On a first visit, stay central to save travel time:
- Covent Garden: in the middle of everything, with lots of theatres and places to eat.
- Soho: lively at night, ideal if you enjoy evenings out.
- Westminster & St James's: right by Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, quieter in the evening.
- London Bridge / Southwark: just across the river, near Borough Market and Tate Modern, a short walk over the bridge to the centre.
Central areas have London's highest room prices. On a tighter budget, stay a little further out but near a Tube station on the same line as the places you plan to visit.