London is a city that has something for everyone - literally - so it's important to know exactly what type of holiday you want to have before booking your flat. Based on the size of the city alone, location is almost as important a criterion as budget so make sure that you know where you want to stay in the city before you search for the perfect flat. Some neighbourhoods are more residential so can be a little quieter but more authentic if you want to experience London as a local. Other neighbourhoods are closer to the tourist attractions but pretty much shut down when the tourists go home. Still others are alive when the Londoners frequent those locations but can be ghost towns, say, on the weekends or in the morning. If you want to stay in neighbourhoods where Londoners live, keep in mind that you might have an expensive cab ride home if you have a late night. Otherwise, if your flat is near a tube station, getting around the city can be very fast and fairly affordable.
East London is an up and coming section of London. Once considered a rough section, East London is now popular with hipsters. In this section of the city, you'll find restaurants, pubs, and a vibrant nightlife. It is also filled with history especially the history of many ethnic groups' first homes in their new country. If you stay in East London, you can spend your day taking walking tours of the area and then spend your evening at a restaurant having a meal prepared by a future top chef. If you are planning to come to London for the 2012 Olympics, East London will be a central location for the games, and should see even more transformation and development before the athletes arrive. If you decide to find a holiday flat in this area, you may want to consider looking in Hoxton Square, Shoreditch and Brick Lane.
You might also consider staying in Mayfair while in London. This section of London is filled with elegant shops, salons and high-end hotels. It may be one of the most fashionable - and expensive - parts of the in which to stay. For a tourist, the location can't be beat as it's close to the shopping on Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leister Square, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, among other sites. One downfall is that, outside of the posh hotels, much of the area closes down on weekends and after dark. One part of Mayfair that is an exception and an interesting place to stay in a holiday flat is Shepherds Market. Once home to a Playboy Club, the area is now filled with good restaurant and pubs, interesting shops and cafes. Close to tube stations and bus lines, if you choose to stay in Mayfair, this area may be the perfect location for your holiday.
Each section of London has a personality unto itself. Regardless of where you stay, you will make the city your home, and will take a piece of it home with you.
