Affordable hotel rooms in London don’t have to be shabby. Gone are the days of stained carpets and peeling wallpaper, London has entered a new age of contemporary, clean, and comfortable budget-friendly hotels. And with amenities like free wine and cheese, Marco Pierre White restaurants, sunny balconies, and on-site gyms, London’s luxury hotels better start upping their game. From Soho to Stratford, here are the best budget-friendly hotels in London.
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in London
1. The Pilgrm, Paddington
Prices from £105
This hotel is slightly above the threshold – the cheapest prices we found were £105 months in advance. However, this hotel is worth booking in advance. It’s in an excellent location – Paddington Station is a one-minute walk away, where you can be at Heathrow Airport in 15 minutes and at the West End in just five minutes. You can also walk to both Notting Hill and Marble Arch in just 10 minutes. But enough about the (second-to-none) location, let’s talk facilities and amenities. The hotel itself is beautiful, occupying four chic townhouses opposite leafy Norfolk Square. There’s a sunny terrace for your morning coffees and afternoon cocktails, as well as a superb brunch menu. And in comparison to many budget-friendly hotels in London (that don’t even have a window), every room at the Pilgrm is brightly lit with a beautiful mix of vintage design elements and contemporary artwork.
2. New Road Hotel, Whitechapel
Prices from £99
The New Road Hotel is positioned in the ever-cool Whitechapel, steps from Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market, and the Tower of London. Prices for this hotel vary a lot, but if you book far in advance, you can secure a night’s stay for £99. We love the New York-inspired decor of this hotel – the lobby and bar are kitted out with 70s flare, and the dining area is super-sleek and low-lit. The rooms are chic, warm-toned, and huge: even the smallest room features a king-size bed. The larger rooms are less budget-friendly, but if you did feel inspired to splash the cash, some rooms have a huge terrace and one even has a hot tub. But even without the fancy room, guests have access to excellent facilities: there’s a gym, a games room, a yoga studio, and a library. And we don’t think there are many hotels in London under £200 per night, let alone £100, that have a restaurant devised by a chef as renowned as Marco Pierre White.
3. Moxy Hotel, Stratford
Prices from £89
Moxy are repackaging budget chain hotels. Say goodbye to impersonal and sterile rooms, and say hello to colourful murals, sleek rooms, and a cool, modern bar area. Most importantly: they offer free coffee. In terms of food, they offer breakfast for an additional fee, and the bar serves light bites to see you through. There’s also a 24-hour grab-and-go shop for stocking up on snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. You can even bring your pets along. As if that wasn’t enough, the Moxy has a table football, board games, books, and a photo booth. Essentially, this is a hotel that knows how to have a good time, and it wants to make sure that the guests do too.
The Moxy is a fun place, with a buzzing energy, but it isn’t in the heart of the action. However, it’s extremely well-connected – the London Overground and DLR both run through Stratford, and you can also hop on the Jubilee, Central, and Elizabeth Line. The Jubilee line gets you to Westminster, where you can find Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and more, within 20 minutes.
4. The Rockwell, Kensington
Prices from £95
The Rockwell perfectly encapsulates this leafy corner of West London. The pastoral hotel is elegant, charming, and classic, but still contemporary. The rooms are huge, and some feature pretty balconies for morning people-watching. If it’s outside space you seek, you’ll love the flourishing garden, where you can enjoy your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But if the weather isn’t on your side, you can enjoy the menu of risotto, soups, steak, and more, from the bright dining area.
In terms of location, the Rock Well is well positioned for many reasons, one of them being its proximity to Earl’s Court Underground. The District and Piccadilly line run through Earl’s Court, so the hotel is very well-connected. It’s also a short walk from the opulence of Chelsea, with its chic alfresco dining spots, boutique shops, beautiful embankment, and independent galleries.
5. Mama Shelter, Shoreditch
Prices from £92
Colourful chain Mama Shelter is known for its design-led hotels, and this edgy Shoreditch spot is no different. The location itself is on-brand for Mama Shelter, surrounded by vintage stores, quirky cafes, street food, murals, and more. The popular Columbia Road Flower Market is just a five-minute walk away, too. This budget-friendly hotel might be youthful and vibrant, but it doesn’t slack on comfort for style – you’ll find plush beds, soundproofed rooms, and useful in-room amenities, such as a mini-fridge, a desk, and free movies on the TV. The shared facilities are also fantastic, with a great restaurant serving peri-peri chicken burgers, steaks, truffle pasta, pork belly, and more. The bar is also a good time, with moreish cocktails, regular events, and karaoke rooms.
6. Church Street Hotel, Camberwell
Prices from £78
This place is a real bargain for South London, with Brixton and Peckham on your doorstep. This family-run hotel celebrates Mexican design and style with bright, eclectic rooms and vibrant, tiled bathrooms. The hand-painted tiles are imported from Guadalajara and the Mexican film posters adorning the walls are the owner’s personal collection. There’s a boutique-chic-meets-transportive feel to Church Street Hotel that we love. The finishing touches are great, too, with L'Occitane toiletries, a 24-hour honesty bar, and a range of organic teas and coffees. They serve an excellent breakfast here, but they don’t serve later food. However, the friendly staff are happy to recommend you an affordable, local restaurant, while you enjoy a rum cocktail in the Havana lounge. You can also purchase a day pass to the Camberwell Leisure Centre from reception for £10.
7. The Z Hotel, Soho
Prices from £80
When you eventually spot the sign for the Z Hotel in bustling Soho, you might be surprised by the scale of it when you walk through the door. The hotel spans 12 Georgian townhouses, sitting between and on top of bookstores, independent restaurants, jazz bars, theatres, and vintage stores. When you book in advance, the prices of Soho’s Z Hotel are a total steal. Rooms are compact but luxurious, with organic wool mattresses and duvets, free movies and sports channels on the HD TV, and upmarket toiletries. Best of all, the hotel offers free wine and cheese between 5pm and 8pm every day. You can pay extra for breakfast at the hotel, but there are tonnes of options on your doorstep. While you can find cheaper rooms at the other Z Hotels in London, including the Shoreditch and Holburn branches, we think there are few London hotels better priced and located than this one. Plus, there’s a charming courtyard for alfresco dining and drinks.
