Soho and the West End sit at the beating heart of London. No area of the city has more energy after dark, more interesting streets to wander, or more within walking distance. If you want to be in the thick of it, this is where to stay.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated:
Soho is a compact neighbourhood roughly bounded by Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road.
Despite its small size it packs in an extraordinary density of restaurants, bars, live music venues and independent shops — all tucked into a network of narrow lanes that somehow still feel local despite the millions of visitors passing through each year.
The West End is the broader area surrounding Soho, stretching from Holborn in the east to Oxford Circus in the west. It’s home to London’s theatre district, its best shopping streets, and some of its finest galleries.
You could easily spend days strolling around, popping into interesting shops and still not even scratch the surface.
The area is also a great base for staying in London. It is as central as it is possible to be, and much of what first-time visitors come to see is within easy walking distance.
We have lived in London for over 30 years and spend a lot of time in Soho. It’s one of our favourite parts of the city.
Here are the pros and cons of staying here, along with the best hotels for every budget.
For a full breakdown of our favourite neighbourhoods to base yourself, read Where to Stay in London.
Is Staying in Soho & West End Right for You?
Soho & the West End is the best base in London if nightlife, food and culture are your priorities. Everything is walkable — you can move between a gallery, a theatre, a great restaurant and one of the city’s best bars without ever getting on the tube.
Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Regent Street are on your doorstep for shopping. Covent Garden, Chinatown, Leicester Square and the Southbank are all within a short walk.
The one trade-off is noise. Soho is lively around the clock and some streets — particularly around Old Compton Street and Dean Street — stay busy well into the early hours.
If you’re a light sleeper, choose a hotel slightly away from the centre of the action or ask for a room on a higher floor.
The thing we love about Soho in particular is that, while very popular with tourists, it still manages to hold on to a local feel.
Main Attractions in Soho & the West End
- Soho’s laneways: Dean Street, Frith Street and Beak Street are the heart of the neighbourhood — narrow lanes packed with independent cafés, wine bars, restaurants and boutiques. These streets are as good in the afternoon as they are at midnight.
- Old Compton Street: The centre of London’s LGBTQ+ scene and one of the liveliest streets in the city. The bars are welcoming to everyone.
- Berwick Street Market: One of the best street food markets in London. Our pick is Jerusalem Falafel.
- The French House: A Soho institution on Dean Street. No music, no TV, no phones, and famously half-pints only — except on April 1st each year when full pints are served for charity.
- National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery: Two of the finest free galleries in the world, both just a short walk away on Trafalgar Square. The Portrait Gallery is our favourite gallery in London.
- Covent Garden: Busy and touristy but genuinely worth it. The covered market hall is beautiful, the shopping is excellent, and there are some very good restaurants in the surrounding streets.
- Chinatown: Bustling area great for dim sum and dinner.
- West End Theatre: London’s mainstream theatre district is right on your doorstep. Book ahead for the big shows — they sell out weeks in advance.
Getting Around Soho & West End
Many of London’s best attractions are either in Soho or just a short walk away.
But if you want to travel further, the West End is one of the best-connected areas of London, with many tube stations connecting numerous different underground lines.
Tube Stations in Soho & the West End – Oxford Circus | Tottenham Court Road | Piccadilly Circus | Leicester Square | Covent Garden | Charing Cross | Embankment | Holborn
If you are arriving from Heathrow or Gatwick, trains run directly to Paddington (from Heathrow) or to Victoria Tube Station (from Gatwick). From there, it is either a short taxi or tube ride into Soho & the West End.
Where to Stay in Soho & West End
Here are our recommendations for where to stay in Soho and the West End. We have chosen a mix of hotels at different price points.
- Budget (£) – Under £250
- Mid-Market (££) – £250 to £400
- Top-End (£££) – Over £400
Below is a map showing the locations of each hotel, the major attractions, and the main transport hubs.
The West End is the entire area shaded grey, while Soho is the series of laneways in its northwest corner.
The Southbank is just a short walk over the river. Westminster is to the south, the City of London to the east, and the shops of Mayfair to the west.
Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.
Best Hotels in Soho & West End
Budget Hotels in Soho & West End (£)
Z Hotel Soho – Trendy and well-located in the heart of Soho, Z Hotel punches above its price point on style if not on space. Rooms are small and compact — there are no wardrobes, just a hanging rail — so pack light. But for a great-value base right in the middle of the action, it’s hard to beat.
Z Hotel Strand – The Strand outpost of Z Hotels is slightly quieter than the Soho location and a good option if you want budget-friendly accommodation without the noise of central Soho. Rooms are clean and tidy, though small. The location — between Covent Garden and the Embankment — is excellent.
Moxy London Piccadilly Circus – Marriott’s budget-boutique brand does Soho well. The Moxy leans into its playful identity with a lively bar, bold interiors and a young, sociable atmosphere. Rooms are compact but cleverly designed to make the most of the space. A good choice if you want something with more personality than a standard chain hotel without paying boutique prices.
Mid-Market Hotels in Soho & West End (££)
Hazlitt’s – One of the most characterful hotels in London, Hazlitt’s occupies four Georgian townhouses in the heart of Soho and is easy to walk past without knowing it’s there. Inside, wood-panelled rooms, leather-bound books and antique furniture create a genuinely old-world atmosphere that no amount of boutique hotel design could replicate. A brilliant choice for those who want something with real personality.
The Spice of Life – A pub with rooms in one of the best spots in Soho, right on the corner of Cambridge Circus. The rooms are simple and no-frills but clean and well-priced for the location. Downstairs, the pub is a proper Soho institution with live music most evenings — brilliant if you’re here for the atmosphere, less ideal if you want an early night.
The Resident Soho – A smart aparthotel on Warwick Street with well-designed rooms that feel more like a well-appointed flat than a hotel. Kitchenettes in every room make it a practical choice for longer stays, and the neighbourhood — quietly residential by Soho standards — means it’s a good deal calmer than some of the alternatives. Good value for the quality.
Top End Hotels in Westminster (£££)
L’Oscar – On the northeastern edge of Covent Garden, L’Oscar is one of the most exuberantly designed hotels in London — opulent, theatrical and somewhere between 1920s Hollywood and Studio 54. The staff are excellent, the cocktails are worth staying in for, and the breakfast is well above average. A great choice for a special occasion.
Ham Yard Hotel – Ham Yard is a hotel that feels like its own little neighbourhood — a tree-filled courtyard surrounded by a bowling alley, a theatre, independent shops and a rooftop terrace with an edible garden and good London views. The rooms are beautifully designed with a distinctly British sensibility. One of the best hotels in Soho at this price point.
W Hotel – The W sits right on Leicester Square and makes no attempt to be understated about it. The design is bold, the rooftop bar has some of the best views in central London, and the rooms are large by London standards with all the high-spec finishes you’d expect from the brand. It’s unashamedly glam, and the location — steps from the West End’s theatres and Soho’s restaurants — is about as central as it gets and the most expensive in this list.
More Where to Stay in London Guides
- Choosing where to stay? Read our guide about the best neighbourhoods to stay in London.
- Looking to sleep near the main sights of London? Check out our guide to staying in Westminster.
- Many visitors don’t think to stay here, but it’s a great base. Our guide to staying in South Bank.
- Want to stay in a fun and colourful neighbourhood. Check out the best hotels in Notting Hill.
- Looking for buzzy and exciting nightlife? Find the best places to stay in Soho & the West End.
- For a cool neighbourhood at decent budget prices, stay in Shoreditch.
- For a refined neighbourhood in a central location, pick a boutique stay in Marylebone.
- All our favourite things are covered in our guide, the best things to do in London.
- Find out how to put them together in our 4-day London itinerary.
- London is a great base to explore the southeast. Read our best day trips from London.
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Thanks for your support // Paul & Mark