Hi all! I've been recruited to help a friend plan her honeymoon in London in June 2006. They are on a somewhat limited budget and would like to stay around 100-$150 a night. I know this seems difficult-does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks all.

We have been looking around and have narrowed down the choices to the Blakemore Hotel and the Britannia Court Hotel. Can't find many reviews of the Britannia that don't seem to have been written by a hotel publicist, but the thumbs up for the Blakemore seem to be plentiful. They should be prepared for tiny, basic accomodation in that price range from what I hear. Take a look at Venere.com as the hotels often have several reviews attached. Henry VIII near the Blakemore gets even better reviews and may be in the $150 range.

For June, they may save more $$$ by carefully planning their airfare. Will they be visiting London ONLY, or other cities as well?

Here's a place I stayed about 18 months ago. It does not have a/c or an elevator. It is clean, pleasant enough, though the rooms are small and the bathrooms tiny. It has a good location, nearest Tube stops are Goodge St or Russell Square or Tottenham Court Road. It is more a B&B than a hotel; they do provide a cooked breakfast every morning, and the price is within the budget you mention. It is called the Arosfa, www.arosfalondon.com

On the same street are these
Arran House
www.london-hotel.co.uk/

Ridgemount Hotel
www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk.

see www.tripadvisor.com for comments

How about Priceline?

Tracy2cents, They will be staying in London the entire time (6 nights). I'll look into those two. Is it too early to book on Priceline?

last year, I stayed at the Cordova House Hotel with my hubby - it's about 2-3 blocks from Paddington Station in a great area - we loved it and wonderful bathrooms with a full tub.

I forgot to post that one of her requirements is that the room be air conditioned. The Blakemore states that "all public areas are air conditioned" I assume this means the rooms are not? Is that true?

I know this is difficult to do for a honeymoon, but if they are on a budget, I would seriously consider priceline. I was just recently won over (reading things on this board, and on biddingfortravel.com), so I tried it for a London visit earlier this month. I was thrilled with the results-- best hotel room I've ever had in London, exceedingly good location (Marble Arch) for a grand total of $124 including taxes.
For luxury on a budget in London, Priceline is definitely the way to go.
I'd start reading up on the biddingfortravel board and see if you can make it work for you. Of course you have plenty of time to think about this before June 06...

Yeah, it's a bit early to be bidding on PL for June 06 but do you really want to book anywhere that far ahead? I'd start the research now on biddingfortravel (and there's another good one for PL data too) and begin bidding in Mar or Apr.

One plus since AC is a must. The 4 star hotels most often won on PL tend to be the larger chain hotels and are more likely to have AC than the smaller hotels/B&Bs in that price range. Don't bid for less than a 4 star.

Last March my mom and I stayed at the Abbey Court Hotel(www.abbeycourthotel.com) in the Hyde Park area of London. My husband and I are staying there again in August. We are also very budget minded, but like to be close to everything and reasonably comfortable. The hotel is very well located (central london, about 2 blocks from underground stop, in walking distnace to many sights, shopping, restaurants, etc.) It is definitely a budget hotel, but you will have TV, hair dryer, air conditioning, private bathroom, breakfast. The hotel was very clean and safe and for the price is a very good stay. On the same website is a link to the Westpoint Hotel, which is next door to the Abbey Court. It is owned by the same company and looks very similiar in price, amenities and appearance.

I was about to recommend the Craven Gardens Hotel in Bayswater. I spent 10 nights there in March and really liked it. Great location, wonderful breakfast, fantastic prices. Rooms are small of course as you must expect for London (but very clean). But I don't think they have AC (I wasn't paying attention, it was March). But I really doubt any of the budget hotels in London will have AC. And unless they get really unlucky they probably won't need it. Having said that, I was also in London in August of 2003 when they broke their all time hottest temp ever recorded so I know it CAN get hot, but it probably won't and they'll be paying a lot of money for something they most likely won't need.

Isabel, I agree that for most people AC may not be needed but this is a girl who has her AC on in March in Chicago! I'd never hear the end of it if she was "sweating" in London!

My suggestion too would be Priceline, more bang for the buck. I always bid 4* and have never had any hotel without a/c (have stayed in 4 different ones), if it were my honeymoon I'd bid 5*, I saw some posts recently that are within the budget at BFT.

I never know more than 2 months ahead of time that I'm going and have always been able to get a good deal by bidding about a month in advance which lessens the chance of cancellation due to unforeseen events.

One note about doing research on BFT this far in advance is that hotel circumstances change and the hotels that are frequently popping up now may not be popping up next year ie hotels that have construction now might not next year, etc.

A/C is definitely unusual in budget accomodations in London. Not that it doesn't exist - but most places won't have a/c.

I would DEFINITELY use PL closer to the date. For $100-$150 they will be able to get a true 4 star property instead of a basic 2 star or B&B. If they insist on booking far ahead - which airline are they taking? Some have good packages w/ discounted hotels rates.

WAY too early to book with priceline for June 2006. A LOT can change before then (heard of the runaway bride "Crazy Eyes"? , and you could lose a bundle. Not a good idea for someone on a budget!

We'll be at the Blakemore in August and I'll report back to you about the a/c.

austinlyns-

Thanks for the link on the Abbey Court hotel - I bookmarked it for further consideration for a trip next year.

Their prices for a double say "from £33 (per person)" for high season. If you don't mind, could you tell me how much your rate is for your trip in August? I'm just wondering if the actual booking rate is significantly different from what appears to be the "base" rate posted on the website.

I agree. With the trip so far away, book a backup hotel that you can cancel, and then when you are very close to departure, you can reconsider Priceline.

Willtravel, that's exactly what I suggested to the BTB (bride to be). She'll probably book a place and they try priceline closer to the big day. The Abbey Court looked good to both of us so please post back Austinlyns! Let's hope she doesn't turn into a Crazy Eyes! She's my relative so I'm stuck with her no matter what craziness may come! (Not that I'm anticipating given that she won't likely have 7 bridal showers! That's enough to push anyone over the edge!