Bloomsbury | Scholarly and Relaxed
Bloomsbury offers intellectual richness combined with genuine calm, all within the otherwise bustling Central London area. This is where the city keeps its books, museums, and garden squares. The neighborhood gave us the Bloomsbury Group, houses a dozen independent bookstores , and has a bevy of historic markers commemorating writers and thinkers. University College London anchors the area.
Exceptional Transit and Proximity
Multiple Tube stations mean you're never more than a couple minutes from the underground. King's Cross St. Pancras—your gateway to Oxford—is one stop or a 15-minute walk away. Walking distance to Covent Garden, West End theaters, and South Bank/Waterloo.
Breathing Room
Russell Square, Bloomsbury Square, and Tavistock Square provide pretty open space surrounded by Georgian townhouses. St. George's Gardens provide a great opportunity for taking a little wander through secret gardens and spotting squirrels with British accents.
Museums Big & Small
The British Museum (think of it as London's version of The Met) is here and offers free admission. This makes it a great option for a short visit to one gallery at a time without experiencing Historic Museum Overload and could be especially clutch if you need to dodge a brief heavy rain.
The hidden gems, though, are the quirky little museums that house curiosities of every variety. Weird Victorian Zoology, Egyptology, an underground Mail Ride at the Postal Museum…and other similarly specific topics. Something to delight the nerd in each of you.
Considerations
Bloomsbury gets quiet in the evenings. If your dream vacation includes being able to walk out your front door and have a dozen fun places to check out at night, we should prioritize lodging on the western edge. This would give you easy access to the Fitzrovia dining scene. On the flip side, coming home to a peaceful environment after a big day may be exactly what you need.
Bloomsbury Accommodations
Bloomsbury has a wide variety of lovely hotels. The ones below are a good sample.
The Montague on the Gardens | Quintessential British Charm
Situated in a prime location between the British Museum, Russell Square, and Bloomsbury Square Garden, the Montague on the Gardens provides an unmistakably British hospitality experience. Guests have exclusive access to the private, manicured gardens on the grounds and the property has two high-quality dining venues, one of which is safari themed and worth a visit just for the photos.
The Academy | Boutique Refinement
Nestled within a row of Georgian townhouses on a quiet street across from the University, The Academy Hotel offers a sophisticated environment and a quiet place to return to at the end of each day. This property has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which is backed by an association with Hilton.
The Bloomsbury Hotel | A Touch of Glamour
Primely located a block up from Oxford Street and adjacent to Fitzrovia, The Bloomsbury Hotel has a reputation for refined elegance and vibrant social spaces. The Bloomsbury positions itself as family-friendly and has larger standard rooms than competing hotels. There are also strong restaurant options that feel fancy but also have simple food.
Fitzrovia | Creative and Authentic
Fitzrovia has an artistic energy and an exceptional array of restaurants, alongside residential streets and neighborhood services that make it a great place to come home to. This area blends pretty seamlessly into Bloomsbury to the east and the elegant Marylebone neighborhood to the west, but definitely has its own character. Creative offices and small studios anchor the daytime activity and heavily influence the evening crowd.
Creative & Media Hub
Home to numerous architecture firms, television production companies, and digital design studios, Fitzrovia pulses with a creative heartbeat. This industry presence keeps the neighborhood dynamic throughout the week. It is also a popular place for public art installations and murals.
Culinary Hotspot
Fitzrovia boasts an impressive concentration of places to eat and drink, catering to every taste and occasion. From simple tasty food to destination restaurants on Charlotte Street, the area is a prime destination for food lovers. Your options for places all three of you enjoy would be plentiful here.
Balancing Bustle and Calm
Similar to Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia's location ensures excellent transport links. Soho, Covent Garden, and the Totoro theater are just a short stroll away, and major bus routes conveniently traverse the neighborhood's perimeter roads. Most hotels are are set back a block or two from the busiest streets, providing easy access to London's sights without the immediate clamor of the Oxford Street crowds.
Considerations
Fitzrovia is where modern creative London lives, works, and plays. The great restaurants, creative energy, and modern aesthetic may feel miles away from traditional storybook London (but they're actually only a 10-minute walk apart).
Fitzrovia Accommodations
Fitzrovia has fewer lodging options than Bloomsbury but the ones that are there focus on bringing the fun.
The Sanderson | Playful Sophistication
Housed in a historically designated mid-century building just off Oxford Street, Sanderson London combines whimsical interior design with a lush, glass-covered courtyard garden. This property is definitely something Lewis Carrol could have dreamt up. The room interiors are calmer than the public spaces, but still include some playful touches that are fun to come home to.
The Treehouse Hotel | Whimsical Charm
Perched on the western border of Fitzrovia, adjacent to posh Marylebone, the Treehouse Hotel delivers a nature-inspired aesthetic in the middle of the city. Most rooms have large windows with great urban views and the rooftop restaurant is open year-round. The hotel sits just a few blocks up from Oxford Street, putting right on the northern edge of Soho and Mayfair as well.
Serviced Apartments | Private & Personalized
Fitzrovia is a particularly great place to consider a serviced apartment, as there is a wide variety of properties available in this area. If this is a direction you want to pursue further, we would look to imbed pantry/fridge stocking, housekeeping, and on-call concierge services so it still feels like vacation and you don't sacrifice that feeling of being taken care of.
South Bank & Waterloo | Lively and Iconic
If you like the idea of being right in the middle of the big attractions, this is where you can do it without feeling like you're in a theme park (mostly). The South Bank is a long riverside promenade strung along the Thames and is home to the London Eye and Tate Modern. It is also just across the bridge from Big Ben, Westminster, Soho and Covent Garden. This is definitely a tourist-heavy part of town, but it has its own personality as a local cultural destination, thanks to its popular theatre scene.
The Thames Path
On a clear day, the riverside walk from Westminster to Tower Bridge is one of London's iconic experiences. The views across to Big Ben and Parliament are postcard material. Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, you'll still have opportunities to capture these views and sense of space while popping into a few warm dry places along the way.
Borough Market
South Bank does have a fair number of middling tourist restaurants, but it also boasts a diverse culinary landscape that's easy to find if you look for it. Just west of the London Bridge, Borough Market offers a strong array of gourmet food stalls and fresh produce. This venue is perfect for exploring new foods with a very low penalty for deciding something just isn't for you.
An Endless Supply of Diversions
In addition to the classic landmarks and venues that make South Bank a destination, this area also houses some more modern attractions. There's a small dungeon-themed interactive theme park, a tunnel covered in high quality street art, a selection of maritime museums and entertainment, and dozens of other little experiences aimed at families looking for a bit of fun.
Considerations
This neighborhood does not pretend to be anything other than what it is - a place visitors flock to for a reason. This means crowds, street performers, people taking selfies, a million chotchke shops, and all the other assorted activities that go along with a prime location. If you have a limited bandwidth for this energy, this might not be the best place to call home. If you decide to embrace it, it could be a fantastic memory!
South Bank Accommodations
South Bank does have its fair share of chain hotels, but there are a few properties clustered along Blackfriars Road that create their own atmosphere. When you want to head into the West End, you have multiple transit options right outside your front door.
Bankside Hotel | Creative Retreat
Tucked just a block behind the river, Bankside is a design-forward boutique hotel with an artsy, residential feel and an on-site gallery space. Its warm social spaces and casual on-site restaurant create a comfortable landing spot within a few minutes’ walk of everything on the South Bank path.
Sea Containers | Riverfront Drama
Set directly on the Thames, Sea Containers delivers big river views and a glamorous cruise ship-inspired environment. This is the closest thing to a themed family resort London has to offer. It sports multiple in-house dining options, an on-site cinema, a spa, and a generally immersive environment. The rooms are edgy, with a nautical twist.
The Hoxton Southwark | Urban Sanctuary
Located a short walk back from the river, The Hoxton Southwark offers a stylish, low-key base within easy reach of South Bank. It has a little less foot traffic and a little more breathing room than the competing properties, while still maintaining a sophisticated vibe. A newer property, and the early reviews have been stellar.