I have been searching for a hotel within walking distance to Victoria station for the last week and have yet to find something under $200 (USD) that gets decent reviews. It pains me to think of paying $200 for a dump. I was hoping to stay at the Days Inn Westminster which I used in 2005 (very simple, but clean and ok), but I'm finding rates of approx. $240, which is too much. Any recommendations? Clean and quiet are the top priorities in addition to price and a reasonable cancellation and booking policy. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Hi

When are you going? How long for? How many people?

Alot of Fodorites recommend Priceline for London - www.priceline.com

Although I like Priceline very much, it can't be used if your goal is to get a hotel within walking distance of Victoria Station. Nor can you cancel your bids on Priceline, so you will be stuck with the hotel you get, which does not seem in accord with your wishes either.

However, you could likely spend $100/night less and still get a 4* hotel, so if you can find flexibility, Priceline is a great option.

You could try the Winchester Hotel.
www.londonwinchesterhotel.co.uk/

If you're staying 7 days, check out Property #1031 here:

www.londonguestsuites.com

If you're staying slightly less time, check with them anyway since your stay might fill up a slot between 2 other bookings.

The Winchester does look nice, and if the dollar doesn't get any worse, it will be right at $200 a night. This is painful!

I will be there 18 & 19 of Sept.

In my search for a London Hotel I doscovered that the www.viamichelin.com site can be helpful. Go to the site, put in an address, say of the Winchester Hotel, 17 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB and check the HOTEL search button. A few ads will pop up but give it a couple seconds and a map of the area with hotels marked, and a list of hotels with prices will pop up. (I did not put in the date of my stay because I wanted to see all hotels.) These are, of course, only those listed with Via Michelin but kind of helpful.

Try the Victoria Inn, at the Belgrave neighborhodd, about 10 minutes walk to Victoria Station. I stayed there in 2002, clean and quiet. http://www.victoriainn.co.uk/

I should have added that once I find a hotel that looks to my liking, I of course check it on tripadvisor for ratings.

I use trip advisor too and that's why I am having such a hard time finding a decent sounding room at a reasonable price. So many of the places I've looked up have atrocious reviews.

Have you tried the Luna & Simone? A lot of folks here like it. I stayed there last October and it was fine. About $170 per night for a double, including breakfast. 10 minutes from Victoria Station.

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/the-tube.php

Try this website. Punch up the tube stop you want, and you will be offered a list of hotels, restaurants, and shops in the area. Then, you can check trusty ol' TripAdvisor.

azzure, thanks, I did check that hotel but I don't like that they have a cancellation fee, regardless of how far in advance you cancel. I have no anticipation of cancelling, but if something crazy happened and it weren't the day or two before, I think I should be able to cancel without penalty.

Merseyheart, thanks for the link. I'll give it a try.

Those two sites are great - thanks for posting.

We have stayed at the Thistle Victoria several times, and find it very convenient. Yes, it is a bit more than $200, but well worth it. You know, it adjoins Victoria Rail and Tube stations.

I agree that the Thistle Victoria is as close as you can get to Victoria Station. They have their own entrance. I booked on Londontown.com and got a good deal. It changes all the time so you need to check your dates.

Just returned from U.K. Wed. Stayed at Best Western Victoria Palace 60-64 Warwick Way 10-15 min. walk from Victoria. Small but clean room for 3 with continental breakfast included in 207 G.B.P.for 2 nights
Lots of restaurants close by

I'd recommend Hotwire, so you know the price up front BUT since you want a flexible canclelation policy, you cant use that or Priceline.

You COULD take a gamble and wait until you are SURE of your dates.

Although not in the area you want, as an example, i just booked Holiday Inn Express nr Earls Court(and yes, it gets good write-ups on tripadvisor) for $49/night. Yes, that is 49 UDSD, not GBP or euros. Even i was amazed.

CaliNurse, did you win that Holiday Inn Express on Priceline? How did you bid for it (2* in Kensington)?

Hi WillTravel,
I got it on Hotiwre. That hotel is listed in the Knightsbridge-Chelsea-Kensigton area, which is a BIT of a stretch, as i dont think of Earls Court as Kensington (well, maybe FAR W. Kensington)
It was listed as a 3*; amenities symbols are for complimentary bkfast and internet.
This was for a 6 day period in September, and i found this price about 2 weeks ago. However, by the next day, it was up to $69 (stillnot a bad price). This was for a friend. I need a room in June and that same hotel shows on Hotwire as $120 or so.

That's the thing about Hotwire --prices may change by the minute. In an hour last night, a 4* SF Airport hotel, had gone up $10 .Still--a diff of $69 vs $79--not bad. This is why I told the OP once she has FIRM dates, this might be the best way to find bargain but nice lodgings nr Victoria.