Best budget hotels in London

QUESTION: I am a regular traveller to London and hotel prices have got very expensive. My attempts to find a budget hotel inevitably results in me landing up in a really rundown, seedy, smelly room. Can you recommend a good budget hotel, preferably in the Earls Court area? Can you also recommend a safe place where I could leave my luggage once I check out of a hotel? - Pieter le Roux

ANSWER: One of the best options for clean and safe accommodation is easyHotel owned by the budget airline group. It has a hotel in Earls Court (as well as South Kensington and Victoria), which offers basic accommodation from only 25 British pounds per night. This is for a small room without a window. For a room with a window, expect to pay around 40 British pounds. The room has a double bed, a bathroom shower and a flat screen TV (although you have to pay five British pounds to get your hands on the remote control for 24 hours). All rooms have heating, cooling and fresh air circulation, but smoking is not permitted. The hotel is located on West Cromwell Road, about 500 metres from the Earls Court tube station. Book on www.easyHotel.com.

A really trendy option is the innovative Base2stay, also within walking distance of Earls Court tube station. For 89 British pounds (single) and 99 British pounds (double), you get a really nice room with airconditioning and bathroom en suite. Rooms have flat screen TV's, free internet access and mini-kitchens with microwave, kettle and fridge. A 'breakfast box' is available for GBP4.50. What makes this hotel different from other budget choices is that it has an upmarket feel with clever and classy interior design. It is located at 25 Courtfield Gardens (tel: + 44 (0) 845 262 8000). Check it out on www.base2stay.com

You may be able to store luggage at your hotel (except at easyHotel), but left luggage facility is available at the Excess Baggage company . It is at 168 Earls Court Road (tel: +44 (0) 207 373 1977), but is closed on Sundays.

If you are prepared to move across London, one of the best budget options in the city is the fabulous Hoxton Hotel at 81 Great Eastern Street in funky Hoxton. Only a five-minute walk from Old Street Station, the hotel has 205 rooms that are sold using the 'supply and demand' pricing system fine-tuned by budget airlines. There are specials offering rooms for one British pound, but regular rates start from 29 GBP for a double room - if you book early enough. The rates can go as high as 169 GBP, but I usually manage to book rooms at 40-70 GBP per night. This is no ordinary budget hotel, it oozes real class. Expect a roaring log fire in the lobby on chilly days and a rom with Frette bed linen and a duck down duvet, a flat screen TV and free wireless internet access. There is also a superb restaurant, which also offers room service. There is also a good health club just down the road. Room rates includes VAT and a light breakfast in your room comprised of fresh orange juice, a granola yohurt and a banana. Book on www.hoxtonhotels.com (tel: +44 (0) 207 550 1000)