Reasonable lodging in London

The are plenty of cheap B&Bs around Victoria station, but for a little more money you get a much better cheap B&B in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum. Lots of them on Gower Street. I like this place: http://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/index.htm This one is a bit pricier and a bit nicer: http://www.arosfalondon.com/
This one is a bit cheaper and not as nice: http://www.jesmondhotel.org.uk/ If you're in London during university holidays, try the LSE student dorms - http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/ - some of them are very central.

If I had to choose between the area around Victoria and that in Bloomsbury, I'd go for the latter. Note that plenty of properties there seem to bill themselves as hotels but are essentially b&b's, so don't be fooled by a name. The proximity to the British Museum is a plus.

'The proximity to the British Museum is a plus." If your flight lands at Gatwick, Victoria will be more convenient, if it lands Heathrow you can take the Piccadilly line to Russell Square and Bloomsbury will be more convenient. Once you're in London it doesn't make a whole lot of difference as the public transport is so good, but besides the BM, Bloomsbury is walking distance to the Covent Garden area.

I would vote for Bloomsbury. Lots of areas near Victoria station seem scruffy to me (and fast food containers).

Good point, Kathy. I assumed Heathrow. Bloomsbury is also within reasonable walking distance of Oxford Street, if a shopping expedition is in the cards.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions! We will be ending our trip in London, and arriving most likely at Kings Cross from Edinburgh or Glasgowstill deciding. I have looked into the Cherry Court Hotel in Victoria and the Jesmond Hotel in Bloomsbury. They are similar in price, but I am leaning more towards Bllomsbury. Has anyone heard about or stayed at the Hyde Park Rooms Hotel near the Paddington Station? Thanks for all the suggestions,
Annaliese

If you're arriving at King's Cross you can cross the road and take a bus down Gower Street - nos. 10 and 14, I think. See http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/central-london-bus-map.pdf If you're staying at Jesmond get off after you pass Waterstone's bookshop.

"Has anyone heard about or stayed at the Hyde Park Rooms Hotel near the Paddington Station?" Yes, my wife and I nearly stayed there but changed to an apartment before we left. It has high praises on Tripadvisor, and seems like a nice albeit very basic B&B. It is within walking distance to the Lancaster Gate tube station, which will take you to Holborn station, which is about a 5 minute walk from the British Museum.

Check out imperial hotel group they have one hotel with bath down hall at good rate I have stayed at prtesident for 77l single

I just returned from London and we stayed at the Vandon House Hotel - http://www.vandonhouse.com/. It's owned by a private college in Iowa and most of the rooms are twins. It's near Buckingham Palace and the location was great for sightseeing; St James' Park tube stop is very close. It's modestly furnished. I especially liked the lounge that had 4 computers at a very reasonable rate and the breakfasts included cheese and ham, which was more than the usual continental breakfast. I felt very safe here, and the front desk has someone there 24/7. This place is in Rick Steves' book.