Hello, my family of 5 will be visiting London in August of this year. We have reservations at what looks like a lovely hotel in Belgravia, but, with the dollar to pound exchange rate and having to reserve 2 rooms (who knew that third child would be so expensive? ), it adds up. Does anyone have a lead on accommodations that are safe,clean, quiet, in a somewhat central location, and 250 pounds a night or less? Tall order, I know!

You might try some of the apartments/rooms at London School of Economics that they make available during the summer.
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/

The top floor apartments.
http://www.lsetopfloor.co.uk/accommodation.htm

Have you looked at Londontown.com? I'vegotten some really good rates for last March and this coming November, under 100 GBP for a double and I'm sure they have some triple

Go rent an apartment. You should easily be able to do so for less than 250 per. Start googling, there are tons of London apartment listings.

Here's a start:

www.aplacelikehome.co.uk

How many nights? Makes a difference because some of the more reasonable priced flats rent by the week. There are many that rent for shorter periods, but often they do go at a premium.

For instance these across from the Tower of London - the 2 bedroom flats sleeping up to 6 rent for less than £133 a night but w/ a week minimum . . http://www.hamletuk.com/

Agree--search for flats. Try vrbo, Coach House Rentals, also Londonconnection.com

The latter has rentals for period of less than one week. For ex, there's a special on now for 2-23 Palace (next to Buckingham Palace)--has 2 bedrooms and in your price range. I rented one of LC's 2 bedroom flats last yr and was very happy with it--but that one might be a bit tight for 5, as the second bedroom had just a twin bed.

i started a Fodors similar thread last year about family accommodation in London and got some great replies--search under my name.

Have a fabulous time!! London "ROCKS"!!

Thanks, all. We will be in London for 4 nights, so can't rent a flat for a week. I am glad to hear there may be some options for less. I did come across the LSE rentals -- has anyone used them? I am wondering about noise level. We don't need fancy, but would like minimal street noise and quiet neighbors.

Thank you to everyone for your advice. We decided to stay in London for 6 nights, making a weekly rental attractive and economical. We rented through Coach House Rentals -- will let you know how it turns out, but the apartment looks lovely and is beautifully located between Kensington Gardens and Holland Park (we like spending lots of time in parks!).