Self-catering in London

Q: I am going to London at the end of September for five days to visit my son. He stays in West Hampstead, and I would like to be somewhere near there, but not in a hotel. Would it be possible to get self catering for that length of time? - Barbara Baldwin

A: Firstly, you should ask your son to have a look around the area where he lives for guesthouses and apartments for short-term rental. Besides the classified sections of local newsletters, he may find adverts pinned up in supermarkets and stores in the area. This will ensure you find a place close to where he stays. Alternatively, you can check out what is available on the internet and ask him to check them out, as there is nothing better than an onsite inspection to find out what a place is like. Photographs can be misleading.For guesthouses in the Hampstead area, you can try the websites www.londonbb.co.uk and www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk. One that caught my eye was the Charlotte Guest House. It offers 43 comfortable rooms, with rates ranging from 40 pounds per night in a room with a shared bathroom to 50 pounds for an en-suite room. Prices include breakfast and all taxes. The guest house is located in Sumatra Road, West Hampstead (Tel: +44 20 7794 6476; www.charlotteguesthouse.co.uk). (25 July 2010)