Have you checked the Millinnium Bailey's? It is just across from the Gloucester Road tube stop and should be within your budget. I just loved it; that's my favorite area to stay.

Hello carolyn, I think that's out of the budget but I will check to make sure. I really like that area too. Have you staiyed at NH Harrington Hall? Too bad about the beds because the rooms are massive, the bathrooms are great and the breakfast is substantial. We were hopeful the rooms would get a re-do once the lobby was finished but nothing doing, I guess.

ldt: Thanks for pointing me in the direction of your trip report to London. It made me nostalgic and ready to book a flight!

Hi Emily Post,

“I was able to find rates of about $250.00 U.S. dollars a night on average for the Strand on Expedia. That's definitely in the budget but do you think this is the discounted rate?”

Not sure – that price looks good to me. Guess I am old fashioned because I usually go through a travel agent. However, I was looking at the STRAND PALACE site the other day and plugged in 7 nites in early June 2013. Forget how much, but more than I would spend.
Then I emailed the hotel and they sent me much lower rates. However, I am going solo so my case is different.

Again, I love the location because you can just stroll out at any time of day or night and be in Trafalgar Square…

This is a non answer but it isn't meant to be sarcastic (which I'm sometimes accused of). There is no answer to the question. It depends on just what you want to do, of course. But if you're just doing the touristy things, London public transportation is excellent so most anywhere in central London should be fine. The only thing that's important to me, at least, is wherever I stay, be convenient to the Underground and/or popular bus lines. Unlike my home in NYC, if I go to the theatre and the shows let out between 2200 and 2230 usually, hop on a bus or hop on the Underground or walk back to the hotel, the Underground and buses are still running at fairly cdlose intervals. In NY, when the shows let out, the subway is already movng to an overnight schedule where trains run 15 mnutes or more apart. In London, they still run every 3 or 4 mnute well past 2300 when they start preparing for their overnight closure. As do the buses and then of course there are cabs (although I don't find them necessary but you might).

So if somebody suggests a B&B near Lancaster Gate, near Paddington, they are usually fine. You won't find your sightseeing compromised in any manner. My prme consideration as long as I'm in central London,s price (and I read the descriptions carefully) and cleanliness. Other than that, it's a great place to visit!

Hey Emily, I have booked the Premier Inn on Leicester Square in October. It's newly refurbed, apparently is very quiet for it's location. Smack bang in the centre of everything. And the "last minute/cheap ticket booth" for west end shows is across the square. I have "Matilda" and "Rock of Ages" booked....but can always fit another show or two in .... Liked the central location. Hope you have a great holiday. M

www.travellodge.com

Travel Lodge chain like Premier Inn offers IMO outstanding value for the price and they can be as low budget as most folks want in London - you get a modern place to stay with modern (hot) showers, etc - unlike older places like flats that may have old plumbing, etc - with Travel Lodge and Premier Inns you know exactly what you are getting - a clean modern room and many are in excellent locations. And they do have specials like 19 or 29 pounds sometimes for rooms - one Fodorite recently reported getting a 19 or perhaps it were 29 quid room at a Travel Lodge near Covent Garden - about the best location possible.

London Hotels - Book Cheap Hotels in London UK - Premier Inn
www.premierinn.com/en/london-hotels.html

Thanks for your replies. We have visited London in the past and enjoy it very much. We're looking forward to our next trip there.

I haven't used a travel agent in years but maybe I should! The rates for most of these hotels, from what I can see, are lower in November than in the summer months. We'll figure it out. Thanks again.

Thanks for the feedback, PalenQ. I'm still hoping Harrington Hall replaces their mattresses but when they do the price will also increase, I'm sure! My husband isn't too keen on staying in Leicester Square afterall. He does like the period atmosphere of the Palace.

We have plenty of time and plane tickets haven't been booked yet but this discussion is very helpful.

We stayed at Fraser Place Queen's Gate a few years ago, found it comfortable and with a very good breakfast. Just around the corner from Gloucester Rd tube stop, at Cromwell.
For some reason, their online calendar shows no availability after mid-October despite having an offer good until Oct 30. http://london-queensgate.frasershosp...php?promo=1043

Maybe an online kink?

I prefer Bloomsbury, but could be happy anywhere. Plan to stay at for the first time at Doubletree Hilton, around the corner from British Museum, and also and old family favorite the Arran House on Gower St. in coming months.

I have Hilton points! I'll have to consider that Doubletree.

We love The Russell Hotel; it is very close to British, near tube station, there are a lot of shops around, Bloomsbury is a safe and nice area.
I checked for you the price in the middle of January - is 147 pound, while in the middle of march is around 200.

I pressed too fast "Submit".
The rooms and bathroom are large enough, the breakfast is very good and in a beautiful room. The reception hall and the staircase are impressive.

Thank-you for checking, valtor. My husband stayed at the Russell Hotel years ago. I should ask him what he thinks.

Emily, I haven't stayed at Harrington Hall but did once stay at the Park International Hotel, 117-125 Cromwell Road, about a block away from the G. Road tube stop. Breakfast was included in their rate. My only stay in Bloomsbury was at the Morgan. It's a convenient area but I didn't feel "at home" there.

I'm currently staying in Covent Garden near the Opera House and love it. Ten minute walk to British Museum and Trafalgar Square. Easy bus and tube access. Some streets are fairly lively at night but not in this immediate area. We rented a flat through One Fine Stay and highly recommend them! We looked at the Ridgemount which was cheaper, and a couple of other places in Belgravia and Bankside, but decided that this was a bit more convenient. Lots of cafes, pubs, restaurants and of course the theaters. I don't want to leave!