Best Place to Stay in London: Covent Garden or Soho
When you’re planning your first trip, choosing one of the best places to stay in London can be your toughest decision. Choosing a hotel in an area that suits your travel style is the smartest solution for choosing a hotel in London, especially for first-time visitors.
There are so many different environments that offer unique experiences. The location of your hotel in London can determine your trip. You’ll have to decide whether you want to be in the heart of the theater and entertainment district, dive into history, or explore the city’s best shopping and dining.
The two most popular areas for visitors are Covent Garden and Soho. Both offer excellent locations in the West End, but cater to different types of travellers. My first flat in London was in Bloomsbury, which borders both neighbourhoods. So, I know them very well!
This guide will outline the benefits of each area. You’ll learn about hotels, theater, entertainment, dining, nightlife and shopping to help you make informed decisions. Ultimately, deciding on the best place to stay in London will be based on how you want to spend your days and nights on holiday.
Best Place to Stay in London: Covent Garden
Covent Garden is one of London’s most iconic areas. The city is famous for its historic piazzas, fantastic theaters and shopping centers.
This is the perfect location for first-time visitors who want to be close to London’s main attractions, including the Royal Opera House, British Museum and Trafalgar Square. With lively street performances and a wonderful mix of historic charm and modern luxury, Covent Garden offers the quintessential London experience.
Lack: Covent Garden is one of London’s busiest areas and hotel prices reflect demand.
luxury hotel in covent garden
- Savoy
- London Wanderer
- Covent Garden Hotel (Firmdale Hotel)
- One Aldwych
- ME London
MID-RANGE hotel in covent garden
- Hotel Henrietta
- Strand Palace
- Waldorf Hilton
- Clermont London, Charing Cross
- Royal Horse Guards
- Radisson Blu Hotel
CHEAP hotel in Covent Garden
- Travelodge London Covent Garden
- Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
- Zedwell Underground Hotel Tottenham Court Road
Hotels in Covent Garden
Here’s an interactive map for you to choose the best Covent Garden hotel within your London travel budget.
covent garden theatre
- Lion King (Lyceum Theatre)
- Hercules (Royal Drury Theater Line)
- Six (Vaudeville Theatre)
- Paddington(Savoy Theatre)
- Matilda (Cambridge Theatre)
- Q Street (The Shaftesbury Theatre, opening March 2026)
- The Devil Wears Prada (Dominion Theatre)
entertainment & attractions
- Royal Opera House
- London Transport Museum
- Covent Garden Street Entertainers
- Somerset House
- Neal’s Yard (image at right)
- St Paul’s Church
- platoon
- Seasonal Pop-up in the Piazza
- Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Party
- Again Things to Do in Covent Garden
luxurious meal
- Close Maggiore
- Rule
- Cora Pearl
- Delaunay
- Henry
- Savoy Grill
- Wanderer’s Restaurant
- Bathe
- J Sheeky
middle class
- Flat Iron
- Blacklock Covent Garden
- Chaos
- Story Warehouse
- Gauchos
- Cinnamon Bazaar
- Ivy Grill
- Okre- National Gallery
- Mouth Mouth
Budget to mid-range
- Viola Cafe
- Shack Covent Garden
- Neal’s Home Page
- 26 Grains
- Honest Burgers
- Franco Manca
- Seven Dial Market
- Wagamama
- Lusi
- Grandpa
shopping in covent garden
- Apple Market (for handmade goods and antiques)
- Seven Dials Boutique
- Stanfords (iconic travel bookstore)
- Elemis Spa & Skin Care
- Molton Brown
- More shiny
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Tom Ford
- Mulberry
- Tiffany & Co
- channel
Best Place to Stay in London: Soho
Soho is known for its bustling nightlife, eclectic dining scene and independent boutiques. This lively area is perfect for tourists looking for an energetic atmosphere with lots of entertainment.
It is home to some of London’s best restaurants, bars and LGBTQ+ venues. Soho’s central location also makes it a great base for exploring the rest of the city.
Lack: Soho can be noisy, especially at weekends, due to its lively nightlife. This is not an area I would recommend for solo female travelers visiting London for the first time.
luxury hotel in SOHO
- Ham Yard Hotel, Firmdale Hotel
- Soho Hotel, Firmdale Hotel
- Haymarket Hotel, Firmdale Hotel
- W London
- Royal Cafe Hotel
- Londoner
MID-RANGE hotel in SOho
- Trafalgar Square London Thistle
- Thistle London Piccadilly
- Soho Karma Shrine
- Dean Street Townhouse
- Mimi’s Soho Hotel
- Soho Resident
- London Tree House Hotel
CHEAP hotel in SOHO
- Z Hotel Soho
- Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road
- Z Hotel Piccadilly
- Asylum Home Hotel
Hotels in Soho
Here’s an interactive map for you to choose the best hotels in Soho within your London travel budget.
theater in soho
- Opera Ghost (Her Majesty’s Theatre)
- Les Miserables (Sondheim Theatre)
- Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre)
- Red Moulin! (Piccadilly Theatre)
- Beetlejuice (Prince Edward Theatre)
entertainment & attractions
- Chinatown
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
- Leicester Square (host of many film premieres)
- Photographers Gallery
luxurious meal
- Bob Bob Ricard
- Hakkasan
- Gauthier Soho
- Blue Pole (Evelyn Table)
middle class
- Dishoom Carnaby
- Empty
- Flat Iron
- Blacklock Soho
- Devonshire
- Barrafina
- Soho Cricket
- Duck & Rice
- Nessa
- Soho Burgers & Lobster
- Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
- light
- Palomar
Budget to mid-range
- BAO Soho
- Rosa’s Soho Thailand
- Soho Honest Burgers
- Koya Soho
- It’s gone
- Mash’s mother
- Kingly Court (various restaurants)
shopping at SOHO
- London Freedom
- Carnaby Street
- Regent Street
Comparison: Covent Garden or Soho
| Covent Garden | Soho | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Classic London charm Focus on theater |
Lively, heavy nightlife Trends |
| Best for | Family, theater lovers Luxury traveler |
Nightlife seeker, foodie Young traveler |
| Hotel prices | Expensive to middle class | Mid to budget class |
| Shopping | High end brand Seven Dials Local boutique Page |
Carnaby Street Regent Street Trendy streetwear |
| Eat | Classic British cuisine Elegant Fine Dining Street Food Market (Seven Plates) |
Eclectic, international Michelin-starred option |
| Noise level | Currently | High, especially at night |
| Nearby attractions | Royal Opera House Somerset House Leicester Field |
Chinatown Ronnie Scott’s Carnaby Street |
Best Places to Stay in London: Final Thoughts
Both Covent Garden and Soho offer a great base for a visit to London, but the right choice depends on your travel style. If you love theatre, historic charm and elegant shopping, Covent Garden is the ideal place. If you prefer a lively, fast-paced area with endless dining and a busy nightlife, Soho is a better choice.
Not sure whether Covent Garden or Soho is best for you?
I offer personalized travel consultations to help you create the perfect travel plan based on your interests and budget. Whether you’re deciding between Covent Garden and Soho or planning a detailed itinerary, my expert advice ensures you make the most of your time in London. Alternatively, you can take one of my London Travel Guides or combine them with my Insider’s Guide to London Restaurants.
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