The best way to visit London is to pick an area that is near the sites you want to visit, then find a nearby hotel. Some of the most popular areas include:
The West End - London’s West End features a plethora of theaters and cafes. If you stay in the West End, you are ensured that your stay will be filled with many sights and sounds because you will be close to all the great attractions including: the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, Leicester Square and the London Zoo. London’s West End has always been a major tourist attraction so you will always be able to find accommodations that will fit within your price range and your comfort level. The area the West End occupies is typically classified by the streets that border it: Oxford Street on the north, Regent Street on the west, Kingsway on the east, and ‘The Strand’ on the South.
Bayswater / Paddington - Paddington and Bayswater are also both very attractive destinations. Bayswater is essentially a residential area located near the Paddington district. What is nice about this location is that most of the hotels in the area were once private residences that have been turned into hotels. They create a comfy and homey ambiance. The underground in the Bayswater area includes several connecting lines, so you will have quick and easy access to most of London, including the city centre. An upscale neighborhood to visit in Bayswater is Notting Hill, which received a lot of fame due to the film of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. If you choose to stay there, you can easily traipse over to the Portobello Road Antique Market and find some great treasures. This is usually held every week on Saturday.
Kensington - The place to stay if you do not want to pay for the high cost of a hotel in the city centre, but still want access to all the sites. Kensington has many of its own green areas such as parks and gardens, but it is also connected to mass transit so you can go to anywhere you would like. Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived, is also naturally in Kensington. This is a sophisticated and cultured piece of London, and the hotels in this area will provide you with an equally civilized place to stay. If you are looking to be spoiled, this is definitely the spot for you.
Westminster - You could also stay in the most historic district in central London, Westminster. Westminster is home to the Palace of Westminster, the building in which parliament sits. The palace shares Westminster Square with the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the always popular Big Ben. Near to Westminster Square is Buckingham Palace, the place where Queen Elizabeth II lives. You can watch the world famous ‘Changing of the Guard’ there every day just before noon. Another favorite, Downing Street, can also be found in Westminster. This area can easily be traveled to thanks to the various subway and transit systems that frequent it daily so this makes it an ideal spot to stay in when you are in London.
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