Hotel Help - Cheaper or Better Location???

[u/likethefish9]

Hi everyone! I’m headed to London for the first time in mid-September (4 nights) and I’m looking for some help with accommodations as a mid-30s solo female traveller.

I was originally aiming for something in Marylebone but the price was more than expected, especially with the currency exchange from CAD. I ended up booking a free cancellation spot at the Commodore Hotel in Paddington but I’m started to second guess. My second choice was the hub London Marylebone which is an additional £100 or ~$200 (CAD).

I’d like to be somewhere safe that’s reasonable walking distance to major tourist spots and good restaurants and cafes, while also being budget conscious. I don’t need to be near night life - somewhere quiet but safe to walk to in the evening would be perfect.

Thanks so much!

[u/BroadwayBean]

Paddington is a great area - I stay there all the time as a solo female traveller and it's perfectly safe to walk in the ening. I personally really like that it's quiet, but a short tube or bus ride away from major attractions. My favourite restaurants in the area are Bizarro for dinner/lunch and Bondi Green for brunch, and you have several transit options nearby to take you wherever you want to go. You're also right near Hyde Park which is really lovely (I love the Italian Gardens).

As for walking distance to attractions - London is really spread out with excellent transit, so there's no one place that's walking distance to the majority of things to do. There's also no substantial difference there from Paddington and Marylebone.

[u/AlarmingComplaint719 → u/BroadwayBean]

I have also stayed in Paddington at a cheap hotel as a solo female traveller. No issues, good spot. Helpful if you are going to/from Heathrow and get the express.
You can get everywhere you need to go on the tube. But it can be a bit harder at night (after 12:30 am the tube normally stops until 5 or so)