There are still lots of budget accommodation available in the area, while the large student contingent, courtesy of University College London, means Bloomsbury offers plenty of cheap eats and entertainment options, too. What more could a Cheapo ask for?

Where To Stay

The Ridgemount Hotel
65–67 Gower Street

One of the few hotels on Gower Street that is still family run, the Rees family are charming hosts (you can read our interview with Aled Rees here). This is a clean and comfortable base for a stay in London that offers excellent value for money. Accommodation is split between private and shared bathrooms. Doubles from £64.

The family-run Celtic Hotel offers affordable rooms with private bath (and a yummy breakfast). Photo: EuroCheapo

Celtic Hotel
61–63 Guildford Street

Owner Rosanna Marazzi is also one of our favorite proprietors (read our interview here) and is responsible for the warm welcome visitors receive at the Celtic Hotel. This traditional townhouse is homely and bedrooms are small but pretty, and exceptionally clean. No wonder past guests have been known to refer to it as their “home in London”. Doubles from £79.

Generator Hostel
37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square

For a different kind of accommodation option, head to this socially inclined hostel. It sleeps over 800 and, while perhaps not the place for those seeking some peace and quiet, it is perfect for those on the look out for something more lively. It’s even got its own nightclub offering different events every evening. Doubles from £60

Want more options? Here’s a full list of our recommended budget hotel picks in Bloomsbury.

Where To Eat

Mary Ward Centre
42 Queen Square WC1N 3AQ

This small but perfectly formed veggie café offers a hearty and healthy pit stop. Prices are extremely reasonable and you can indulge in a homemade soup for £2.15 or a hot main for £4.30. There are always vegan and gluten free options on the menu, too. The café is situated within an adult education centre and opening hours can echo the times of classes, so it’s worth checking ahead before making a special journey there, especially over the weekend.

Gig’s
12 Tottenham Street

Gig’s comes with the recommendation of many, including Aled Rees of the Ridgemount Hotel (see above). It’s been based here since 1958 and offers generous portions of traditional British fish and chips in all their fried and battered glory. You can take away, or eat in to enjoy the charming service on offer from the staff. Its owners are Greek, so expect some kebabs and Greek specialties on the menu alongside the usual cod and haddock.

Sfizio Caffe
35–37 Theobalds Road

This family run Italian café bar will service your culinary needs for breakfast, lunch and evening. It’s all traditional fare, and better quality than many of the “Italian” chains you’ll find around the city. Generously filled focaccie are about £5 and you can pick up a pizza for less than £8. It’s well worth popping in for an aperitivo, served up with tasty finger food between 5 pm and 7 pm every day.

Cheap drinks and no-fuss environment at the Fitzroy Tavern. Photo: Ewan-M

Where To Drink

Fitzroy Tavern
15 Charlotte Street

Samuel Smiths pubs are always worth seeking out for their cheap drinks served in no-fuss environments. In this case, the Fitzroy Tavern’s rich history is simply another bonus. Built as a coffee house in the 19th century, it’s been a meeting place for many bohemians over the years including Dylan Thomas and George Orwell. Who knows whom you’ll be drinking your pint next to?

Calthorpe Arms
252 Grays Inn Road

This Grade II listed pub was originally built to serve traders and shopkeepers and, for a busy area of central London, it still attracts a friendly local crowd. It’s very much a traditional boozer, with chat taking the place of music or TV screen, and Young’s Ales on tap. There’s pub food available, too.

Walk like an Egyptian at the Petrie Museum. Photo: Nics Events

Bonus attraction:

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology
Malet Place

If you would rather avoid all the crowds in the Egyptian galleries at the British Museum, the Petrie is worth a visit. Part of University College London, it’s free and has one of greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archeology in the world, with over 80,000 objects revealing what life was like in the Nile Valley thousands of years ago.

The post London: A cheapo guide to Bloomsbury’s hotels, restaurants and bars appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But it is possible to find more contemporary design on the cheap and, to prove it, here are five places from our London listings that can claim to offer style on a shoestring.

Stylotel
160 Sussex Gardens, Paddington
Doubles from $145

This hotel is far from old-fashioned. In fact it looks far, far, far into the future for its design inspiration. The hotel has a space age-style theme that runs through every aspect of its décor, from the aluminum-paneled doors and the metallic light-box bedside tables, to the futuristic chairs in the breakfast room and the space pod-sized bathrooms.

If that all sounds like it’s a little too out-of-this-world for your tastes, take refuge in the pub over the road, The Sussex Arms, which is also owned by the hotel. The pub wins high praise for its blend of contemporary cool and glamorous vintage, and it does a good line in traditional pints too.

The ibis Styles chain has low rates and nice design. (Photo courtesy of the hotel.)

ibis Styles London Southwark Rose
47 Southwark Bridge Road, London Bridge
Double from $146 to $565

By combining the reliability of the ibis chain with some of the flair of more boutique offerings, the “ibis Styles” hotels aim to appeal to the kind of budget travelers with a taste for contemporary style. They seem to have hit on something of successful formula, as London alone is already host to four ibis Styles hotels. Each hotel is decorated in a different manner but the general design principle seems to be bright, bold and colorful and, reassuringly, the chain particularly prides itself on the comfort of its beds.

Housed in a modern building, the Southwark Rose (typically for London) draws some criticism for the size of its bedrooms, but wins extra style points because of its location. Close to Tate Modern and many of the city’s most fashionable restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great base for investigating London’s trend-setting claims.

YHA Oxford Street
14 Noel Street, Soho

Think of YHA Oxford Street and think pink. You might never guess from its seemingly dark back street entrance but this hostel is a hot bed of hot pink. This color has been used throughout the hostel to give it a fresh and contemporary look: hot pink walls in the kitchen complement the chrome fittings; pink walls in the lounge to offset the lime green bedspreads. Even the bathrooms are decorated in – you guessed it – hot pink.

The color scheme aside, there’s other thoughtful design touches that help reinforce this hostel’s strong reputation: each dorm bed gets its own reading light for example. Don’t overlook its excellent location either. If you fancy having a bit of a splurge on style, it’s only a couple of minutes walk from the world-famous shops of Oxford Street.

The Clink offers cheapo dorms and common spaces, like lounges (above) and a guest kitchen, with style.

Clink261
261–265 Grays Inn Road, King’s Cross
Doubles $65 to $72

Clink261 is a basic backpacker’s hostel that manages to create something of a groovy vibe, thanks due in a large part to its Austin Power-like furnishings. This hostel compensates for complaints about the too-crammed dorms by the wild decoration of its communal areas. The kitchen has glossy red tables and a striking black-and-white check floor, while purple leather sofas and original artworks make the lounge look like an inviting place to hang out.

And if you would rather head out, the surrounding area of King’s Cross is becoming an increasingly stylish destination. The renowned Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design has recently relocated nearby, bringing with it a slew of new and cool bars and cafes to explore.

Arosfa Hotel
83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury

It would never be described as a design hotel, but the Arosfa Hotel warrants a honorable mention for showing how traditional family hotels don’t always have to be chintzy. This beautiful old Bloomsbury building is decorated in a way that’s full of personality, mixing the traditional – such as antique clocks – with contemporary touches – like ’60s-style clear plastic chairs.

The lounge is decorated with eye-catching black-and-white imagery of London, and sofas topped with Union Jack cushions, while the well cared for garden is an unexpected delight. It’s the small touches that win the Arosfa praise, a compliment that applies to its welcoming owners every bit as much as it does to the décor.

More options?

Would you like more budget hotel options for London? Check out the listings in our London guide, including dozens of “Editor’s Picks” that have been visited, inspected and approved.

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Trust me, nobody wants that, so I’ve summarized my favorite central London neighborhoods for a smooth stay in the capital:

Best for night owls: Soho

If you want to limit the need to use public transport and really immerse yourself in London’s buzz then Soho is your place. The neighborhood comprises the streets running behind Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus and up to Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road and it buzzes day and night.

The area used to be renowned as a somewhat seedy, red light hub, but it has cleaned up its act and today trendy restaurants and bars stand alongside cabaret clubs and drag shows, giving it a truly unique vibe. It is certainly lively and staying here will not guarantee you a quiet night’s sleep. However, it does mean that shops, theaters, restaurants, bars and nightlife are quite literally on your doorstep so you can really make the most of what London has to offer.

London’s National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are also just around the corner in Trafalgar Square, and a lot of other areas are walkable. Regent’s Park is a short stroll away or you can head to Charing Cross and across the river to the South Bank in a matter of minutes.

Click here to read reviews of recommended budget hotels in Soho.

Bayley Street exudes a typical Bloomsbury charm. Photo: Stephane Goldstein

Best for serious sightseers: Bloomsbury

Another wonderfully central location, Bloomsbury is one of London’s prettiest and most traditional areas, filled with beautiful Georgian architecture and punctuated by tree-lined streets and large, leafy squares. Traditionally the city’s literary quarter, today the area is home to the University of London and a whole lot of museums.

Although located on the other side of Tottenham Court Road from Soho, the pace of life in this part of town feels more relaxed. While nightlife, shopping and theaters are all nearby, residents of Bloomsbury have easy access to the British Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum, the Foundling Museum and many more quirky attractions such as the Cartoon Museum. Gower Street is lined with affordable B&B’s, perfect for couples and small groups of friends, the Arosfa Hotel comes highly recommended.

Click here to read reviews of recommended budget hotels in Bloomsbury.

Best for city dwellers: Southwark

Southwark’s old cobbled streets really give a taste for what London once was. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to get a real taste of city living and wander the streets that Bridget Jones traversed in the movies. Today the area is home to an exciting amalgamation of old and new, as beautiful old buildings stand next to iconic new landmarks like The Shard.

Located just south of the River Thames, visitors to Southwark have easy access to everything on the South Bank, from free, open-air performances at the National Theatre in the summer, to festive Christmas markets in the winter. In terms of sightseeing, Southwark is packed with things to see, including the Tate Modern, the tasty foodie treats at Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, the London Dungeon and the Design Museum. Without a doubt, the neighborhood’s jewel in the crown has to be the majestic Southwark Cathedral, London’s oldest church cathedral building.

Click here to read reviews of recommended budget hotels in Southwark.

Want to read about more London neighborhoods? Check out our previous article on choosing the right neighborhood for your trip.

Your favorite London neighborhood?

Do you have a favorite neighborhood for your trip to London? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to London and looking for an affordable place to sleep? We’ve been there. Our editors hunt down and inspect budget hotels in London and recommend only the best. To see all the neighborhoods we’ve visited in London, check out our London guide.

The post London: Which neighborhood is right for your trip? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

When I scoured the streets of London hunting down the best affordable hotels, B&B’s and hostels for EuroCheapo’s London hotel guide, I was constantly amazed by many of their brilliant locations. Most people expect to pay dearly to stay in central London, but if you know where to look, there is no reason why we Cheapos can’t also demand “Location, Location, Location!”

Here’s my pick for three cheap London hotels with truly special locations:

Parking it in the YHA Holland Park's living room.

YHA Holland Park
Holland Walk, London

While not as modern or funky as many of the other YHA hostels in London, what the Holland Park branch lacks in trendy design, it makes up for with location. It is difficult to find, because as you make your way down Holland Walk you start doubting yourself, as all the signs point you into the park. I did a few laps through the pretty green spaces, passing by happy couples strolling and groups of friends picnicking in the sunshine, all the while convinced that I was headed in the wrong direction because, well, how could the hostel actually be in the park?

And then I found it. There it was, the best-kept secret on the London hostel scene, right in the middle of Holland Park, dishing out beds to visitors from around the world from just $26 per night! Genius.

The hostel itself is basic and could do with updating, but it offers dorms and private rooms, and a communal kitchen, dining room, living room, and a lovely little terrace.

This is definitely the place to stay if you want to escape the bustle of the city without actually leaving London. The hostel is a stone’s throw from Notting Hill and the vibrant Portobello Market, as well as being just a couple of stops on the tube into central London.

Places like the YHA Holland Park always leave me thinking that budget travelers actually have the last laugh–after all, I didn’t stumble across any five-star hotels while exploring Holland Park!

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the YHA Holland Park

The Seven Dials Hotel has one busy location.

Seven Dials Hotel
7 Monmouth Street, Soho

The Seven Dials Hotel is really is the place to stay if you want all of central London at your doorstep. London’s best bars, shops, cafes, restaurants and theaters are all within easy reach.

Monmouth Street, one of my favorites, is a pretty, old-fashioned street lined with boutiques and cafes that straddles Soho and Covent Garden. It is one of seven streets which lead up to a column bearing six sun dials. The column itself serves as the seventh sun dial as it casts its shadow over the point where the seven streets converge (hence the name of the area and the hotel).

The hotel is fairly basic, with a somewhat rickety, steep staircase, but rooms are clean and breakfast is included in the price (starting at $166 for a double room). In all honesty, you are paying for the prime location more than anything else here. And with so much going on outside the front door, you probably won’t be spending too much time in your room, anyhow.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Seven Dials Hotel

The Mentone looks out to Cartwright Gardens

Mentone Hotel
54-56 Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury

It’s hard to believe that this beautiful and peaceful crescent-shaped square is slap bang in the center of London. As soon as you turn off noisy Euston Road and approach Cartwright Gardens, the car fumes and fast city pace fade away and you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something special.

The Mentone boasts an ideal location for exploring central London, perfectly placed for the British Museum and the British Library, as well as the lively Brunswick Centre in Russell Square (an obligatory stop off for dinner during your trip!). You can reach central London’s shops and theaters by foot, and Kings Cross Station, just a few minutes away, makes it easy to escape the city on a day trip.

The Mentone Hotel is not the only hotel on Cartwright Gardens. In fact, the gorgeous line-up of Georgian houses is home to about 10 B&B’s, all of which boast views of the communal gardens and tennis courts. However, The Mentone stands out as the friendly manager, Dale, really makes you feel welcome and offers his guests great advice for exploring the city. The hotel also offers generously sized rooms (doubles costing from $152) and a sumptuous communal living room. (Some singles, however, are a bit tight.)

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Mentone Hotel

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Choosing a budget hotel in London can be a truly daunting task. But fear not, Cheapos; it is possible if you know where to look!

I recently spent several weeks visiting budget-friendly hotels, B&Bs and hostels in London for EuroCheapo’s London hotel guide. It’s hard to pick three favorites, but, if pressed, these would be my top three budget places to stay in London:

Relax in the Arosfa's garden. Photo: Nina Derham

1. Arosfa Hotel
83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury

Basics: The Arosfa is a truly charming and unique accommodation. Nestled amongst a large number of other B&B’s and student digs, the Arosfa stands out as a place that has truly been cared for. Owner Nicolas, is rightfully proud of his creation. Each room has a different color scheme and all are equipped with flat-screen TV’s and fantastic en suite bathrooms (complete with luxurious fittings such as rainfall showers).

Extras: Home-cooked breakfast is included in the price and there is also an ultra-modern living room where guests can catch up on emails and relax on comfy sofas after a busy day of sightseeing. Nicolas encourages guests to make use of his beautifully manicured garden, a very unusual thing to stumble across in central London!

Location: The hotel is slap, bang in the middle of Bloomsbury, making sightseeing by foot easy. The British Museum is within easy reach and a quick walk through Soho will take you to the National Gallery. The Arosfa is just a few minutes walk from the shops of Oxford Street. Some of London’s best theaters are just around the corner and fashionable Charlotte Street is also nearby, offering an excellent range of restaurants and pubs.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Arosfa Hotel.

PRICE: $109-$234
BEST FOR: Couples looking for a romantic London break in stylish surroundings, and families looking for affordable and comfortable accommodation.

This is no standard Generator. Photo: Nina Derham

2. The Generator
Compton Place, Bloomsbury

Basics: Hands down one of the craziest hostels I have ever visited, The Generator sits somewhere between nightclub and hotel. Take, for example, the bouncer stationed at the door of this 800-bed monster of a hostel and the UV lights in the metal-plated entrance hall. The staff all wear bright blue and fluorescent green uniforms and dance music plays throughout the day.

All beds are in dorm rooms and are pretty basic, with red metal frames and blue walls, but visitors here shouldn’t be planning on doing too much sleeping, so the simplicity of the rooms shouldn’t be a problem. There are some newer girls-only dorms which are painted pink and come with a mirror and dressing table for each girl–perfect for girly trips to London on a budget.

Location: The hostel is located close to Russell Square, so all the amenities of the lovely Brunswick Centre are nearby, including a foreign language cinema. The hostel is also perfectly placed for the British Museum and the West End; London’s shopping and theatre district.

Extras: The hostel boasts its very own nightclub with different theme parties each night (when I was there it was a “London tube” party, and everyone had to dress up as the name of a tube stop). There is also a large dining room where buffet breakfast and dinner are served each day, as well as a chill-out room with a big TV screen, sofas and Internet.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Generator Hostel.

HOW MUCH: $24-$126
BEST FOR: Lone travelers looking for a truly sociable environment, and big groups of girls or guys who want to party hard.

A very well-equipped Stylotel Suite. Photo: Nina Derham

3. Stylotel and Stylotel Suites
160 Sussex Gardens, Paddington

Basics: The Stylotel’s sleek new suites are quite a rare sight for the average budget traveler. While the original Stylotel sets itself apart with a spaceship-like design, minuscule bathrooms and metal-plated walls, the newly opened suites are an altogether classier affair. Located above the Stylotel’s very own pub, The Sussex Arms, the suites offer a selection of sleek studios and one bed apartments for 2-4 people, perfect for travelers looking for more independence.

Suites: The steep staircase leading up to the suites is adorned with somewhat futuristic neon lighting, but the suites themselves boast dark wood floors, chrome kitchenettes and plain white linen on the beds. Whilst breakfast isn’t included in the price, guests do have the necessary basic amenities to prepare food themselves, which for many, is a real added bonus.

Location: The location is ideal for exploring Hyde Park, and the shops of Oxford Street can be reached by foot. But the real draw has to be the proximity to Paddington station.

Read more and see additional photos on our review of the Stylotel.

HOW MUCH: $150-250 (for double room and for 1-bed suite)
BEST FOR: Single travelers on work trips, families and couples – anyone looking for a bit more space and independence on their trip to London.

The post Cheap London Hotels: Our favorite budget places to sleep appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since 1867, London has placed blue plaques on many of its most historic homes and buildings.  Today, there are hundreds of little blue signs all over London. You can make full day trips just touring one neighborhood, like Bloomsbury, trying to locate all the plaques.

According to English Heritage, which sustains the signs and decides which buildings will get the plaque treatment, they serve to “celebrate great figures and the buildings they inhabited.”

Who’s who in blue

Perhaps the city’s most famous (and photographed) plaques are those for the writers and scientists who made their mark on London. Virginia Woolf’s can be found in Bloomsbury while George Orwell’s blue ‘do resides near Hamstead Heath. J.M. Barrie is just off Kensington Gardens.

Other notables include William Pitt the Younger, Nancy Astor (the first woman to ever sit in Parliament), Evelyn Waugh, H.G. Wells, and Samuel Pepys, to name but a few. You can see the full list of plaques here.

May we suggest a blue plate walking tour? Here’s one option to get you hoofing.  Or, create your own.  Best of all, all field trips are free!

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When choosing the neighborhood for your London hotel or B&B, Bloomsbury is an attractive choice. Here are some things to think about before “booking it” in Bloomsbury:

Advantages of staying here-

Location, location! Bloomsbury has access to all major forms of transport, so it’s easy to dine in Soho, see a show in the West End, or do some shopping in Piccadilly Circus before heading home for the night.

Its proximity to the British Museum makes it a shoe-in for art aficionados, and book nerds will love meandering the streets in search of the blue plaques that mark the former homes and haunts of writers like Charles Dickens and George Bernard Shaw.

Today, Ricky Gervais, star of the British version of “The Office”, lives in Bloomsbury’s Tavistock Square. (Isn’t that reason enough?)

Disadvantages of staying here-

Bloomsbury, it’s no secret, can get expensive. Well, most of London can. However, budget hotels and cheap B&Bs can be found in the area.  A little bit of research will go a long way in finding the right hotel. Check out the hotels we recommend in Bloomsbury.

If all the good picks are booked up, try staying in the nearby Kings Cross area, which often has cheaper hotel offerings, and benefits from easy access to Bloomsbury and central London.

And, if you’ve ever stayed in Bloomsbury, tell us what you thought in the comments section below.

The post London neighborhood spotlight: Bloomsbury appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are five fabulous walking tours in London that won’t cost you a pound. Get moving!

1) For Charles Dickens fans:

London is a virtual playground for book nerds. Using this wonderful free tour from the London Tourism Board—that comes in a convenient PDF format and can be downloaded to your computer—you’ll visit the homes of John Keats, Charles Dickens, the essayist Thomas Carlyle, and Sigmund Freud. And, since for some of the jaunt you’re in the heart of literary Bloomsbury, you can also beckon your inner Virginia Woolf.

2) For thick skins:

Jack the Ripper was one of London’s most notorious serial killers. Today, there are countless (and expensive) tourist trap tours of the life and times of “Jack-attack.” Enter Richard Jones—author, tour guide, and frequent contributor to the History and Discovery networks—who offers a DIY Ripper walk for free on his website. Visit the locations of all actual killings and get a taste for the crimes that stumped the city’s police in the 1880s. One caveat: Jones doesn’t recommend doing this walk alone after dark. Instead, he says, link up with at least three others and go during the day. (Ooooh, creepy!)

3) For those who love the Queen:

You simply cannot visit London without getting a taste of the monarchy. But, let’s face it, a ticket into Buckingham Palace is costly (£15.50, to be exact). Although Sandeman’s New London Tours normally charge for their guided tours, every other day (from April to August) and everyday from May through July, they offer a free “royalty tour.” Visit all the regal hot spots, including St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster Abbey (where Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953), and Nelson’s Column. Best of all, you’ll benefit from the tour guide’s expertise, although your guide may ask for a small tip at the end. Check the schedule here.

4) For bridge-hopping:

We’ve recently come across a great site, London for Free, that features a fantastic “bridges walking tour.” Take in Westminster Bridge, the famous London Bridge, and Tower Bridge, plus many others, on an easy-to-use trail laid out by the LFF’s experts. Also included: little known trivia facts that will complement the sightseeing. (For example, did you know that for years London Bridge was the only working bridge in London? Or that because residents relied so heavily on ferries to cross the river, today’s “EastEnders” still occasionally refer to the West End of London as “up West.”)

5) For the outdoorsy types:

If you just want to get up and go, then get thee to Visit London’s latest venture, “London Outdoors“.  Tons of free information, including how to get to and from walking tour locations, trail maps, and more are available on the site. If you’re already in London, we recommend you head to the London Tourist Information Center, at 1 Lower Regent Street (closest tube station is Piccadilly Circus), and just ask for a free walking tour and map. Then, get hoofing!

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