Looking for hotels in London is not as daunting as you might think

When it comes to planning trips to London, the question of where you'll find accommodation can be a tricky one. After all, across the capital's various neighbourhoods lie a range of hotels and guest houses that caters to a range of different people. But what sort of London hotel will suit your requirements best - and, more importantly, where in this huge city will be the optimum location for your planned activities? Whatever your interests - or budget - it's entirely possible for you to find a hotel in London that will match up to your needs.

For instance, if you're a theatre buff, you'll want to find hotels near London's famous West End. The West End is a hub of artistic and commercial activity in London, with new musicals and theatrical productions opening almost constantly. Today's most popular West End productions, such as the Sound of Music and Dirty Dancing, see audiences flocking to the theatres from all over Britain. So if you're looking for a hotel in London's West End, you can be sure that you'll find hotels near London's top theatres.

Seek out hotels in London's exclusive district of Knightsbridge if you want to frequent London's fashion boutiques and top department stores during your stay. Hotels in Knightsbridge and along Kensington High Street are located within close proximity to London's best shopping destinations, such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Knightsbridge's top hotels also boast some of the finest restaurants in London, serving the best of British cuisine right in the heart of this international city. Alternatively, why not choose to see a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, or explore Kensington Palace in Hyde Park? Whatever you choose to do in London, hotels in Knightsbridge and Kensington are certainly well placed in the heart of the city.

However, if pure sightseeing in London is what you're most interested in during your trip, choose a hotel right in the City of London, or in the Docklands. In and around the City of London's Square Mile, you'll find some of the capital's most iconic landmarks, including St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Discover London's Docklands, one of the fastest developing areas of the city, for a taste of the city's business lifestyle, and pay a visit to the ExCel Exhibition Centre.

Whatever you choose to do while you're in the exciting city of London, rest assured that you'll find a range of hotels in London situated in locations that will suit you. So whether you're hoping to enjoy the flashing lights and glitzy stars of the West End, or simply indulge in the magnificent view of London's greatest and most historic landmarks, you'll never be stuck for appropriate accommodation.

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist.