But fear not, as we have found some gorgeous affordable hotel offerings right in the centre of the action depending on what it is you want to see in London.
Whether you want to be so close to Buckingham Palace that you’re practically sat on the throne, or you want to position yourself in the cool hipster vibe of East London, we’ve got choosing a hotel covered.
Once home to literary greats such as Virginia Wolf and E.M Forster Bloomsbury is known for its intellectual and cultural edge. Bloomsbury is also home to that fountain of all knowledge, The British Museum.
Landmarks nearby also include the BBC Broadcasting House and if you are travelling with a family then the entertaining Cartoon Museum is also well worth a visit. Meanwhile, King’s Cross/St. Pancras Station is close-by, so pop in for a look at Platform 9¾ or hop on the Eurostar to Paris for the day!
Self-proclaimed as “simple, clean, family-run”, the St. Athans is the perfect home from home hotel when looking for a cosy place to stay in the city. When your travelling on a budget and just looking for a comfy Central London base, look no further than the St. Athans for rooms that range from a solitary single up to rooms sleeping five people, perfect for families. The 18th century building comes with plenty of character and period quirks notably original fireplaces, antique wooden dressers and a distinct lack of lifts.
Ready to visit the Queen? A visit to London isn’t complete without a selfie outside the royal gates and the Changing of the Guard at 11:30 sharp. Stroll down The Mall and find yourself in Trafalgar Square, home to the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column. Keep walking and you’ll be in Leicester Square and finally Covent Garden, perfect if you are hoping to catch a West End theatre show or a ballet at the Royal Opera house.
Another area worth a wander is Sloane Square and The King’s Road for shopping amongst Chelsea’s notorious socialites. Pop into the weird and wonderful Saatchi Gallery for a look at some cutting-edge modern art. The gallery follows the lead of other museums in London and offers free admission.
Directly opposite Victoria Station, The Z Victoria’s rooms are sleek and compact with all the essential amenities. Promising a “designer label without the designer price tag”, rooms come with a 40-inch TV with premium channels and, of course, free WiFi.
Near — though not technically in — the “City of London” (the square mile that was found inside the old city walls), the Tower of London is best known for being home to The Crown Jewels. Other landmarks notable amongst the dramatic skyline include Tower Bridge with its new glass-bottomed foot bridge high above the cars crossing the bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard.
A hop, skip and a jump from the Tower of London, you’ll find the very affordable and utterly chic Qbic London City. A state-of-the-art eco-friendly hotel powered almost entirely on renewable energy, Qbic also offers free bike rentals and furnishes its rooms with organic mattresses. Enjoy blending in with London’s hipster and pick up some vintage threads and some of the best curry in England in Brick Lane.
At the epicentre of some of London’s trendiest neighbourhoods, Piccadilly Circus is framed by Chinatown, the luxury shopping of Regent Street and Oxford Street, and Leicester Square. The West End hosting some of the UK’s most exciting musicals is also just a short walk away.
After a day of pounding the pavements, retreat to the Z Piccadilly on Orange Street. Sleek rooms from a Z Single to a Z Queen all include an en-suite shower room with frosted glass. Enjoy a full-English breakfast in the mornings at the Z cafe, or stop by for a nightcap on the way back from a show.
Known for being affluent areas, Kensington and Chelsea are home to some of the Capital’s most rich and famous, but luckily, all the sights in the area are relatively budget friendly. Take a morning to discover The Victoria & Albert Museum covering the world of decorative arts including a fantastic clothing, jewellery and costume section. Then nip off to the the Natural History Museum where you will be greeted by “Dippy” the Diplodocus in the impressive entrance hall. Remember, all London museums offer free entrance.
Finally, a quick trip to Harrods to stock-up on luxury chocolates and a performance at The Royal Albert Hall are also must-dos while in SW3 and SW7.
You’ll find The Nadler hotel in Kensington caters to your every whim throughout your stay — and without emptying your pockets of every last pound. All 65 rooms of this Victorian town house come with a kitchenette (including a Brita tap, Fairtrade teas and Nespresso machine), Gilchrist and Soames bath amenities and free UK-wide calling. Guests are invited to trade in their Premier Loft pillows for any of the other four choices off the pillow menu (from goose feather to anti-allergy).
Starting from Tower Bridge, walk along the South Bank and take in some of London’s most iconic sights. You’ll see along the way The Shard, pick up some tasty delicacies at the food stalls of the Borough Market, pass the Millennium Bridge leading to Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the cutting-edge Tate Modern and the Oxo Tower before ending opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The walk takes around 40 minutes if your quick on your feet, but it’s well worth it to see everything!
Stay right in the thick of it at the ibis Styles London Southwark hotel. Minimalist interiors with a pop of colour in every room, this affordable and stylish hotel offers rooms in three different sizes: The Queen, The Duet (for two singles) and The Works (for bigger family groups). Start your day the right way with the complimentary buffet breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, every morning.
One of London’s most recognisable land marks, the London Eye on the Southbank is the perfect way to get a bird’s eye view of the city. The 30 minute journey offers 360-degree views from 443 feet above the bustling streets below. Then cross Waterloo Bridge into Westminster, where you can get your mandatory selfie in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament along with the gothic angles of Westminster Abbey.
The Wellington is just across from Waterloo Station and features rooms and interiors all reminiscent of the London underground. There’s also a family-friendly pub downstairs, complete with a mural of the Battle of Waterloo.
The hotel offers guests a free full English breakfast (hello!) and if you are really feeling peckish you can also enjoy a delicious lunchtime Sunday roast too!