| housed in a victorian building near bustling shops and eateries, this chic hotel is a 1-minute walk from paddington tube and train station (for heathrow express service), and 1 mile from the sprawling hyde park. some provide bunk beds and/or 200-year-old parquet floors; upgraded rooms add flat-screen tvs and city views. there's a cosy cafe with an exposed stone wall and wood furnishings. the relaxed, compact rooms offer free wi-fi and laptop safes. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm. breakfast (fee) is available at a stylish lounge bar that offers plush seating, cocktails, cold-pressed juices and international cuisine
Heathrow Airport 20 min
Trafalgar Square (14 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. St. Paul's Cathedral (21 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Tower of London (24 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. The National Gallery (14 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Hyde Park (13 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. lastminute.com London Eye (18 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. The British Museum (14 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Natural History Museum (13 min)
Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. Big Ben (15 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Palace of Westminster (15 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. The Regent's Park (8 min)
Modern, glass-clad cafe and sports administrative centre, with pitches and changing rooms. Westminster Abbey (15 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Tower Bridge (28 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. Victoria and Albert Museum (13 min)
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. Buckingham Palace (10 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. | 
