Inexpensive family-friendly stay in London?

I suggest your friends look at Marlin Apartments Queen Street. This is an “apartment hotel”, with a 24-hour reception desk and hotel services, but they can get a two-bedroom apartment with kitchen. Price looks to be around 350 GBP per night, about what they might pay for 2 rooms in a budget-friendly hotel, but a lot more convenient. And they would save on meals by making their own breakfast and stocking lunch items in the fridge, even if they don’t want to cook dinners “in”.

https://www.marlin.com/locations/London-City-Queen-Street

This location is very close to St.Paul’s Cathedral and the #15 bus line which goes between Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross Station, and the Tower of London, making it easy to access Covent Garden and other popular areas as well. The children will enjoy riding the London buses more than the Tube, in my experience.

Here is a map of the main bus routes in Central London, and their relation to the main tourist sights:

http://www.youinlondon.com/en/how-to-use-the-london-buses/

Hi -
What I'd do? I'd pull up booking.com, enter your dates, number of adults/children, put that $200 per night limit (I assume that $200 is for EACH room as it would be really, really low if it has to cover BOTH) on the search and see what comes up. Without dates - and end of December being around two holidays - it's probably more accurate for you to do it that way than for people to guess, especially if New Year's Eve is involved.

You might want to also check holiday closing days for attractions if this trip will involve Christmas/New Year's? For instance, I see that the British Museum is closed DEc. 24th, 25th and 26th. I believe there also isn't any public transport on Christmas Day.

Great suggestion from Lola; an apartment (in a legal hotel such as she has listed) would probably work better for your family than two rooms.

Keep in mind that London is either the most expensive city in the world or second. Either way -- inexpensive and London does not fit well in the same sentence especially during the holidays. And coupled with five people it will be difficult to find something in center London. I would look at the edge of the 2nd zone on the tube so lower cost hotels. That would keep the tube ride short but still provide some convenience.

What are the children’s ages? There are Premiere Inn family rooms and London School of Economics dorm suites that might be usable and affordable. We’ve stayed at both with groups of adults and children and booked each directly by calling them to verify adjoining rooms, number of beds, etc.

You are most likely going to need 2 rooms, as Premier Inn etc usually cater for 2 adults and 2 children in their family rooms, so the budget is low, even if it wasn’t at the most expensive time of year. Most accommodation will have been booked months ago.

LSE has been suggested- these are reasonably located but basic rooms. Try Premier Inn for adjacent rooms. If they want to stay New Year’s Eve, then the budget will be blown out of the water.

For what it's worth, I have slept on the day-beds (which are made up as a sofa or as a bed, depending on your booking) in two or three different Premier Inns and found them quite comfortable, though bed aficionados would definitely find them different from the full-size beds. They are not couches with pull-out beds. One of those beds should be fine for any child who's not terribly tall; I'm 5'3".

I have never priced London hotel rooms over the holidays, but I think you might be able to average $200/night per room over the course of your stay at some Premier Inns. I agree that a place with some kitchen facilities would be great, but consider whether you will need more than one bathroom. That's one advantage of getting two hotel rooms--you will have two bathrooms.

I took a look at the rates at the Premier Inn Waterloo. For that hotel, at least, the problem night is Thursday, December 30. The rate is roughly twice the rates for other dates between December 23 and January 2. That location is convenient if you're willing to hop on the Underground, and it's very near the London Eye. With young children it wouldn't be walking distance to the Tower of London, etc.

If available go with the Premiere Inn County Hall.
Check NOW!

Adjacent to Jubilee Park where you’ll find the London Eye ( book now to cut down on cost and to see if you have any interest in taking it). Its quite the sight as sun sets which in December will be as early as 4pm. Rather enjoyable seeing Parliament and Elizabeth’s Tower with the Big Ben clock light up. Be forewarned there is still scaffolding around Elizabeths Tower. Covid slowed down the restoration project. The hotel is also close to Westminster Bridge and the Thames.

As its December besides the crafts and food stalls they’ll be Christmas oriented booths to investigate.
https://jubileemarket.co.uk/

Like acraven I’ve slept comfortably on the daybeds which are located as an addition to regular beds in Premiere Inn rooms. Also used them to lay out clothes and my luggage.

Both The County Hall and Victoria Premiere Inns are located near the sites most first time visitors want to see: Parliament, the Big Ben clock, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London.

IMHO opinion the Changing of the Guard is a complete waste of time. Instead take the children to see the Horse Guards on their parade ground as they mount up to proceed along the Mall to the Palace. https://changing-guard.com/queens-life-guard.html

One note about Buckingham Palace, if the flag is up The Queen is in residence.

Their are numerous parks in London. If you stay at the County Hall Premiere and walk across Westminster Bridge to Parliament Square you can follow Birdcage Walk adjacent to St James Park up to the palace. Not sure with Covid if the daily feeding of park’s Pelicans still takes place.

Across the Road from the Palace is Green Park.

Kensington Palace is adjacent to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Near Kensington Gardens there’s the Round Pond and Princess Diana’s Playground. If you stroll through Hyde Park be on the look out for the green parrots that reside there. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/06/the-great-green-expansion-how-ring-necked-parakeets-took-over-london

Depending on the ages of the 3 children Hamley’s toy store might be a must visit. I think using the tube, and riding up top a double decker bus would be of interest.

Lastly, during the day children are allowed in most pubs, as are dogs. You’ll find tasty soups, burgers, crisps, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and pot pies. Look at Pret a Mangers, Sainsburys, Tescos and Marke and Spencer’s for pre made sandwiches.

Been to London for Christmas more than once. Given how Covid has restricted travel through the world, residents and tourists alike will be out and about in large quantities. Don’t be discouraged. Embrace it. Its London, one if the world’s greatest cities! Online check Timeout London and The Londonist. Great information.

Safe travels

Thank you sooo much for all the information! Such great insight and advice! I think she is going to call premier and try to book there.

Someone asked how old the children are… they range from 8-15.

Premier Inn allows you to book with three different cancelation policies. I recommend reading about each option ahead of time on the corporate website rather than making a decision on the fly during the booking process. Your friend can just do a fake booking and then look at the options. The prominently displayed rates one sees initially are for non-cancelable reservations. www.premierinn.com

Premier Inn is usually my go to, but not when I'm not reserving two rooms. I like the Premier Inn Waterloo (just a block away from Premier Inn County Hall).

I needed a two bedroom set up for a visit in May and went to vrbo. I found a reasonably priced flat in a good location for six nights for 587 pounds. (about $806). Just 5 minutes more of a walk from the Premier Inn County Hall location which would have been 1051 pounds ( about $1400) for two rooms.

I would encourage your friends to at least explore the options of an apartment.