V-Flyer

I don't stay in hotels too frequently - I usually stay with friends/family. But when I'm in London, I stay in hotels (usually the Doubletree Westminster).

After snagging cheap PE tickets for this Spring, I've challenged myself to do London on the cheap. Looking for a room from May 31 - June 3 (3 nights). Doubletree is about $700, which is what I usually pay.

Thinking of AirBnB, but would like to beat the hotels at their own game. Any good group/discount codes you guys could share? Or tricks to getting cheaper rooms (besides telling me to keep checking every day)?

I would recommend Hotwire. I just did a dummy booking for your dates and found a 4 star hotel in Notting Hill for $111 a night ($419 in total once taxes are added). Whilst you won't know the name of the hotel until booked, on Hotwire you can see the Tripadvisor rating - in this case it was 4 out of 5 which is a pretty good indication of it being a good hotel.

Chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn offer good, comfortable clean rooms for reasonable rates.

Expedia also does 'secret' deals like Hotwire and there are sites like Priceline as well

Hotwire and Priceline for sure. Managed to stay at the Trump Hotel in Chicago for a very reasonable price (can't remember exactly off the top of my mind)

Thanks for taking the time to run my dates. I've never done the "blind" booking at Hotwire or Priceline... I'm a control freak, so it makes me nervous. Maybe I should give it a shot.

another vote for Hotwire & Priceline.
Dont forget you got the option for express deals.
You can usually work out which hotel these are by the location & hotel amenities.
Might find one place is cheaper than the other.

Have a look at http://www.betterbidding.com/ for some help/hints

Thanks Eggtastico - I stumbled upon that site, and will do my due diligence to snag myself a good deal. Will keep you guys updated!

What a brilliant post sealink, didn't know about a lot of those tips.

I ended up booking a studio apartment on airbnb for $360 (for three nights). It's in the Westminster/Pimlico area (where I prefer to stay). Of course, there's always the risk of losing a kidney when staying in someone's apartment... but they have good reviews

pontig wrote:I would recommend Hotwire. I just did a dummy booking for your dates and found a 4 star hotel in Notting Hill for $111 a night ($419 in total once taxes are added). Whilst you won't know the name of the hotel until booked, on Hotwire you can see the Tripadvisor rating - in this case it was 4 out of 5 which is a pretty good indication of it being a good hotel.

I live in NH and there are no 4* hotels so just bear in mind that you may be a little further away than you expect. It is more likely that to get 4* they will push you towards Bayswater or Shepherds Bush. Neither area are that far - 10 minute walk - so sounds like good value.

The Doubletree Hyde Park is the closest of the nicer hotels. You may be lucky and get this one as it is just 5 minutes walk and almost 4* (rooms/location great - not so many extras like gym, pool etc)

JCBR wrote:

pontig wrote:
The Doubletree Hyde Park is the closest of the nicer hotels. You may be lucky and get this one as it is just 5 minutes walk and almost 4* (rooms/location great - not so many extras like gym, pool etc)

It is possible to get hilton on these deals.
Slightly squiffy offtopic - but I got allocated Hilton Doubletree for Philly via Priceline