[Closed] London, small nice hotel

Where? It’s a big city. I normally stay in Greenwich (Novotel, Ibis, holiday inn express) or if there’s nowt on, next to excel (Novotel, Ibis, Crowne Plaza, sun Bourne yacht). then DLR or Thames clipper it into town. There’s also the Hilton across from Canary Wharf.

I’ve sadly not found a good London hotel that wasn’t part of a chain. I’m sure they exist, it’s just all I’ve been subjected to were inspiration for either national lampoons European vacation, or Trainspotting.

Budget / Area?

Some nice deals flash up on Hotel Tonight every now and again. Worth having a look.

If you're on the hipster spectrum this looks sweet and not too expensive by London standards. I've not been though.

https://thepilgrm.com/

When in town for business I always used to use a Z Hotel. Rooms are small and no window but for business that’s fine as didn’t want to spend hours in the room thank you. And the free wine and cheese was always a winner. You don’t give a northern lad a gift like that without making the most of it.

We rented a nice apartment a stones throw from Tower Bridge when we went last year (before it all kicked off). Not an amazing area but close enough that everything else isn't too far away. Had the added advantage of not being too expensive. I'll see if I can find a link.

Edit: here http://www.booking.com/Share-M4Weg0

We used to use the Apex hotels for our clients, there's one on London Wall, one at Temple Court and one close to Tower Hill. Mid-price rather than. budget and all rather pleasant. The first two will be quite quiet at a weekend.

Cheers guys. Will take a look.

The where I'm not too bothered as long as it's on the underground and not an hour out.

The trip is for a 51st wedding anniversary (not ours!) that still may not happen but thought we'd book the trip anyway as long as we can get a cancellation policy.

More detail required! London is a big place, budget will vary depending on where you want to go.

For example, APEX (mentioned above) is a good shout, they aim to provide 5*, but at 3*-4* prices by dropping the things that they don't think are relevant. For example, a 5* hotel has to have a set amount of public space based on the number of rooms they have. APEX just design the hotel to have the public space it needs so they can have nicer sheet on the bed etc. However, they only have a handful of locations.

Crossed posts!

My budget , but nice are ones are;
APEX Hotels - As above
Z Hotels - As above
Novotel Wembley - Nice property and a good price if there is nothing on at the stadium/arena
Residence Inn London Bridge - More of an apartment, with a kitchenette and lounge. Nice option for COVID times
Hub Hotels - The cheap PremierInn with a funky bar and smaller rooms. Nice options at Euston and near Tower Bridge
Novotel Greenwich/Excel - Great to go in and out of town on the riverboats/cable-car/DLR. The journey is longer, but is far more fun that the Tube

I stayed at the Strand Palace after my last work xmas do.

Nice rooms, good location, reasonably priced (I think a single was under £100)

The pilgrims a decent option - right next to paddington good vibe - decent food. Busy / little noisy as a trade off.
Citizen M - mid size hotels - 3 locations - shoreditch lots going on / edgy - bankside rather more refined. Decent size room / great design
Premier inn Hubs are good value in great central location - kings cross just down from the new Coal drops yard development- is good option / as is Goodge street off Tottenham court road and Brick lane (usually the cheapest and plenty going on) or Covent Garden - rooms small (std doubles) often no windows but well designed and comfortable

The Hoxton inn - Shoreditch / Holborn / Southwark
mid size / but pricier option / higher standard than the above but different price point - overtly young vibe

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-london/london/hub-london-covent-garden.html

ace for the money and near to the Harp for meeting beer needs

Ace hotel
might be mid level spendy though (I don't know)

Edit: Looks like it won't reopen post-covid
That's a shame, was really pleasant and different inside

...

Op would you be better off looking at BnB's or Airbnb? I feel BNB is prob more likely to have the kind of homely feel you want - certainly from blind google searching anyway

Oddly I'd never thought of bnb for London, but why not.

Airbnb as well. I use it everywhere else but for some odd reason haven't looked.

But lots above to check.

Quite amazed that prices on booking.com started at £40. I suspect at that price they are not quite offering what my wife would want! My exped mat cost considerably more

I live in London - prior to moving here (midlands) I wasn’t a big fan because I thought the whole city was Oxford Street.

Reality is, there’s all sorts, everywhere. Find an area you like the look of, out of the centre and stay there. Transport is easy and cheap, you’ll save on the accommodation and see more of interest.

I’d been living here for 5 years before my dad came to visit - he assumed where I lived had 50,000 people by the window every day. He was pleasantly surprised when he realised that much of the city is has a lot of appeal.

10 Manchester Street is personal favourite; near Baker St & Marylebone High St.
First stayed shortly after opening; been back a few times.
Price wise...not at the budget end nor is it at The Ritz level.
In house dining can get v expensive v quickly; lots of options within walking distance.
https://www.tenmanchesterstreethotel.com/

Pre-covid I went to London every month and I stayed at MotelOne near Aldgate as it was handy for the office in the City

It's a decent location for Tower Bridge, the Tower etc. Think German Travelodge but with edible food, nice staff, good bar, decent functional  rooms. Not very expensive compared to other hotels

High End: Corinthia / Shangri La / Four Seasons / Ham Yard

Mid: Sea Containers, Ampersand, Zetter - both locations.

Low: Apex, Newer Premier Inns, Z Hotel only if you want to be right in centre - stay away from Victoria location, it’s horrible. Leicester Sq much nicer and you will get a window. Better for business than a night with wife.

Be a bit wary of cheap Booking.com / AirBnB if you don’t know the area and it
Looks nearly too good to be true. Still a bit of bait & switch, rogue overseas slum host and next door bordello going on.

If you’re on the hipster spectrum this looks sweet and not too expensive by London standards. I’ve not been though.

https://thepilgrm.com//blockquote >

I've stayed at the Pilgrim a few times, it's clean, comfortable and the staff are friendly. The small rooms are very small. It is also very close to Paddington station which is useful.

 

The Hemple, by Hyde park.

Citizen M as mentioned previously but the one at Tower Hill has amazing views from the Sky bar of Tower of London and Tower Bridge. link

I get to stay in chains for work (or I did) but this place is pretty pleasant, and round the corner from loads of good food options. And well connected obvs.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lonwlhx-hampton-london-waterloo/

Thread noted for future reference.

That's also a good shout @molgrips. I used to downgrade in to that place when Hilton Bankside went above £300 a night 😉

stay away from Victoria location, it’s horrible. Leicester Sq much nicer and you will get a window.

Yep the Victoria one was a bit dingy but was also the nearest to my office at MoJ. Fleet Street Z Hotel was nice from memory as was the Covent Garden one too. And the Shoreditch one as well though further out it had access to hipster hangouts.

The Waterloo Hilton is a good shout, I have been staying at the premier inn in county hall which must be in the same block. Looking at tonight's prices it's 100 for Hilton 50 premier inn.

Premier inn is a bit tatty but the 50 quid saving pays for a nice meal.

Location choice depends where you re going of course, waterloo is good for me as i need the train and just 10 mins walk to Covent garden.

Earl's Court is good for value hotels. Check Ibis Styles, Mowbray Court, etc. but avoid City Continental (hateful place).

Bloombsbury has loads of them , not too frantic as well.

Pre-covid I went to London every month and I stayed at MotelOne near Aldgate as it was handy for the office in the City

I've stayed here too - perfectly serviceable, and often cheaper than the Premier Inn of Eastcheap.

Some of the hotels around Tower Hill way have got some ace views of Tower Bridge, CitzM as mentioned above, the Double Tree and the Grange. Right next to the District Line too, so easy for some of the more touristy bits.