London is the throbbing heart of the UK. Finding an accommodation here can be easy as well as a tiring experience. I’d say that I enjoy the freedom of backpacking and the security of traveling with family. So, if you are like me, then you’d want to enjoy the best of both the worlds!
I reckon, service apartments fit the bill perfectly. The one good thing about service apartments is that it makes you feel like home even 1000 miles away from home. No wonder these accommodation options are becoming increasingly popular in London. I checked into the Presidential apartments situated near the Oxford Street, Marylebone and Marble Arch junction. The good part is that it is conveniently located and I was able to hop onto the Tube from Oxford Street and travel around London. But, I also had to part with £850.00 each week, so I cut down my “pamper-time” to 3 days.
View Larger Map
I also stayed for 3 nights at the Tower Bridge Road Apartments, which is situated just across the river and a 10 minute walk from the London Bridge station. It cost me £132 a night for the 1-bedroom apartment. What really impressed me was the number of facilities available like broadband connection (my kid spent most of his time over the internet), car parking, maintenance, cable TV, direct dial telephone and lots of peace!!
Having spent over £800 on service apartments for a week, I thought I should look for something on a budget and at the same time make sure that it’s perfect for my family too. For backpackers there are several budget choices like YHA, private hostels and private homes. As for me, the best budget accommodation alternative seemed to be the B&B accommodation.
I tried A26A Notting Hill Gate in Central London, and got a double bedroom with an en-suite shower for £47 per person per night. Pretty cool! After that I moved on to Putney Bridge where my B&B accommodation overlooked the River Thames. I paid £42 for a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom on the first floor. The furnishing was clean and the room had a very neat look. My son enjoyed the WiFi connection as I took a stroll down the street and across the Thames to Wimbledon for Maria Sharapova’s match.
There are great many cheap hotels, inns and other accommodation options in London, but the B&B and service apartments are the best value for money!