A tale of three capitals: how to city break in east, west and central London

17.01.2024 - 12:07 / theguardian.com / London

Whether you’re visiting London for a romantic weekend retreat, to explore the West End and catch some shows, or you’re on a mission to seek out some of the city’s top restaurants and coolest vintage shops, you’re going to need a base of operations.

Choosing a hotel you can rely on for a comfortable, quiet night’s sleep is vital. You’ll need to be energised and ready to explore everything London has to offer and there are more than 40 Hilton hotels in London alone, all close to tourist hotspots. Book your Hilton hotel with a few taps of the keyboard and start dreaming about all the fun you’re going to have – all you need to do is choose which vibrant part of the city you want to visit.

Historic and cultured west London is home to some of the city’s most famous attractions, and is an ideal hub for first-time visitors. From museums and galleries to the iconic 152-year-old Royal Albert Hall, west London is where you’ll find the Chelsea and Kensington neighbourhoods, with their stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture and the occasional A-lister wandering down the street.

Hilton London Olympia is smack bang in the middle of Kensington, where there are countless gorgeous little cafes and restaurants for enjoying afternoon tea or a spot of lunch. This location is perfect if you’re hoping to visit the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or the V&A, as all three are within walking distance from the hotel. Take a stroll through Holland Park, and visit Kensington Palace and its stunning gardens – all within striking distance of your room. It’s easy to travel farther afield from here, too, with a bus ride to Covent Garden taking about half an hour.

A little farther north is Hilton London Kensington, which has dog-friendly rooms so you can bring your furry friend along on your adventure. You’ll be close to White City, Westfield, as well as Shepherd’s Bush, a vibrant, multicultural area of London where trendy cocktail bars and craft beer pubs sit comfortably alongside Syrian, Turkish and Lebanese restaurants. Live music venues and Portobello Market are just around the corner, and pretty Notting Hill is a short walk from your hotel, in case you feel the need to relive scenes from the classic romcom.

Central London is where it all happens. At London Hilton on Park Lane, you’ll find panoramic views of the city and cocktails at the 10 Degrees Sky Bar, as well as award-winning dining at the hotel’s Galvin at Windows restaurant. Step outside directly on to Hyde Park for romantic strolls around one of London’s most iconic parks, or wander to Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace and park in just a few minutes. Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament are just a couple of tube