There are many ways of finding affordable accommodation in London… thousands of websites, hundreds of possible hotels and bed and breakfasts. This can seem overwhelming (and exhausting to search through). Here are some tips to help you locate the best deals.

Start wit the thitd-party sites. These travel experts rank the hotels and inns according the costs, the quality, and how far they are from major landmarks or key areas (you type in what place you are interested in seeing). This can at least give you an idea of what kind of places you may find and how much you can expect to pay. They also give you a way of comparing the features and prices of different accommodations.

Unfortunately those sites give the standard rates, and are not updated regularly to show discounts or promos. For that, visit the websites of the hotels you are interested in. You can also send a query letter to the customer service email to ask about their off-season rates, which are normally not published.

But remember that prices are not the only factor in choosing a hotel. It may be dirt-cheap, but the accommodations may be so uncomfortable and inconveniently located that you won’t enjoy your stay at all. Look at the ratings and customer reviews. Also see if the prices that are listed include all the fees. Be sure to factor things like cost of traveling from your hotel to other parts of the city, and the price of food. It may be more cost-effective to spend a little more on a hotel that is located near budget restaurants.

Don’t forget to look for promos, and even ask for them. Email the hotel. Avail of lowest-rate guarantees. You may also get good discounts by booking well ahead of time, but be sue to read the advance-purchase or cancellation policies. You can also ask if they have a rate for senior citizens, if you are one.

Also look into book discounts, where you get several coupons that will save you money on resraurants and hotels. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers, or if you are traveling off season. For example, some rates only apply if you are coming at a time when the hotel has an occupancy rate of less than 70%.

3. LondonAccomodation.biz: The Business Traveler’s Guide to Hotel Accommodations in London

Business travelers will have very unique concerns as they look for affordable hotel accommodations.

Convenient Location

Since they are there on business, it’s very important they are within easy distance from the key commercial centers, or at least the office which they are transacting with. They don’t have the time or the energy of long commutes, and they wouldn’t want to risk annoying their client or partner by getting lost and showing up an hour late for a meeting!

Reliable Wi Fi Access

Internet connection can be very crucial for a business traveler. They must keep in touch with the head office, send emails to friends, chat with family members. Many of them will even use the Internet to make inexpensive long distance phone calls.

That’s why it’s very important that they get hotel accommodations that have Wi Fi access. This can be difficult. Some will only have that available in the public areas—good for emergencies, but not exactly ideal. Others can offer it for rooms that are near the business center. If that is the case, they should ask if they can be placed in a room that will give access, but the most perfect situation is if they are billeted in a hotel that has free and clear Wi Fi access in all of the rooms.

It is also possible for travelers to use the business center, which will not only allow Wi Fi but use of computers, printers and faxes. They can also get hotels that are located near Internet cafes, though this lacks privacy, and will not always be open at odd hours. .

Laundry Services

It would be disgraceful to show up at a meeting in a rumpled suit. And for those who spend many weeks on the road, dry cleaning is absolutely essential (as opposed to having to bring several items of clothing).

Business Centers

Business centers will be equipped with computers, printers, fax machines and (ideally) Wi Fi connections. Some business centers will also have assistants who can assist with photocopying and collating—ideal if the travelers are making presentations and need to distribute materials.

A good hotel is very important to ensuring an enjoyable, hassle free vacation. You can get a general idea of the amenities offered by the hotel by looking at the star system.

Generally, the more stars a hotel has, the better the quality of service and furnishings. Naturally, the cost of rooms per day also increases. Travelers need to balance price with convenience and comfort, and the decision is purely a personal one.

When picking which hotel to stay in, you have to weigh several factors. For example, how long will you actually be staying in the hotel during the day? If you are going to be in and out of the hotel room, then it might not matter if the furniture is antique or if the window has a great view of the city night sky.

Another question to ask is what your own standards are. Some will be very picky about the interiors, others will be more concerned with location. Some consider staying in the perfect hotel to be part of the experience of traveling. Others would rather stay in a budget hotel so they can spend more time in the city.

Whatever the choice, you have to be realistic. You can’t expect a budget hotel to have all the luxurious trappings of a five star worldwide chain, such as butler service and bathrooms that are as big as your bedroom back home. After all, the price delivers certain perks. Imagine having the pick of all the best path products, soft linens, and that classy look of fresh flowers and expensive marble. After all, five star hotels have earned the distinction of being world class.

Four star hotels have most of the perks but there are noticeable changes. The rooms aren’t as big, and the linens may not boast of such a high thread count, but there are still a lot of reasons to smile and say, “Hey, this is a great place.”

Three star hotels are comfortable and clean, but don’t expect to feel like you’re being treated like a king. While you may get room service, you won’t get a personal butler. And while the beds may be big, you can feel the quality of the linens aren’t anything to gush about. But, at least you don’t have to worry about bed bugs.

One and two star hotels are essentially a safe place to sleep in. There are no frills and bells and whistles. The décor may be plain, the beddings are sufficient, and the service crew is very small. You may not have room service and you will have to content yourself with a small shower.

While London has a reputation for being an expensive city to visit, there are quite a number of options open to frugal travelers who would like to find the best deals on hotel rates.

The first option is to go to a bed and breakfast, which is usually a family-run operation where a large house has been opened to the public. The ambience is very cozy and intimate, and if you are staying in a historical home, you also get a feel of London’s culture.

The second option is to go hostels. These are not just open to young travelers, although they are, because of their price, very popular among students. While the accommodations are quite Spartan you can save a lot of money, especially if you stay at hostel that lets you use the kitchen. At least you don’t always have to dine in restaurants. This is ideal for families or large groups were food can be a large chunk of the travel budget.

You can also look for budget chain hotels. Some of them don’t really care how many people you cram into a room, so that’s yet another great way for families to save.

But there are some advantages to spending a little more for a better hotel. For example, some are located in safe neighborhoods that have convenient access to London’s transportation system. Others can, at the very least, offer very comfortable beddings—and at the end of a long day of sight seeing, it can be very important to have a good night’s sleep. And while you may not care if you get mint chocolates and fresh flowers every morning from your hotel, you may be grateful for a big bathtub where you can enjoy a hot soak. Your aching feet will thank you for it!

But it all boils down to what you expect from your vacation. You may be paying for amenities you don’t care about, like room service and butler service, when you know you’ll never really use it. Even things like “free breakfast” isn’t really free, since it’s tucked into the hotel fees. And you can always get a cheap breakfast by stopping by for a bagel at a cafe before doing your sight seeing.