Can anyone tell me about Oxford Circus? What is there? Would this be a good area to stay in? A friend of mine said we should stay in this area, but I can't seem to find much about it on the Web. Thanks!!

Well Oxford Circus is a VERY crowded intersection on one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. It is very central - but even fighting the crowds to get in to the tube station can be a real challenge.

At some times of the day it is almost impossible to walk along Oxford St. regent St isn't quite so bad but is also very crowded.

I personally would not want to stay near there.

Thanks! I knew it was a bit touristy... sounds like a place we may want to visit, but not stay in...

No - it actually isn't very touristy at all. It is the biggest shopping area in London. Most of those thousands of people are locals.

I love this area. It is where you will find locals shopping and is very central.

Wherever you stay in the West End (of London) you are only a few minutes away by tube or taxi from all the other sights and attractions of the city. Suggest you be more concerned about the hotel itself rather than its precise location.

The last week in March, we stayed at the Langham Hilton which is about 3 blocks north of the Oxford Circus tube. We loved the area...plenty of shopping, coffee bars, wine bar, Boots chemist, and a great Tesco in the area. Yes that part of Oxford Street can be very busy, but once you go a block or 2 north or south of the street, things calm down considerably.

Don't mean to confuse you, but as ErinS says, the eastern side of the Marylebone neighborhood where the Langham is is very nice. But your question was specifically about Oxford Circus. Oxford Street/Oxford Circus are terribly crowded. If you mean away from Oxford Circus a few blocks then my answer would be different.