Easy Hotel?

That's why we're torn--Kensingtonis $200 a night, as are many comparable hotels (which aren't even 'nice' per say). That's way too much for our budget, as we'd be staying for six nights (and this is an add-on trip to a longer stay in Paris). And Easy Hotel is SO cheap, but SO small (though I keep telling myself 'all we need is somewhere clean to sleep and shower'). Though we may just have to deal with paying more if we want to visit London--and we do want to visit London! Thanks for the feedback! (oh--and we DO really love each other! Ha ha!)

Most hostels have private twin rooms for under $100. The YHA chain in particular seems to have the appearance of something like a "real hotel" and their hostels are reportedly not rowdy/are frequented by older people.

Of course, I haven't been -- this is just hours of boredom-induced research talking.

thanks--i will check out all of those links (i am a tireless researcher!) the one thing i probably should have mentioned--having our own bathroom is a requirement (i'd be willing to budge on this if given a great deal--my husband would NOT. and, as i've said, i love him very much!) thus the ability to give up almost everything--including space to stand up--to have a private en suite bath (even if it is the size of a phonebooth--or smaller!). and again, i realize some hostels do have private baths--which is why i'm off to look up all of those links. thanks!!!

I have stayed at the Earls Ct easyhotel on all three london trips. At least a week each time. The time my husband was with me for 3 days was horrible as there is no room for luggage (when alone, i put luggage on the bed along the wall and sleep on opposite side of double bed). It is not recommended for couples but I LOVE it when alone as it is quiet, clean and located near the tube station. I always book months in advance at 25 POUNDS per night. It costs the same for 2 people but you might want to pay for the larger room other than small.

The Etap chain might be worth a look.Bit easier on the colour scheme!

Etap does have a tiny bit more room to pile luggage. But I think there's only two near London (Barking and Reading, maybe?) so it's a bit of a ride in and out each day -- but not that bad. Have only stayed at Barking and it's a 10-15 minute walk to the station.

I stayed at the one in Budapest and I thought it was great for what I paid. I was also by myself and the room would have been too tight for me for two people. For two I would book the bigger room.

Are you staying in London? I stayed at the Oxford Hotel in London last November/December (http://www.oxfordhotellondon.co.uk/) for 9 days, and it was affordable (60 pounds/night), nice enough, and had an en suite bathroom. The location is fantastic.

thank you for all of your feedback. we've officially booked a room--actually, we booked two, because we found a good weekend deal at one place and had already decided that six days in a 30 square foot room would be too much. so we will be staying for two nights in the easy hotel's 30 square foot room, and then moving to the hoxton for the weekend. we are aware that the tube near the hoxton does not run on weekends, and are ok with that, given the crazy good price. we're really just using the hotel as a place to sleep and shower, so we think this will work for us. plus, when you average the two places together, we're getting lodging in london for $119 a night. which we are very happy with. and again--thank you. i will be posting new threads i'm sure--actually, i'm about to post one now about how to get airfare for two different people with two different times--and i welcome all input. happy travels.

Gosh,, we have spent many summer vacations in a 28 foot motorhome ,, with three kids, for up to three weeks.

You do only sleep in the rooms,, and use the bathrooms, so I don't see the obsession many of us seem to have about "small rooms".. You are out most to the day touring around, a comfy bed and private WC is all I need at the end of the day..

I would book any hotel with a small room,,, if location was good, and hotel was known to be clean and comfy otherwise(oh,, and in many places I would insist on AC,, London would not be one of those places though,, LOL)

I spent 4 nights at EasyHotel Paddington last September. The rooms are small and no luxuries like free TV or writing table etc, but I was looking for cost effectiveness and besides, it wasn't my intention to spend any amount of time in the room beyond sleeping. For the price, I would certainly recommend it and would stay there again if travelling on a budget. The Paddington location is only a 5 min walk from Paddington Station, which is great for quick travel to Heathrow( on the Heathrow Express...bit more expensive but if you have limited time......).

So much is based on your preferences. I would gladly stay at an Easy hotel, or hostel, or pension. Bathroom down the hall? No problem.

I tend to focus more on activities and sights than lodging. Anyplace to sleep that is reasonably quiet and not grimy or bug-infested works for me.

Check out one of the many Ibis hotels in London. I find them great value for money. Whilst they are all identical everywhere in the world (seen one seen them all!) they are quite a good size, you have your own bathroom and they are clean. We are up early and back late, so they suit us just fine. We stayed at the Ibis Euston. Very convenient to Euston, St.Pancras and Kings Cross Stations.

Easy Hotel takes small to a new level. I stayed in the Paddington Easy Hotel for two nights--and I thought I was prepared for the room to be small, but when I opened the door I gasped. I've been in night train compartments that were more spacious! I didn't mind having my luggage on the bed with me--I was staying by myself. But there wasn't even a shelf to put my glasses so I ended up sticking them in the bathroom sink.

Don't bother with the beverage vending machine, by the way. I wasn't sure whether the indeterminate beverage it disgorges was coffee or tea--vaguely brown colored and semi-hot.

Would I stay there again? Sure, for a short stay when I was sure that I didn't want to spend any time in the room. Would I stay there with someone else? Only if we were good enough friends that I wouldn't mind sharing a sleeping bag with them. Would I want to spend six days with my husband in one? Only if I knew a good divorce lawyer.

Here is just one example of a small London budget hotel with real charm for $138. There must be many, though.

http://www.edlear.com/

Please do yourself a favor and dedicate yourself to staying places that reflect the local history and culture. In other words no plastic prefab cubicles - no places that look like your local Best Western or Hilton. Those places were built for tourists, and primarily for Americans. Locals would never stay at a place like that. Why would you? I would gladly sleep at a youth hostel before I would stoop that low.

Also, for six nights you could have your choice of dozens of nice apartments for less than the price of a mediocre hotel.

Let me state that Easyhotels all have ensuite bathrooms - toilet, sink, shower and are very clean every time. Shower is always hot, great pressure and the hot water never ran out on me once. SMall loo, yes, but clean and functional and all I need is a bed and loo, so i love the easyhotel!