Where can I stay in London overnight with my daughter (hotel) which won’t cost the earth?

[WizardofCoz]

Hello MN,
My daughter is 12 & has been struggling with her health for the last year.
We are going to an event in London in a few weeks & I want to take her to stay in a hotel overnight afterwards for a treat.
Would love it to be a fancy one but I’m a single mum with a budget of around £150…
Wondering if anyone can recommend somewhere for us to stay - am I being a bit optimistic being London & all (doesn’t have to be central!) 🫶

Point A hotels are budget friendly and have special offers sometimes.

This looks awesome!

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/33954667?adults=1&children=1&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2025-06-01&check_out=2025-06-06&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1748560056_P3euH9H6CD7nUuf_&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=8ada13b7-dacb-47cb-b844-60db97e3f018

Airbnb might be worth a look! This one is in Earls Court.

Thanks! Didn’t know about Point A hotels - it’s on a Saturday so great to know! Thank you 😍

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/690437691838321152?adults=1&children=1&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2025-06-14&check_out=2025-06-19&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1748560191_P38ofyP_SWL5ST13&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=8ada13b7-dacb-47cb-b844-60db97e3f018

Or this is gorgeous, and something a bit different! I could spend all day looking at Airbnbs

We’ve started staying around Paddington - beginning of this year we stayed in Tudor Court. It’s not posh but it’s right next to the underground, is clean and feels safe and is in your budget!

Park plaza London riverbank is lovely. Right on the river and you can see the London eye and parliament. Can stay the night for £150

Travelodge and premier inn aren't particularly cheap in London, no more so than other budget places like Ibis, and outside the centre aren't conveniently located. Airbnb, booking and the like are full of shit these days - all sorts of dodgy nonsense.

I would do a google search for university accommodation - halls are emptying now we're at the end of the academic year and universities rent the rooms to tourists. At least you know it'll be clean with fresh bedding etc. Another thing to Google is a lot of church/faith organisations have accommodation where you can book a room on a b&b basis - you don't need to be affiliated, it's just a way for them to make money from their assets. Tend to be cheaper than hotels, always clean and staffed so a lot more security than a booking website listing.

Point A hotels are definitely worth a look. Continental Breakfast is included in their rate if they have a cafe. I stayed in the canary wharf branch a Saturday in December for £74 booking 2 weeks in advance. Join their A list for free to get a decent discount too.

Hub by premier Inn are also good shouts. I've just stayed in the goodge street branch sat, sun, Mon (bank holiday weekend). I booked 3 weeks in advance. Each night averaged £110 (Saturday being the most expensive at £132)

I used to teach in Central London and would occasionally get offered theatre tickets at short notice, with an early start the next day. Youth Hostels these days offer private rooms and an ensuite. Don't knock it till you've tried it!

Ibis usually are affordable, we use one at Earl’s Court as we drive in, cheaper than the exorbitant prices of the train. I’ve also stayed at the travelodge near King’s Cross recently, both under £130. On weekends you can often get good deals in the city of London and near Tower Hill as they are heavily booked by business travellers. We usually skip breakfast and head to a local cafe instead.

I took DD to stay in the Citizen M at Bankside in Feb for about £120. That was good.

If you don't mind sharing a double bed, try Z Hotel Holborn. The rooms are more like cabins, but are comfy and have everything you need (shower & loo, obviously). Holborn is also a good central location.

Came to recommend Z hotels too

Copthorne Tara is nice and just off Kensington High St
they do a lot of super breaks / airline crew so the prices are often reasonable for London

Sat 19th July it’s 178’

raddison blue Kensington. is 154

Premier inn Archway is lovely, very close to the tube and handy for the Northern line. You can leave luggage there for free.

Look at groupon, secret escapes, Hotwire etc and you might find a bargain

We have just come back from few days in London. I booked the z hotel on the strand £130 for the night. Small but clean and very central.

Take a look at Hub hotels by Premier Inn. I stayed in the one at Covent Garden and it was brilliant. There are some in Kensington and West Brompton too at around £125-150 per night.

The hub hotels are mostly automated - self check-in and there’s few humans around but the rooms are clean and very contemporary.

This is a great shout! Have stayed here a couple of times; the location is excellent for the money plus the breakfast is fantastic value and in a wonderful refectory style hall with lots of choice.

I would definitely look at budget chains, you will want to be out and about in London so all you need is somehwhere clean and safe to stay.

I would second university halls, look at LSE as that is central and I think they hire out their student accomodation in the summer holidays.

Sign up to Secret Escape emails. We regularly book hotels in London through them and get some really good deals. X

We stayed there on Tuesday night after going to see a show.

Didnt pay that much but thought it was ok for the price. Room basic but was just for sleeping. On the bus route (25 mins from Westminster), bus stop right opposite the theatre show- no breakfast there but we went to Lidl opposite and got some pastries- pubs and take away around.

I’d do a travel lodge, basic accommodation but we’ve never had issues with them in the past. Holiday Inn or Premier Inn May fit your budget too.

I came on to recommend Z hotel too - I stayed in the Covent Garden one

I've also had good deals with Citizen M