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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Affordable central London hotel help

21 replies

theclockticksslowly · 11/08/2023 23:52

I’d like to take my pre teen dd to London for one or two nights (too far for a day trip) for some sightseeing, museums etc. I was hoping to find a premier inn or similar fairly central but everything is super expensive. Has anyone got any hints / suggestions for getting good deals / hotel recommendations? Thanks!

OP posts:
Dukekaboom · 11/08/2023 23:58

Your best bet is to stay in a premier inn in somewhere like Tooting. You can then get the tube (northern line) in and out of the centre of town easily.

jazzybelle · 12/08/2023 00:22

Depends on how much you want to spend. Central London hotels are a fortune these days. The Travelodge in Covent Garden is a good price compared to others.

Delilah73 · 12/08/2023 00:26

I’d second travel lodge in convent Gdn, but also if you don’t mind travelling in, we have stayed in a budget Ibis next to Reading station. About 25 minutes to Paddington …. (Not sure price for trains though..)

CoveredWindows · 12/08/2023 00:27

We always stay at the premier inn St Pancras. Book ahead and avoid peak weekends

continentallentil · 12/08/2023 00:29

The imperial hotel group used to be quite cheap. The beds are hardish and it feels a bit like halls (it belongs to the university) but it’s around Russell Square.

Cherrymix · 12/08/2023 00:29

Have you looked at University Rooms? Rooms in uni halls. Some good central London options but only in uni holidays

Objectrelations · 12/08/2023 00:49

Cherrymix · 12/08/2023 00:29

Have you looked at University Rooms? Rooms in uni halls. Some good central London options but only in uni holidays

Yes I have just booked in to (empty because dinner) student halls next weekend for £60 a night near Russell Square.

LoveHeartsFan · 12/08/2023 01:08

The Man in Seat 61 has some recommendations for well-priced but decent hotels near Kings X and St Pancras.

My recommendation is hub by Premier Inn - compact but stylish rooms with good features eg walk-in showers, comfortable beds, and good air-con. They offer good rates if you book well ahead.

Breakfast is £7 including porridge and full English, which is a bargain for London. The one at Kings X is handy for Tube and bus with a bus stop right outside, but there are others and the ones in hip but slightly less central areas are likely to be cheaper, eg Shoreditch, Spitalfields or West Brompton.

In a similar vein, you could look at staying at a Premier Inn somewhere like Greenwich (great Museum on the doorstep) or Richmond (well placed for the Park, Kew, Hampton Court and a short Tube journey to the V&A etc). Just being that bit further out they’re a little cheaper. Check Tube and bus on the Transport for London website before you book.

LucieLemon · 12/08/2023 03:29

My teen daughter and I recently stayed at Abercorn house on a London trip. It's in Hammersmith and pretty easy to get to using the tube.

It's classed as a hostel but has a fair few private rooms, under 16's have to be booked into a private room. It was basic but very clean, met our needs perfectly.

MinnieMountain · 12/08/2023 06:23

Look for a private room in a youth hostel. There’s a few central-ish ones.

Original poster
theclockticksslowly · 12/08/2023 08:36

Thanks for all the suggestions - I shall get looking!

OP posts:
AuntieMarys · 12/08/2023 08:39

Premier inn hub at KX is excellent...small but £100 cheaper a night than normal PI

FiveGoMadInDorset · 12/08/2023 08:45

We stay at the Premier Inn on Hogarth roundabout in Chiswick, 10 minute walk to tube, affordable and also parking

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 12/08/2023 08:46

It's also worth looking at this site for summer bookings - universities rent out their student accommodation.

www.universityrooms.com

Peony654 · 12/08/2023 08:47

if you’re happy to stay in a dormitory (they have female rooms), the YHA by St Pancras is great, and very reasonable.

starsinthegutter · 12/08/2023 08:47

Staycity in Paddington and aldgate were quite reasonable I think.

whitewinefriday · 12/08/2023 08:50

Premier Inn Leicester Square

AnnaMagnani · 12/08/2023 08:53

I stay in London every week and the era of Premier Inn being affordable is long gone.

You might think Premier Inn Hub is doable but even they are not cheap.

Next step is Travelodge but you have to get out to Wembley or Acton for the prices to come down.

If it absolutely has to be cheap, you need to look at hostels, university rooms, or travelling in from Acton/Wembley/Tooting/Wimbledon.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/08/2023 09:23

Peony654 · 12/08/2023 08:47

if you’re happy to stay in a dormitory (they have female rooms), the YHA by St Pancras is great, and very reasonable.

I often used to stay in a private room
Here.

MorganSeventh · 12/08/2023 09:54

Some universities open up student accommodation to visitors over summer, I know Imperial College does. They're worth having a look at. Still not cheap > £110 pn, but 3* equivalent, cheaper than similar hotels, central and they sometimes offer discounts for stays of more than 2 nights.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 12/08/2023 18:57

Another frequent PI user who knows London quite well. My tip is Brixton - very close to the tube which is Victoria line, so no time at all to the centre, and tends to be cheaper than any others with similar journey times. They are also excellent in putting solo women and women with kids on a separate floor.

I stayed at The Ship Rooms recently too - above The Ship pub in Kennington. Zone 1, on good bus routes, 2 mins from the Imperial War Museum. Lovely rooms with great staff and good amenities (fresh milk!). They put a camp bed in the room for my child.

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