We know that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but if you know where to look, you can cut back significantly when it comes to spending. Accommodation often tends to burn the biggest hole in your pocket, so we’ve compiled this list of cool budget-friendly hotels in London. Take your pick from a stripped-back aparthotel for longer stays to a contemporary Hackney hotel with a karaoke booth.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image of The Corner London courtesy of Expedia
The Corner London
The Corner Hotel is located in Zone 1’s buzzy East End, only a stone’s throw from the bustling Brick Lane and a few steps from Aldgate East tube station. Rooms are bold, bright, and sustainably built in an all-in-one bed and bathroom pod. They feature handmade furniture and locally-sourced additions, like fixtures and fittings. They are London’s greenest hotel, boasting 41% less water use than other UK hotels, in-room recycling bins, mattresses made from renewable sources, bottled, filtered water, and (some) furniture made from reclaimed materials, not only in the rooms but all around the hotel. Some of the city’s top restaurants, markets and nightlife spots are right around the corner, like local Punjabi restaurant Tayyabs and the lively Spitalfields Market.
Book The Corner on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Whitechapel
Image of Victoria Inn courtesy of Expedia
Victoria Inn
Next up on our list of cool budget-friendly hotels in London is Victoria Inn, an old pub dating back to 1878 with a boutique hotel with 15 rooms, from comfortable doubles to spacious feature rooms that can sleep up to four. The hotel is located right in the heart of Peckham, a trendy and diverse neighbourhood close to some of the best spots in the city, like Franks Cafe, the Bussey Building, and Dulwich Picture Gallery. The pub serves a hearty menu of British classics made with seasonal ingredients, think cider-battered fish and chips and baked potato gnocchi with miso gravy.
Book Victoria Inn on Expedia or Booking.com | Peckham
Image of The Ship Rooms courtesy of Booking.com
The Ship Rooms
The Ship Rooms is a home away from home in a central location only moments from some of the city’s top sights. Hop on a bus or take a half an hour stroll to the Tate Modern, a gallery featuring modern and contemporary art from around the world. Or for history-buffs, you’re also close to top historical sights, such as the Tower of London and the Churchill War Rooms. There are six rooms decorated in neutral tones with pops of bright colours and feature walls of snazzy wallpaper. If you stay here, you’ll be close to plenty of excellent dining options, like Mercato Metropolitano; the city’s first sustainable community market serving a varied range of food and drink.
Book The Ship Rooms on Booking.com | Lambeth
Image of Mama Shelter courtesy of Expedia
Mama Shelter
Mama Shelter London undoubtedly deserves a spot on our list of cool budget-friendly hotels in London. Firstly, it’s located along the lively Hackney Road, a trendy area home to a fantastic selection of restaurants (Campania), wine and cocktail bars (Sager + Wilde and The Natural Philosopher) and a range of boutique shops stocking everything from clothing to flowers. This hotel oozes style; think bold prints, wicker furniture and tasselled lampshades. Rooms come in small, medium or large and are decorated in a seventies-style with colourful furnishing. Downstairs, you’ll find two Japanese-style karaoke booths, both in private rooms with neon lighting and old-school microphones, and for those who prefer to stay off the mic, you can also enjoy table football or giant twister.
Book Mama Shelter on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Shoreditch
Image of The Bridge courtesy of Booking.com
The Bridge
This home away from home is set inside a charming English pub on the southern side of Hammersmith Bridge and a short walk from Hammersmith tube station, enabling easy access to the city’s centre. It houses seven double rooms and one twin, all with Hypnos beds, soft Egyptian cotton sheets and private bathrooms. If you’re a foodie, you’re in luck; menus here have been crafted using the freshest ingredients and feature dishes like Portobello mushroom, avocado and goat’s cheese stack and fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce.
Book The Bridge on Expedia or Booking.com | Hammersmith
Image of Aptel East courtesy of Expedia
Aptel East
Aptel East has everything you need for a comfortable, budget-friendly stay in the city. It’s located on the buzzy Commercial Road and is a 10-minute walk from Whitechapel underground station. It’s also a short stroll from Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane, where you can stock up on pre-loved vintage goodies and banging street food. The apart-hotel is simple but tasteful, and rooms come in various sizes, from standard studios to family rooms with a terrace. It ticks all of our boxes for our list of cool budget-friendly hotels in London.
Book Aptel East on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Whitechapel
Image of Staycity Greenwich courtesy of Expedia
Staycity Greenwich
This charming aparthotel is located in the heart of Greenwich, a notable area for its maritime history and is home to the last surviving tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Greenwich Train Station and a short train journey to London Bridge. Each room has an authentic home-away-from-home feel to it, and comes with a fully-equipped open-plan kitchen, soft bed linen and towels for a comfortable stay.
Book Staycity Greenwich on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Greenwich
Image of 55 by Le Mirage courtesy of Expedia
55 by Le Mirage
Lastly on our list of top budget hotels in London is 55 by Le Mirage. It’s located in the trendy area of Notting Hill and only a few steps away from the bustling Portobello Road Market; a bric-a-brac market steeped in history that sells an array of antiques and vintage clothing. The hotel is contemporary and stylish, with rooms decorated in a minimalist fashion featuring neutral tones. All rooms have a luxurious walk-in rain shower, blackout curtains and high-quality linen and towels. Choose the Bayard’s Room, perfect for one or two people, or keep it extra roomy with a Bell Suite with a spacious living area and workspace.
Book 55 by Le Mirage on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Notting Hill
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