Ok, let's skip the debate on PalenQ's ephemeral B&B and get serious.>

the word ephemeral here is wrongly used - "lasting for only a short time" - I've stayed in dozens of such B&Bs all around London - they have been there and are there (even though janis seems not to have heard of them!) and they are viable for some folks and some folks like me even prefer living in a real residence in a real neighbordhood - the real London if you would have it.

Many of these B&Bs are mainly patronized by salesman and workers temporarily in London but also regular travelers - in my 'elusive B&b' (again anyone who knows anything about the real London would not call these B&Bs elusive - they are easy to find and I suggest janis does some research before making similar misleading comments) I've broke the fast morning with folks from Japan, China, many European countries, etc. - these B&Bs are not bed-sits (though one I arranged thru B&B U.K. out of Reading in north London was indeed a bed-sit for nut cases so yes as Big Russ says check out any place as much as you can - anyway I will continue to give what I think is good info that these places exist - yes they do actually exist - because the more info available the better - lots of different folks read these than the OP.

Typical English B&Bs exist all over London and are a short Tube or Overground ride away from central London. There may be B&Bs in central London but they are traditional B&Bs in name only - luxurious B&Bs - airb'nb has a good reputation generally and this is a great source now for finding traditional London B&bs (see Michael's post above).

I have NEVER recommended any B&B I stayed in but am generally informing those who obviously do not know that they do exist and are a viable option - especially for someone who wants something different and in a more real London - a real London neighborhood, with real local pubs, real South Asian-run Newsstands - real Chinese take-outs, real greasy spoon cafes, etc.

I didn't realize that the axis of the world tilted on PalenQ's ephemeral (yeah 30 quid b&bs last only a short time . . . ) lodgings.

As for the OP, read the posts for what you're looking for, not for what single budget travelers for whom time is irrelevant (PalenQ's stays are not center-city, which adds to commuting times) tout.

>>I have NEVER recommended any B&B I stayed in but am generally informing those who obviously do not know that they do exist and are a viable option - <<

. . . But you have never given them any clues how to actually find all these 30 quid places.

. . . But you have never given them any clues how to actually find all these 30 quid places.>

Again totally wrong -in an above post I tell how I found that B&B (Greenwich Tourist Office listings) and now airbn'b - not sure why you are totally mischaracterizing my intentions here....???)

Janis take a look on airb'nb and you will find hundreds - some cheaper than 30 pounds - give it a try you may be amazed that yes these places are now easy to find.

You might check on Homeaway UK website for a flat in the city. My husband and I were able to find very reasonable prices there.

I have also found reasonable prices on airnb as Michael suggested.

If airbnb is listing places for <$50 per night then it's touting dumps, hostels, shared accommodations or places so far out of the center of the city, and all for a SINGLE, that the average tourist doesn't care. The OP wants center city lodging for two. Be relevant for her.

We once stayed at the Kensington Easyhotel. It is clean but small, not much more than a bed and an attached bathroom; think of it as an interior room on a ship. Our problem with it was that there was a constant noise like metal garage door going up during the night, but we had a window. Front rooms might not have that problem.

We once stayed at the South Kensington Easyhotel. It is clean but small, not much more than a bed and an attached bathroom; think of it as an interior room on a ship. Our problem with it was that there was a constant noise like metal garage door going up during the night, but we had a window. Front rooms might not have that problem.

This was the room: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623461378508

easyHotel fills a niche but isn't what the majority of folks want on holiday - an orange room where one has to pay extra for everything (from that window, to TV, wifi, to room cleaning, to anything over 1 towel)

easyHotel fills a niche but isn't what the majority of folks want on holiday>

but OP wants something max $100 a night - Michael's description of it sounds OK for the price and in London most folks are out all day, not staying in their hotel room - the majority of people have budgets much higher than $100 a day - so easyHotel info is a good suggestion - the picture portrays it as being austere but believe it or not some folks are on low budgets.

I did a similar trip in March 2011, hastily arranged myself at the end of January/ early Feb to take advantage of a sudden too-good-to-miss half price return airfare promo Australia/ Brussels (with Qatar Airways).

Had last been to London, Paris and Brussels in the 70s and 80s. Ended up spending three and a half weeks away - flew into Brussels - found it an easy airport to get out of and into the city, immediately took the Thalys to Paris, spent 12 nights there in a very nice Paris Bestlodge property, took the Eurostar to London for 7 nights at a great rate at the Royal Horseguards (a bit of a step up from previous London lodgings which had included the St Pauls and Holland Park youth hostels!), then the Eurostar to Brussels for 2 nights in Brugge at the highly recommended Hotel Loreto, and finally 2 nights in Brussels, at the convenient Scandic Grand Place Hotel (which I was also very pleased with), before flying out.

Lots of walking in Paris and London loosely based on the City Walks cards, attended free lectures at night in London and cheap concerts in London and Paris, made easy day trips to eastern France (to visit a war grave), Chartres, Moret sur Loing, and Brighton, the Belgian coast (from Brugge), and Maastricht (from Brussels), booked without a glitch the Horseguards through Hotels.com and the Belgian hotels via Booking.com, the weather was very good for March (all up only one day with any rain, and a glorious 18C day at Brighton), and came home tired but happy as we used to say in 2nd grade - the only improvement could have been for Europe to be moved a little closer - the Gulf to Australia leg especially is a bit of a stretch at 13-14 hours on top of the 7 hours Brussels to the Gulf.

<but OP wants something max $100 a night - Michael's description of it sounds OK for the price and in London most folks are out all day, not staying in their hotel room - the majority of people have budgets much higher than $100 a day - so easyHotel info is a good suggestion - the picture portrays it as being austere but believe it or not some folks are on low budgets.>

Do you read the OP's contributions or just use this forum for your own ramblings? She upped the budget to 250 about 25+ posts ago.

@Tulips:

Hello! No, I haven't been to Cook and Book (I live in Sydney now, not in Brussels nowadays) - but we are planning another trip to Belgium, possibly next year or early 2015, and maybe we will get there. For us, good to see a kids' menu.

French is OK by me, Dutch is OK too.

Lavandula

PQ - nope the OP does not expect to stay for $100 (as big Russ says - you you really ought to read the whole thread . .. and not just look for my posts to dispute)

She upped the budget to 250 about 25+ posts ago.>

Perhaps because some London experts here said $100 was ridiculous and it has proven not to be.

<i>Perhaps because some London experts here said $100 was ridiculous and it has proven not to be.</i>

Really? Where's the proof? Your claims of unknown B&Bs in the hinterlands or Michael's discussions of noisy ship cabins, neither of which is appealing if the OP can swing the $250/per. It's clear from her post that the $100 was a number she picked from thin air.

Sure you can find somewhere to stay in Central London for less than 65 pounds a night for a double. In a windowless room in Earls Court, where you pay extra for cleaning, for example. The 6 square metre windowless room goes up to 54 pounds/night if you want cleaning and tv.

I'll bet you could find an apartment willing to rent to you for less than a week in the month of February. Breakfasts in the apartment are cost control.

As for day trips out of Paris, considering your short time in Paris you'll barely have time to see much there. Of course depending on your interests.

Quick look at VRBO brought up this studio near les halles and lots of positive reviews

http://www.vrbo.com/389440