Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grandiloquent Victorian building in a fantastic location just off Trafalgar Square, effi-
ciently run, with fully equipped, modern rooms and free wi-fi. There's on-site dining, too,
and a fitness room.
£200
LUNA & SIMONE HOTEL
47-49 Belgrave Rd Victoria 020 7834 5897,
www.lunasimonehotel.com
.
MAP
B&B with a bright foyer, very friendly staff and plain, well-maintained en-suite rooms. Big
breakfasts.
£140
SANCTUARY HOUSE
33 Tothill St St James's Park 020 7799 4044,
www.sanctuaryhousehotel.com
.
MAP
A Fuller's hotel above a Fuller's pub, decked out in uncontroversial modern style. Break-
fast is extra, and is served in the pub, but the location by St James's Park is terrific. Rates
vary - ask about the special deals.
£160
Booking a room
Demand for beds is so great that London doesn't really have a low season. Look online
well in advance to get the best price - you may be able to shave £50-100 off room rates
at some of the more upmarket hotels.
London's
tourist offices
operate a room-booking service, for which a small fee is
levied (they also take the first night's fee in advance). There are also
British Hotel
Reservation Centre
(BHRC; 24hr helpline; 020 7592 3055,
www.bhrc.co.uk
)
desks
at Heathrow airport, St Pancras and Victoria train stations, Victoria coach station and
Trafalgar Sqaure. BHRC desks are open daily from early till late, and there's no booking
fee - they can also get big discounts at the more upmarket hotels.
You can book accommodation for free
online
at
www.londontown.com
; payment is
made directly to the hotel and they offer very good discounts. Other useful websites for
last-minute offers include
www.laterooms.com
and
www.lastminute.com
.
www.londonbb.com
sources classy
B&B
options, while
www.couchsurfing.org
puts
travellers in touch with people to stay with for free and
www.airbandb.co.uk
offers in-
teresting self-catering options.
ST JAMES'S
THE STAFFORD
16-18 St James's Place Green Park 020 7493 0111,
www.kempinski.com
.
MAP
Tucked into a quiet backstreet off St James's Street,
The Stafford
provides high-class rooms
in the main building, the unique Carriage House, a luxuriously converted row of
