiet rooms for hotels located in Central London. Most in-room amenities include smart TVs, air conditioning, a coffee machine, and comfortable workspaces. Prices typically range from £150 to £220 per night, and you’re just paying for its prime location and walkability in the heart of London.
8. Premier Inn London St Pancras Hotel
With top-notch amenities and a good location, Premier Inn London is easily one of the best hotels for first-time visitors to stay in London. Located directly across St Pancras International and a stone’s throw from the King’s Cross Tube station, it places you in the heart of London’s travel network. This makes exploring major attractions like Oxford Street and major London museums such as the Science Museum and the London Transport Museum easier.
With amenities like 24-hour reception, a restaurant, complimentary wifi, and breakfast, you will surely have a convenient stay. Premier Inn London St Pancras Hotel offers different room options, including the standard room with an en-suite bathroom, tea and coffee-making machine, workspace, TV, and a comfortable king-size bed.
If you want something more equipped, you can opt for the enhanced room with features like wifi, a mini-fridge, an iron, and other services. Families are not left out of the goodness this hotel offers, as it is family-friendly and can accommodate two adults and two children under 16. You can expect a price starting from £120.
9. Brick Lane Hotel
If you’re a first-timer in London who wants comfortable accommodation without breaking the bank, then the Brick Lane Hotel is your best bet. You can get a room at Brick Lane Hotel with a price range between £60 and £100 per night. It’s a small, cozy hotel that offers comfortable rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms also have air conditioning, complimentary wifi, flat-screen TVs, and even coffee machines.
If you're a first-timer who wants to taste real-life London while experiencing the vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood, this hotel is an ideal pick. It is accessible, as it is close to Aldgate East Station. While in town, you can explore popular spots like the Spitalfields Market, the Tower of London, and Shoreditch. The price range for Brick Lane is over £60 per night.
10. Novotel London
Here’s another hotel brand with a couple of hotels scattered across London. Novotel is known for its modern rooms and family-friendly environment. Any Novotel hotel in London is perfect for first-timers. You can check out the Novotel London West, Novotel London Wembley, Novotel London Greenwich, and others, all of which are 4-star hotels. The rate starts from £140 to £190 per night. For adventures, any Novotel London Hotel is close to attractions like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the River Thames.
11. The Landmark London
This 5-star hotel is undoubtedly one of London's best hotels for first-time visitors. For first-timers who want to indulge themselves in a true London adventure, The Landmark London is a superb choice. Located in the elegant Marylebone district, the hotel is accessible and just a short walk from Regent’s Park, Baker Street, and Madame Tussauds. It's also conveniently close to Oxford Street, one of London’s most famous shopping destinations.
The Landmark offers spacious, beautifully decorated rooms and luxurious suites that combine classic British elegance with modern comforts—perfect for those wanting relaxation and sophistication. Its outstanding amenities include accessible bathrooms, an impressive indoor pool, a well-equipped spa, fine dining restaurants, and secure parking.
Whether unwinding after a long day of sightseeing or treating yourself to a nice meal in one of London's best dining, every experience feels satisfactory. Staying at this hotel is quite pricy as it starts at £400 per night. But it gives value for your money and a memorable first London visit.
12. Citadines Trafalgar Square Hotel
If you're staying in London for more than a few nights and want the freedom of a self-catering apartment with hotel-level service, Citadines Trafalgar Square is ideal. Just a few steps from Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and the Charing Cross station, this hotel offers an unbeatable central location. It is also a stone's throw from Covent Garden and the River Thames.
Each unit at the Trafalgar Square Hotel is designed in an apartment-style way that is suitable for people who want to stay in London for more than a few nights. It’s fully equipped with an amazing kitchenette, a living area, a work desk, and high-speed internet, making your stay convenient. The Citadines Trafalgar Hotel offers laundry services and multilingual staff for visitors whose first language is not English; what more can a first-timer in London want? Depending on the apartment you’re going for, the price falls between £180 and £250 per night.
13. DoubleTree by Hilton
Being part of the Hilton upscale chain and one of the best hotels to stay in London for first-time visitors, you’re sure to get value for your money. Many DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are scattered across London, and they offer similar value. But for first-timers in London, we recommend Westminster, which is within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the iconic Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, Grosvenor Square, and the River Thames.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Tower of London is another good recommendation for first-timers in London. With its modern rooms that scream luxury and a rooftop bar overlooking panoramic views of the London Skyline, you will surely enjoy your first time in London. This DoubleTree hotel branch is close to the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Thirdly, there is the Double Tree Excel, which offers convenience and a serene environment. It is perfect for first-timers visiting London for an event at the ExCel Centre or for people flying into the London City Airport. All these Double Tree hotels are super convenient, with friendly services and their signature warm cookie once you check in. Rooms vary across the hotels, but you can expect a price range of £130 to £200 per night.
14. Camden Town Hotel
Simple yet convenient, Camden Town Hotel should be on your list of the best hotels for first-time visitors to London. It is a very affordable hotel, with a nightly rate starting around £70. At this rate, you can expect a clean room with an en suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, and essential amenities. Although it’s not a luxury hotel, it's comfortable and budget-friendly.
Regarding exploring, this hotel in the heart of Camden Town gives you access to fun places and the Camden Town Station that leads to other locations in London. One of the biggest reasons you should stay here is its proximity to the London Camden Lock, one of the city’s iconic markets. At the London Camden Lock, you can shop for street food, vintage clothing, art, and live music. Camden Town Hotel is also not too far from the British Library; it is perfect for visitors who love art and literature.
15. London Marriott Grosvenor Square
Talk of convenience and upscale experience, London Marriott Grosvenor Square offers these and more. This hotel is one of the best in London for first-time visitors to settle. It is close to iconic landmarks and London’s social scene. This hotel is just a few steps from Grosvenor Square and within walking distance from Hyde Park, perfect for early morning walks and picnics.
The distinct thing about this hotel is that it gives unbeatable access to shopping and entertainment. If you’re a first-timer in London and love shopping, you know what to do. London Marriott Grosvenor Square is also within walking distance of Bond Street and Sloane Square, where you can explore cafes, high-end dining, and the West End theatres. By staying in this hotel, everything you need is at your fingertips.
London Marriott Grosvenor Square offers plush rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, and a charming outdoor terrace that graces your sight with beautiful views. It beautifully blends traditional British charm with modern comfort. Nightly rates range from £300 to £500.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer luxury, convenience, or a budget-friendly stay, this guide to the best hotels in London for first-time visitors offers something for everyone. From upscale options near the West End to lively spots in Camden Town, each hotel combines a great location with easy access to London’s top attractions, ensuring a memorable first visit.
