any suggestions on london hotels that I can stay in for 8 days in August? Looking to really staying under $100 US, roughly 50 pounds. Since I'm staying for 1 week, was wondering whether apartment rentals might be more economical. Thanks for the suggestions.

I'd suggest using Priceline and checking bidding for travel to see what bids have been won lately.
I don't know if it's possible to get an apt. for £400 or less for 8 days.
Use the search function there have been numerous postings on apartment rentals in London.

A £50 per night flat will be awfully basic. I'd also recommend priceline. Check out biddingfortravel.com first though.

4 star hotels regularly are won between about $70 and $120 - but there is tax on top of that so bidiing around $70-$75 total close to $100.

Instead of bidding for an 8 night stay, you might have better luck breaking your bid into 3 or 4 night stays. It might mean having to move hotels, but if it got you a REALLY good rate, no big deal.

If you don't mind having no space, maybe you could try EasyHotels.

Try booking.com they have lots of hotels at budget prices and also give reviews from previous guests.

I've had great luck with this site & have used it several times for flats. The rates include VAT.

http://www.londonguestsuites.com/

hhh

We just booked a very cheap accommodation for June through Travelodge. The one I'm staying at does not have a/c and I would not recommend it for August, but if you search online, you can find others that may work for you. (I'm staying at the Docklands location.) I've heard that the Convent Garden one is in a better location, check on that...
They have different rates if your booking is nonrefundable. Book through their site for the best price. This is a very basic place to stay.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/

I just did a search on London Suites: Out of 700+ properties, for $100 per night or less - it retrieved one - out near St John's Wood. For $100-$110 there are 3, all in Bloomsbury near King's Cross (one is a bit farther from Kings Cross - which is a good thing).

And searching Travelodge special rates for an 8 night stay in August -- at Marylebone it's 49GBP. For King's Cross it is 75GBP. For Covent Garden - 95GBP

Unless you could get the one London Suites flat in Bloomsbury (the one closer to the British Museum than to Kings Cross) you'll likely get a better, more central place for less money on Priceline.

You could try a B&B as well. Look at
www.marblearch-inn.co.uk
www.edlear.com
www.centrallondonbandb.co.uk
mind you, I haven't stayed in any of these, just places I've found in my research.