Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This is me trying to find a clean, safe place to stay, that won't break the bank, for our vacation (I mean, holiday!) in London this fall: :willy_nilly: :confused1: :banghead: :crying: I have been reading Pauline Frommer's London guide (published 2009) which has some great ideas for affordable places. But then I go online to look at current prices for these places, and find that they have increased in price, and I don't mean increased by 25% or 50% but DOUBLED OR MORE! Places that were £55 per night when the book was published are now £140?!? :blink: And I'm not just talking about hotels and B&Bs, but also the alternatives such as renting a flat or renting out a room in someone's home! The only thing I'm finding online that is cheap is easyHotel. And it's so cheap compared to everything else that it makes me nervous! :lol: Does anyone have any experience with them? It's looking more and more likely that we'll have to stay somewhere further outside of the city center, and take the Tube in every day. Does anyone have any recommendations on how/where best to do this? I've never been to London, I've never traveled internationally at all before. I'm so confused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Do you think it's possible that the prices will come back down after the Olympics? Even if they're telling you that these high rates are still applicable in the fall, I have to wonder if they're reflecting Olympics prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) Yes! We can vouch for EasyHotel! (And I--annoyingly--love to give experienced advice about England & France travel!) My then-18yo dd and I enjoyed one night at EasyHotel Victoria, just down the street from the huge Victoria Tube Station & easy walk to Buck Palace. We paid $65 in May 2010. But here's the funny part. We specifically asked for their cheapest room. And we got it. The double bed was surrounded on 3 3/4ths of the sides by the WALLS. It was in the basement, no windows, and the bathroom was tight. http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_victoria.html HOWEVER, it was New, it was Clean, it was Fun. The white duvet cover was likely brand new. The walls were freshly painted orange. They had lobby computer access for $5. TRULY, we were traveling on a tight budget, were completely SAFE, in a completely safe neighborhood, and the hotel clerk was very helpful. He re-heated the jar of soup we bought & kept our luggage after we checked out. We were completely satisfied. Also, stayed at the EasyHotel by Heathrow (just a $2 bus ride from Heathrow and 1/4 mile walk). Very peaceful setting in a small village with windows with decent view. More "spacious", but not "new", but still clean, spartan, fresh looking. Paid $50 there. http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_heathrow.htm Again, this was May 2010, not Olympic August! And we were looking for safe & clean & inexpensive . . . not deluxe. Locations were very convenient. We only used the Tube. I'll try to add more info if it comes to mind. Enjoy! (And try to maintain a bit of a flexible mindset--it helps to laugh!) Edited June 19, 2012 by Beth S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimom Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 When checking prices don't forget that the Paralympics start two weeks after the Olympics, using all the same venues in and around London, and conclude September 9th so I'm sure demand and prices will still be high well into September. Mom to a future Paralympian :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Do you think it's possible that the prices will come back down after the Olympics? Even if they're telling you that these high rates are still applicable in the fall, I have to wonder if they're reflecting Olympics prices. I don't know. In order to reserve, most places want you to pay the first night's rate upfront, and some do offer a discount if you pay the entire amount upfront. So I think they're serious. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Yes! We can vouch for EasyHotel! (And I--annoyingly--love to give experienced advice about England & France travel!) My then-18yo dd and I enjoyed one night at EasyHotel Victoria, just down the street from the huge Victoria Tube Station & easy walk to Buck Palace. We paid $65 in May 2010. But here's the funny part. We specifically asked for their cheapest room. And we got it. The double bed was surrounded on 3 3/4ths of the sides by the WALLS. It was in the basement, no windows, and the bathroom was tight. HOWEVER, it was New, it was Clean, it was Fun. The white duvet cover was likely brand new. The walls were freshly painted orange. They had lobby computer access for $5. TRULY, we were traveling on a tight budget, were completely SAFE, in a completely safe neighborhood, and the hotel clerk was very helpful. He re-heated the jar of soup we bought & kept our luggage after we checked out. We were completely satisfied. Also, stayed at the EasyHotel by Heathrow (just a $2 bus ride from Heathrow and 1/4 mile walk). Very peaceful setting in a small village with windows with decent view. More "spacious", but not "new", but still clean, spartan, fresh looking. Paid $50 there. http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_heathrow.htm Again, this was May 2010, not Olympic August! And we were looking for safe & clean & inexpensive . . . not deluxe. Locations were very convenient. We only used the Tube. I'll try to add more info if it comes to mind. Enjoy! (And try to maintain a bit of a flexible mindset--it helps to laugh!) This is GREAT to know! That is totally do-able! Clean and safe but Spartan and not spacious, yes, lovely, that will work! Yay! :D I'm also looking into the possibility of renting a dorm room from the School of Economics. Roughly £500-750 for the entire week, depending on which location you choose and whether you want breakfast included. Any thoughts on that? Believe me, I'm grateful, far from being annoyed, that you like giving travel advice! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 When checking prices don't forget that the Paralympics start two weeks after the Olympics, using all the same venues in and around London, and conclude September 9th so I'm sure demand and prices will still be high well into September. Mom to a future Paralympian :) Oh, I did NOT know that! But we've already got the plane tickets, so no turning back now. But thank you for explaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 You can also check out hostels. Many hostels are family-friendly now, and even have "family" rooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I'm also looking into the possibility of renting a dorm room from the School of Economics. Roughly £500-750 for the entire week, depending on which location you choose and whether you want breakfast included. Any thoughts on that? Is it available in the fall though? I checked and it looks like it is for September - is that your plan? I don't know about the LSE in particular, but university accommodation is often a good idea. Worth looking at the colleges which make up the University of London too. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 You might consider The Penn Club. I've never stayed there but I was considering it for a trip next year. It looks nice and is inexpensive. It is old fashioned though - shared bathrooms and no tvs, so it would not be the best choice for a younger family. Also, if you are or were military there is the Service Club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Is it available in the fall though? I checked and it looks like it is for September - is that your plan? I don't know about the LSE in particular, but university accommodation is often a good idea. Worth looking at the colleges which make up the University of London too. Laura We will be there in early September, so it will be available. Thank you, I will check out the link you provided! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 We will be there in early September, so it will be available. Thank you, I will check out the link you provided! Come back to me and I'll check if it seems like a decent part of the city. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 You might consider The Penn Club. I've never stayed there but I was considering it for a trip next year. It looks nice and is inexpensive. It is old fashioned though - shared bathrooms and no tvs, so it would not be the best choice for a younger family. Also, if you are or were military there is the Service Club. We're not military, but I will check out the Penn Club. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Come back to me and I'll check if it seems like a decent part of the city. Laura Thank you!!! I will do that, and I appreciate the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 You can also check out hostels. Many hostels are family-friendly now, and even have "family" rooms. I didn't know that. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This is GREAT to know! That is totally do-able! Clean and safe but Spartan and not spacious, yes, lovely, that will work! Yay! :D:001_smile: I went back in and added the link to the EasyHotel Victoria http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_victoria.html I am assuming you can avoid the Olympic Crowd by staying away from the venues. You'll have a blast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 The Blades, in the Pimlico area. They have a few large family rooms and a great breakfast buffet. Wonderful service and reasonable prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 http://www.georgehotel.com/english/index.html a bit tatty, but very convenient location, very reasonable prices, and a very large and yummy breakfast.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trez Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 We (family of 5) went last summer. We had a really hard time finding reasonably priced accomodation for 5. We ended up staying at a small place near Gatwick and took the tube in to London. It was excellent and we would stay there again. It was called the Gatwick Corner House. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehog Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 We've used this website a few times, and also this one. Had good experiences every time. (The links should take you straight to London rentals on each site.) It also might be worth checking Trip Advisor for reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edithcrawley Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 When I went in Spring of 2008 to London we stayed at the Lancaster Hall Hotel http://www.lancaster-hall-hotel.co.uk/ The youth wing (which anybody can stay in) is more like a hostel than a hotel, but the price is fairly low and it is very close to Hyde Park and 2 Underground stops. A free continental breakfast was provided. The rooms were decently sized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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