Rick Steve's lodging recommendations

His guides don't try to be comprehensive, especially re hotels and restaurants. He focuses on a few neighborhoods in each big city that he thinks would work well for most of his readers. Unquestionably there are good RS-worthy lodgings in other parts of London (and other cities). Several frequent posters who know London well recommend the Premier Inn County Hall, which is close to Waterloo. I stayed in another place near Waterloo and found it convenient. So I suggest exploring that area further, using other guidebooks and booking.com (which lets you filter by neighborhood). If you find something you like at a price that works for you, go for it. (But book using the hotel's own website.)

I think that the area Rick recommends is a little more "middle of the road" on pricing versus some other areas.

We've always stayed in the same neighborhood for the past 30 years--Bayswater and Craven Hill area close to Kensington Palace. But it's really expensive now if you want modern rooms. We'll be there in a month for 4 days.

But like they said, there are decent accommodations all over the city.

If you’ve found a place that you like near Waterloo Station then go for it. As noted above RS finds neighborhoods he believes his readers will like and shares his recommendations.

There are a number of cafes and restaurants near Waterloo Station.

Besides underground access in Waterloo you’ll have access to the Bakerloo Line at the Lambeth North station as well as the Jubilee Line at Southwark.

Things to see around Waterloo Station:
The Graffiti Tunnel
Theatre at the venerable Old Vic as well as productions at the New Vic
Imperial War Museum
Florence Nightingale Museum ( unsure if it’s reopened)

Jubilee Gardens and the adjacent London Eye
Get coffee at Beany Green which is a small booth near the stairs up to Jubilee Bridge
Stroll along The Queen’s Path

Have a wonderful time.

There's an M&S (Marks & Spencer) Foodhall in that area. It's very handy, as is the Pret a Manger inside Waterloo Station.

I like this area (Waterloo) and stay here as my go to .location in London. I long ago stopped thinking that RS lodging suggestions were a comprehensive list. My favorite is Premier Inn Waterloo for location.

Easy access to transportation and Westminster is a short walk.

As an aside, the Florence Nightengale museum is not worth your time. It was a major disappointment.

The guidebooks have always stated his main criterion for choosing recommended hotels (and restaurants) is location. That is, that they be close to the sights he is guiding people to, and accessible by public transportation. He's not looking to be comprehensive, or to find the cheapest hotels anywhere in town, or the "best".

Thanks for the input everyone!

Dan