After much online research and perusing the Fodors boards, I am coming to you for help: we are going to London for 4 nights in February and are seeking a boutique hotel in a good location - but don't want to break the bank. I am astounded by the high prices for that time of year. I really do not want to pay more than $400/night - am I dreaming??
Thank you in advance.

Check out www.firmdale.com. Their properties are lovely. The Stafford is also quite nice as well. Several to choose from so I'm sure you'll find something in your budget. http://www.thestaffordlondon.com


M

ILP

I love Mayfair. Try the Chesterfield. Rooms are small, but for us the décor, service and location have compensated.

I like the Chesterfield too but we switched to Flemings around the corner which is often cheaper but just a nice to me!

I would not call the Chesterfield a boutique hotel -- although it is possible people have a different definition of that than I do.

I will also say I do not like staying in Mayfair at all, and even when I stayed there, found it necessary to leave Mayfair to eat well.

If the Chesterfield and Flemings are not what you are looking for, what hotels were you looking at that you would have booked were it not for the price?

I love the Firmdale hotels, but they have become so expensive.
I like a hotel that is on the small side, with a clean, fresh style and breakfast on-site. Does that help?

Small, nice hotels are almost always expensive.

But I'd try the Montagu Place in Marylebone -- It should fit well within your budget.

Or maybe No 11 Cadogen Gardens

My favorite London hotel is the Haymarket, one of the Firmdale group. I agree that they are pricey but in February you might be able to negotiate a lower price. I've done that in the past when I've traveled in off periods. Give them a call.

The Academy Hotel on Gower St in Bloomsbury near the westend.
https://www.theacademyhotel.co.uk/

I am a huge fan of the Firmdale group and have stayed in all of the their London hotels. The Ham Yard is fabulous as is my favorite, the Charlotte Street Hotel. That said, the prices have skyrocketed.

I would suggest The Pelham which is located in S. Kensington, just across the street from the South Kensington Underground Station. The Pelham was one of the original Firmdale hotels but no more. However, it maintains the look and feel of a Firmdale. It is lovely and the location is great.

Ooh - I'd forgotten about the Academy. Should definitely be w/i the budget. Great location, nice decor -- smallish rooms though IME.

I also recommend the Firmdale group. My favorite is the Knightsbridge Hotel because of the location.

The knightsbridge is over the budget. Their cheapest room is over $450.

Firmdales are great, but most have become very pricy.

I had a great time at the Royal Horseguards last month -- but it couldn't be called a 'boutique' property. Their non-river-view rooms are well under your budget

At that price, you will likely have to compromise a bit. I love the location of St Martins Lane, which is often right around $300 - $350/night - it isn't huge, and has some design sense, but not sure it is "boutique".

I would have suggested the Sanderson Hotel or the Berners Street Hotel now renovated and called the London Edition. But I think they are slightly over budget, depending what dates you are looking at in Feb.

https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/or...nderson-london

http://www.editionhotels.com/london

I also like the Firmdale hotels, esp Soho Hotel and Charlotte Street hotel. If you can push the budget.....

Hazlitt's should be in budget:-

https://www.hazlittshotel.com/

Could you tell us what breed of $ you are talking about? Or better still convert it into GBP.

I stayed at Montague on the Gardens and thought it was very nice although a British friend of mine who joined us for tea declared that it wasn't a proper tea. I, of course, didn't notice and enjoyed it just the same.

It's near the British Museum and RussellSquare.

http://www.montaguehotel.com/

I would second the Pelham. Lovely hotel with great location. Last time I stayed I think it might have been over your budget.

Number Sixteen is great in South Ken but maybe slightly over budget.

Take a look at the Indigo...the boutique side of IHG properties. I stayed in the Paris Indigo this summer, very happy...will be looking to book the Rome Indigo for next summer

There's a brand new boutique hotel in Notting Hill, the Laslett. Rates for February are from 165 pounds. It's just off Notting Hill Gate, very close to Notting Hill Gate tube station, in a quiet street.
I haven't seen the rooms, but the hotel looks lovely.

These are all wonderful ideas for me to explore - an additional wrinkle is that my husband really would like a hotel with a gym facility! Rules out the very small townhouse hotels....