Everyone loves a good trip to London.

There are countless things to do in England’s capital city – sightseeing, visiting museums, learning about British culture and history, lots of places to eat, seeing some of the best theatre in the world, and more.

Unfortunately, London is incredibly expensive to visit. You need accommodation that is safe, in an ideal location for whatever activities you have planned, and most importantly, something that is affordable.

If you’re planning a last minute visit to London, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the 5 best cheap hotels in London for last minute trips!

The Hotels

Below, we have found the best affordable hotels for a quick trip to London. Each hotel has been carefully selected to provide a comfortable stay, good service, and most importantly, a cheap night.

1. Ibis London Earl’s Court

You can’t really go wrong with an ibis hotel. They have everything you could possibly need for a nice stay, from a comfortable bed to the 24-hour snack service.

This ibis is based in Earl’s Court, which is right next to the beautiful boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea. Plus, this hotel is close to the District Line, so you’ll be within Central London within mere minutes.

This is a 12-storey hotel that ranks at 3 stars, boasting some newly furbished rooms of all sizes at affordable prices.

The best part is that there are almost always affordable rooms available for last minute trips, so you can rest easy knowing that your London trip is within your budget.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Range of rooms available
  • Excellent location

Cons

  • Not all rooms newly refurbished

2. Good Hotel London

As the name suggests, the Good Hotel London is nothing short of good. Not only is this a hotel, but it’s a social business that provides excess profits to long-term unemployed people around the world.

So, if you book a stay here, you’ll know that you are contributing to helping groups of people get careers in hospitality! As for the hotel itself, this is a very affordable 4-star hotel based at Royal Victoria Dock.

It’s slightly out of the way from Central London, but it is close to public transport that will get you there within 40 minutes. Another highlight is that the rooms are incredibly stylish for the price.

Inspired by Dutch design, the rooms are made from repurposed and natural materials. Plus, the en-suite bathrooms feature a walk-in rainfall shower, which is always a bonus.

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Profits go to disadvantaged communities
  • Stylish decor

Cons

  • Far from Central London

3. The Kings Head

Based in Acton, West London, The Kings Head is an ideal hotel for those wanting to be near Wembley Stadium.

This is a very affordable 4-star hotel that provides an array of luxury rooms, each with their own en-suite bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Not only this, but the rooms are so modern that they have a Smart lighting system, room status indicators to say whether you want your room to be made up, and touch control settings.

Plus, the rooms come with a Safe deposit box to keep your belongings safe when you’re exploring London.

While being situated in West London is beneficial for those with activities there, it is fairly out of the way from Central London. Still, it is only 8 minutes away from both the Elizabeth, District, and Piccadilly Lines.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Modern amenities
  • Close to Wembley Stadium

Cons

  • Far from Central London

4. London Court Hotel

If you’re not looking for something particularly fancy or modern, check out the London Court Hotel. Based in Earl’s Court, this hotel is fairly close to Central London.

Plus, the beautiful neighbouring borough of Kensington is certainly worth a visit. You get what you pay for with this hotel.

It’s got a good location, a decent variety of rooms, a simple yet stylish decor, free Wi-Fi, an electronic safe, comfortable beds, and a television per room.

It might not be the fanciest hotel on the market, but for those on a budget wanting something close to Central London, this is a good deal. Plus, it is located right next to Earl’s Court Station.

Pros

  • Affordable for good location
  • Has everything you need
  • Located next to tube station

Cons

  • Not the most stylish decor

5. Leonardo Hotel Croydon

Lastly, the Leonardo Hotel is a great option for those wanting a hotel in South London. Leonardo Hotels is a small chain of hotels based all over the country, providing good quality rooms and service in each location.

Rest assured that you will have a comfortable stay and an easy London trip. While Croydon is a little far out from Central London, this 4-star hotel is only 5 minutes away from East Croydon Station, and 20 minutes away from Central.

Not only this, but it’s 30 minutes away from Gatwick Airport for those flying to or from that airport. The rooms are simple and nice, with 240 rooms available, free Wi-Fi, all-day food service, and a stylishly modern aesthetic.

Pros

  • Good price
  • Close to Gatwick Airport
  • Nice atmosphere

Cons

  • Slightly far from Central London

Best Cheap Hotels In London Buyer’s Guide

When looking for a cheap last minute hotel in London, there are a few key things to look out for to ensure a comfortable stay.

It’s not just about the appearance and aesthetic of a hotel, after all. Here are the key things to remember when looking for cheap hotels in London.

Location

Something non-Londoners often forget is the sheer size of London. Sure, the tube service means you can travel around London fairly easily, but you’ll cut down a lot of travel time if you choose a hotel that is close to your chosen activities.

For example, if you’re going to London to explore Central London, you need to prioritise finding a hotel that has good transportation links to a central tube station.

You don’t necessarily need to stay in the heart of Soho – instead, aim for a hotel that is right next to a tube on the District, Northern, Elizabeth, or Central line.

Keep in mind that the closer the hotel is to Central London, the more expensive it is likely to be. You’ll save more money by staying at a hotel further out and spending your spare cash on the tube.

Amenities

If you’re looking for a cheap hotel, you probably aren’t thinking about additional spas or indoor swimming pools. Still, it’s good to have an idea of what amenities will be worth the extra cash. These include:

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Breakfast included
  • Safe
  • Bathroom and toiletries
  • 24 hour reception
  • Tea and coffee station
  • Free parking
  • Accessible rooms for those with disabilities

Of course, there are countless more amenities available in hotels that will inevitably cost more money.

However, if you need something cheap, try to find a hotel with at least the above amenities to make your stay as comfortable and as safe as possible.

Ratings And Reviews

When looking for a hotel, always look at what previous customers have said about their stay.

You will get a far better understanding of what to expect from ratings and reviews, especially from those who have stayed in the rooms you are looking at.

Customer reviews will give you a good idea of the size of the rooms, the service, the amenities, and the overall quality of the hotel.

Plus, some reviews might reference the location of the hotel, and how easy it is to get to other parts of London.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hotels Sell Rooms Cheap Last Minute?

Oftentimes, when a hotel has rooms left to spare, they will sell the empty rooms for a cheaper price last minute.

This can often be a cheaper price the day before or literally on the day of your desired booking, so it mostly comes down to luck.

However, if the hotel is in a desirable location or if it’s almost completely sold out, the rooms won’t always sell for a cheaper price. This is because of inflation, wherein the hotel rooms will sell for up to double the price (or more).

This means that if you’re planning on booking a hotel last minute, there’s a 50/50 chance that you’ll find a cheap deal. In most cases, hotels will want to sell their empty rooms at a lower price to fill the hotel for the night.

Still, make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of buying an overpriced hotel room for the sake of a last minute option.

Where Not To Stay In London As A Tourist?

Because London is so popular, virtually everywhere in London is filled with tourists. This is especially true for central and popular locations, such as Victoria, Kensington, Mayfair, King’s Cross, Soho, and London Bridge to name a few. 

The worst places for tourists to stay in London are the areas with high crime rates. This includes certain parts of Croydon, Westminster, Camden, Peckham, and Camberwell.

These areas tend to be where Londoners live, however, which means the prices of hotels are generally lower.

Top 10 Budget Hotels in London | Best Affordable Hotels of London 2022