London Hotel Tips by unexplored

Unique Qualities: Built in 1887, The Cadogan has been the scene of Victorian society’s most infamous indiscretions. Edward VII visited his mistress, Lillie Langtry here while it was her private home and Oscar Wilde was arrested here for his infamous ‘offences against young men’ and manhandled unceremoniously from room 118 (now named The Oscar Wilde Room). Located in an Edwardian townhouse overlooking Sloane Square, the interiors are full of period splendour, soft colours and interesting textures – feather, crushed velvet, satin and swags of drapery. Guests are permitted access to the Cadogan Place gardens and tennis courts opposite the hotel.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0) 2072357141
Address: 75 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SG
Directions: Sloane Square tube.
Website: www.steinhotels.com/cadogan

There is no house restaurant or bar, but then you have the whole of Soho to choose from outside the front door.

Unique Qualities: This is the house where essayist William Hazlitt lived and died. Back in the early nineteenth century it was a cheap Soho lodging house, which got an unfavourable review from Hazlitt himself: in one of his deathbed essays he condemned it as an ‘unwholesome dungeon’. In a master stroke of irony, the house (and its two adjoining neighbours) have since been transformed into a luxurious hotel. In 1718 there were no elevators and there still aren’t, but they have updated the plumbing, installed bathrooms and replaced most of the candles with electricity. This place is full of creaky character, including a throne-style antique lavatory in one room, and many of the rooms have claw-footed baths and four-poster beds. You can even sleep in the room where Hazlitt died. Understandably, the place maintains an impressive literary pedigree: there is a tradition of visiting authors leaving a signed copy of their book in the hotel library.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0) 2074341771
Address: 6 Frith Street, W1D 3JA
Directions: Tottenham Court Road tube.
Website: www.hazlittshotel.com

A firm favourite with the world of music, show business and fashion down the years. Rooms and furnishings are eccentric in a funky, haphazard way.

Unique Qualities: Themed pleasure pads include the seductive Morrocan Room, strewn with carpets and cushions and a serene Japanese Garden Room with an elaborate spa bath, Buddhas and its own private grotto. In many rooms, the Victorian bathtubs take centre stage. It was in Room 16, that Johnny Depp allegedly filled the bath with champagne for Kate Moss. Alice Cooper used his tub to house his Boa Constrictor, which he fed with white mice ordered from a local pet shop.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0)20 77270905
Address: 22 Stanley Gardens, W11 2NG
Directions: Holland Park or Notting Hill Gate tube.
Website: www.portobello-hotel.co.uk

The best thing about the Pavilion is its tariff. Small single rooms are £60 per night. Large single rooms are £85 per night. Double or twin rooms are £100 per night and triple rooms are £120 per night. (All prices include tax and a continental breakfast). The Hotel also has a car park which charges £10 per car/per day. Prices affordable for everyone, Superstar or Joe Public, they all love the Pavilion.

Unique Qualities: Fancy yourself as a bit of a rock star but can’t afford to trash a penthouse suite at the Met? The Hotel has become extremely popular with the fashion, music, television and film industries. Celebrity past guests to have visited the Pavilion include Leonardo Di Caprio, Naomi Campbell and the ubiquitous Pete Doherty. Interiors are kitsch and deliciously wild, with rich, vibrant colours and luscious textures. Each of the 30 rooms is themed, with names like Cosmic Girl, Highland Fling and Diamonds Are Forever, featuring everything from pink feathers to minimalist retro.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0) 2072620905
Address: 34-36 Sussex Gardens IW2 1UL
Directions: Edgware Rd tube
Other Contact: E-mail: info@pavilionhoteluk.com

Unique Qualities: Rooms at the rear look out over a pleasant garden and don't get any noise from the street.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0)20 7373 9383
Address: 171 Old Brompton Road, SW5 0AN
Website: www.swiss-hh.demon.co.uk

Some 6-8 bedded rooms, but mostly 12-20 bedded rooms. Meals available include breakfast, picnic lunch and evening meal. The evening meal is served from 5pm.

Unique Qualities: One wing of the hostel is a former Jacobean mansion, built in 1607 for Sir Walter Cope, Chancellor of the Exchequer for James I. In the 19th century, Lady Holland had a salon here, attended by such famous names as Sheridan, Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Wordsworth and Dickens.
Large, comfortable rooms that overlook the park. You may be in a historic old building or an uglier concrete one
YHA Holland House is part of the Youth Hostel Association and membership of this organisation or the International Youth Hostel Federation is required. It can be purchased on arrival.

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Theme: Hostel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 (0)870 7705866
Address: Holland Walk, Kensington, W8 7QU
Directions: Located just off Kensington High Street, close to the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and the main museums are all within walking distance.