London is the capital of the United Kingdom and it has been a major city for over 2,000 years! Today it's known for its economic power but also as a big hitter when it comes to fashion, entertainment and culture. No matter how long you stay in a hotel in London for, you will never be able to do all the things, and you'll be hard pushed to even fit in all the "essentials" of a London stay!

You can expect to find an intoxicating mix of the ancient, medieval and the modern all thrown together, jostling for your attention amongst a whole world of cultures, emerging fashions and diverse neighbourhoods. Once you stray from central London you will find numerous areas with a smaller town-like feel, proving that you needn't stay in a hotel in London's central area to feel a part of this fascinating city.

There are always plenty of events happening in London, even though 2013 and 2014 won't see quite as much focus as 2012 brought! Whatever you want to see or do, thanks to great transport links right across the city it shouldn't be hard to find the right London hotel to suit your needs.

Choosing a London hotel

You should use our simple search to choose from a wide range of London hotel deals, offering a choice of hotels across this huge metropolis. That's the easy part sorted out. The touch part is deciding where you want to stay out of all the London hotels, and it's all about location, location, location! Take some time to research the hotel's location and look for things like tube stops and bus stops so you know it will be easy to get around. Hotels in tube map zones 1 and 2 are the most likely to be expensive, but you'll get the added benefit of the attractions being closer to you - sometimes within walking distance!

There are so many areas to choose from, so we've put together a handy London area guide to give you a feel for where you might like to stay:

The City - staying here won't be cheap but at the weekends it's really quite quiet! Great transport links and you'll be able to wander the modern skyscrapers and historical buildings from your London hotel door.

The West End - the heart of the action, this area is sought-after day in, day out! Book early to get the best deal, safe in the knowledge you will have plenty to do right there.

King's Cross - a transport hub and central London hotel haven, there are plenty of cheap chain hotels here, although not that much in the way of attractions. It's easy to get everywhere from here though!

Victoria - similar to King's Cross, but in the south of the city, although there are more attractions here with the big name being Buckingham Palace!

Waterloo - right by the Eye and with quick access to the river and Westminster this is an often-overlooked area with some great cheap hotels in London.

London Bridge - home to The Shard, London's new shiny skyscraper, this area is close to the City and with good links to the West End too, but it won't be the cheapest!

Paddington - the transport hub for the west of the city, there are plenty of cheap hotels here, although not much to do in the area, especially at night.

Chelsea and Knightsbridge - with star attractions like the Science Museum on your doorstep, this affluent area certainly makes for a photogenic stay in London, although you'll pay the price in your wallet!

Islington - has a nice town-like feel with lots of Georgian terraces. It's not cheap, but it will get you out of the hustle and bustle without being far from the action when you want to dive back in.

Shoreditch and Dalston - these areas are rife with cooler-than-cool people and places to be seen, so make sure you read some fashion magazines before you get to your hotel in London if you're staying here! Cheaper than many areas, although transport links are slightly fewer.

Docklands - offers a different feel altogether, and Thamesside hotels for less. A bit out of the way unless you're off to an event here, expect a longer travelling time into the central regions. Great for cheap weekend deals though when Canary Wharf is quiet.

What to do in London

Once you've picked your London hotel you will find a huge number of attractions to keep you busy. First timers won't want to miss the traditional pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and then you're well places for all the museums and galleries in central London. Why not start with a stroll along the South Bank for amazing views, world famous sights and some of the city's best cafe culture.

For the best look at the skyline, you could splash out on a trip up The Shard, take a trip on the London Eye, or ride the Emirates Airline in the Docklands area. For free views, try Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill - you could take a picnic in the summer.

Don't forget to seek out some of the city's amazing architecture - there are numerous walks you can go on to take you on a tour, or download a podcast and take yourself! St Paul's Cathedral is a must-see, whilst the remnants of the London Wall, the Tower of London and the Globe Theatre are all must-sees.

And if the sun is shining, you could do a lot worse than making like a Londoner and heading to one of the many green spaces. Any and all patches of grass in the sun get crammed at lunchtime, but with a bit more freedom you can find space. Hyde Park, Regents Park and Green Park are all in the heart of the city, whilst Greenwich Park, Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Park are all a little further out.

When to visit London

The high season is the summer when demand for cheap hotels and cheap flights to London is at its peak. The weather is worst over winter but this means it may be the best time to find great London hotel deals - and London's many pubs are great for warming up! Perhaps the best time to visit is in spring or autumn when the weather can be pleasant and the streets and attractions aren't yet crowded with the summer rush. Want more ideas? Try our guide.