Is Westminster a good place to stay in London?

Westminster is one of the easiest places to stay in London if your list is mostly landmarks. Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Whitehall are all within walking distance of each other, with St James's Park and Green Park in between. It's a particularly good base for first-time visitors, families and anyone with meetings in Whitehall or Victoria.

The area feels grand and orderly rather than lively. The busy streets around the main sights give way to quiet Georgian corners in St James's and white-stucco squares in Pimlico, while Victoria has more mid-range hotels around the station. Once the day-trippers leave, the whole area gets calm, which makes it easy to get a good night's sleep.

The downside is that Westminster isn't where Londoners go out. There are fewer independent restaurants and bars than in Soho or Covent Garden, and for dinner most people walk north into the West End. Hotels are also among the most expensive in London, so it's a harder choice if you're travelling on a tight budget.

What makes Westminster special is waking up a short walk from places you've seen in photos all your life. Big Ben, the Abbey and the palace are right outside, the parks give you room to breathe, and excellent Tube connections cover the rest of the city. It's London at its most classic and recognisable.