Trying to narrow down an area/hotel to stay in London for a week in November. First time visitor (solo female), want to go everywhere, see everything (in the city plus friends in suburbs north and south) - so close to a tube station that is convenient to get to many places is my top priority. Next desire would be a nice neighborhood with shops/restaurants (but not McDonalds-type places). Generally prefer modern hotels, price range I’m thinking 200-250 GBP but am flexible. South Kensington and Farringdon seem like good spots - any thoughts? Alternatives? Happy to take recs for areas and/or specific hotels.

South Kensington for sure.. it is a busy area but you can find little pockets of quiet around. I don't know about modern hotels but I am sure folks here will have some recs. Farringdon is great and has the advantage of being on the Elizabeth line, but it is a for the most part a business district. So on Thursday (the new Friday) and also Friday (an extra Friday, for die hards) it is a busy pub night, and on Sundays, it is completely dead.

I have slightly a different perspective. I've stayed in the South Kensington/Sloane Sq area many times (at least 15X) and near Farringdon station twice. I HIGHLY recommend both areas. . Besides the Elizabeth line, transport connections from Farringdon are excellent, a lot of new restaurants have opened up, and there are some very good budget friendly hotels nearby. Plus it is near the Barbican for theatre and concerts.

I'd go with whichever one gets you the best hotel in your budget.

. . . OR -- since you are staying a week, I'd definitely look into renting a flat.

For a hotel I'd highly recommend the Rookery just up the road from Farringdon station but my guess it would be just at the top end of your budget. An absolutely gorgeous property with 'idiosyncrasies '.

https://www.rookeryhotel.com


The first two posts in one of my TRs from 2022 have info and photos of the Rookery

Perfect week in London

Prior to a cruise last summer, we stayed at The Bailey's Hotel London https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/...-hotel-london/
Literally just across the street from S. Kensington tube station. Very nice rooms, especially nice breakfast daily.
Felt safe returning back in the evening.

Bailey's is a nice property and should be within the OP's budget. However you might have your tube stations confused. It isn't across from South Kensington tube -- it is practically on top of the Gloucester Road station. It is a good 10 minute walk from South Kens station..

Of course you are correct Janisj

For a week, it's really nice to have a kitchenette so you might look into apart-hotels.

I've always enjoyed my stays at the Resident hotels, which offer a fridge, sink, microwave, which are great for keeping a few snacks at hand. I just stayed in May at the Resident Kensington which is very convenient to Earl's Court station, and other times, at the Resident Victoria. I've stayed at those two properties multiple times--have lost track--and never found fault with any of them. I DO prefer the Kensington over the Victoria for the neighborhood, and it's been more convenient for the places I want to be. And certainly, to and from Heathrow. Free membership sign-up shows better rates. Not discounted anywhere else--best direct from their site.

Good luck, and have fun planning.

Thanks all, much appreciate the thoughts. I've done more research and am now more confused than before. Most of the hotels in South Kensington are farther from the tube station than I would like. Bailey's Hotel seems okay but I read some poor reviews on cleanliness. Others are closer to Earl's Court, which the internet described as having "fast food", which isn't really what I want (but please tell me if that's silly). Am I better off just staying near Paddington or Kings Cross (I thought KC was exactly what I didn't want, lots of chain restaurants, etc. but now I don't know). I normally wouldn't be this picky, but as I'm staying for a whole week, I really want it to be decent - area, transport, and hotel cleanliness. Help, I think I've lost my mind.

OK -- Ears Court isn't my favorite area - a bit too far west for my liking . . . But there is not a single part of London (except maybe for Mayfair) that doesn't have fast food.

I personally hate dislike Paddington - but that is mostly based on prejudice from years ago when it was pretty gnarly. It has improved quite a bit since then.

Kings Cross used to be gawd awful (really grotty with drugs and streetwalkers) but now it is pretty great. Major redevelopment including a world famous 5 star hotel at St Pancras, the Coal Drops Yard development with restaurants/galleries/shops etc. Of the two areas Paddington vs Kings Cross - I'd pick Kings X hands down. Not sure what you mean by lots of chain restaurants?? Sure there are some -- there are two major train stations (three if you count nearby Euston) so of course there will be some fast food and chains -- but there are a TON of independent places too.

I do think you are over thinking things just a bit - meant with kindness. Basically just about ANY area inside the Circle Line will be convenient for transport, will have some fast food, will have tons of independent restaurants, and will be close/convenient to at least some major sites.

Thank you janisj, "overthinking" could be my middle name. I was trying to avoid the equivalent of Times Square, but I know I'll be happy to be wherever I am when I arrive.

The only place in London even remotely like Times Square would be Piccadilly Circus/Shaftesbury Avenue . . .

Bailey’s Millennium has been our ‘go-to’ hotel for years; certainly no housekeeping complaints.
My heart skips a beat as I cross the little side street between the hotel and the Gloucester Road station.
Three tube lines use the station - Piccadilly, Circle, District so yes, you can get there from here.
Wherever you choose, hey, you’re in London 🏰

RE: Earl's Court station
Yes, there are fast food places right along that street, but there's also a Boots and a Marks & Spencer that is right there for picking up some cheese and crackers, scones, and my new favorite, elderflower presse (a fizzy drink that is harder to get in Chicago.) And the Resident Kensington, for me, makes stays here really comfortable. Especially for a week, I think you'll definitely miss not having a mini fridge.

I also like King's Cross, and the Coal Drop Yards is nice. I just find myself seeing more in west London/Richmond/Chiswick and Chelsea, plus I enjoy the walks to the V&A and Hyde Park.

One area I'd LOVE to stay in is Mayfair nearish the Daunt Bookstore, but hotel prices are more than I like to pay as a solo traveller.

Do check the reviews at tripadvisor, too! Have fun planning!

I didn't know Daunt Books had a location in Mayfair! I've visited the one on Marylebone High St (which I found by accident walking from the Wallace Collection to Regent's Park) and one in north Oxford

Oh shoot! I'm wrong. Thanks, @Janisj. I meant that one in Marylebone. (I'm freshly arrived in Japan and my brain is NOT working. But on that note, if you ever hear of lodgings near that charming street under £160/night, that would be huge for me! I'd stayed at the Hub by Premier Inn London Goodge Street on my trip before last, and enjoyed that area very much.)

On Daunt Books, jakes , if there's a book lover in your life, their totes have become fashionable. On one of my first trips to London, I'd bought a stash of books at the (now closed) Daunt Chelsea, and the lovely bookseller gave me a fantastic navy/white silkscreen tote for free that I've enjoyed for years now. (I didn't enjoy hauling those heavy books home.) There's a nice story behind how the bags are made, as well.

I have just returned from London and stayed 3 nights solo at the LIme Tree Hotel. This hotel was a favourite of Rick Steves some time ago. In the last few years it has undergone a change in mgt and I know from some of the comments on Trip Advisor that people miss its B&B style.
I loved my room there. It was single room that I paid around 200 pounds per night. It has some lovely places to eat around there, and it is also a 5 to 10 minute walk from Victoria station. It made it easy gettting to and from LHR and Gatwick airport.
It is also an easy walk to Soho and Kensington from there.

I would recommend.

I've never stayed at the Lime Tree, but I do love that area, very far removed from a Times Square type of area, and much nicer than Earls Court I think. Lovely restaurants, beautiful shops. Good recommendation for the OP!

I second this recommendation, stayed there in 2023 and loved it. It is very popular so best to book early if it's what you want. I had a long conversation with the owner about the hotel, they took the opportunity during covid to completely renovate it and it really has a lovely decor and fit out. Apparently the hotel was originally a Band B and across the road a couple had another Band B, the couple across the road bought the Lime Tree and ran it for years and now their daughter and her husband own it and run it.
The neighbourhood is great with lots of choices for eating out, there is a very nice (and $$) Italian grocery/wine etc store nearby, quite a few independent shops and you can walk up to Sloane Square (another fave neigbourhood of mine) in about ten minutes.

I haven't stayed there but even so have recommended the Lime Tree for ages. Great street -- I've stayed across the road at B+BBelgravia (which I loved) maybe 3 times but each visit Lime Tree was either booked up or was above my budget for that trip. Close to both Victoria and Sloane Square with lots of nice pubs, restaurants and shops in the area.