Capital savings: staying in London for less

In the thick of things
Younger and young-at-heart travellers may find one of London's newer hotels ideal. The Piccadilly Hotel, by Piccadilly Circus, is a backpackers' dream, with dormitory beds available at £12 per night, including breakfast and linen. There are twin and family rooms, too; a lounge with 100-channel TV and an Internet suite. Fresh, smart and sunny, this hostel opened in 2003 and is getting to be as popular as the St. Christopher's Inns group with its flagship hostel on the South Bank, or The Generator. With booking online, beds available from £10 (£23 for a twin room), cooking facilities as well as a cafe, The Generator, near the British Museum, is definitely a fun place to stay.

Independent hotels
London has many small hotels clustering around main rail termini such as Victoria or King's Cross, or in Bloomsbury and cosmopolitan Earl's Court. Some are family-run, most fully accredited to the London Tourist Board (do check before booking) and therefore run to a good standard. In Hammersmith, just 15 minutes by Underground from Piccadilly Circus, are two excellent establishments. The Brook Hotel (Tel: 44 (0) 20 8743 2000) has a bar and sitting room for guests opening on to the garden and costs £85 for an en suite double/twin, including full English breakfast. The St Peter's Hotel (Tel: +44 (0) 20 8741 4239) not far from Shepherd's Bush and just 20 minutes from the centre, is justly popular with aircrew on stopover because of its delicious English breakfasts and its friendly and high-quality service. An en suite double/twin costs £75 per night including breakfast.