Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Talking of
location
, bear in mind that travelling around London is not that di
cult
with an Oyster card and a tube map. While the central London hotels are the hippest
and the most exciting, the prices reflect this, and it may suit you better to head out of
zone 1, especially if you're not short of time.
Demand for beds is so great that the city doesn't really have a
low season
, though
things do slacken off a little in the months just after Christmas.
ESSENTIALS
Costs
London's hostels are among the costliest in the
world, while an astonishing number of hotels charge
guests the very top international prices - from £300 per
luxurious night. Even the most basic B&Bs struggle to
bring their tariffs below £90 for a double with shared
facilities, which is why so many people head for the
budget chain hotels (see p.356) for a cheap sleep. For a
decent hotel room, you shouldn't expect much change
out of £100 a night. That said, even the basic places tend
to have TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities and
telephones, and breakfast is very often included in the
price. Many of the more upmarket hotels quote
expensive walk-in or rack rates, but there are usually
deals to be had online and there may be additional low-
season discounts. You'll get the best prices by booking
online well in advance.
Useful websites
You can book accommodation for free
online at
W
londontown.com; payment is made directly to
the hotel and they offer very good discounts. Other useful
websites for last-minute offers include
W
laterooms.com
and
W
lastminute.com.
Alternative accommodation
If you want to live like a
local, try the network of rooms and flats, often in interesting
locations, offered via
W
airbnb.co.uk.
W
couchsurfing.com
puts travellers in touch with people to stay or hang out with
for free, while going upmarket,
W
onefinestay.com offers
luxurious “unhotels” - posh private residences with all
manner of guest services thrown in.
British Hotel Reservation Centre (BHRC)
If you arrive
without having made plans (which is
not
a good idea),
head for the BHRC (24hr helpline
T
020 7592 3055,
W
bhrc.co.uk)
desks at Heathrow airport, Victoria bus
station and St Pancras and Victoria train stations. BHRC
o
ces are open daily from early till late, and there's no
booking fee - they can also get big discounts at the more
upmarket hotels.
23
HOTELS AND B&BS
The bulk of the recommendations here cost between £110 and £170 a double, though there are some good basic options
for under £100. Prices listed are the quoted rack rates for the
cheapest double room
in mid-summer; even these should
be taken as a rule of thumb, however - you may be able to get rooms more cheaply at the last minute, or if booked well in
advance, depending on the day of the week and availability.
friendly staff, colourful touches and spruce, well-maintained
if unexciting en-suite rooms, including triples (£180) and
quads (£200). The full
ll Eng
lish breakfasts are substantial,
and there's free wi-fi.
£130
Ì
Morgan Guesthouse
120 Ebury St, SW1
T
020
7730 2384,
W
morganhouse.co.uk;
!
Victoria; map
p.36.
Brilliantly located a short hop from Chelsea, this is a
lovely B&B in a peaceful Georgian building. The sizeable,
spotless rooms all have character and most are en suite; the
family room crams in a double and a bunk bed. Full
breakf
asts a
re served in a pretty room; free wi-fi in the
lobby.
£135
St Ermin's Hotel
2 Caxton St, SW1
T
020 7222 7888,
W
sterminshotel.co.uk;
!
St James's Park; map p.36.
Set in a sturdy Victorian mansion block, this large, peaceful
hotel (part of the
Marriott
group) manages to maintain
both a sense of place and a sense of history - check out the
tiled floors and the MPs' bell in the stunning white plaster-
encrusted lobby, which was traditionally rung to call MP
guests back to parliament. The mo
dern
rooms are tasteful
and comfortable. Wi-fi costs extra.
£220
WHITEHALL AND WESTMINSTER
B&B Belgravia
64-66 Ebury St, SW1
T
020 7259
8570,
W
bb-belgravia.com;
!
Victoria; map p.36.
A rarity in this neck of the woods - a light and well-
designed B&B with flair, very close to the train and coach
stations. The seventeen simple rooms have original
features and modern styling; those on the ground floor can
be noisy, however. They also offer nearby studios from
£135. Comfy guest lounge with tea and coffee, g
arden,
free
wi-fi and bike loan; unusually, dogs are allowed.
£130
Cherry Court Hotel
23 Hugh St, SW1
T
020 7828
2840,
W
cherrycourthotel.co.uk;
!
Victoria; map p.36.
Very inexpensive, mid-terrace Victorian B&B on a quiet
street, with amiable staff, clean rooms and a small garden.
The rooms are tiny, but all are en suite and there are triples
(£105) and a family room sleeping five (£130). The in-room
breakfast is minimal - a fresh fruit ba
sket
- but there are
tea and coffee facilities, plus free wi-fi.
£68
Ì
Luna & Simone Hotel
47-49 Belgrave Rd, SW1
T
020 7834 5897,
W
lunasimonehotel.com;
!
Victoria;
map p.36.
Family-run guesthouse with a bright foyer,
