Cheap Hotels in London

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By libra

Cheap hotels in London are probably on many people's minds. It's that time of the year again. Many people are already off, or are arranging to go off on their summer holidays. Despite the recession, a break in the summer is still pretty much a necessity. And London is a still a desired destination for a short break.

Price of hotel accommodation is high in London, at any time! If you can fork out $2,000 or thereabouts a night, you can probably find some decent accommodation. But many would find that somewhat too exorbitant to pay.

Queensway/Bayswater Area

A popular hub for inexpensive tourist accommodation in London is in the area around Queensway/Bayswater. It is served by two underground stations - Queensway and Bayswater, and there are plenty of buses along the main Bayswater Road.

That is an area full of small hotels and bed-sits, within easy walking distance from Hyde Park, and close to downtown London. Well, actually it is a part of Central London. A short bus ride takes you to Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner. That's one end of the famous Oxford Street, the main shopping street in London.

In its own right, the Queensway area has its own attractions. The main street is full of middle-eastern restaurants and eateries, as well as some well-patronised Chinese restaurants, coffee-shops, pubs and fast-food shops too. If you have a lazy hour or so, it's not a bad idea on a warmish day to sip your coffee, or other beverage, at an outside pavement table and watch the world walk by. There are always some interesting specimens passing by from time to time.

Queensway Underground Station (Ewan-M: flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00)
See all 2 photos
Queensway Underground Station (Ewan-M: flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00)

The photo shows the entrance to the Queensway Underground Station. Hyde Park is visible in the left background, just across the road from the station. Next to it is a Chinese restaurant, which has been there since time immemorial!

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: London
Amazon Price: $11.07
List Price: $25.00
Fodor's London 2012 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Amazon Price: $9.99

Small Hotels - Bed and Breakfast

These small hotels have practically all transformed themselves into even smaller hotels - in terms of the size of the guest-rooms. 'Pacing 'em in" is the prevailing philosophy. Even so, you would be lucky to find a room for around 50 pounds (about $85). That would be a single room where you can just manage some squeeze-in space next to the bed!

The size of the rooms in these cheap hotels is quite shocking. Don't even think about swinging a cat - you'd be lucky if you can fit in your luggage.

However, usually there is a pub or bar and restaurant in these hotels. The restaurant is usually good for the breakfast that's usually included in the price of the room. The food is not something to write home about, but reasonable enough for a not too demanding breakfast. For finer dining, try the Italian, Indian, Chinese and other places in town.

If you can resign yourself to just using the room as a place with a bed to flop into after a tiring day, these hotels are just about tolerable. If you must insist on luxury, then you're out of luck.

Booking on the Internet

If you book rooms on the internet, always remember that the photos they show you make the rooms much larger than they actually are! They always give glowing descriptions to entice you. I wish they would give more accurate descriptions instead. At least then you know what your are in for.

Credits: FreeFoto.com
Credits: FreeFoto.com

Typical Hotels in the Bayswater area

Keep Expectations Low

Just keep your expectations low, or you'd be hugely disappointed.

Think of the fact that you're saving money to spend on the also not cheap transport, and on visiting sites, and attractions around the city. But as far as location is concerned, they are in the right place.

London News

Comments

Nash 12 months ago

Thank you for your very informative post.

londontraveler profile image

londontraveler Level 1 Commenter 4 months ago

Thanks a lot for providing London travelers with useful information on cheap hotels of the city. As a London lover myself, I find this hub very interesting and informative.

cheaphotelsrooms profile image

cheaphotelsrooms 3 months ago

I am very impressed with the kind of changes made to attract more guests. The changes are taking place though it would take some time for positive results to appear on the surface. I agree with the points that you have made in the hub.

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