With London being such a well-connected and sprawling city, many people who come to visit or see the sights are happy to stay in a hotel in one of its surrounding neighbourhoods. It’s a perfectly sound move, saving money by staying at a Premier Inn or Travelodge on the outskirts and then just paying the day rates on the Underground. However, if budgets allow, right in the heart of London stands one of the finest collections of hotels grouped in one area.
All boasting the WC2N 5HX postcode, these world-class hotels are found in Charing Cross, which just so happens to be the perfect place to explore many of the best restaurants, sights, and entertainment venues in all of London. It’s hard to understate the convenience of being able to step out from a luxury hotel and take a short walk to a famous part of the city. Despite the higher cost, let’s take a closer look at the great appeal of staying in a Charing Cross hotel.
London’s Hottest Spot is Just Around the Corner
Source: Unsplash
For many, the main event in London is Leicester Square. Charing Cross is just a few minutes away by foot, while also being far enough away that the bulk of the noise from such a popular place is muffled out. The centre of the West End, Leicester Square boasts all the theatres, clubs, popular restaurants, sights, and shops you could possibly want.
A famed location for film premieres, among the mainstays of Leicester Square are Her Majesty’s Theatre, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, The Comedy Store, Piccadilly Circus, and a whole host of cinemas to dip into for a classic indie or blockbuster hit.
For an all-in-one night of entertainment, there’s also the Hippodrome. A historic building transformed into a theatre, dining experience, bar, and casino, many mistakenly think that the glorious Victorian venue charge on the door. Instead, it doesn’t require membership and is free to enter any time of the day. Anyone on the fence can dip their toe in with its live roulette offering, which live streams directly from the casino itself to online players. Plus, like playing online, there isn’t a dress code.
Picking Your Ideal Charing Cross Hotel
Source: Unsplash
A perpetually popular choice and award-winning hotel, many will naturally gravitate to The Clermont London. The rooms are spacious and modern and the beds exceedingly comfortable. The hotel also has plenty of amenities, including a gym, bar and lounge, breakfast buffet, and walking tours on offer from the premises.
Another strong contender for the Charing Cross crown is St Martins Lane. If you’re one for surrealism, you just won’t want to leave this Philippe Starck-designed hotel. You can take a minute on the quirky furniture of the colossal lobby or go into full relaxation mode in the Den, on its plump sofas flanked by wood panelling and playful art. You get good value for money here, especially as breakfast is included in the price for most rooms.
Of course, these aren’t the only strong picks in Charing Cross. Page8 is a bit more upmarket than even St Martins Lane and Club Quarters Hotel arguably boasts the most striking common spaces of any hotel in the vicinity. For a very different and almost edgy experience, the Oscar Wilde-inspired Wilde Aparthotels certainly wouldn’t be forgotten soon.
If you like your luxury stays and want to be close to the action, you can’t go wrong with one of these superb Charing Cross hotels.