How to Find Cheap Hotels in London

A Guide to Finding Bargain Deals & Budget Rates for London Hotels

Aug 19, 2009
Carol Finch

Find Budget London Hotels - Photo by tethairwen

Finding low cost London hotel deals can seem tricky at first. Like any capital city hotel prices tend to be on the high side. There are, however, ways to cut costs.

Visiting London, whether for a weekend break or a longer vacation, can be great fun. This is a city steeped in history and full of things to see and do. For many visitors, however, finding cheap London hotels can be hard. Those that do find a 'bargain' often find that they didn't get what they bargained for. Many others simply bite the bullet and pay over the odds for their London hotel deals.

Part of the problem here is that there are a huge number of hotels to choose from across a wide quality spectrum. But, given that this is one of the most popular and busy cities in the world, many hotels can afford not to reduce their rates. This can make it hard for visitors to find good quality but cheap hotels in London. With a little research and time, however, it is possible to find good deals.

Finding the Best London Hotel Offers

There are a variety of ways to find cheap hotel deals in London. For example, many people will try:

Using hotel comparison services - there are a variety of websites that will compare the prices offered by both room price finding sites and hotels themselves.
Calling hotels direct - many will offer lower rates over the phone/by email especially for late bookings or periods when they aren't too busy.
Trying for last minute deals - people with nerves of steel can usually get discounted costs if they book stays at the last minute. This may result in big cuts in standard rates but may mean little choice in available hotels and the risk of not getting a booking at all.
Looking at big name budget chains - staying in a hotel that is full of character might be nice but it will be costly. Budget chains (such as Travelodge and easyHotels) may not come with a lot of glitz and glamour but they will offer reliable quality at a relatively low cost. Many also have good central locations.
Using loyalty schemes - many of the major loyalty card schemes in the UK will have some hotel options. This may involve using vouchers to get discounts or redeeming points to pay for some or all of a stay.
Joining discount clubs - many people opt to join hotel discount clubs. These generally work via an annual membership fee that then gives a range of discounts on stays.

Finding Cheap London Hotel Deals

One of the most common problems with hotel stays is disappointment. This doesn't just apply to London hotels. People often simply book a stay based on stars and rating systems and a quick look at the hotel's website. Things may look fine and they'll make a booking. But, when they get to the hotel, they may not get what they expected.

Getting a bargain deal and finding cheap hotels in London can save a lot of money. But, to really make the most of a visit it is wise to try and learn more about the hotel itself before making a booking. This can be done simply and quickly by searching for online reviews made by people who have already stayed in the hotels themselves. The TripAdvisor site, for example, can be a useful way of assessing just how good any hotel deal may actually be.

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