The 5 Best Budget-Friendly Hotels In London, According To Reviews
London is one of the world's most iconic and powerful cities. It is the capital of the United Kingdom, and home to the government as well as the royal family. It is a major hub for transportation, culture, and tourism. Each year, around 30 million tourists visit the city and enjoy some of the world's best museums, historic architecture, and unforgettable nightlife. Unfortunately for budget-conscious tourists, it's one of the most expensive cities in the world, and tourism is no exception. In addition to the costs of flights, food, and tickets to attractions, visitors will have to budget carefully for accommodations. Hotels in the city can be extremely expensive, especially in prime locations near the city center or during peak tourist season which runs from June through September.
If you're hoping to plan the perfect trip to London without breaking the bank, you'll want to ensure that you choose accommodations that are affordable without sacrificing quality. Luckily, there are some excellent hotels with great reviews in some of the best locations around the city. For under $200 per night you can enjoy perks like epic views, hip on-site bars and restaurants, or prime locations close to the city's best attractions when you choose to book at one of our top five picks for budget friendly hotels in London.
Canopy by Hilton London City
Hilton is one of the world's most trusted hotel brands, and London's Canopy is no exception. Guests who book a room here can rest assured that they will receive the comfort and service that they're used to when booking a room with Hilton. Nearly 1,000 customers have given the property an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google.
Rooms at Canopy by Hilton start at around $175 per night. Customers mention loving the location, the comfortable rooms, and the helpful staff. "From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was exactly what we had hoped for—warm, stylish, and comfortable," wrote Chen Felicia on Google.
Canopy is less than 3 miles away from the city center, and it's only a short walk to a few of London's popular tourist attractions like Tower Bridge and Saint Paul's Cathedral. You'll also be a short walk to multiple stations for London's underground, locally known as "the Tube." Free bike rentals are available to guests. Other amenities include a rooftop bar on the 11th story with beautiful views and craft cocktails. There is also a cafe onsite where you can grab a cup of coffee or tea before heading out to explore the city.
Hilton London Bankside
Hilton London Bankside is one of the pricier choices on our list but if you're dreaming of staying in a luxury hotel, it's the perfect choice. The five star hotel has thousands of excellent ratings from guests on Google, and it's possible to find rooms for under $200 per night, although they usually run closer to $250. The location of the Hilton London Bankside hotel couldn't be more ideal. You'll be within a five-minute walk to some prime destinations like Shakespeare's Globe, the Millennium Theater, and Tate Modern. Guests can enjoy swimming in an indoor heated pool year-round, and fit a workout in on a visit to the fitness room. Choose between comfortable guest rooms, spacious suites, and connecting rooms that are ideal for families. An onsite bar called the Distillery serves tasty cocktails in an elegant setting. There are over 100 types of gin to choose from. There's also an onsite restaurant called OXBO Bankside serving European dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Guests who have stayed at the Hilton London Bankside enjoyed the amenities like complimentary breakfast and the pool. The quality of service and staff also stood out in many of the reviews. "The hotel is fantastic. The food was exceptional. But the stars of this hotel are the staff!! They are professional, friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and efficient.," wrote one reviewer on Google.
The Gate London City
The Gate London City is located near some of London's most vibrant neighborhoods, so it's perfect for anyone interested in experiencing the city's art and culture. You'll be walking distance from the neighborhoods of Shoreditch, Hoxton, and Hackney which are known for their lively atmosphere, unique street art, fun bars, and tasty restaurants. The Gate Hotel London City is a 4-star hotel with rates starting at just $118 per night.
More than 800 guests have left reviews of the property on Google, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. Guests mentioned enjoying the modern amenities and friendly staff. "Great apart-hotel, perfect for a few days in London! Clean, bright, spacious and lovely staff. It's in a good location too, very close to Brick Lane and easy to get around in general," wrote a guest named Niamh O'Connor in a Google Review.
Make yourself at home in a budget friendly studio apartment room, or upgrade to a one bedroom apartment. The Residence apartment is a perfect choice for families and groups. It has two bedrooms and a sofa bed in the living room. All of the rooms have kitchens in cases you want to stretch your budget further by cooking some of your own meals. There's also a lovely terrace, a breakfast bar, and a lounge with tasty cocktails.
The Resident Kensington
If you're in search of historic charm that's in close proximity to some of London's most elegant neighborhoods, head straight to The Resident Kensington. Located in a lovely Edwardian townhouse, the property is steps away for all of the historic magic Kensington. You'll be close to attractions like Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the V&A Museum.
One of the best things about The Resident Kensington is that there are room options for all types of travelers. Friends traveling together will love the budget friendly bunk-bed rooms, and solo travelers can opt for an affordable room with a single bed. Couples can upgrade to the deluxe or superior rooms both of which feature king size beds and plenty of space. For a more budget friendly option, choose the king or standard double rooms. All of the rooms come equipped with a mini-kitchen.
Guests who have stayed at the Resident Kensington have given it an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google. Multiple reviewers mentioned the excellent location, the convenient kitchenettes, and affordable rates.
Novotel London Tower Bridge
Novotel London Tower Bridge is within walking distance to several of London's most popular tourist attractions, making it an ideal home base. It's just a few steps from your hotel to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. It's also close to the Tube, so you can quickly and easily get anywhere in London and explore everything the city has to offer.
In addition to the prime location, guests were impressed with the friendly staff and modern decor. More than 2,400 guests reviewed the hotel, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. "We were very warmly welcomed and well taken care of the whole time. Our room was very clean and well appointed and the bed was very comfortable." wrote Courtney Irving on Google.
Rooms start at around $150 per night for the standard rooms with a queen size bed. You can upgrade to a premium standard room, a superior room, or an executive room. There is an onsite restaurant called The Keepers Kitchen and Bar which opens for the hotel's buffet breakfast and stays open late if you're looking for a night cap. Squeeze in a workout at the fitness center, or relax in the sauna after a long travel day.
Methodology
To formulate our list of the five best budget-friendly hotels in London, we analyzed dozens of hotels on Google and their reviews. We looked at factors like location, amenities, and customer reviews. We excluded options that cost more than $200 per night as well as any that had less than an average of 4.5 star rating according to reviews on Google.