Does your imagination already conjure up prim butlers, porridge for breakfast, and traditional English tea parties to the sound of Big Ben? “I’m moving to live in London!” is easy to say, but where should you stay? After all, besides fashionable hotels, there are also apartments, hostels, and even student campuses…

After a major renovation costing 200 million pounds sterling, Savoy in London has once again opened its doors—one of the most expensive and aristocratic hotels in the United Kingdom. Its windows offer magnificent views of the Thames. By the way, Claude Monet painted Waterloo Bridge from one of its balconies. The interiors of the rooms and suites, with Art Deco elements, were designed by the renowned designer Pierre Yves Rochon. This hotel even has a rooftop pool, which is still quite rare for London.

Most hotels find it hard to compete with the traditional grand hotel Ritz. Its Palm Court lounge is famous for traditional five o’clock tea, while its rooms and suites are renowned for the royal luxury of their interiors. At this hotel, which opened more than a century ago, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Anna Pavlova, and many other celebrities have stayed.

Claridge’s is called a royal hotel. And not without reason. After receptions at Buckingham Palace, heads of state visiting London invite the English queen to lunch at this hotel. Not far from Claridge’s runs Bond Street—a street of luxury boutiques and shops. The hotel has a luxurious Art Deco interior, and at around 4 o’clock, to the sound of the piano, the hotel’s legendary tea ritual begins, for which advance reservation is usually required.

Shangri-La Hotel, which opened in 2014, is Hong Kong in London. The enormous 72-story skyscraper The Shard, which houses the hotel, is associated far more with Hong Kong, Singapore, or Dubai than with aristocratic, classical London. The hotel occupies floors 34 through 52 of one of the tallest buildings in Western Europe. Thanks to its “high status,” the rooms and suites of the new Shangri-La offer guests dizzying views of the city, the Thames, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and other London landmarks. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic glazing in the rooms and bathrooms, Shangri-La’s signature ergonomic beds, and a high-rise pool on the 52nd floor—all this creates a unique, distinctive atmosphere in the very heart of London. On the 35th floor is the signature restaurant and lounge TING, and on the 52nd—the stunning GONG bar.

Chain hotels can be no less comfortable, although their room rates are much lower (especially if you are a member of a loyalty club, a regular guest, or simply “catch” deals on hotel corporate websites). For example, London Hilton on Park Lane can boast fabulous rooms and magnificent views from the Galvin at Windows restaurant on the 28th floor. Another Hilton, in Aldwych, prides itself on its historic Palm Court lounge and an excellent underground pool.

Premier Inn is a truly British hotel chain. Premier Inn London Country Hall is located opposite Parliament next to the famous London Eye observation wheel. Also, if you are on a limited budget, you can always count on the clean and comfortable (though sometimes small) rooms of the Travelodge chain.

At the May Fair hotel, which belongs to the Radisson hotel chain, top-tier stars such as Lady Gaga and Kate Moss like to hang out. You, meanwhile, can relax in the spa center and then perk up at Ambra Bar&Grill—the cocktails here are simply exquisite!

The Trafalgar hotel has one of the trendiest summer rooftop bars with a stunning view of Trafalgar Square.

The Mandeville Hotel in Marylebone is one of the trendiest in Foggy Albion. The authoritative magazine Vogue described its interior as “baroque-and-roll.” If you stay at this hotel, it is worth dropping by the DeVigne bar, where you can sip unusual cocktails with spices and exotic fruits.

The interior of the St.Martins Lane boutique hotel by the outstanding French designer Philippe Starck sparkles with an acid-bright color palette amid the lively and slightly hectic Covent Garden area. In the rooms, you can adjust the interactive color displays to your liking. An Olympic-size boxing ring, a dance studio, facilities for hip-hop—this hotel has plenty to offer its guests!

Nobu Hospitality, which gained fame and worldwide recognition for its innovative restaurants and cuisine, plans to open its first hotel in Europe in 2016. And not just anywhere, but in London itself. According to the project, the hotel building will be a futuristic five-story structure of glass and concrete. The center of attraction, of course, will be the restaurant.

At the opposite end of the price scale are hostels and campuses. Frugal travelers can save a small fortune by choosing this type of accommodation. Smart Backpackers (which translates as “smart backpacker”) offers accommodation in the very best areas of London. One attractive option is Smart Hyde Park Inn in Bayswater.

Youth Hostel Association has houses in the very center of the city, including in St Pancras. For lovers of a peaceful holiday, one can suggest the mansion in Holland Park, where Wordsworth, Dickens, and Byron once stayed.

Young people will have more fun at Generator London with its night bar in the Bloomsbury district.

Campuses are very easy on the wallet during the summer holidays. King’s College offers a choice of four areas: Hampstead, Waterloo, London Bridge, and Denmark Hill. At University College of London, you can stay in comfortable and modern rooms in the Camden and Regent’s Park areas. You can also try to find accommodation in the center at London school of Economics and Imperial college.

London has many picturesque places for those who love spending the night under the stars and always carrying their own home with them. At the motorhome site in the Lee Valley campground in northeast London, you will forget that the lively city center is only 40 minutes away. Crystal Palace Caravan Club Site is located on the edge of the park of the same name, next to the museum and farm. Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site is just 35 minutes from the city center, and what’s more, you will be only half an hour from the attractions of Greenwich.

If coziness, privacy with individual attention and service at a reasonable price are among your top priorities, then London has something to offer you. Guesthouses and B&B hotels are very common in the British capital. The four-star Windermere guesthouse in the green part of the Victoria district, among all the above, also offers magnificent English breakfasts.

In the five-story Abbey Court guesthouse, guests can enjoy a jacuzzi, a conservatory, and free wi-fi. Notting Hill Gate tube station is literally just a couple of minutes away at an easy walking pace. Among others, Regency Hotel Parkside. can also be noted.

See also tips on which area of London is best to stay in.

The cover image shows the view from Corinthia Hotel London, located just a few steps from Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

Photos from Booking.com were used in preparing this material.