Friends of mind have ask for my help in planning a one week trip to London in March. They wanted a budget hotel. I have stayed at The Grovernor House when I have been in London on business trips but it might be more expensive than they want. I have stayed at The Cumberland once for one night on my way to the north of England. It was in a convenient location but was a bit dreary. Any suggestions for something in that area would be great. Have heard good things about the Bonnington and a Holday Inn.

Can you tell us what their budget is? How many GBP per night would they like to spend? It might help us to make better suggestions.

If they're young and have a sense of fun, my sister and I stayed at the Mad Hatter (one of the Fuller's pub hotels) near Waterloo Station and the Tate Modern. it's about 85 GBP per night on the weekends, including a decent English breakfast. We also got a great deal once at the Thistle Kensington Gardens, which was right near the parks in a lovely neighborhood. About the same price. Anything cheaper and you should start looking for B&Bs... especially those in hotel-saturated areas like Paddington.

Stay at the Days Inn london Waterloo, I got 63 pounds per night, but you could probably get it for 60 pounds per night. It's in central london, one block from the lambeth north tube station. The hotel is clean and modern, up to US standards, and my room was rather large, I didn't feel cramped at all. I would definitely stay there again.

I don't know your idea of budget but i just stayed at the Kensington Close and had a rate of 83 pound a night which i thought was great.

See my description here on my website

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...nsington_.html

They can get a 4* hotel for budget prices through Priceline.com. Have them do research on www.biddingfortravel.com first, but its the best way to get the most for your money in London.

Regarding the Bonnington, I've stayed there twice and would definitely recommend it. But it's not really in the budget category - more a of moderately priced hotel.

Well they could get a budget but decent hotel for £75 to £100 per night -- OR they could use PriceLine and get a centrally located 3 or 4 star for $70 to $100 per night. If budget is a major concern - then Priceline is a no brainer for London - there are some really good properties that show up regularly there.

But they should definitely access biddingfortravel.com before jumping into a priceline bid.

Since about 2000 I have collected views of Fodors forum readers on hotels near Victoria and Charing Cross. I can gladly e mail the notes to you if you ask me to.

I advise against a hotel south of the river, except perhaps Holiday Inn in County Hall. The trouble is that using those hotels you walk or take busses from or to most tourist attractions, so add ten minutes each way to each outing. Charing Cross (at Embankment) and Victoria are on the District and Circle lines, direct to the Tower, St Paul s, the rest of the City, Covent Garden, Westminster, Whitehall, Victoria (for Buckingham Palace), and South Kensington (for the great museums).

ben.haines@btinternet>com

I think Mr. Haines is referring to the Travel (not Holiday) Inn County Hall which is cookie cutter property on the South Bank next to the London Eye. Not much on character (except for the original building facade) but the accommodations are nice enough and it's in a fantastic location for tourists.

I agree that Priceline is a no brainer for getting 4* London hotel rooms at budget prices provided your friends are people who don't mind a room with either one double or two twin beds.

I've also stayed at the Bonnington and loved the location. A good solid London 3*.

What do your friends consider budget?

"Thank you " to all of you who responded. I will get together with them and find out exactly what they are willing to spend.
Ben Haines, I will e-mail you for the notes. You had some great ideas that you shared with us for a trip we took several years ago.
priceline might not work for them, as they want two beds and I know that does not work in New York.
Merry Christmas to all !!!!

Hi
The Grosvenor House and budget hotels don't seem to belong in the same paragraph, unless I'm misreading the use of 'budget.'
I have a very low budget, conveniently-located place I can recommend (doubles about 50-60 gbp per night) but, having stayed at both places, the only thing it has in common with the Grosvenor House is being in London.

Also try www.londontown.com.

Hi Elaine,
I agree about the Grosvenor House. I stayed there several times at business conferences, so I had not had all that much experience with a budget hotel in London. Only an overnight stay at the Cumberland. My parents stayed at The Bonnington years ago and liked it. I appreciate all suggestions. I love London, and could offer tips for sightseeing, but was not up on the hotels. Keep the suggestions coming. I will also research this forum for suggestions. It has been a great help in the past.

the budget place I stayed in last year was the Arosfa, on Gower St (Bloomsbury), nearest tube stop is Goodge St.
Rooms very small, bathrooms VERY small,no elevator, but clean, pleasant, and a cooked breakfast provided every morning.

I'm going to say this again, stay in the Days Inn London Waterloo. Rooms are cheap, large, modern, convenient location.

What's the problem.
Don't listen to ben haines, oooh you have to add five minutes to your journey time big whoop. the lambeth north tube station is a block away and when you catch the trains there you get to sit down because they will be empty!!!

Check out Regents Palace at Picaddily Circus. Location is first class, though hotel is a bit old. Some rooms with private shower/WC. I love the location.
http://www.travelstay.com/pages/Rege...urce=espotting

Please check out the numerous reviews on www.tripadvisor.com before looking too closely at the Regents Palace. Location may be good, but it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

Please avoid the Regent Palace and the nearby Strand Palace - They really should be torn down.