Budget Hotel in London

Q: Please help me find a reasonable budget hotel in central London, preferably close to Earls Court. - Jayne Du Plessis

A: The key to securing well-priced budget accommodation in the British capital is to book as early as possible. One of the best options is easyHotel owned by the budget airline group. It has a hotels in Paddington, Earls Court, South Kensington and Victoria, which offers basic accommodation from as little as 25 British pounds per night. If a window is important to you, check that the room you have chosen has one. The room will have a flat screen television, but you will 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. Book on www.easyHotel.com. 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. The hotel sells five rooms each night at a staggeringly low £1 and five rooms each night at £29. Of course, the rates do go up as the demand increases, but you can often secure rooms at 40-70 GBP per night. Rates include a light breakfast delivered to each room. 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, and a good health club just down the road. Book on www.hoxtonhotels.com (tel: +44 (0) 207 550 1000). A really trendy option is the innovative Base2stay, which is within walking distance of Earls Court tube station. You will pay a little more than other budget options, but there are no hidden extras. Rates including VAT range from 93 British pounds for a small single room to 117 British pounds for a double room. You get a really nice room with air conditioning, bathroom en suite, free internet access and flat screen televisions. Rooms have mini-kitchens with microwave, kettle and fridge. 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 the www.base2stay.com website. (28/11/10)