Top 10 Hotels in London for Cruise Passengers

London, the UK’s capital and largest city, is such an exciting place to visit.

The city is immense and may seem a little overwhelming for a first-time visitor, but excellent public transport makes getting around very easy.

Staying in central London is the perfect place for cruise passengers who want to stay in the city for a few days before or after a cruise.

Transportation between London and Southampton port depends very much on the location of your hotel and your preferences for a private transfer or saving money by using a direct train or coach service to/from London Waterloo or London Victoria respectively.

The bus is comfortable and inexpensive. A private transfer is the most convenient (London to Southampton / Southampton to London).

Where to Stay in London?

The Waterloo district on the South Bank is one of the best areas to stay for train travel to/from Southampton cruise port.

On the doorstep are the London Eye, SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Churchill War Rooms. Frequent direct trains leave from Waterloo station to Southampton. Journey time is about 90 minutes.

The area around Victoria Station, just south of Westminster, is handy for Victoria Coach station. Traveling by National Express coach is certainly the cheapest way to get to/from Southampton. It is a very central district, good for sightseeing and it’s home to numerous good value hotels. It is also ideal for those arriving at Gatwick (Express airport trains).

Paddington station on the other hand has excellent transport links to Heathrow Airport (Express). Hotels are located within easy walking distance from Hyde Park while Oxford Street and Knightsbridge’s shops are 15 minutes away by foot. London’s West End entertainment is easy to access by public transport.

If you want to be in the heart of the action, London’s famous West End area, which include Leicester Square, Covent Garden and The Strand is home to the best shopping areas, many top London attractions and spectacular theatre shows. It houses many first class hotels for a memorable stay in London.

So, let’s take a look at the 10 best hotels in London for cruise passengers.

What are the Best Hotels in London Before or After a Cruise?

1. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London ★★★★ (Popular)

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is one of the most popular and most booked hotels in central London. Located right across the Houses of Parliament the hotel is in a perfect location for visiting the main sightseeing areas and catching a train to Southampton port from nearby Waterloo Station (5 min. walk). There are a number of room options from double, studio and family rooms to two-bedroom suites with terrace. Some of the guestrooms have jaw-dropping views of the London Eye, Thames River or the Big Ben.

Area: Waterloo Station

2. Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo ★★★ (Good Value)

Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo is a reasonable priced hotel, a five minute walk from Waterloo station, ideal for train travel to/from Southampton cruise port. The property is not right in the middle of the main sites, but the London Eye is close by and you can easily walk in less than 20 minutes over the Westminster Bridge to the Big Ben and Parliament buildings. It is a modern hotel providing excellent value for money with cosy, immaculate and well appointed rooms. Some have city views towards The Shard.

Area: Waterloo Station

3. London Marriott Hotel County Hall ★★★★★ (Luxury)

Historic London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a convenient base to stay while in central London. This 5-star property has a premiere location right beside the London Eye and Westminster bridge. Waterloo station is only a 8 min walk, giving you easy access to plenty of travel options such as a direct train to Southampton. Rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated with modern touches and feature luxury bedding and elegant marble bathrooms. Many have views out over the Thames River. Larger suites have a balcony with amazing view to the Houses of Parliament and Executive Lounge Access. The hotel also has a 25-meter indoor pool, which is a wonderful bonus.

Area: Waterloo Station

4. Park Plaza Victoria London ★★★★ (Good Value)

The Park Plaza Victoria is located in central London very close to Victoria train, metro and coach station (8 min. walk), very convenient to take a National Express intercity bus to Southampton which is the cheapest option to get to/from the cruise port. A good number of restaurants are within a few blocks of the property, Buckingham Palace is less than 15 minutes walk away. Rooms are contemporary, well furnished with all modern amenities. The larger family-friendly apartments have a pull-out sofa bed and kitchenette, some have rooftop terraces. Overall a reasonable priced and good value for money hotel.

Area: Victoria Station

5. The Clermont London, Victoria ★★★★ (Victoria Station)

The Clermont London, Victoria is a gorgeous historic hotel within close proximity to iconic attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Churchill War Rooms. This 4-star property is ideal for people looking prefering a more traditional hotel within minutes from both Victoria Coach (bus to Southampton) and Train station which is perfect for the Gatwick Express. The cozy well-appointed rooms are modernised and have contemporary decor. We can recommend an upgrade to a Deluxe or Superior room.

Area: Victoria Station

6. The Savoy ★★★★★ (Luxury)

The Savoy on the Strand is one of London’s most famous and finest hotels. Decor of this old style luxury hotel is a mix of Art Deco and Edwardian Baroque. It hosted many glamorous guests including Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill and the Beatles. Rooms are very spacious, luxurious and tastefully decorated. Suites are exceptional and include a personal butler and complementary chauffeured car service. The Savoy is also renowned for its fine dining and afternoon tea in the beautiful Thames Foyer.

Area: The Strand, West End

7. Strand Palace Hotel ★★★★ (Popular)

The popular Strand Palace is a modern art deco hotel boasting one of the best locations for tourists to see all the sights in London. The property is close to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Soho and West End theatres, all within walking distance. Rooms are very contemporary, well appointed and recently refurbished. Choose between deluxe, superior and larger studio rooms. There’s a restaurant on-site. The iconic Savoy hotel is located right across the street.

Area: The Strand, West End

8. Corinthia London ★★★★★ (Luxury)

The 5-star Corinthia is one of London’s most prestigious hotels, ideally located just steps away from Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery, Westminster, and the West End theatres. Embankment tube station is 2 minutes walk away, which connects to points across the city via the Underground. This opulent five-star hotel is luxurious throughout with its magnificent interiors combining grandeur, heritage and contemporary luxury. With elegant furnishings and stylish amenities, the 283 luxurious rooms are beautifully appointed and feature a marble bathroom. After a day of sightseeing, recharge your batteries and relax in the award-winning spa, before enjoying an exquisite dinner in one of the two restaurants. It is the absolute favorite hotel by many cruise passengers looking for luxury accommodation in the heart of London.

Area: Central London (Westminster)

9. The Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road (Affordable)

The Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road is a very popular hotel, well located south of Oxford Street close to Leicester Square and the West End theatres. It is a smart option for cruise passengers looking for a budget friendly place to stay in central London. Rooms are very compact but practical, modern and feature an electric kettle and air conditioning. We can recommend staying in a Z Queen room, which are larger. Lots of restaurants and shops can be found in the local area.

Area: Soho

10. The Chilworth London Paddington ★★★★★ (Paddington Station)

The Chilworth London is a deluxe “boutique” style hotel located close to iconic Hyde Park and within 5 minutes walk from historic Paddington station. Non-stop trains (Express) run to this station every fifteen minutes from Heathrow with a journey time of only 16 minutes which makes it ideal for those travelling from London Heathrow Airport. The property is housed in a beautiful tree lined row of restored townhouses. Rooms are elegant, well furnished and feature a modern marble bathroom with heated floors.

Area: Paddington Station

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(Latest update December 22nd, 2023)
Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

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