‘I travel to London every year - this is the underrated area I always stay in’
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It’s a constant question asked in the travel groups I am in on Facebook. Where should I stay in London? As a British expat, I visit once a year at least, so I have some thoughts.
There is one neighbourhood I always stay in London. iStock
While I generally recommend anywhere in zone one or even two (going by the tube map), there’s one part of the UK capital I usually choose.
The City of London.
Because while west may be a little more fancy, and places like Soho more central, it just always seems to work.
On weekends, when the finance bros leave, the area can be remarkably quiet. It’s well-connected to multiple tube lines and buses.
The area is also handy for the trendy east end, and I can usually find good hotel deals.
In fact, a new one has recently opened right in what I reckon is an underrated part of the city.
Where to stay
The Derby London City is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
It’s in the famous Square Mile financial district which constitutes the City of London.
The property may be part of the global chain, but Curio Collection hotels all have their own personalities.
The Derby London City is a new hotel. Hilton
The Derby has taken over an old bank, but with the prices firmly in the low to mid-range, you don’t need to be a millionaire to stay.
The reception area even has a shimmering installation resembling an old vault.
We loved the leopard in the hat theme throughout too. It’s a cute homage to the banker’s bowler, which gave the hotel its name.
The leopard in the bowling hat theme at The Derby London City Supplied/Sarah Swain
A room at The Derby London City. Hilton
It was just one piece of decor which had us cooing.
The regular rooms while small, were super chic.
We felt like Mary Poppins looking over the rooftops from our upgraded pad in the attic.
The Derby London City Curio Collection (left) in the City of London. Supplied/Sarah Swain
Breakfast is served in Rycroft’s restaurant, which overlooks an Instagram hotspot.
St Dunstan in the East church garden is a haven created within the remaining walls of the church which was bombed in the blitz.
It has become a popular spot over the past few years, so go early in the day.
And forget the abundant hot offerings, the highlight of the buffet for me was a new discovery: chocolate muesli.
St Dunstan in the East church garden is a popular park. Supplied/Sarah Swain
I spent the rest of my visit trying to find some in the supermarket.
While Bank, Monument, and Tower Hill tubes are close to the hotel the bus can be a more enjoyable way to travel in London.
What to do in the City of London and east end
You can wander to London’s biggest tourist attraction, The Tower of London.
Don’t miss the free Beefeater tour, which is included with your ticket.
St Pauls Cathedral is also a short walk away, and head just a couple of streets from the hotel to reach the River Thames. Tower Bridge will greet you in all its glory.
You can stroll all the way along the Thames Path into central London.
Brick Lane in London is full of vintage shops. iStock
Also head up to Leadenhall Market, which was used as the entrance to Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
Brick Lane in Shoreditch, on the cusp of the east end, is an easy bus ride too.
One stretch is famous for buzzing Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants (The Curry Bazaar has become our go-to over the years). The other is home to vintage shops.
Don’t forget to grab a bargain lunch to take-away from the cult 24-hour Beigel Bake. There’s a reason there’s always a queue.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, an historic pub in Fleet Street, London, UK. istock
Spitalfields Market with its fashion stalls is also a worth a look.
Pub fans shouldn’t miss a visit to the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street.
It’s a dimly lit inn while Charles Dickens once hung out – yes it’s that old.
You can also trace the places Jack the Ripper stalked, on one of the nightly tours which leave from Tower Hill.
Old Spitalfields Market in London’s Spitalfields. iStock
I always recommend the London Walks one, rounded off with a visit to shabby pub, The Ten Bells, where one of Jack’s victims drank.
If you’re on a budget, one of the grandest branches of pub chain Wetherspoons, The Crosse Keys, is also handy for the hotel.
And a breakfast at the UK’s oldest family-run café, E Pellici, will hold off the jet lag (beware, it’s cash only).
Once a hangout of notorious crime duo the Kray twins the original interiors make it a hot spot for films and shoots, with Harry Styles even shooting a video here.
So, next time you’re in London, forget posh Kensington, or packed Soho and stay in the City instead.
The writer travelled to London and their own expense; stayed for one night as a guest of The Derby London City.
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