Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Louise
If you’re looking for a budget hotel in London for a family, there is plenty of choice.
Many budget hotel chains like Premier Inn, Travelodge, Ibis and the Holiday Inn offer comfortable family rooms and a range of amenities to make your stay with kids comfortable and enjoyable. In addition, there are a few independent hotels that offer the same thing.
We have suggested 7 budget hotels that are great for families in London. If you don’t want to read the whole article though, here’s our top choice:
Best Budget Hotel
5 Things You Should Know about Budget Hotels In London
1.) Rooms in a budget hotel tend to be on the small side. Space is at a premium in London, so hotel rooms tend to be smaller than in other places and this is most definitely the case with budget hotels. The also don’t tend have a lot of storage.
2.) If you want air con, check they have it before you book. Many London hotels don’t have air con because traditionally the climate isn’t warm enough. London summers are getting warmer so hotel rooms without air con can be warm in the summer. If they don’t have air con and you’re coming in the summer, you can ask the hotel if they provide fans.
3.) Location is important. All of the hotels featured in this article are in a central location and / or next to an underground station. A central location is great for accessing all of London’s attractions. However, London has got a great transport network so you can save some money on accommodation by finding a hotel a little further out. If you do this, it’s great to look for a hotel near a tube station so you can easily travel into the centre.
4.) Hostels are a great budget option. If you’re looking for budget accommodation for a family of more than 4 people, consider a hostel. The YHA have six hostels in London which have more spacious rooms. The hostels are also great for families with teenagers and older kids.
5.) Plan ahead. To get the best prices book as far in advance as possible.
Here is a round up of the best London budget hotels. The ones we’ve chosen are well located and have made provision for families.
Travelodge – Covent Garden
The Travel Lodge in Covent Garden is centrally located. It’s particularly great for seeing a West End show, visiting the London Transport Museum, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Westminster and Oxford street are also not far away.
In addition, visitors can quickly access Holburn, Tottenham Court Road, and Covent Garden underground stations.
Kids will love seeing the street performers in Covent Garden which is on the hotel’s doorstep.
Family rooms can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. Kids up to age 15 can eat breakfast for free with a paying adult.
Premier Inn London City (Aldgate)
Premier Inns are my favourite chain of UK budget hotel. Mainly because of the comfortable mattresses which always offer a good night’s sleep.
The Premier Inn London City is only a 7 minute walk from Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Plus it’s very near to Brick Lane and Aldgate.
There are family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children (15 and under). The rooms have a double bed for adults, a pull out and a sofa bed for the kids.
Another bonus of staying at a Premier Inn is that you can purchase breakfast for an additional £9.99 and kids eat free with a paying adult as well.
Ibis London Blackfriars
The IBIS Blackfriars doesn’t have family rooms. However, if you book two rooms for a family you can sometimes get a 50% family discount on the 2nd room. This can be good if you have older or teenage children and will find it too cramped to sleep in one room.
IBIS Blackfriars has an excellent location. It’s within 5 minutes walk of both Southwark and Waterloo tube stations. Plus, it’s within walking distance to lots of attractions. For example, you can walk to Tate Modern in just under 10 minutes and it’s about a 15 minute walk to the London Eye (or an easy tube journey to Westminster).
Travelodge London City
This Travelodge hotel is well located between Aldgate East and Aldgate tube station. It’s also walking distance to Tower Bridge and Tower of London (about 15 minutes).
There are family rooms for up to 2 adults and 2 children. This travel lodge is new and has excellent reviews.
The Corner, London City
If you’re not keen on a chain budget hotel and want to try something a little more unique at an affordable price, The Corner, London City could be the right choice for your family.
Book a plush room to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children under 12. The rooms are unique in design and feature a comfortable sofa bed for the kids.
In the hotel restaurant there’s a kids only zone where the kids can play and watch a film while the adults relax.
The location is fab. It’s in zone 1, about a 5 minute walk from Aldate East station. You can walk to Tower of London and Tower Bridge in about 20 minutes.
Luna And Simone Hotel
The Luna & Simone Hotel is a friendly, family run hotel with quad rooms which have two single beds and one double bed to sleep four people. There are also triple rooms available.
The rooms are on the small side but if you prefer that your kids sleep on an actual bed rather than a sofa bed, the Luna & Simone hotel is great option.
Every booking includes a free breakfast so be sure to include this when you factor in price.
The hotel is based in Victoria and about a 10 minute walk to Victoria tube station from where you can easily access all of London’s attractions.
Premier Inn London County Hall Hotel
If a central location is the most important thing when booking a hotel, the Premier Inn County Hall is ideal. It’s just a few minutes walk away from the London Eye, Shrek’s Adventure and the London Aquarium.
Family rooms feature a super-comfy double or king-size bed, plus a single sofa bed and a pull-out bed. They accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (up to 15 years of age).
The hotel has air con (great for the summer months) and free WiFi.
Like all Premier Inns, breakfast is provided for just £9.99 and kids eat free with a paying adult.
YHA London St Pancras
YHA London St Pancras is the top rated hostel on Trip Advisor. It makes an excellent choice of location for families with older kids who don’t want to be cramped in a budget hotel room.
There are private family rooms with an ensuite for 4, 5 and 6 people which is great if you have a larger family.
It’s located in St Pancras, just a few minutes walk from the St. Pancras International train station and the underground. You can easily access London’s main attractions on the tube from here.
Breakfast is available for about £6 per person.
How Much Is a Family Room in a Budget Hotel in London?
This will depend on what time of year you go and how far you book in advance.
For most hotels you are looking at between £220 and £250 per night on average. However you can get cheaper prices if you book outside the school summer holidays and you book as far in advance as possible. Booking a hostel is another option which is often (but not always) much cheaper.
5 Tips to Save Money on a Budget Hotel
1.) Book as far in advance as possible
2.) Consider staying in London during off-peak times. Weekdays and the winter months (January and February) are often much cheaper. Tuesday and Sundays are often the cheapest days to stay.
3.) Stay in a budget hotel on the outskirts of London near a train or tube station. You can then travel into London in the daytime. Shop around and check the prices of different hotels. Experiment with the cost of hotels in different neighbourhoods.
4.) Sign up for hotel’s loyalty schemes for cheaper rates.
5.) Booking online direct with the hotel can save you money as opposed to booking through a comparison site.
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