Where to stay

For variety and originality in dining choices, choose a hotel in Balham, where cozy cafes, hip brunch spots, a weekend farmers' market and gourmet restaurants line the streets. It's just as easy to dine on Nepalese momos as it is to savor a Moroccan tagine or traditional English fare. Other top dining neighborhoods include Marylebone with its upscale gourmet eateries, Camden and its street food collective KERB, and Soho, for its restaurant classics and new favorites - just be prepared to wait in line at these hip, no-reservation spots).

The good news is that practically anywhere a hotel is located in London, it's nearby loads of landmarks and attractions. For the biggest names in London sightseeing, choose accommodations in Westminster, where the must-see list includes Buckingham Palace and the Queen's Guard, Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament and Big Ben. The exclusive and central neighborhood of St. James's is also a solid choice, close to the oldest Royal Park of London, and home to St. James's Palace. Stay in bustling West End for nonstop activity, including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and plenty of theaters, nightclubs, pubs and shops. Art-lovers and Shakespeare fans can find home at hotels in Southwark, close to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the famous Borough Market and landmark bridges (the Tower, Millennium and London). For a bird's-eye view of London, stay on the South Bank and take a ride on the London Eye, then, later on, catch a performance at the National Theater.

Some call Bloomsbury the cultural heart of London; those choosing accommodations in this village-like neighborhood will find leafy gardens, Victorian architecture, the British Museum and the Curzon Cinema. Museum fans will be happy with a room in Kensington, home to Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. Some of these cultural institutions are free of charge. Stay in Marylebone for The Wallace Collection, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds.

In between visiting centuries-old landmarks and world-class museums, London travelers can peruse the many shops and boutiques of this capital city, from haute couture to antiques. For the best of the best, stay in stylish Knightsbridge, home to renowned Harrods and high fashion houses. Mayfair and Bond Street hotels are close to sophisticated shops full of designer goods, including Burberry, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton. Shop the legendary Selfridges and the famous John Lewis and Debenhams department stores from a home base on Oxford Street. Regent Street hotels place you close to some of the city's oldest and most respected shopping, including Hamleys, Liberty, John Lobb and Benson & Clegg. If you're seeking quirkier treasures, stay in Notting Hill and spend hours at Portobello Road Market, browsing for antiques and vintage accessories.