Hotels and B&Bs in London
If you’ve come over with a family, or a flatshare or hostel isn’t up your street, then you can either book into a hotel or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) for your first few nights. The hotel/B&B option is the more costly option, but you get what you pay for. You will have access to a better range of services and facilities. Most markedly you will have privacy. On average the rooms will be cleaner, better furnished and better equipped. Your possessions may be safer too. Breakfast will often be included in the rate, but may be very basic (toast and cereals) in cheaper establishments.
Prices for hotels tend to be highest in Zone 1 and become cheaper as you move away from the city centre, except near the airports where business travellers keep rates high. Booking yourself in on a weekly (or monthly basis if you can afford it) will reduce the daily rate considerably. Prices start at about £40 a night in Zone 1 and then that will not buy you anything special either. A decent 3 star hotel in a good location will start at about £100 a night. Four and five star hotels naturally cost more than that and there are some that charge in the thousands of Pounds per night. This hotel option is most suitable for the wealthy and those being relocated by their employers.
Bed and breakfasts offer much better value for money. They are often couples who own a large house with many rooms and run it as their business. The service is more personalised, breakfasts are usually very good and the overall feel is less institutionalised. The number of guests on the property tend to be small (20 or fewer) so its also quieter. However, facilities may be limited. Rates start at about £20 per night with the average being around £30 per night.
B&Bs do not tend to operate in central London because of the cost implications. If they do, they are almost as expensive as full-blown hotels and you’re paying for the difference in location compared to other B&Bs. The further out of central London you go, the more prevalent B&Bs become and cheaper too. However, you have to know good areas from bad. Access to public transport is also a consideration.