Any visitor to a major city of the world has a number of options when it comes to accommodation. The UK’s enigmatic capital offers a huge choice for tourists from all over the world, and for first-timers it can be difficult to know which to select. Whether you are a single traveller, a couple or a large family, you’ll need to make a decision before you arrive in London, so here are some of the contenders.
City centre hotel
As you might expect from such an important metropolis, London’s central core is home to a vast number of hotels, some of which are almost as famous as the city itself. The main advantage of staying in the heart of town is that the majority of the popular landmarks, monuments and attractions will be within a short walk or tube journey away. However, it should be pointed out that many of them are relatively expensive, and a handful are out of the budgets of even the wealthy tourist.
Suburb hotel
Many people from outside the UK are often surprised to discover just how large London really is. The city is surrounded by some highly attractive suburbs, such as Putney, Highgate and Chiswick, and these areas will often represent a less expensive accommodation option. The tube network is extensive, so travelling to the heart of the city on a daily basis will only take a few minutes. The savings on hotel rooms can be substantial, so this will appeal to those who need to be a little more frugal.
Traditional B&B
All over the UK, and particularly in and around London, the tourist will find a wealth of bed and breakfast establishments that will often be extremely affordable. Generally, these are or were simply large houses which have been converted into smaller versions of hotels. The visitor can book a room and enjoy a satisfying meal every morning before setting off into the heart of the city to enjoy a day of sightseeing.
Rented apartment
In recent years, there has been a growth in the number of rentable apartments in the city, many of which are available for just a few days at a time. These fully furnished properties provide the perfect base for tourists, and will often be available at short notice. It’s not surprising, perhaps, that they will vary in cost according to size, standard and of course location, so it makes sense to shop around to find the one that will best suit your needs.
David Showell lives in the UK and has visited London on dozens of occasions. He works for http://www.121carhire.com/.