Angela_Smith

I threw out the idea of Tops Kensington Gardens, but was told that the area was not very central. I am looking for inexpensive ($100 USD per night give or take $20). I am not picky re. size of room (WiFi would be nice.) I am a solo female. I will be flying into Heathrow and leaving for Paris via the train. I will be traveling there at the beginning of November.

Taylort771

Stay at hotel Meridiana! It is 1 block from kings cross and St Pancras Intl. We stayed in may it was nice. HUGE breakfast included! It is also 1 block from the tube! I dont remember exactly what we did but it wasnt far to a hoho stop.

joannay

I have yet to find a really budget hotel in London that I'd care to go back to. Usually traveling alone also I want a place I'd like to spend a bit of time in and don't buy the old "it's only a place to sleep" argument.

I seem to have solved the problem by staying in a private B&B. Try looking on AirBnB. I've used the site successfully and with some careful searching I think you may find something you like. Read the cancellation policy choices carefully. I found it was good before and since the security upgrades I think it's a safer bet than many other choices. http://www.airbnb.com/

bardo1

Look through here also:

http://www.eurocheapo.com/london/

As mentioned above, for $100 inclusive (£62) you CAN find very central rooms but they won't be anything memorable and probably not en suite. Do start with Eurocheapo and airbnb and come back for comments on your short list.

janisj

Priceline is amazing for London. Usually one can snag a 4 star hotel for about $95-$110. But w/ taxes/fees that will be approx $120-$135 a night.

If that doesn't appeal --then check londontown.com You should be able to find a decent single for £60-£70 a night w/ a bath.

Re airB&B --you really REALLY need to do your research. There have been many reports of totally satisfactory stays. But there have also been tales of problems and a few real disasters. Do a search (try the advance search option) and you'll find several loooooong threads discussing this.

So it is a useful option for budget travel--but as w/ craig's list -- homework is <u>absolutely</u> essential.

joannay

AirBnB bears little resemblance to Craig's List. On CL you deal directly with the advertiser while on AirBnB you have the website services as guarantee that what is offered is legitimate or a full refund from the website. Or if you decide to cancel for any reason whatsoever and the cancellation policy of the advertiser permits (pay attention there) you can cancel for a full refund, excluding the booking charge. I had second thoughts about a booking I'd made in France and with the "flexible" policy received a refund to my credit card the same day.

Comparing AirBnB with Craig's List is comparing apples to oranges. Not the same.

nytraveler

Another vote for Priceline - otherwise what you get within your budget may not be a place you are willing to stay at.

joannay

I've used Priceline too and definitely recommend it for getting your money's worth, as long as you can relinquish control over where, exactly, you'll be staying.

BigRuss

I wouldn't be caught dead using airbnb - far too many horror stories. Considering your vast amount of other options, pick one of those.

joannay

A fun loving but fairly conservative gentleman who posts regularly on Frommer's became an AirBnB convert when he rented apartments through the website on a recent trip to Scandanavia. Here are accounts of his experiences:

http://tinyurl.com/3dgehpn
http://tinyurl.com/43bgvnn

I don't have stock in the company either.

julia_t

My favourite little hotel is very close to Victoria station so has excellent links re buses, trains and tube.

It is indeed very reasonably priced, but it is a bit shabby. The area feels quite safe, and I wasn't worried walking back there late at night.

http://www.cherrycourthotel.co.uk/

janisj

Joanay, we <i>know</i> you like airBnB, but others are allowed to point out the possible issues.

OF COURSE there are many good to very good anecdotes. But there are also some VERY scary ones and several that aren't scary necessarily--but extremely deceptive.

As I said - one should never (IMO) use airBnB w/o doing some serious investigating. Like the SF-based Fodorite over on the US board who actually went by a flat for a future visitor to check if it was legit. Turns out it was great - maybe even perfect. But we have also had other Fodorites totally taken in/cheated/mislead by airBnB landlords.

Just buyer beware is all we are saying. Me personally - I wouldn't use it.

qwovadis

betterbidding.com for priceline hotwire bidding deals

Grovesner and Tower Hotel priceline.com bidding $80/nt

for me last.

www.otel.com londontown.com great no bid sites

Kensington area central many good budgets there

Lastly for super budget check www.twizi.com London

great site with a map...

qwovadis

Beware AirBB search nukesafe's post on them VERY hit and miss

Beware Craigs List also many scammers tax cheats always

pay with CC never wire money...stick with reputable hostel

privates rather than do that.

Millenium and Generatorhostels.com Private good budget reviews

eurocheapo.com/london uses venere.com they are fine...

Personally for me bid priceline 4 stars under 50 quid usually

joannay

Jansj - just lining up reputable first-hand witnesses so the conversation doesn't deteriorate entirely into hearsay.

My point is that it's quite likely Angela will get a better accommodation for the same money from the AirBnB website as what's likely to be a fleabag of a hotel.

janisj

"<i>My point is that it's quite likely Angela will get a better accommodation for the same money from the AirBnB website as what's likely to be a fleabag of a hotel.</i>

Could your real point be you don't like it when there are alternative points of view? airBnB or a fleabag are not one's only options.

"<i>Jansj - just lining up reputable first-hand witnesses so the conversation doesn't deteriorate entirely into hearsay.</i>"

Carefully omitting any first-hand witnesses who had bad experiences. Or are the 'good stories' the only ones you consider reputable?

And ALL I said is one should do serious research -- which they should.

joannay

"And ALL I said is one should do serious research -- which they should."

I absolutely agree. Whew!

walkabout

If you use Priceline, please check biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com for bidding strategies and names and prices of hotels that have recently been won. Usually you can narrow down the 1 or 2 hotels you are likely to get in a particular area, so you are not completely bidding in the dark.

Others to try, along with tripadvisor reviews:

Vandon House Hotel: Victoria/Westminster area. http://www.vandonhouse.com/rooms.html
http://goo.gl/TTEpu

Ridgemount Hotel: in Bloomsbury.
http://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/
http://goo.gl/qDu97

Morgan Guest House: near Victoria Station.
http://www.morganhouse.co.uk/
http://goo.gl/v4VwA

London School of Economics: several locations.
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/
http://goo.gl/6j3Ku

Celtic Hotel: Bloomsbury (can't book online, must call or e-mail them)
http://www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk/
http://goo.gl/c2AxH

Also take a look at wotif.com, london30.com and laterooms.com. It may take a bit of searching, but you can find clean, comfortable, budget accommodation in central London. Good luck to you!

Michael

We've stayed at the easyHotel in London (south Kensington) and Basel. No problems in terms of cleanliness. The one in London had a room that was much smaller than the one in Basel, but it had a window.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623461378508