I stayed at the Millenium Mayfair in London for 100 dollars (with taxes) two years ago through Priceline. Last summer it was 92 dollars (again, with taxes) at the Hilton Metropole. Not such a great location but good transport and the hotel was good enough for being such a big hotel (more than 1000 rooms).
I think Priceline bids are the best option for London right now unless you find some special offer through a particular hotel website but that's not the usual thing to happen :)

We've often used www.londontown.com to book a hotel for London. There is lots of easy to read info on their site, such as photos, descriptions, prices etc.

A new feature is a map of London which shows the hotels, on the map, with the prices. Very handy. (Tip: key in your dates first then click on the map to enlarge.)
Kay

I agree that anyone on a budget should definitely consider PriceLine. PL isn't great for some cities but it is very good for both central London and LHR hotels.

Transport is so easy in London - especially now/ the Oyster cards - that any PL 4 star and most 3 star hotels will be fine for a short London visit. Even the "dreaded" Hilton Olympia is convenient - many bus routes stop right outside the hotel. I said "dreaded" because many fodorites warn against it. But I've "won" the hotel twice and have absolutely no complaints. I would not want to stay there 6 or 7 days for sure - but for the typical 3 or 4 night PL bid - it is a fine property. Good service w/ very nice/clean rooms.

The PL zones were re-drawn and what shows on biddingfortravel are not totally accurate anymore. Be sure to closely examine the zones on the priceline site and don't rely on other sites for that info.

The last time I used PL in London was last Feb. Got the Olympia Hilton for $75 for 3 nights, and the Thistle Heathrow for $52 for 1 night.

where do you get an oyster card?

I would like to bid Priceline based on what I've read here but I'm concerned as there will be 4 of us--2 adults and 2 teens. Have the rooms we've won on PL been able to accomodate 4 people? In the states I've just called and requested a room for 4 but not sure if this will work in London.

<b>kwren:</b> You can get your oyster in any tube station (and some train stations)

<b>dtrout:</b> PL <u>only</u> deals in doubles in London. You would have to bid on 2 rooms. 95% of the time you can get 2 rooms in your bid - but there is no guarantee. And there is a <i>slight</i> danger of getting different hotels. I personally would not use Priceline in your situation since you can find decent flats for about the same cost as 2 PL hotel rooms.

dtrout: If you want a 4-person room, then Priceline will absolutely not be a good idea. Then again, trying to get a 4-person room in London, at all, would seem to be an expensive option. Bidding for two rooms should still come in around $200 total, which would be cheaper than just about any 4-person hotel room, I would think.

I would suggest either bidding for two rooms or looking into some of the flats you will see mentioned in various threads.

You will not get two different hotels if you bid for two rooms on the same bid, on Priceline.

You have a significant risk of getting two different hotels if you do two separate bids.

For a family of four, doing a Priceline bid for two rooms on the same bid (you specifically enter that you are bidding for two rooms on the form) is a very sensible option. Of course, consider other options like a fair-priced four-person room or a flat.

ttt

We stayed at the Arran House B&amp;B Hotel in London (Bloomsbury area) 12/27-12/30/07.

Brilliant little B&amp;B. Clean rooms, though small, and nicely decorated, sunny, etc. The halls are lined with British &quot;broadway&quot; show posters from decades past, the bathrooms are very clean with sunlight coming through stained glass. They serve a generous breakfast buffet in the basement and have a cozy common area and helpful, friendly staff. Complimentary wine, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, etc.

http://www.arranhotel-london.com/

Our rate for our stay, wedged between Boxing Day and New Year's, was only 77 British pounds per night, which I thought was a steal, and we're total budget travelers. I would go back, and would recommend it to a friend.

Just off the Goodge St. tube stop. Adorable neighborhood.