How to beat skyrocketing hotel prices in London

The plunge in the Aussie dollar is rapidly bringing an end to the good times for travellers to the UK and Europe.

Hotels are close to gorgeous London parks (Ian McIntosh)

A 4 star hotel in London for instance now costs around 400 pounds a night - that today (March 29, 2015) converts into $768. Scary stuff, I am sure you agree. Bit of a joke as well when you think of the 5 star hotels in Asia you can buy for around $200 a night. My wife loves the finer things in life but has a theory about expensive hotels."I would rather wear it," she blithely says. And so I spend a lot of my time these days looking for properties that offer the creature comforts we all demand - at a decent price. Meanwhile Fiona heads for Harrods or Massimo Dutti in Paris.

Most of the time I get it right but you do make the odd error. As a base, I use booking.com and comb through hundreds of properties on offer. Thankfully you can select the area you want and the star rating - which makes the search that much easier. On my most recent visit to London and Paris I looked at a number of hotels and was not really disappointed with any of them - although a couple were overdue for a fresh broom.There is something to be said for staying in a smaller hotel as against the Hiltons and the like - the people in reception for a start really want to help and quickly get to know you. One hotel chain that does seem to specialise in smaller more intimate hotels in Paris and London is Best Western. Negotiating the lift is part of the fun in Paris - there is often just enough room for one person plus a suitcase. Breakfast, usually served in the basement, should be part of the deal - lots of bread, fruit, yoghurt, cereal, coffee, tea, croissants cheese and cold meats. True, you are not going to meet the Queen down there - but you can eat your fill - and probably sneak out a sandwich for later - although I didn't tell you that. Always pay for as much as possible before you leave Australia because the price is then fixed.

Bedroom - The New Linden

I started out in London staying in a hotel in an area I know well and really like - Westminster. The Duke of Leinster is is short walk away from the Royal parks for those of you who like to jog in beautiful surrounds each evening. The Lancaster tube and a few pleasant pubs including the Leinster Arms are a walk away. This hotel serves the best sausages and mash in London. Another plus is the fact that the Leinster is not an expensive cab ride from say Victoria Station. The girls in reception were delightful and a small but reasonably swift lift soon had us on the fourth floor.

Pleasant surprises continued. The room was freshly painted and carpeted and the bathroom fairly new as well. We had a flat TV, iron and board, safe (old mechanical style not easy to use) fridge, desk, hair dryer plus tea and coffee making facilities. The double bed was comfy and lighting was generally very good. All of this for around 100 quid a night. I was on to a real winner until later that afternoon when the room warmed up and I poked about looking for the air conditioning. There was none - not that cooling is important for most of the year. 

All considered, we quite enjoyed out stay. Continental breakfast was included and if you wanted it cooked the extra charge was only £2.50 for sausages and eggs. The main dining room is a floor below reception but we preferred the small area set up for breakfast near the front entrance by a picture window overlooking the street. Service was always prompt and with a smile. No complaints about the bathroom - plenty of hot water and the towels were thick and big. Take a decent cake of soap with you though. Another plus was the fact that a selection of newspapers was available in a rack by reception each morning. If you feel you need a step up - across the road is the Blakemore Hyde Park - cost is around 200 pounds a night. The second London hotel was nearly - The New Linden is also in Leinster Square Bayswater. This property is really close to great pubs, major shopping complexes and restaurants, as well as the Royal Parks. The value was there - three nights for just over 300 pounds including breakfast – but the decor was a little drab, there was no fridge and again no air-conditioning. I was on the top floor overlooking the square. Breakfast was simple but filling - no complaints. The shower was great along with the big, thirsty towels.

Remember I have stayed at all of these hotels - so if you need more information or assistance please contact me on ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. My advice is independent and free.