Family of Four on a Budget in London

Check out the Premier Inn at County Hall. If it works for you, request an outer room vs. a courtyard one, if you can. It's a great location, particularly with kids. It's pretty reasonable for London.

I suspect the Celtic is about as good as it gets if you are on a budget with kids and don't want a dump of a place. The cheapest rooms are not ensuite though. Cheaper alternatives to look at are private rooms in Hostels. They're not the grim places to you may have a picture of. Just avoid the 'party hostels' aimed at backpackers and youths. Try the Meininger Hostel in South Kensington right next to the museums and Harrod's is probably better than many budget hotels, it used to be the world headquarters of the scout movement. Alternatively look at the YHA hostels. Near the Celtic is the St Athan's, may be lower priced. A bit well worn but most people find it fine, a lot of US college groups use it. Places like the Premier Inn are fine but the County Hall site is the most expensive of the lot and probably about 30%-40% more expensive than the places you are looking at. The Premier Inn Kensington is probably a better hotel, just a little further out in Earls Court, Kensington. If you're lucky you'll get prices comparable with the Celtic here.
Another good place to try is the Express Holiday Inn Swiss Cottage. If you're coming the weekend and really lucky try the Marriott Regents Park, sometimes. just sometimes you get really good offers here.

Mellanie At that time of year you can pick up deals in student halls of residence. There's an example here - http://www.euracom.co.uk/student_summer_lettings_london.htm - but there are plenty of others. Someone else might be able to recommend one they've used? Have a good trip. Alan

London student accommodation is pretty decent, some halls of residence come with private baths and use of a kitchen, which will help you save on food costs. Try London School of Economics' (LSE) student accommodations - I haven't used them myself but it's been frequently recommended on this board. As a student years ago in London, I was in a hall of residence and it was comfortable. And - it's not such a good idea to post your email address where it's publicly accessible.

I agree with Audrey, check out the London School of Economics lodgings. Here's the link: www.lsetopfloor.co.uk/default.htm There are several good locations from which to choose. Several locations have an inexpensive cafeteria on the ground floor. Also, you should check out some of the other postings on the question you are asking. Go back to previous pages here on this helpline and browse the answers for "Inexpensive places to stay in London". The question has been asked over and over, and there are some good ideas on these other pages. A book you really should have is "Take The Kids London" by Cadogan Guides, published by Globe Pequot Press, ISBN Number 1-86011-844-5. Their website is www.cadoganguides.com or you could find it at a good bookstore for $12, Amazon for less, at a good used bookstore, $6. This guide has a section on inexpensive hotels and B&B's that welcome children, a section on restaurants in London with cheap meals for kids 12 and under (including kids eat free places), and a list of museums that let kids under 16 in free. You could save enough money on the last 2 items alone to pay for the cost of the book. Also it has a section on restaurants that kids love, like Pizza Express, listing many locations in London. Pizza Express=good pizza, cheap, and fast-very important. Hope this helps! Have a good trip!

What lucky kids to see London at such a young age! I didn't stay at the Celtic, but I spent a week and a half at the President, which is just across the street. The location really is great. Being so close to the tube station is a huge plus. After a long day of sightseeing, it's nice to step off the tube at the end of the day and be just steps from your room. I think the Bloomsbury/Russell Square area could be helpful for your budget too... there were plenty of places to pop in for quick cheap food (my boyfriend and I often ate for under 20 pounds), and there's also a Tesco store right across from the tube stop that you can pop into for water, juice, fruit, sandwiches, snacks, etc. Also, you can take the Piccadilly line straight in from Heathrow right to the Russell Square stop and be right at your hotel-- another budget consideration, since you'd pay just a couple pounds each instead of a really expensive cab fare. (it will take you about an hour though) Good luck and have a great trip, and feel free to message me if you want to know anymore about that neighborhood!

I'm staying at the Celtic in March. It was highly recommended by a friend who stayed at the owners' previous location. They said she was extremely helpful and it was a very pleasant experience. I'll let you know!

I have stayed in the quads here and it was priced well, great location and big breakfast included: http://www.alhambrahotel.com/