London hotel or B&B recommendations

First, define "reasonably." Second, we have always been pleased with the Winchester Hotel near Victoria Station.

We have stayed at the Blades Hotel twice. Both occasions were pleasant. Kevin, the manager, is delightful.

"Reasonably" meaning, we don't have to leave our first-born as payment for two-night's accommodation in London. We're travelling for a month in both England and France next summer. We've found a great place in Paris for three nights at the end of the trip, but are struggling to find something in London at the start. Is a clean B&B with a decent breakfast around 200-pounds/night feasible?

Our fondest wish would be to find something decent in London for CDN$200/night, but we've been hard-pressed to find anything in that range. We're paying 279/euros nightly in Paris for a family room for the four of us in a 3-star property. (For that price, I could stay at the Four Seasons in Whistler, which is a 5-star stunner!) ! I just want a nice place, in a good area, where my family will be comfortable. Ideally, CDN$200 a night, but I'm guessing it will be more like $200-pounds nightly. Any and all wise words accepted.

I just checked out the Winchester and the Blades and it seems we're on track with both suggestions. Thank you!

Thanks for your words of advice, Kent. The hotel we booked in Paris was recommended to us by someone we trust and who has "been there". While I know it's on the high end, I want to round out our first-ever trip to Paris on a high note. I've been to London many times in my previous life (aka: before marriage/family) and wasn't having much success in finding something I was happy with until I made this posting. What a great resource this Rick Steves forum has turned out to be for us. Thank you!

I've just checked out the Kensington online and it looks very nice but only offers a triple at 180-euros/nightly. We've found it a real challenge to find one room to accommodate four, and if you've got to book two doubles, it puts the rate well up there for a family. I'm learning a lot, except I don't know who Jona is! Cheers :)

Ann: here is a topic thread with 40-some replies on subject of finding a reasonable London hotel:
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/6479/sticker-shock-in-london.html

Ann in Dec 06 I paid GBP140 a night at the Winchester for their family room, not sure how much their rate goes up un June/July. In Paris we had two rooms side by side - not adjoining and whilst the second room was very tiny I paid E144.

Hands-down go for the Premier Travel Inn London County Hall. You'll have a clean and simple family room for a bargain price of 112 GBP per night. 15 steps from your door will get you to the London Eye, the Thames, a view of Big Ben and Parliament. Just across the bridge towards Parliament will get you to Westminster Tube Station which will take you anywhere you want to go.

Breakfast is not included, but they do offer it at a reasonable price. Their restaurant also made good cheap pizzas that our kids loved to bring to the room. There are vending machines in the lobby for cold drinks and snacks. It's really a great place...especially for families.

Ann - I love staying in the heart of Victoria (walking distance to all the great central London attractions). I always stay at the Best Western Victoria Palace. They have a family room with 1 double and 2 twins. Last June I paid £109 per night and it included breakfast. For the best rates you can book on their website www.bestwesternvictoriapalace.com. Very nice staff and the rooms and baths were always clean. Enjoy.