| It is all very well looking for value for money but you | | | | goes, Travelodge often provides great London hotel |
| may regret going blindly for the cheapest hotel you | | | | deals, especially if you catch one of the company's |
| can get! This applies particularly in a city like London | | | | amazing flash room sales. Their rooms are a bit |
| which often has a shortage of hotel rooms. | | | | minimalist but provide everything you need and often |
| To understand the pitfalls, you might wish to check out | | | | reasonably spacious for the price. |
| the "Worst 10 hotels" list periodically published by | | | | Another operating providing reasonable value for |
| TripAdvisor: sadly, the majority of the worst UK hotels | | | | money is the Holiday Inn Express brand. Although it is |
| seem to be in London. | | | | usually more expensive than Travelodge you do |
| The question is: why do people end up booking such | | | | generally get slightly better facilities there. |
| terrible hotels? It may be down to laziness (not doing | | | | A further example of value is offered by the so-called |
| proper research) or misleading information on | | | | "budget luxury" hotels of London which include the likes |
| company websites. | | | | of Base2stay and the Hoxton. Make sure you check |
| Sometimes a hotel reception can appear nice which | | | | their special offers before you book. |
| makes you think the rooms must be OK too - but this | | | | Once again the secret in getting a great deal is in the |
| is very often a mistake. If you get a chance to visit a | | | | timing, for example the Hoxton even offers rooms for |
| hotel before booking it, ask to see the room first. | | | | £1 during its flash sales! Above all, please make sure |
| Whatever you do, don't blindly book the very cheapest | | | | you shop around. Rates on London hotels vary wildly |
| hotel you find. It often makes sense to go after a | | | | and it's often worth contacting the hotel directly to |
| specific price range or location. | | | | negotiate. |
| You should always ask yourself what you would be | | | | Don't be fooled by claims of "the best online rate". |
| willing to compromise on. This will then allow you to | | | | Almost all hotel booking sites make this claim but they |
| choose the best hotel within the category and price | | | | cannot all be right. Check it out for yourself. |
| range that most appeals. | | | | The best way to make sure you get top value in a |
| It is also sensible to book your trip a long way in | | | | good hotel is to do your research by using an |
| advance. Don't forget to try to contact the hotel | | | | independent blog like London Hotels Insight which can |
| directly to explore if they will negotiate an upgrade for | | | | help you to find the hotels that score highly in terms of |
| you. For example, as far as "no-frills accommodation" | | | | guest reviews. |