Accommodation in London for the Savvy Traveller
If you’ve ever spent a day criss-crossing London, you’ll know the city’s scale can sometimes leave you feeling a little wilted. Got your eye on the antiques shops and art galleries of stately South Kensington, or the bustling food markets and stylish pubs of London’s East End? We’ve shortlisted nine stays for savvy travellers who want to keep things local and laid-back, with local attractions and landmarks right on the doorstep.
1. The Grazing Goat, Marylebone
Inn
There are more hotels skirting Hyde Park than we’d care to count, but few offer the value of the Grazing Goat in Marylebone. The ground floor is given over to a rustic boozer with French oak furniture, leather armchairs and an open fire – and the food has pub-appropriate pricing to boot. There’s also a variety of good restaurants on the doorstep, including Donostia, a Basque tapas spot, and Pachamama, where Peruvian cuisine is paired with British produce.
2. Shangri-La at the Shard, London Bridge
Hotel
Straddling 18 floors of London’s tallest building, Shangri-La at the Shard has the loftiest outlook in the city. From your window-walled room, in the heart of vibrant London Bridge, even London’s busiest pockets seem serene. There’s no need to hide in your gleaming tower, though, as things are just as diverting at street level. Embark on a tasting tour of Borough and Maltby Street markets, sample the breweries of Bermondsey’s Beer Mile or catch thespians treading the boards at Shakespeare’s Globe.
3. The Pelham, South Kensington
Boutique Hotel
5. Assembly, Charing Cross
Budget Hotel, Hotel
If you’re in London for theatre, Assembly Covent Garden is your scene-stealing stay. The design scheme here is bold and playful, inspired by luminaries such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Gareth Pugh, all alumni of nearby Central Saint Martins arts and design school. Book your pre-theatre dinner at fetching restaurant Cora Pearl, named after a French courtesan whose exploits made her the talk of town.
6. The Buxton, Whitechapel
Bed and Breakfast
The Buxton is a pretty pub with rooms at the foot of Brick Lane, putting you mere steps away from East London’s best curry houses and lively Sunday street market. Downstairs, old-school features such as a wooden bar front and arched windows lend historic pedigree, and the rooms feature handwoven artwork and blankets that nod to East London’s weaving past. After grabbing a bite on Brick Lane, head north to eye the blooms at Columbia Road Flower Market before sprawling out in Victoria Park, Hackney’s favourite green space.
7. The Standard, King's Cross
Hotel
Housed in a landmark brutalist building in King’s Cross, the Standard is anything but typical. Once the building’s ’60s bones had been restored, designer Shawn Hausman took on the interiors – and really went for it. Bold mid-century furniture, sense-teasing materials and a ’70s-inspired colour scheme make the hotel an antidote to London’s sometimes colour-sapped skies. Take a walk around nearby Coal Drops Yard, a handsome complex fashioned from two Victorian coal sheds that today houses boutiques, bars and big-ticket restaurants, right by the Regent’s Canal.
8. The Mitre, Hampton Court
Hotel
If you’re open to the idea of staying outside the city centre, the Mitre makes a fine alternative to your classic Thames-side hotel. Built in 1655, the building has long acted as a lodge for visitors to Hampton Court Palace, which is right next door. The interiors have been completely overhauled by designer Nicola Harding, who drew inspiration from country homes and the bright colours often seen at boat races along the river. Settle in and enjoy the view, willows and all.
9. Safestay London Elephant and Castle
Hostel, Hotel
Got the London bug? Check out our guide on where to stay in the capital for a local experience. Heading to Eltham Palace? Check out these hotels nearby and book now on Culture Trip.
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