If it's your first visit or you want to walk to everything, base yourself in the centre. Covent Garden and Soho put the West End, theatres and restaurants on your doorstep; the South Bank gives you the river, the Tate and walkable views. You pay more per night, but you save on transport and time, which is the whole point of a short trip.
Shoreditch, Dalston and the surrounding East End are where London's bars, music and street food cluster. Hotels are generally a bit cheaper than the dead centre, and you're a short tube or bus ride from the sights.
The big rail hubs are smart value plays: you get good hotel choice, fast links across the city, and easy airport and out-of-town connections. King's Cross has had a glow-up and is genuinely nice now; Paddington and Victoria are reliable, well-connected bases that won't break the budget.
For a concert at Wembley, anywhere on the Jubilee or Metropolitan line works; for the O2, the Jubilee line. Resist the urge to book right next to the stadium, those hotels are pricier, quieter and worse for the rest of the trip. A central room a few stops away is cheaper and easier. See our guide to planning a trip around a concert.
Families do best with breakfast included, free cancellation and a bit of space, look at South Kensington (museums on the doorstep) or aparthotels around King's Cross and Canary Wharf for kitchens and room to spread out.
Prices swing a lot by date and area, so compare before you commit. We check 100+ booking sites through Hotellook and show the cheapest with photos and ratings.
Planning more than a hotel? Build the whole trip, see the London budget guide or build a London trip.