I know that it is difficult to find an inexpensive hotel in London but we are looking for a basic needs hotel since all we use one, for the three of us, is to sleep and shower. We would like to be close to the sites and transportation.
We are considering Rick's suggestion of Baker's Hotel in the Victoria Station area but would appreicate your suggestions.
I loved Ricks recom Garden COurt hotel 2 blocks from Kensington PArk with shared bath to save lots of pounds walk everywhere and save on tube costs, too.
Summer will be busy book asap.
Try the tourist class Bayswater Inn. Two blocks from the Bayswater metro stop. They have a web site.
If travelling during summer months, try London School of Economics which rents rooms (singles, doubles, triples - many of them with private bathroom) and apartments to tourists for reasonable rates.
Some locations include breakfast, some don't. Locations are all over the city - just depends what you want to be near. Check their website for details on each property.
I found rooms where clean, spacious, quiet and there were perks in the building I stayed in that I would likely not have gotten at a budget hotel or B&B (i.e., on-site laundry facilities, free internet, use of kitchen facilities to prepare simple meals).
I found the Quality Crown Hyde Park ( www.qualitycrown.com ) to be very well situated...in Sussex Gardens...about 136 BP for a triple...5 minutes to Paddington station (which is the quickest most convenient way to get to Heathrow), near the tube that will take you to everything you would want to visit easily. You are right off Hyde Park, so walking is easy if you are up to it...its a lot better than a basic needs hotel...as I recall, breakfast was included (may be an extra charge)..lots of low cost eating establishments within a couple of blocks.
The Victoria area is a good base. Also check out hotels at the edge of Covent Garden, Leciester Sq,Picadilly area. We love the Victoria Thistle, but it is a bit above basic.
Charlene,
The 3 past visits I went on Hotwire.com and scored great 3 1/2 star hotels for under $100 a night.
One was in the heart of Theatre district, the Hilton Wardorf, one was close to Knightsbrige (forgot which hotel chain, but it was name brand) for $129 and this time I needed to be close to Heathrow, and got the Sheraton for $89 a night.
The good part of hotwire is you prepaid the hotel, so that's one less thing to worry about.
The bad part is you do not know the name of the hotel until after you click "pay".. but as I said, I got the Hilton, Sheraton, and I want to say Crowne Plaza for under $130
I used Expedia at the last minute--just before I went out the door to the airport. I booked the Radisson Edwardian on Tottencourt Road. And, had an air conditioned room with tea pot and a fridge. London was having a "heat wave" of the mid 80s! It came with a full English breakfast buffet.
Don't be fooled by the Tottencourt Road address. The hotel is closest to the Warren Street tube entrance--just across the street. The Victoria line comes here.
Also a little store for water and snacks is a few doors down. There is a McDonald's on the corner near the hotel. I stopped for a carmel sundae.
Over time I have learned that it is best to visit the big cities on the weekend. Even in the USA, rates are cheaper when the business people are out for the weekend.
Enjoy!
Best district is the Kings Cross/St Pancras area.
There are a number of good, simple B&B's opposite the Eurostar Terminal.
Doubles with breakfast around 60 GBP ($US 100 - 125)
My personal favourite would be the Wardonia at 60 GBP (though no breakfsat) or the Montana Excel at 50 GBP with shower, 55 GBP room with full ensuite.
