The bed and breakfast is one of England's greatest traditions. Morning meat menus differ but usually include cereal, eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, and all the coffee or tea you can drink. The bad news is that, in general, London's budget hotels are not as nice or as cheap as those on the Continent. The rooms are uniformly small and wear is often evident.
Summer is a seller's market, for the hordes of visitors jousting for coveted hotel rooms keep rates high. But if you sense that rooms are going unoccupied, asking for a reduced rate is definitely in order. In the off season, prices tumble sometimes by as much as 30% and there's often room for further negotiation. Never accept rooms until you’re sure you've secured the lowest price. Make it clear that you're a budget traveler and be willing to lower your standards. If you're shopping around, make this fact clear. Always ask if they have anything cheaper and note that many hotels will offer a discount for a stay of a week or more. Everyone, especially solo travelers, should ask to see a room before renting it. Most hotels will accommodate a single person in a larger room if it's available, and asking to view it beforehand will encourage this.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when renting a room in London. Although beds are made up daily, sheets are usually not changed during a stay of less than a week. If you need new bedding, request it, Remember that even local telephone calls made from your room can be deathly expensive inquire about the rate before dialing.
Note: The rates quoted below are accurate for the summer of 1996. Expect reductions before and after the summer season.
DOUBLES WITHOUT BATH FOR LESS THAN L40.50 ($60.75) BAYSWATER & PADDINGTON
The district of Bayswater runs along the northern edge of Hyde Park and encompasses Paddington Station, one of the city's major gateways to the north. It's a densely packed residential community, populated by a large number of Indians and Pakistanis. It's also jammed with budget hotels. The area's proximity to the park, good restaurants (especially along Queensway and Westbourne Grove), and transportation links to the West End make Bayswater a desirable place to locate. The Central and District Underground lines run to Bayswater and Paddington stations, while buses no. 12, 88, and 289 travel the length of Bayswater Road.
Dean Court Hotel
Brightly decorated rooms (some with antique clothes closets), big breakfasts, a capable management, and an exceptionally kind budget philosophy are all hallmarks of this top budget hotel. Most rooms have tall ceilings and single size beds. The hotel is on a quiet Bayswater street.
57 Inverness Ter
London
W2 3JN
telephone:
020 72299982
Hyde Park House
48 St. Petersburgh Place, London W2. Tube: Bayswater; then turn left onto Moscow Road and left again at the church.
Announced by a small awning in the middle of a block of rowhouses, this family runs B&B offers a quilt on every bed and a refrigerator in every room. The small rooms are in good condition. The rates include free use of the kitchen and unlimited attention from the family's friendly small dogs.
SUSSEX GARDENS
Despite its quiet sounding name, Sussex Gardens is one of Bayswater's busiest thoroughfares. Beginning as a traffic circle south of Paddington Station, the long street runs straight up to Edgeware Road. Along both sides of Sussex Gardens there's hardly a house that doesn't announce itself as a hotel. The accommodations are uniformly nondescript, but the rates are good and fierce competition in the off season means that everything's negotiable.
Albro House
Hotels (Shops & other Retail Outlets) based in the Sussex Gardensarea of London
155 Sussex Gdns London W2 2RY
Balmoral Hotel
Hotels (Shops & other Retail Outlets) based in the Sussex Gardensarea of London
Tel: 020 77237445
156 Sussex Gardens London W2 1UD
Albro House Hotel
155 Sussex Gardens, London W2.
Like most budget hotels in London, this place is not much more than a simple place to lay your head.
Balmoral House
156 Sussex Gardens, London W2.
One of the best hotels on this busy tree lined street, Balmoral House features comfortable and very clean singles and doubles with coffee/tea making facilities and few other frills. Your room comes with a good breakfast.
VICTORIA
The rebuilding of Buckingham House into Buckingham Palace in the 1820s helped transform Victoria into a fashionable neighborhood. Bustling Victoria Station bisects the area, separating pricey Belgravia on its northwest from more accessible Pimlico to the southeast. Much of the area was destroyed during World War II, when houses took the near misses directed at Victoria Station. Happily, most of the rebuilding has been faithful to the original Greco Roman style. If you're shopping around, note that although there are hundreds of hotels here, the majority are not up to standard. Victoria is known not for its sights, shopping, or entertainment, but for its proximity to Victoria Station, London's transportation hub.
The Ivy House Hotel
18 Hugh St., London SW1.
Kishan and Joanne Shah, the young husband and wife who run the small Ivy House, began their careers as hoteliers in 1994 and live on the premises with their children. The hotel's three floors of modest rooms are freshly wallpapered and feature new curtains and bedspreads. Besides tea kettles and intercoms, the guest rooms feature few amenities. The Ivy House is a homey place and its owners are sure to improve it with age.
Melita House Hotel
33 35 Charlwood St., London SWI. To reach Charlwood Street, turn right off Belgrave Road, south of Warwick Way.
Paul and Tina Gabriele's Melita House is an excellent example of the way quality rises and prices fall just off Belgrave Road. In this spotless charming hotel on a quiet side street, breakfast is served in a ground floor dining room, a refreshing change from the basements of most hotels.
The Oak House
29 Hugh St., London SW1.
One of my favorite hotels in this area is also one of the closest to Victoria Station, between Eccleston and Elizabeth bridges. Like the hotel itself, the sign hanging outside stands out from those of the other B&Bs on the block. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that resident proprietors Mr. and Mrs. Symington are Scottish. The use of tartan carpeting throughout the hotel is only slightly heavier than the couple's charming accents. There are only six rooms here, all doubles, and each is very small. The conscientious owners have fitted all with orthopedic mattresses, hairdryers, electric shaver outlets, tea/coffee making facilities, a cutting board, knife, and even a bottle opener. No advance reservations are accepted, so when you get to the station just cross your fingers and call.
CHELSEA & SOUTH KENSINGTON
The expensive residential areas of Chelsea and South Kensington offer little in the way of accommodations for budget travelers. With few notable exceptions, the cost
marks to mention them all here, but the Dolphin is one. In room refrigerators, coffee makers, and (sometimes) telephones help this hotel stand out. Otherwise, its recently redecorated rooms are typical of the square and a good bet. Breakfast whether continental or English is served in your room.
Lords Hotel
20 22 Leinster Sq., London W2. Tube: Bayswater; then turn left onto Moscow Road, and right at the Russian Orthodox church (IIchester Gardens); Lords is two blocks up on your left.
This well run budget establishment offers basic rooms that are both clean and neat. Some rooms are equipped with TVs and radios, and a few have balconies all at no extra charge. The hotel caters to people of all ages.
Strutton Park Hotel
45 Palace Court, London W2.
This small pretty hotel offers double rooms Only, most with shower only (no private toilets). There's an elevator to take guests up to their rooms and down to a full breakfast.
VICTORIA
Easton Hotel
36 40 Belgrave Rd., London SW1.
The rooms here are small but adequate, and some on the ground floor let you avoid stairs. An attractive licensed bar almost makes up for the distracting wood paneling on the floor of the breakfast room. The hotel is on a major thoroughfare just behind Victoria Station.
Luna and Simone Hotels
47 49 Belgrave Rd., London SWI.
This excellent family run hotel is now better than ever. Clean, kindly decorated rooms and a hearty breakfast in a smoke free dining room have vaulted this place to the budget hotel pinnacle.
Melbourne House
79 Belgrave Rd., London SWI.
Melbourne House, another of the rare breed of recommendable budget hotels on Belgrave Road, is run by friendly proprietors John and Manuela, The couple
totally renovated the hotel in 1992 and offer spacious rooms with tea/coffeemaking facilities.
Oxford House Hotel
92 94 Cambridge St. (south of Belgrave Road near Gloucester St.), London SWI.
This hotel is owned by interior designer Yanus Kader and his wife, Terri. The rooms are comfortable and pretty, featuring floral motifs and coordinated curtains. The beautiful dining area with an open kitchen will remind you of home.
BLOOMSBURY
Bloomsbury's proximity to the West End in general, and to Soho in particular, has long made it a desirable area for visitors. The area gets its energy from its two most important residents: the University of London and the British Museum. Although heavy demand is often reflected in high prices, some bargains are still to be found.
Gower Street
Gower Street's budget hotels are some of the city's most popular. Most of the B&Bs lining this street are so similar to one another that only their addresses distinguish them. Stairs are steep, rooms basic (almost none with bath), and prices fairly uniform. Special touches and extra friendly management set a few apart from the rest. The best way to reach the Gower Street hotels is from the Goodge Street Underground. Cross onto Chenies Street and turn left onto Gower.
Arran House Hotel
77 Gower St., London WC1.
The Arran House stands out on the block because of its exceptionally kind resident proprietor, Maj. W. J. Richards. The major has ensured that even guests in the front rooms get a quiet night's sleep by soundproofing all the windows. In addition to laundry and coffee/tea making facilities, the hotel offers light meals, prepared by the owner's son, a professional caterer.
Garth Hotel
69 Gower St., London WC1.
