Fodor's London 2012 by Fodor's

Author:Fodor's
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 0307928608
Publisher: Fodor's
Published: 2011-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

Main Table of Contents

The Scene

Hotels by Neighborhood

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Where Should I Stay? | Lodging Alternatives | Where to Stay Planner

Updated by Jack Jewers

You’ll find many things in London hotels: luxury, extraordinary service, and incredible views. But one thing you’ll look long and hard for is a bargain. Rooms have traditionally been expensive, and the wild swings of the exchange rate make it hard to predict just how much you’ll end up paying.

Meanwhile, the London hotel market is focusing on luxury, luxury, luxury. Five-star hotels close, renovate, and reopen with increased prices at a dizzying pace. If it’s any consolation, London does luxury better than just about any city, so you’ll get your money’s worth.

However, it’s not all bad news for those on more realistic budgets. The city’s midrange hotel scene is at long last getting its act together, and there is now a small but solid range of reasonably priced, high-quality hotels that regularly offer good deals and bargain rates. Leaders in this field are places like the Hoxton—which even makes a handful of rooms available for £1 per night, if you’re lucky enough to snatch one. The swanky Dean Street Townhouse also offers one of its rooms at a permanently low £95-a-night rate. There’s also a clutch of new budget boutique hotels that are a real step forward for the city—places like Stylotel and the Church Street Hotel, which have both been making heads turn for their small-is-beautiful approach, eye for stylish detail, and down-at-home comforts. The downside is that these places tend to be a little out of the way, but that’s often a price worth paying.

A newly attractive alternative are hotels in the Premier and Millennium chains, which offer sleek, modern rooms, lots of modern conveniences, and sales that frequently bring room prices well below £100 a night.

At the budget level, small bed-and-breakfasts still dominate, although most are quite battered and basic. An alternative to that is the easyHotel chain, with its tiny, bright orange “pod” rooms. There’s also the more sophisticated (and more expensive) base2stay, which falls somewhere between budget and moderate.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

WESTMINSTER AND ROYAL LONDON

Neighborhood Vibe: This historic section, aka “Royal London,” is home to major tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace.

Pros: Central area near tourist sites; easy Tube access; considered a safe area to stay.

Cons: Mostly expensive lodging options; few restaurants and entertainment venues nearby.

ST. JAMES AND MAYFAIR

Neighborhood Vibe: Traditional, old money; a mixture of the business and finacial set with fashionable shops.

Pros: In the heart of the action; some of London’s best hotels are found here.

Cons: Pricey part of town; the city-that-never-sleeps buzz makes peace and quiet hard to come by.

SOHO AND COVENT GARDEN

Neighborhood Vibe: A tourist hub with endless entertainment on the streets and in theaters and clubs—it’s party central for young adults.

Pros: Buzzing area with plenty to see and do; late-night entertainment abounds; wonderful shopping district.

Cons: The area tends to be noisy at night; few budget hotels; keep your wits about you at night, and watch out for pickpockets.

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