Fodorite018

We will be in Paris later this summer and will be taking a one night trip to London. We have been there before, but 10 years ago. It will be either myself and college age DD, or possibly one of her friends might join us. So, I am looking for a budget hotel for either 2 or 3 people. I am not sure where we want to stay, so this is where I would like opinions. We will probably not bring any luggage with us, just a change of clothes in a handbag. So taking the Eurostar over, I am not sure if we should be looking at hotels around St Pancras or if we are better to stay elsewhere. The hotel truly will only be for sleeping, so we don't need anything except a good location and safe and clean.

So, any help on location and any specific hotels? I know London is expensive, but I would really like to keep the room at either under $100 for 2, or $150 for 3. This will be for very early August, FWIW.

Thanks

jent103

Under $100 is somewhat tough to do. If it ends up only being two of you, Priceline could be a good option - there are many reports here of people having a lot of success with it. But you have to be aware that it's two people and you might have to share a bed.

I've had good luck with Londontown.com, which is a discount site where you actually know the hotel you're getting when you book. (I stayed at the Holiday Inn near Russell Square using Londontown once, and I *think* we got twin rooms for $90. It's been a couple of years, though, so I may be misremembering.) St. Pancras has convenient transport to a lot of parts of town, so if you find a good deal in South Kensington or wherever, I wouldn't hesitate to book it. However, Bloomsbury (just south of St. Pancras) is my favorite area to stay in and I find it really convenient. You might also try the Travelodge chain - they sometimes have good deals. The further out you go from central London, of course, the cheaper your room will be - you'll have to decide how important location vs. budget are for you. There was a poster here who got a room at a good hotel around Earls Court for something like $50, I think using Priceline (search for the poster CAPH52 - she wrote a trip report with the details). Earls Court is at the edge of what I'd call central London, though, and it'll take you at least 20-30 minutes one way on the Tube to get to most tourist attractions.

Finding a room for three people in general is a little tougher - London hotel rooms are generally small, and triples aren't as common.

julia_t

Do look at the Travelodge website www.travelodge.co.uk - they can sometimes have real bargains, from as little as 29 GBP a night. They have several locations in central London, so see what you can find. You'll be looking at family rooms, which have a double bed, a single sofa bed, and a pull-out-from-under-the-sofa truckle bed, which is really only suitable for a child or small adult.

My current favourite budget hotel in London is within 5 minutes walk from Victoria station, but they do have triple rooms from 85 GBP. It's a small family run hotel and while it's a bit shabby and worn around the edges, it is still a good cheap option for central London.

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

I don't have my London A-Z handy, but I 'think' you can get on the Victoria line on the underground at St Pancras - hopefully someone else can confirm this.

janisj

If you do go priceline (for just the two of you) you can get a room under $100 -- but after taxes and fees it will end up considerably more. A $100 room will come to $125-$130.

Fodorite018

I forgot about the Londontown website, so thank you! I realize the further out we stay the cheaper, but we want to be close enough to walk to many places, or a quick tube ride.

When we went to London last time, we had a quad room, so I am very familiar with the limited space and that quads and triples are not the norm. Guess thats why I am looking now I need to get an answer from DD's friend asap.

I "know" Caph from the boards, so trust her judgement. Thanks, I will look for her posts.

I hate to spend a lot of money since we will be leaving our Paris apt vacant. DD and I have no problem if we need to share a bed for one night.

janisj

Yep -- Victoria Line from Kings X/St Pancras to Victoria.

About the travelodge suggestion. Their rates are very VERY date/occupancy factor specific. So your one night could be £35 -- or £120 at the same property. So do try some of the travelodges. The Cherry Court would be preferable IMO though unless you can get a travelodge for £50 double or less.

sassy_cat

The Travelodge at Waterloo will probably be in your price range. It's about 35 pounds a night usually and has great reviews on Tripadvisor. I booked it for my son and his girlfriend of 3 nights in July.

You could book 2 rooms for less than $150 but I recommend you book in advance as the price will go up.

Fodorite018

The cherry court looks good, as does the travelodge. The covent garden travelodge location has a double room for just under 50 pounds. So, would you opt for that or Cherry Court, locationwise?

Fodorite018

Just checked Trip Advisor reviews, and so will skip the covent garden one. What about the other locations though? Any suggestions?

julia_t

Well, I've also stayed at the Covent Garden Travelodge and it's really not bad.

It's in a good location so don't dismiss it straight off if you can get a room for 50 quid. I'd be happy to recommend it based on my stay there, and so would Fodorite Barb, for whom I also booked a room.

I'll have a look at TA and see what the complaints are, and come back here soon...

julia_t

OK, I looked at 2 pages of reviews and agree they are not too good!

I think the 'you get what you pay for' and 'basic but OK' sum it up.

I truly didn't think it was that bad when I stayed there last year - and I've stayed in a lot of Travelodges, some really are awful!

There are 2 buildings at Covent Garden, and it seems the one over the road is the one with the family rooms. My DD stayed here on a school theatre trip a couple of years ago. She said it was OK, nothing special, but fine for sleeping in and walking to lots of places.

Personally I would opt for Cherry Court, it may cost a bit more (though only 60 GBP for a double, 85 for a triple) but it is clean - if a bit tatty, you get a very friendly helpful service, and you'll feel safe enough in that area close to Victoria.

Fodorite018

Julia--Thanks so much. I am really leaning towards Cherry Court. Another that I found was an Easy Hotel, near Victoria. It is 48 pounds for a double. I will probably pick one of these two, depending on if DD's friend joins us. The hard part is to get a 20 yr old to make a decision I am impatient and want to book NOW, lol!

I really appreciate everyones help. Since I have to wait on the friend to commit, I am still open to any suggestions, comments

jent103

Just tell her if you have to wait past date X, you're assuming she's not coming and booking a room for the two of you. In my experience, that's been helpful. Glad you're finding some options!

Fodorite018

jent--We think alike I told DD to tell her that. The girls will have spent the summer on exchange and the other girl hasn't decided what she wants to do at the end. We told her she could join us and she says she wants to, but she hasn't even bought her ticket for the exchange part. As I said, I am impatient. I will send DD links to the hotels and tell her to get on her friend asap.

Fodorite018

YAY, just heard back from DD and her friend is coming with us! I have known this girl for about 6 years so it won't be awkward or anything. So am waiting to hear back from Cherry Court.

janisj

Whatever you choose-- <red>NOT</red> the EASY hotel!! Not in a million years (I wouldn't even stay there for free -- not even a light exaggeration)

It is orange, (and I love orange) but everything is orange - except for the white bits. There are no windows (unless you pay extra). There is a TV - but you have to pay to turn it on. One towel per person - period -- you pay for extras. No room cleaning -- if you want housekeeping it costs £10. No closets -- two wall hooks (two hooks period - no drawers). It is five stories and there is no elevator.

Fodorite018

janis--LOL! Tell me how you really feel j/k! I LOVE orange, and I think it would have been fine for DD and I for one night.

I did get the Cherry Court triple reserved I am not sure who is more excited, me or the girls! DD's friend decided to stay with us in Paris too, so that will be fun.

janisj

The Cherry Court may cost a tad bit more -- but it is 1000000% better than the easyHotel. (would I lie to a girl???)

The Cherry Court isn't spanking new like the EH, but at least you'll get a window, a little bit of storage space, housekeeping, and towels - and breakfast . . . .

julia_t

Well done!

I have been very happy in what I consider to be MY little single room on the ground floor, just to the right of the reception desk! (PS they do have hairdryers, just ask for one as they are not provided in the rooms). Lots of travel books and guides in the hallway for you to borrow or refer to. I think the location is great too, even though I always arrive in London at Paddington Station it's worth the trek to Victoria. And there's parking close by if I choose to drive in at a weekend.

I hope you like Cherry Court as much as I do. Even though breakfast isn't included as such - you get a basket in your room with fruit and granola bars and there's a kettle to make tea and coffee - there are plenty of options for more of a meal just up the street at Victoria Station.

Have a wonderful time!

isabel

Just curious - I would like to know if people actually have gotten - in the past year - Travelodges in London for those prices - 35£ or if you are just reading their website. In November, March and May I tried and the cheapest has always been about 80-95£. That's a total of five different set of dates in three different months and it's never been close to 35£. So I'm really curious as to when -or if - it actually is that low. BTW I did stay there in November, (the one at Waterloo) and it was fine and I felt a decent price - but it was 90£ a night, not 35£.

I'm also curious is anyone has actually stayed at the Easy hotels. A room with a window is 45-55£ which is about as cheap as it gets. They get decent reviews on TripAdvisor. If you know you aren't getting TV, aren't there long enough to care if the room is cleaned, etc then what's wrong with it. Except it's orange.