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 London Cheap and Chic Hotels
Looking for a London hotel that's slick, modern, well-equipped - or cosy and characterful - and cheap? Until now London has lagged behind European cities, where for some years inexpensive hotels have offered vibrant colours, stylish design, cutting-edge technology and buzzing public spaces. While in London, the choice for economisers has been limited to musty odours, candlewick bedspreads and swirly carpets in Bayswater, Pimlico and Earls Court, but change, at last, is afoot. What the most successful modern budget hotels offer is not a 'new concept' (it's an old concept, really: decent rooms at decent prices) but 'edited luxury': top-quality beds, comfortable bathrooms, plasma TVs and free internet but no unwanted extras to push up the price. Here is the pick of the new breed. The order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Fiona Duncan |
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| Inexpensive: Indian flair in Earl's Court £89 to £150 including breakfast |
| Location: Earls Court, in side road next to tube station |
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| Most rooms are compact, some tiny, but the care and flourish with which they are decorated, employing Indian artifacts, carved wood bedheads, pretty cushions, wooden blinds and sweeping curtains, plus an excellent breakfast, juice bar and pretty garden (train noise notwithstanding) ensure value for money. Highly recommended. |
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| Inexpensive: plenty of style and excellent facilities at very decent prices |
| Location: Hangar Lane, Ealing. Nearest tubes: North Ealing and West Acton |
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| All white on the outside, all neutral inside, this stylish hotel sports a large, soothing garden with glass doors to a modern conservatory bar/dining room, where meals are provided from local restaurants and the barman is a master mixologist. You couldn’t expect more for your money: Egyptian cotton sheets on orthopaedic beds, plasma TVs, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, immaculate bathrooms.... The West End is 20 mins away by tube; station round the corner. A find. |
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| Inexpensive: Prices on Easyjet principals in a City hotel with attitude |
| Location: Great Eastern Street, the City. Nearest tube: Old St |
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| Sick of being ripped off in hotels, founder of sandwich chain Pret a Manger, Sinclair Beecham has created a fair one in a brand-new building. The huge ground-floor space incorporates reception, shop, sitting room, bar, restaurant, internet café and two blazing fires. The place has a real buzz, with people chatting at tables and sofas. Working on Easyjet principles, the earlier you book, the less you pay. |
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| Inexpensive: With Kitchenettes, a great choice for longer stays |
| Location: Courtfield Gardens, Earl’s Court. Nearest tube: Earl’s Court |
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| In a salubrious corner of Earl’s Court, this pillared, white stucco townhouse offers a mix of carefully considered rooms, from singles and bunk-bed to superior and deluxe doubles most of which have soothing views over the gardens or a pretty mews. Each has clean lines and feels fresh, with a neat little kitchenette, useful for extended stays. Breakfast can be delivered in a box to your door for less than a fiver. What you see is what you get, with no hidden extras. Superb value for money. |
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| Inexpensive: A fresh contemporary, laid-back central London base |
| Location: Ebury Street, Belgravia. Nearest tube: Victoria |
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| In a prime street, this diminutive hotel is easily singled out for its fresh appearance and laid-back approach, with a stylish sitting room (wire mesh Bertoia chairs, leather sofas, eye-catching wall clock) connected to a friendly open-plan kitchen/breakfast room by a glass walkway. Bedrooms are compact and neat, done out in earth tones, with small but attractive glass-partitioned bathrooms. Very popular. |
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| Inexpensive: Stylish townhouse hotel with great-value rooms |
| Location: Bayswater/Notting Hill |
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| A stone's throw from Portobello Road, this converted townhouse has emerged looking very fresh and full of character from a recent refurb. There are 51 rooms, some small but all spotlessly clean and carefully designed, using natural materials, varied textures and inspired lighting. Floors are wooden; walls, plain with the occasional modern painting; and beds have distinctive headboards and colourful covers. Staff couldn’t be friendlier, and rooms are great value especially as breakfast is included. |
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| Inexpensive: Soho House's Chiswick outpost, full of buzz |
| Location: Chiswick. Nearest tube: Turnham Green |
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| At Nick Jones’ (of Soho House and Babington House fame) new London venture the term b&b means ‘bed and brasserie’, for the 14 all wood, all white bedrooms are above his popular all-day eaterie and private members club. Both the popular ground-floor brasserie, with excellent food, and the rooms are open to non-residents. Hotel guests can also use the airy members’ bar, dining room, quiet corners and meeting facilities. |
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