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Reasonable lodging in London

Hi all! I'm in the process of planning a trip to London this August and I am in need of B&B recommendations. There are two of us and we are looking for a good, centrally located B&B. Neither one of us has been to Great Britain, so any recommendations are helpful! We are looking to spend no more than 80 pounds a night for a double. We are both young and don't need anything fancy--the room just needs to be a safe place to sleep and store our belongings! Thanks!
Annaliese

Posted by
687 posts

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.

Posted by
970 posts

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.

Posted by
687 posts

'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.

Posted by
1986 posts

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

Posted by
970 posts

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

Posted by
27 posts

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

Posted by
643 posts

"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.

Posted by
349 posts

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

Posted by
33 posts

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.