betsytom

We're coming to London for four nights - Nov. 23-27 - and looking for a nice hotel/b&b . . . we'd like something $300 or under, smaller, charming, perhaps the kensington area, although we're open to other areas. Possibles that have come up in internet sleuthing include the London Lodge Hotel, the Royal Park Hotel, and 54 Boutique Hotel. Anybody have experience with these? Aster House is also a possibility, although to be honest, the rooms don't look very nice (motel 6 looking bedspreads, etc.). Suggestions welcome! Thanks!

travelinwifey

I haven,t stayed at any of the mentioned hotels but for the Kensington area you may want to check out www.luxurylink.com and the Cranley hotel. Right now there is a promo for $350/nt including tax and a $150 gift certificate for future travel:

http://www.luxurylink.com/fixedprice...48917&nav=

We stayed at the Cranley a few years ago and had a really nice and spacious accommodation. There are a few pages of London hotels availible through Luxurylink. I love discount shopping, the website is great and hopefully will give you some ideas. Also travelzoo.com sometimes offers excellent deals on London boutique hotels.

I also see a really good deal for Rubens Boutique near Buckingham Palace:
http://www.luxurylink.com/auctions/a...52942&nav=

And the Chesterfield Mayfair:
http://www.luxurylink.com/auctions/a...52916&nav=

http://www.luxurylink.com/fixedprice...51650&nav=

travelinwifey

Oops I forgot to add to check www.skyauction.com, they also run pretty good deals on 4* plus London hotels.

Kate_W

You don't get a lot for your money with many London hotels. One hotel I've always wanted to stay at, but have only ever been able to afford its bar, is the Charlotte Street Hotel. Have a look at http://www.charlottestreethotel.com/ - the other hotels in the group might also interest you.

Although the location is not in Kensington, I quite like it. I used to live near there. It's on a street with some interesting restaurants, it's within 15 minutes walk' of West End shopping, nightlife, the museums and sights in Bloomsbury, etc.

If you're willing to take a chance, you might also think of trying priceline but bidding only for 5* hotels. You could get something luxurious, for the price you're willing to pay.

betsytom

Thanks for your responses - though it looks beautiful, unfortunately the Charlotte Hotel is still a fair amount more than our budget! How reliable are laterooms.com, lastminute.com and assist? Any problems using these services? Thanks!

travelinwifey

They are fine, there's also www.londontown.com for discounted rooms.

Eurotour

http://www.hotels-london-hotel.com/top20/ gives good quality rooms at good prices. Check out the reveiws .. thay are actually from people who have stayed in the hotels, which makes a change fomr some others

Daisy54

I stayed at the Abcone Hotel in the Kensington area in May of this year, for £79 per night for a twin room, and it was very nice. The hotel has a lift, all the rooms are ensuite (with a real full size bathroom, not the airplane type mini bathrooms a lot of places have), and it was close to the tube, shopping & internet cafe. Very pretty, clean and friendly staff. The only cons I noticed were the sparse Continental breakfast, and the high cost of the internet access (£3 for 20 minutes in the lobby). We got muffins & fruit from the nearby grocery store, and used a much cheaper internet cafe around the corner. It's located on Ashburn Gardens just off Cromwell Road, near the Gloucester Road tube and just down the street from the V&A and Natural History Museums. http://www.abcone.co.uk