When thinking of London, one of the first things that come to mind is the entertainment. Noteworthy attractions such as the London Zoo, the Tower Bridge, St. Pauls Cathedral or Buckingham Palace, attract millions of tourists to the UK every year. When planning a trip to London, the last thing anyone wants to be concerned about is the cost of their hotel stay. So is a London hotel an expensive proposition?

Hotel booking agencies have grown tremendously over the last few years, making the market highly competitive, resulting in valuable discounts for consumers. Whether you are looking for something from bed and breakfasts to 5 Star hotels on a budget, or looking to spend a little extra, finding discount hotels in London is possible.

* Bed and Breakfasts can be one of the cheapest accommodations in London. They can offer guests the simplest of accommodations without having to pay for all of the extras. Bed and Breakfasts have more of a cozy feeling, as most are small family-owned businesses and have just a few rooms, giving the guest more personal attention than would be received in a hotel.

* Hostels are also available in London. Some hostels have private rooms, while others have dorms which room from 6 to sometimes 20 people at once. These are great for someone on a budget or just passing through. They are anything but luxury, however normally offer bars and restaurants, self-catering kitchens and other facilities.

* Apart hotels in central locations around London have become popular as well. These are usually studio to 1-bedroom apartments that have things such as an individual kitchen, television and telephone. The rates are often compared to those of a 3 Star hotel in London.

* Most 2 to 3 Star hotels are considered the most popular and readily available hotels in London. Most are a mix of both independent hotels and brand name hotels, usually located north of Hyde Park. 4 Star London hotels usually have the best deals on the weekends and during the holidays; businessmen who travel to London during the week have left for the weekend, offering availability to those traveling during those days. The majority of these hotels are owned by large chain companies, but offer visitors bargain rates and often offer promotional rates for stays.

* Luxury London hotels are all 5 Star hotels, and are available in Central London. Many of these hotels are landmarks and well-known to many around the world. Family accommodations are also available at these hotels, and are also known to complete in the holiday seasons and on the weekends.

You will want to look for an online booking agency that is full of helpful information. Along with providing information on the cheap hotels in London, it should provide maps of the London area, tuberail station information and attractionentertainment information. Having all of this information available in one site will provide you with the ability to plan the best trip with the best price that you have had anywhere.

Hostels are a great alternative to hotels. They are getting easier and easier to find all over the world and most are available year round. Hostels available for short-term accommodation are a very popular for backpackers. Typically you will be offered a bed in a room with several people but private rooms are becoming more popular. Hostels are less expensive to run and in turn a lot less expensive to stay in.

When choosing a hostel, consider the type of environment that is most suitable for you. Though curfews and daytime lockouts are becoming less and less usual in order to suit today’s guests, some hostels still have them. If you are planning on partying or staying out late and you happen to book a hostel with a curfew you may get left out in the cold. But if you’re not planning on staying out late it might be best to choose a hostel with a curfew in order to weed out drunken roommates that could disturb your sleep in the middle of the night. Another advantage to staying in a hostel is the freedom to go explore, if you won’t make it back for a night a simple call to the owner ensures your bed for the rest of your reserved stay.

The cost difference between a hotel and a hostel is a big one. For example, one hostel in Paris costs $23 a night where a cheap hotel room costs $70. In less developed countries, like Ecuador, hostels start around $12 a night. Many hostels also offer discounts on local attractions for staying with them. Because the price difference is phenomenal it is important to shop around and get the best deal for your money.

Traveling alone is not recommended while staying in a hostel because of the potential dangers. If you are traveling in a large group, staying in a co-ed dormitory probably is not a problem, but if you are traveling in pairs, a private room will best suit your needs. Its also important to be aware of the possibility of theft. Keep your belongings locked up when sharing a common living space. Hostels will not take responsibility for your lost or stolen items. On the positive side, most guests are usually just as concerned about their belongings rather than being interested in stealing yours.

Meeting people is easy when staying in a hostel, especially if you’re staying in a dormitory. A hostel is a great place to experience cultural diversity and to meet very interesting people. Some hostels have bars incorporated and make it even easier to get to know your temporary neighbor. The front desk will also have information about surrounding activities where you will likely find tourists like yourself. Most people who stay in a hostel are between the ages of 18 and 26. A lot of them are backpackers and most of the others are simply tourists, along for the ride. Some travelers stay for extended periods of time, maybe a couple of months, to enjoy the new environment.

Hostels are generally located in bigger cities all over the world. The most popular are scattered through out Europe. Its easy to find and book hostels online. Hosteling International is a non profit organization that is famous for their hostels through out Australia and New Zealand. Usually most popular vacation spots have a hostel near by. When booking a reservation online, directions to the hostel are readily available as well as a phone number to call for additional questions. The atmosphere of hostels is generally relaxing and enjoyable. Instead of spending a fortune on a hotel on a short vacation, extend your stay and save money by staying in a hostel.