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The summary
Best Overall: See Arbor City Hotel Rates on TripAdvisor “Recent renovation in 2015, convenient location next to Aldgate East Subway Station, and affordable pricing make this our top pick.”
Best for Friends: See Jesmond Dene Hotel Rates on TripAdvisor “Some have triple beds, so it’s great if you’re traveling with a group of friends.”
Best Views: See Greenwich Hotel Rates on TripAdvisor “The upper floors feature a stunning two-story glass expanse with an observation area for incredible views of the cityscape.”
Better Design: See Dorsett’s Shepherd’s Bush Rates on TripAdvisor “Elegant eight-story hotel has 317 rooms and is a design lover’s dream.”
Best for Solo Travelers: Check Rates for The Belgrave on TripAdvisor “A prime central London location 10 minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace or Victoria Train Station.”
Best for Families: See Premier Inn London Blackfriars Hotel Rates on TripAdvisor «The central location is packed with attractions to keep the kids busy, including river boats, ghost tours (for older kids) and a skating rink. ice”.
Best for Romance: See Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa Rates on TripAdvisor “Let lovebirds experience Chelsea Wharf, a trendy neighborhood nestled between picturesque Battersea Park and the River Thames.”
Best for Sports & Entertainment: See St. George’s Hotel Wembley Rates on TripAdvisor “Overlooking Wembley Stadium (for football / soccer) and a location next to the SSE Arena (an entertainment venue).”
Best Unique Hotel – See Sunborn London Rates on TripAdvisor “Yachts are rarely in the ‘budget’ category, but you will find some surprisingly affordable rates.”
Best Boutique: See Church Street Hotel Rates on TripAdvisor “This is the perfect place if you want a small hotel with a lot of style.”
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Best Overall: Arbor City Hotel
See rates on TripAdvisor
The Arbor City Hotel is a new addition to an East London neighborhood that combines trendy locations with the financial center. Its recent renovation in 2015, its convenient location next to the Aldgate East subway station and its affordable price make this our best option. Rooms feature earth tones with autumnal hues, plush bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Lane Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, international cuisine and British favorites for lunch and dinner. Or, guests can dine on the famous Brick Lane, a street known for its fine dining options. Many ‘Jack the Ripper’ tours depart near the hotel, and Spitalfields Old Market is within walking distance.
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Best for Friends: Jesmond Dene Hotel
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The 20-room Jesmond Dene Hotel is located on busy King’s Cross, directly opposite the Eurostar train terminal, a two-minute walk from the tube and 15 minutes from the British Museum. Although accommodations are small and basic (think cruise ship cabins), some have triple beds, so it’s great if you’re traveling with a group of friends (it’s worth noting that some also have shared bathrooms). When booking directly through the hotel, breakfast is included and consists of cereals and hot English breakfast (also with gluten-free options). Free luggage storage is provided, a concierge can help with tours or transportation, and valet parking is extra.
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Best Views: Greenwich Hotel
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Located in zone two, the Greenwich Hotel is a 145-room hotel that was originally built in the 1930s as a police house, and the views here are to die for. The upper floors feature a stunning two-story glass expanse with an observation area for incredible views of the cityscape. The bar serves artisan cocktails in a stylish art deco setting, and there’s also a unique restaurant that was once a firearms shooting gallery, but now showcases beautiful film projects and serves a buffet breakfast and traditional British fare. An afternoon tea is also available (for a fee). Standard Rooms have silver color schemes with red velvet cushions, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. The hotel is less than a mile from Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
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Best Design: The Dorsett Shepherd’s Shrub
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Tucked away in West London, the elegant eight-story hotel has 317 rooms and is a design lover’s dream. TripAdvisor members loved the look of the hotel, including the spectacular futuristic architecture in the lobby and the British and Chinese styling in the rooms. Standard rooms have a minibar, docking station, free Wi-Fi and premium bath products. To de-stress, the spa offers four treatment rooms for deep-tissue and hot stone massages, but there’s also a gym to burn off a few calories. The hotel’s restaurant serves Asian cuisine, or guests can have a traditional afternoon tea. The Shepherd’s Bush neighborhood is north of Hammersmith and is home to pubs, cafes and the largest urban shopping complex in Europe.
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Best for Solo Travelers: The Belgrave
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The Belgrave has a prime central London location, a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace or Victoria Train Station. The 73-room hotel consists of a Georgian house with a lounge and terrace bar for guests to relax after a day exploring and meeting other travelers. At just 129 square feet, Standard Rooms are small, but ideal for solo travelers who want to be close to all the attractions. The rooms have many amenities such as rain bath showers, hardwood floors, and air conditioning. Most rates include a continental breakfast and there is also a hot buffet. TripAdvisor members really appreciated being able to borrow an international phone at any time to make calls, which helped them save some money.
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Best for families: Premier Inn London Blackfriars (Fleet Street) Hotel
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With a prime location opposite the Blackfriars tube station and within walking distance of major attractions (Big Ben and the London Eye), the Premier Inn London Blackfriars is a convenient option for families. A full breakfast is offered at the Thyme Restaurant for an additional charge (or continental option for a slightly lower rate), and kids eat free with paying adults, a feature TripAdvisor members really appreciated. The spacious Family Rooms are available with third or fourth bed options, blackout curtains, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds with a choice of firm or soft pillows. The hotel is light on amenities (there’s no pool or gym), but the central location is packed with attractions to keep the kids busy, including river boats, ghost tours (for older kids), and an ice skating rink.
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Best for Romance: Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa London
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The Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa allows lovebirds to experience Chelsea Wharf, a trendy neighborhood nestled between picturesque Battersea Park and the River Thames. Hotel guests receive free access to the beautiful spa (with mood lighting) with a heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room. The 217 rooms are spacious and feature contemporary decor, docking stations, and private bathrooms (with soaking tubs). Guests can enjoy breakfast (not free) in the restaurant or try the evening ‘tapas buffet’ table with menu options from the chef.
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Best for sports and entertainment: St. George’s Hotel Wembley
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Overlooking Wembley Stadium (for football / soccer) and a location next to the SSE Arena (an entertainment venue), the 48-room St. George’s is a new hotel located near several public transportation options to facilitate access to central London. Rooms and suites have sleek, contemporary designs with geometric shapes and leather headboards in deep shades of maroon or olive. Standard rooms have private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, minibar and air conditioning. Before heading out to a game, guests can eat something at La Regina, the hotel’s restaurant serving Italian and British cuisine paired with an excellent wine list. The hotel has a 24-hour concierge service, a business center, and limited parking (for a fee). Continental or full English breakfast is included in some rate plans.
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Best Unique Hotel: Sunborn London
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Looking to stay somewhere other than a cookie cutter hotel? Yachts often don’t fall into the ‘budget’ category, but you’ll find some surprisingly affordable rates at the upscale Sunborn Hotel. The yacht is docked at the Royal Victoria Dock and features 131 rooms with river or pier views, classic furnishings, and 200 to 250 square feet of space (for standard staterooms). Many rooms also have stunning views of the River Thames. For those looking to relax, the yacht also features Elemis spa therapy rooms (however, you must book treatments in advance). Land’s End Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving upscale cuisine, with a mix of items from the land and sea. The yacht hotel is located near the O2 Arena, the Excel Convention Center, and there is a parking garage just five minutes away (fees apply).
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Best Boutique: Church Street Hotel
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The Camberwell neighborhood has a troubled history, but today it has become one of South London’s modern and up-and-coming regions. The 150-year-old Church Street Hotel has a Latin American theme, with colonial fans, oak shutters, and a Havana-style lounge with an honesty bar. It is the perfect place if you want a small hotel with a lot of style. The 27 rooms feature hand-painted Mexican tiles, hand-crafted cast iron beds, prints, sculptures, and colonial-style furnishings. Amenities include premium bedding, free Wi-Fi, and chocolates, and private bathrooms with high-end toiletries. A hearty, organic breakfast is served daily for a small fee, and don’t forget to try the hotel’s own brand of hot sauce (free). There are several restaurants, supermarkets and bars surrounding the hotel,
