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Updated by Jack Jewers
Queen Elizabeth hasn’t invited you this time? No matter. Staying at one of London’s grande-dame hotels is the next-best thing to being a guest at the palace—and some say it’s even better. Happily, however, there is no dearth of options where friendliness outdistances luxe—London, thank goodness, has plenty of atmospheric places that won’t cost a king’s ransom.
That noted, until fairly recently it was extremely difficult to find a decent hotel in the center for less than £150 per night. Things have improved, thanks in part to the global recession, but also to a flurry of new midprice hotels that have sprung up in the last few years.
It’s all so different if money is no object. London has some of the very best and most luxurious hotels in the world. On the other hand, freshly minted billionaires favor the rash of new hot spots, like the Corinthia, while fashion plates always book Kit Kemp’s super-stylish hotels (such as the Covent Garden). But even these places have sales, and you can sometimes snag a bargain within the reach of ordinary mortals—particularly in the off-season—or just be a spectator to all the glamour by visiting for that most traditional of high-society treats, afternoon tea. The top end has also seen a spectacular new arrival, with the rebirth of the gorgeous Victorian-meets-modern St. Pancras Hotel, which lay closed and virtually untouched for nearly 80 years.
Meanwhile, several midrange hotels have dropped their average prices in response to the choppy waters of the global economy, which has pulled some fantastic places, such as Hazlitt’s and Town Hall, back into the affordable category. And there’s a clutch of new, stylish, and super-cheap hotels that are a real step forward for the city. The downside is that these places tend to be a little out of the way, but that’s often a price worth paying. Another attractive alternative includes hotels in the Premier and Millennium chains, which offer sleek, modern rooms, lots of up-to-date conveniences, and sales that frequently bring room prices well below £100 a night.
At the budget level, small and interesting bed-and-breakfasts such as Arlington Avenue and the Church Street Hotel stand out in a sea of battered and old-fashioned B&Bs. The once-drab Cromwell Road—where snazzy Kensington segues into the backpacker’s favorite, Earl’s Court—has been transformed by a mixture of interesting midprice boutiques, such as the Ashburn and the Rockwell, and better-than-average megachains, such as the Kensington Marriott. A true bargain-basement alternative is the easyHotel chain, with its tiny, bright-orange “pod” rooms. And if you’re willing to fend for yourself, the city has some great rental options.
But if you are interested in Luxury, London is just the place. Although the image we love to harbor about Olde London Towne may be fast fading in the light of today’s glittering city, when it comes time to rest your head, the old-fashioned clichés remain enticing. Choose one of London’s heritage-rich hotels—Claridge’s supplies perfect parlors; the Savoy has that river view—and these fantasies can, and always will, be fulfilled.
Planning
Lodging Strategy
Where should you stay? With hundreds of London hotels, it may seem like a daunting question. But it doesn’t have to be. The 130-plus selections here represent the best this city has to offer—from the most-for-your-money budget B&Bs to the sleekest designer hotels. For recommendations, look through the reviews. To find one quickly, search by neighborhood, then alphabetically. Happy hunting!
Need a Reservation?
Yes. Hotel reservations are an absolute necessity when planning your trip to London, so book your room as far in advance as possible. The further in advance you can book, the better the deal you’re likely to get. Just watch out if you change your mind—cancellation fees can be hefty. On the other hand, it is possible to find some amazing last-minute deals at mid- to high-range places, but this is a real gamble, as you could just as easily end up paying full rate. Fierce competition means properties undergo frequent improvements, so when booking inquire about any ongoing renovations that may interrupt your stay.
Checking In
Typical check-in and checkout times are 2 pm and 11 am, respectively. Many flights from North America arrive early in the morning, but having to wait six hours for a room after arriving jet-lagged at 8 am isn’t the ideal way to start a vacation. Alert the hotel of your early arrival; large hotels can often make special early check-in arrangements, but almost all will look after your luggage in the meantime. Be prepared to drop your bags and strike out for a few hours. On the plus side, this can effectively give you a whole extra day for sightseeing.
Hotel Quality
Note that rooms can vary considerably in a single hotel. If you don’t like the room you’re given, ask to see another. Be prepared for the fact that, while smoking is now banned in public areas, this doesn’t apply to hotel rooms—so be firm and ask to change if you’re given a smoking room and didn’t request one. Hotels often renovate room by room—you might find yourself allocated a dark, unrenovated room, whereas a bright, newly decorated room awaits just down the hall.
Breakfast
Some hotels include breakfast in the price of the room. It ranges from a gourmet spread to what is known as the “full English” (one fried egg, two “bangers”—that’s English-style sausage links—two thick slices of bacon, a grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms or baked beans, and toast). In most budget hotels and B&Bs, this is the only hot breakfast available. Most expensive hotels (and the most imaginative small ones) may also offer pancakes, French toast, waffles, and omelets. Luckily, virtually all accommodations also offer packaged cereals, muffins, yogurt, and fresh fruit, so when the sausage-and-bacon brigade begins to get you down, go continental.
Facilities
Keep in mind that some facilities come with the room rate while others cost extra. So, when pricing accommodations, always ask what’s included. Modern hotels usually have air-conditioning, but B&Bs and hotels in older buildings often do not, and it is generally not the norm in London. Wi-Fi is increasingly common, but don’t assume it’s free (large hotels in particular can charge outrageous fees). If you want a double room, specify whether you want a double bed or a twin (two single beds next to each other). All hotels listed here have private bathrooms unless otherwise noted.
Prices
If you’re planning to visit in the fall, winter, or early spring, start monitoring bargain online prices a few months before your trip and book whenever you see a good rate. Chains such as Hilton, Premier, and Millennium are known for their low-season sales in which prices can be as little as half the normal rate. And business-oriented hotels frequently have lower rates on weekends.
The exchange rate between the pound and the dollar is also unpredictable, so if it’s looking good when you book, an advance-payment deal could end up saving you a decent amount of money. TIP The Visit London Accommodation Booking Service (020/7932–2020 | www.visitlondon.com) offers a best-price guarantee. Also try the clearing websites Late Rooms www.laterooms.com), Booking (www.booking.com), and Last Minute (www.lastminute.com).
Prices in the reviews are the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season, including 20% V.A.T.
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