A great way to dip your toes into London life before committing yourself to a move is to take an extended stay – or even just a weekend break – in one of the capital’s many hotels.
London hotel rates can be very expensive, and it is sometimes difficult to find a reasonably decent hotel for a budget price. The hotels below have all attracted favourable reviews, and all offer rooms for less than £140 a night (subject to season and availability).
Citizen M London Bankside
Citizen M London Bankside comes in at the higher end of the budget market, with 192 rooms selling from £138 a night, but a combination of cool design, healthy food and convenient location puts it among the most value for money stays to be found in the city.
At the time of writing, Citizen M London Bankside was ranked 31st out of over a thousand hotels based on reviews by customers of Trip Advisor, a considerable achievement for a budget boutique hotel. It also made the 2013 Conde Nast Hot List.
Premier Inn London Southwark (Tate Modern)
The Premier Inn London Southwark (Tate Modern) is perfectly situated for visitors looking to explore the River Thames and its iconic buildings and structures, such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge . As well as being close to the Tate Modern, the hotel is also a stone’s throw from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and there is even a Shakespearian themed pub (The Anchor) nearby. The hotel decor is appealing and facilities are well-maintained with room only stays available from £107 a night. If you prefer to fill up with breakfast before your city trek, the Premier Inn offers both full English and continental breakfasts at its Thyme restaurant. Snacks, hot dinners and drinks are also served there.
Bermondsey Square Hotel
Situated in one of the most up-and-coming, creative neighbourhoods in South East London, the Bermondsey Square is a fresh, contemporary hotel with an upbeat vibe. There is a weekly antiques market just outside with an indie cinema and plenty of boutique shops and restaurants to enjoy in the vicinity. The hotel is only 7 minutes from London Bridge Station, a 15 minute train ride from the heart of the West End. Rather than being stuffy and formal, the owners promise to treat guests like old friends and invite locals and residents alike to sample food from their British-inspired menu, complete with wine list, in the chilled out grill bar. The bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also operates a ‘Great Birds’ rotisserie take-away chicken service on weekdays.
At £106 a night, the Bermondsey Square manages to offer a balance between budget and quality. If you are looking for a place to host a corporate event, the Bermondsey can also cater for up to 12 delegates or, if you are planning an alfresco event, up to 150 guests.
Arosfa
If you enjoy nothing more than a good book, then there can be few better places to stay than the Arosfa Hotel. The Arosfa is situated just opposite the biggest academic bookstore in Europe, and there are plenty of lighter reading options in numerous other second-hand and new bookshops in the area. The hotel is also not far from the British Library.
Rooms in this dark brick Georgian townhouse are available from £97 a night, and there is also a pleasant garden for guests to enjoy. The Arosfa is also known for its famous former resident, the pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millai.
Hotel 55
Hotel 55 of Hanger Lane is a chic, modern hotel boasting state-of-the-art facilities, trendy design and a relaxing illuminated garden. Guests can enjoy Japanese cuisine in the on-site restaurant and sip drinks in the 24 hour lounge bar adorned with paintings by Indian artist Sudhir Deshpande.
Hotel 55 is situated near Heathrow Airport and guests flying in can arrange for the hotel to order a mini-cab to pick them up at a cost of £20. Alternatively, they can take a train to nearby Ealing Broadway, a great place for shopping. Wembley Stadium, the home of the English national football team, is only three miles from the hotel.
There are 26 double rooms and if you book in advance or during quiet times you might secure a room for as little as £65 a night.
The Nadler Kensington
Formerly known as the Base2Stay, the smart Nadler Kensington is superbly located near Hyde Park, not far from attractions such as Harrods Department Store and Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge ground. Respected for its friendly and helpful staff, the boutique hotel has a wide range of rooms on offer, from the Bijou Single (from £124 a night) up to a deluxe double with room for two queen beds and two additional sofa beds.
YHA London Oxford Street
The YHA Oxford Street is technically a hostel rather than a hotel, but with private rooms available from £80 and a location in the beating heart of Soho, YHA Oxford Street must be one of the best budget options for a city break. If you don’t mind sharing a room (or dorm), you might even get a bed for less than £35.
Shoppers can spend all day on nearby Oxford Street, the longest shopping street in Europe, or explore the many restaurants, pubs and charming boutiques before taking in a West End play. Nearby attractions include London Zoo, London Dungeon, the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud’s and the London Eye. The hostel itself includes a 24 hour lounge bar, cafe and free wi-fi.
