I am helping my 18year old cousin plan her 1st overseas alone trip. She has freinds who will be staying in South Kensington, but can't stay with them. I would like to get her a room in this area, but am not familiar with London. Does anyone know of a decent cheep hotel or hostel in this area? Thanks,<BR>Tracey

There are a bunch of private hostels of widely varying quality in and around Earls Court which is not far from South Kensington. In the absence of a specific “stayed there” recommendation, I would suggest the YHA hostel at Earls Court, see www.yha.org.uk. YHA hostels must meet some minimum standards of quality and are less likely to be all night party places.<BR><BR>You might also want to ask the question on Lonely Planet’s Thorntree forum, since it attracts a younger, broker crowd than does Fodors. Registration is required to participate.

For a teenager staying alone be very wary of London Hostels. It would be OK if you get a recommendation from someone who has stayed in the specific place. But some London hostels serve both backpacking travelers AND down an outs being put up by the social services. There are some good hostels, but some that sound good are REALLY bad. (Most other places in the UK hostels are great - it is just that in London they need so many rooms for homeless that they use hostels a lot)<BR><BR>There are many, many good B&Bs in london that are only marginally more expensive than hostels and she would have a private room.

Hi<BR>If she's going in the summer and if she doesn't mind not staying in South Ken.,<BR>some college dormitories in London rent out their rooms to summer visitors.<BR>Here are some websites<BR>www.icsl.ac.uk/support/universityhalls.htm <BR>www.buac.co.uk

I should have said,<BR>POSSIBLY not staying in South Ken.<BR>I don't know all the colleges in London that might rent out dorm rooms, for all I know some might be in South Ken.

Hello, yes I agree with Elaine.<BR><BR>I'm looking into cheap decent places to stay as well. I'm going home to England for a couple of months in the summer.<BR><BR>A really good deal at he moment is at the Imperial College Halls of Residences in South Kensington and Notting Hill Gate.<BR><BR>I have been hunting and hunting - I'm not that impressed with some of the Youth Hostels coz I'm too old to party, and don't want to live in a place the continually smells of beer. However, the Halls are often nicely kept and you can get a room of your own.<BR><BR>Definately check out the website..<BR><BR>http://www.ad.ic.ac.uk/conferences/<BR><BR>"Prince's Garden (South Kensington"<BR><BR>5 Nights for the Price of 3 <BR>Single Standard Bedrooms <BR>&pound;118.50 per stay<BR><BR>Twin Standard Rooms<BR>&pound;177.00 per stay<BR> <BR>"Pembroke Gardens (Notting Hill Gate)"<BR>Single Standard Bedrooms &pound;15.00 per night<BR><BR>Single Ensuite Bedrooms &pound;19.50 per night<BR>Twin Ensuite Bedrooms <BR>&pound;29.50 per night<BR><BR>However if she's staying less than a month the cost maybe a little more.<BR><BR>Other Sites:<BR><BR>http://www.budgetbritain.com/places/london.asp#hostel<BR><BR>http://www.lse.ac.uk/vacations/<BR><BR>Plus: My Quote from Kings College Halls<BR><BR>Dear Jayne,<BR>Thank you for our interest in King's college London Halls of <BR>Residences. Our Halls are open for vacation lettings during the <BR>following periods:<BR><BR>12 June - 09 September 2002 inclusive - Hampstead Campus, Kings College Hall and Wellington Hall only 03 July - 09 September 2002 - Great Dover Street Apartments and Stamford Street Apartments (both Halls have en suite facilities)<BR><BR>Our rates are as follows, reduced rates only apply to stays of 7 consecutive nights or longer at the same Hall of Residence:<BR><BR>Stamford Street Apartments - en suite single rooms, room only.<BR><BR>Full Rate: &pound;34.00 Reduced rate for 7 night stay: &pound;31.00 <BR><BR>Great Dover Street Apartments - en suite single and twin rooms, room <BR>only.<BR><BR>Single rooms:<BR>Full Rate: &pound;31.00<BR>Reduced rate for 7 night stay: &pound;28.00 <BR><BR>Twin rooms:<BR>Full Rate: &pound;52.00<BR>Reduced rate for 7 night stay: &pound;47.00 <BR><BR><BR>Hampstead Campus - single and twin rooms with shared bathroom <BR>facilities, room only.<BR><BR>Single rooms:<BR>Full rate: &pound;20.00<BR>Reduced rate for 7 night stay: &pound;18.00 <BR><BR>Twin rooms:<BR>Full rate: &pound;33.50<BR>Reduced rate for 7 night stay: &pound;31.50 <BR><BR>Please note age restrictions apply to this hall, if you are wishing to book and have children please specify their ages.<BR><BR>We also offer rates for full time students, KCL alumni and groups. <BR>Please ask for further details.<BR><BR>If you wish to receive a brochure, please forward your full postal address and I will send it to you, alternatively information can be found on our web site www.kcl.ac.uk/kcvb<BR><BR>Please let me know the dates (arrival and departure) you require accommodation and the type of accommodation you are looking for (i.e. <BR>single or twin, en suite or shared bathroom, bed and breakfast or room <BR>only) and I will be happy to check availability and advise you of the <BR>accommodation most suited to your needs.<BR><BR>includes V.A.T. and Continental Breakfas<BR><BR><BR>

Check for a room at Imperial College. It is in the area.