Is it Expensive to Stay in London?
This could be an incredibly short piece. Yes. Yes, it is expensive to stay in London! This is a fact often announced by travel agents, estate agents and wincing tourists who did not do their research before checking into a pricy hotel for their London stay. Having said that, there are ways that you can mitigate the costs of staying in London so that you enjoy a wonderful holiday that does not cost so much that you cannot afford another holiday next year! Let’s take a look at these.
Shared Accommodation
Wherever you can, share the cost of rooms by taking someone with you. Double up by asking for pull-out beds for your children, share a double room with a travelling companion. If you don’t have anyone to share a room with, ask for a single room. Hotels will often just provide a twin room as standard, and happily accept the extra payment for all that extra space. However, most hotels have very small rooms – a bed and minute shower and not much else – that are kept for staff or as emergency provision. Ask for one of those at a discount and see what they say. There are various websites for accommodation shares, though many of these are geared towards renting rather than a short stay.
Cater for Yourself
As far as possible, eat out of the hotel. Hotels tend to rely on a heavy mark-up on their food and drink provision to boost their profits so if you are cash strapped find small cafés, street food vendors and even supermarkets where you can cater for yourself at a fraction of the price.
Budget – and Stick to It!
When you are on holiday you want to treat yourself and spend lavishly without counting the cost. This can be a terrible error, especially in a city like London where relative poverty can literally sit side-by-side with sky-high extravagance. Work out how much you have to spend each day and stick to that religiously, saving any expensive treats for the end of your visit, when you will soon be returning home and can blow the budget on a few last minute treats!
Serviced Apartment
One brilliant way to make the best of London’s scary pricing structure is to book a serviced apartment in which to base yourselves while you are in London. Serviced flats are private dwellings on short-term leases, which enjoy all the comforts and luxury of hotel servicing – room service and housekeeping alike. You can book service apartments – or apart hotels as they are sometimes known – for up to eight people. It is larger families who gain the best from these places: the more people in the flat, the cheaper the price per person becomes. As well as treating yourself to room service occasionally, you can also cook for yourself, enjoying the same steaks and desserts, but at a tiny fraction of the hotel price. Look for apartments in London short stay here, and see if you can find a budget friendly holiday solution for your family.
