What time of year are you looking at? That might affect whether you can get something for $100. And is it just you so a room for one person?

Sorry, there will be two of us and we're looking at next fall, mid September.

To be honest, I think you might have trouble finding that in central London - that's a pretty low budget for any area close enough in.

You might want to look at one of the budget hotel chains - I stay in various Premier Inns for work and have always been quite happy with them - there is one at London Bridge right off the river that has always seemed like a good location (attached to the pub The Anchor).

we liked the Celtic (formerly the st. margaret's) very much last spring. it is 100gpb but that includes vat and a wonderful english breakfast. the breakfast is served to you by a lovely, uniformed staff member.

the rooms are simple, with mismatched furniture-- but everything is very clean. it's family run. the location was absolutely perfect for us== just 1 minute walk from the russell square tube stop. we could breeze by the british museum for a little look each day.

they have just moved their location this past year-- so the garden (we had a view from our room) is just dirt right now. I think they plan to plant it out this fall-- so may even have a nice garden by a year from now!

Hotwire and Priceline could work for this. I've had good luck with them both in London.

Your $100 is only £64 at today's exchange rates. (could be better or worse at the time of your trip). That is fairly low for a double, not impossible but takes some hunting.

You could bid priceline, but that definitely would not get you a B&B or small hotel. You could probably 'win' a decent 4 star place in the $100-ish range -but by the time taxes and fees are added, it will be up around $125.

The Celtic mentioned above is a decent budget property - but its £100 = $155 as we speak. Again could be more or less next year.

Staying outside of the center can be a huge false economy. Saving £10/$15 a night will cost extra transport $$/££ and will waste a lot of commute time every day.

So instead - look in the areas w/ lots of budget hotels . . . Victoria, Earls Court, parts of Bloomsbury/Russell Square/ or (only if you can't find something in one of those) Queensway/Paddington

Londontown.com is a good site to get started.

I agree with janis that staying in the suburbs to save a few bucks/day probably wouldn't be worth it.

Looking at Hotwire.com, randomly March 2013, there's a 4* in Docklands area for $94, and a 3* in Westminster for $106. 85% and 80% positivelr reviewed, respectively. I have found the reviews accurate and helpful.

Not B&B's, though, as noted.

Those are decent Hotwire possibilities -just be sure to factor in the taxes/fees which HW/PL don't include.

'Docklands' could mean anything from sorta convenient and close to the DLR and/or tube, or really far out/inconvenient.

Oh, yes. Good point, janis. What is best bet for close in on Hotwire, do you think? I've done well with Bloomsbury/Marble Arch, Mayfair/Soho. I'd think also Westminster, maybe Kensington, Knightsbridge, Regent's Park?

Consider also looking at the Let's Go guide, where we've found lower cost b&b's in the past.

This trip (in 3-4 weeks) we are going to stay in military clubs. There are several in London, and although we have reciprocal privileges from a club here, some of them do accept non-members or let you join for 20 pounds or so. Some names: Naval Club, Victory Services Club....

I've used the agency 'At Home in London' very successfully and recommend them. All the accommodations are in Londoners' homes and there's something for almost any budget.
http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/

stokebailey: All those are good IMO. I'd probably be a bit wary of Westminster. Those of us who know London would probably think >>What on Earth is wrong w/ Westminster?<< . . . but unfortunately they stretch 'Westminster' down into Vauxhall.

But Westminster is safer on Hotwire than on Priceline.

And Kensington often ends up being Earls Court.

We stayed in Horley at the Southborne Guest House (B&B) a while back. It's just a short walk from a train station. The owners were extremely pleasant and helpful. We're planning to stay there again this fall. www.southbournegatwick.co.uk