London Hotels: 5 budget stays with special perks
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the choice when looking for somewhere to stay in London. There are literally thousands of places to choose from. Price and location are important considerations, but what about those little perks that really help to make a stay?
Here are five London stays that offer valuable extras, along with the cleanliness and value for money that makes them recommended Eurocheapo stays.
More London hotel tips:
• The 5 best cheap hotels in London
• Best budget hotels in London
• London hotels in Central London: 5 Cheap stays
1. An elevator in a historic building
Now, in an American hotel you’d probably take an elevator as a given rather than a perk, but they’re something of a rarity amongst London’s budget hotels. That’s because most of the hotel are housed in historic buildings: charming, yes, but not always the most practical.
A good budget exception is the Meininger Hotel. It’s located in Baden Powell House and shares a building with the Scouting association, so you still get a bit of character as well as an elevator. And it’s brilliantly located for the attractions of South Kensington, such as the Natural History Museum and the V&A.
Related: Cheapo guide to South Kensington’s hotels, restaurants and bars
Arosfa Hotel has a lovely garden to relax in before or after a long day on the town. Photo: EuroCheapo
2. A charming garden
London can be a frantic city and you’ll want somewhere to stay that’s suited to some proper rest and relaxation. Sitting out in a garden, enjoying a gentle spring morning or English summer’s day, or even a sunny fall evening is one of the simple pleasures of British life. Space is at such a premium it’s comparatively rare to find hotels with gardens in the city centre.
The Arosfa Hotel offers a garden, complete with a canary, while being right in the heart of London. The Ridgemount Hotel is another favorite with outdoor space.
Sitting down to a free dinner at YMCA Indian Hostel. Photo: Courtesy of the hotel
3. An authentic (and free!) Indian dinner
Breakfast comes as standard in many London hotels, but dinner too?
You get both in your room rate (starting at around $82 for a double) at the YMCA Indian Student Hostel. The food is served cafeteria-style and its traditional Indian cuisine consistently wins praise from guests, while the communal tables are a great way to meet fellow travelers. Its location, near Tottenham Court Road, leaves it well placed should you want to wander out for a post-dinner drink.
Aled Rees and his family have run the Ridgemount Hotel in Bloomsbury since the ’60s. Photo: Frances Ambler
4. Friendly and helpful hosts
This is a very important perk for us at Eurocheapo, and our reviews always flag up where you get hosts who will go over and beyond to make your stay run smoothly. Our London favorites include The Celtic Hotel (you can read our Q&A with proprietor Rosanna Marazzi here) and Ridgemount Hotel (we spoke to them too).
Do get in touch if you stay somewhere especially welcoming that we haven’t written about yet: we’re always keen to make new friends!
Enjoy unique touches right down to the decor at the Latvian Guest House. Photo: Courtesy of the hotel
5. Something completely different…
One of the best things about London is how international it is: surveys estimate that over 100 different languages are spoken in the city aside from English. This blend of cultures is every bit as London as the red buses.
So with this in mind, we’d recommend a stay at the Latvian Guest House: Latvian pinewood furnishings, Latvian beers served in the club bar and even a Latvian-style supper available on Friday and Saturday: who knew you could enjoy a taste of Latvia while staying in the heart of London?
About the author
I’ve always had a economical comfortable stay at London Lodge- great location for visiting London Book Fair….long enough walk to clear the cobwebs in the morning