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HOTEL QUALITY

Note that rooms can vary considerably in a single hotel. If you don’t like the room you’re given, ask to see another. Be prepared for the fact that, while smoking is now banned in public, this doesn’t apply to hotel rooms—so be firm and ask to change if you’re given a smoking room and didn’t request one. Hotels often renovate room by room—you might find yourself allocated a dark, unrenovated room, whereas a bright, newly decorated room awaits just down the hall.

BREAKFAST

Most hotels include breakfast in the price of the room. In England, though, breakfast is almost always exactly the same—one fried egg, two sausage links, two slices of bacon, grilled tomato slice, sautéed mushrooms, and toast. This is known as the “full English,” and it’s a great way to fuel you up for a day’s sightseeing—until about Day 3 when you may be prepared to gnaw off your own hand for a bit of variety. In most budget hotels and B&Bs, this is the only hot breakfast available. Pancakes, French toast, waffles, and omelets are not common here, and usually just the most expensive hotels (or the most imaginative small ones) will offer anything along those lines. Luckily, virtually all accommodations also offer packaged cereals, muffins, yogurt, and fresh fruit, so when the sausage-and-bacon brigade begins to get you down, go Continental.

FACILITIES

The lodgings listed are the cream of the crop in each price category. All available facilities are mentioned, but some do cost extra. When pricing accommodations, always ask what’s included. Modern hotels usually have air-conditioning, but B&Bs and hotels in older buildings often do not, and it is generally not the norm in London. You should specify if you wish to have a double bed. All hotels listed have private baths unless otherwise noted. Whatever the price, don’t expect a room that’s large by American standards. As in most of Europe, space is at a premium here.

PRICES

Many central London hotels—particularly those in The City, Bloomsbury, and Holborn—are popular with business travelers and offer significant discounts for weekend stays. Almost all major properties have steeply discounted rates in the off-season. If you’re planning to visit in the fall, winter, or early spring, start monitoring online prices a few months before your trip and book whenever you see a good rate. Chains such as Hilton, Premier, and Millennium are known for their low-season sales in which prices can be as little as half the normal rate.

The farther you go out of the city center, the better the deal. New hotels in far east and west London are cheaper than those in the center of town, but you’ll spend a bit more time on the Tube every day.

Lastly, be aware that as this book was being written, Britain was in the process of raising V.A.T., or sales tax, which applies to hotel rooms. Wherever possible we’ve taken this into account, but occasionally you may you find prices to be around 3%–5% higher. TIP The Visit London Accommodation Booking Service ( | 020/7932–2020 | www.visitlondon.com) offers a best-price guarantee.

What it Costs

£ For Two People

£

under £80

££ £80–£140

£££ £140–£200

££££ £201–£300

£££££ over £300

Prices are for two people in a standard double room in high season, V.A.T. included.

LONDON CHAIN HOTEL PRIMER

England has a number of hotel chains—worth considering—some are moderately priced, others are luxurious. Here’s a quick run-down of our favorites:

easyhotel: One of the first chains to bring so-called “pod hotels” to London, the easyhotel chain specializes in very cheap (less than £50 a night for a double) rooms that are clean, secure and offer all the basics, but are teeny-tiny, and have no extras at all. | www.easyhotel.com.

Grange Hotels: This chain includes a good mix of large and small hotels, with reliable (if somewhat dull) neutral decor, good service, and plenty of gadgets for business travelers. Prices vary, although most are moderately priced. | www.grangehotels.com.