London Travel Guide

Accommodations and Visa Guidance

Nearby Accommodations

We’ve curated a selection of hotels within easy reach of the summit venue, ranging from luxury five-star properties to comfortable business hotels. Each offers convenient access to London’s iconic landmarks and the summit location.

Hotel

Distance

Rating

Cost

Website

Hotel

The Dilly

21 Piccadilly, London W1J 0BH

Distance

4 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Haymarket Hotel

1 Suffolk Place, London SW1Y 4HX

Distance

4 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

The Londoner

38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX

Distance

5 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Hotel Café Royal

10 Air St, London W1B 5AB

Distance

6 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$$

Website

Hotel

St. James’s Hotel & Club

7-8 Park Place, St. James’s, London SW1A 1LS

Distance

7 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Thistle London Piccadilly Hotel

Coventry St, London W1D 6BZ

Distance

7 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Sofitel London St James

6 Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN

Distance

8 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Ham Yard Hotel

1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT

Distance

8 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$$

Website

Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Leicester Square

31-36 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LH

Distance

9 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$

Website

Hotel

Athenaeum Hotel & Residences

116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ

Distance

12 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Flemings Mayfair

7–12 Half Moon St, London W1J 7BH

Distance

12 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$

Website

Hotel

Brown’s Hotel

33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP

Distance

12 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$$$

Website

Hotel

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street

20 Mercer Street, London WC2H 9HD

Distance

14 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$

Website

Hotel

The Z Hotel Trafalgar

53-59 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS

Distance

14 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$

Website

Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7DR

Distance

15 minute walk to BAFTA

Rating



Cost

$$$$$

Website

Travel + Visa Guidance

Please see the following guidance for the 2026 Northeastern University Global Leadership Summit in London Be sure to check with the relevant consular authority for the most up-to-date visa requirements and processes. The information listed below is intended as informational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.

Please note that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions, the following information is subject to change at any time.

Participants of this summit will be required to complete this visitor form before their travel to the UK.

Do I need a travel authorization?

International guests attending the 2026 Global Leadership Summit in London may be required to obtain authorization before entering the United Kingdom. Most visa-exempt travelers, including citizens of the United States and Canada, must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to their visit.

The ETA permits short-term stays of up to six months for purposes such as business, tourism, or participation in academic events. Applications are submitted online and linked electronically to the applicant’s passport. It is recommended that travelers complete the application process well in advance of their departure.

Who is exempt from the ETA?

Travelers do not need an ETA if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • They are citizens of the United Kingdom or Ireland
  • They hold a valid UK visa
  • They have UK immigration status (including settled or pre-settled status)
  • They are transiting through the UK without entering border control

To determine whether an ETA is required based on nationality or travel status, please consult the following official guidance:

What is required to apply?

To complete the ETA application, travelers will need the following:

  • A valid passport
  • A digital passport-style photograph
  • Personal and travel information
  • A payment of £16 submitted through the official UK government portal

The UK Home Office estimates that most applications are processed within three business days.

Invitation letter for travel

To request an official invitation letter for the 2026 Global Leadership Summit in London, please contact Ritika Dabhi for a general summit invitation letter at r.dabhi@northeastern.edu.

Please note that it is the responsibility of all travelers to ensure that they have the proper documentation/authorization for any regions/countries they may be connecting through en route to London.

Important Reminders 

This document has been prepared based on the information, guidance, and links provided by the immigration authorities of the United States.

Northeastern University has no influence on the outcome of immigration applications, which are adjudicated by country-specific government officers and may not contact the authorities to inquire about an individual visa application or to expedite the process for an individual applicant.

Any information relating to visas is provided as general information and for reference only. Applicants are responsible for completing and submitting all required immigration application(s) correctly and for obtaining a valid visa prior to the start of their travel.

Please note that all entry decisions are at the sole discretion of the immigration officer at the point of entry, and immigration authorities reserve the right to reassess admission suitability at time of entry, regardless of visa status.