Top Tips for Staying in Kensington on a Budget

So, you’re planning on staying in Kensington while visiting London but are worried about whether you’ll need a second mortgage to do so? Well, there’s good news; it’s perfectly possible to stay in this lovely part of the city even if your budget is limited.

Enjoying Kensington on a Budget

Like most major capital cities in the developed world, accommodation prices in London can be high. However, don’t give up and simply resign yourself to hitting your credit cards more than might be sensible. Instead, allocate some serious time to shopping around and following some of the following tips.

Make the effort to search for special deals. Hotels are often keen to ‘plug the gaps’ in their bookings though discounts, though these may only become available on a last minute basis. If your travel plans allow you to do so, try to look for your bargains shortly before you plan to depart.Paradoxically, some hotels in London might well offer special deals if you book considerably ahead. That’s because it helps them achieve a degree of comfort in terms of their advanced occupancy planning.

Don’t disregard the major hotels without a look. Surprisingly, staying in Kensington in some of its more prestigious hotels can be as affordable as staying in cheaper establishments, if they're offering special deals to keep their rooms fully occupied at quieter times of the year.

It hopefully should go without saying that if you avoid the peak season of July and August plus Christmas and Easter, you may be much more likely to find bargains in Kensington hotels.

Eating out can be a fairly major expense when staying in this upmarket part of the city. Good dining deals may be available in your own hotel but if you are really looking to economise, walk the quieter back streets and find restaurants away from the major tourist sites. If you are looking to do a lot of self-catering, remember that those cute little corner shops can actually be quite expensive. Try buying your groceries and consumables from one of the major branded supermarkets.

Ask the hotels if they have any shared suite options. Sometimes they may be struggling to let their most prestigious rooms and suites, but the costs may be much more affordable if you are willing to share with other guests.

Don’t forget to look under headings other than hotel. In the UK, modest establishments might advertise their rooms under headings such as guesthouse or B&B.

Finally, although this may run contrary to your inclinations, remember that staying in Kensington involves finding accommodation in one of London’s most prestigious and therefore expensive areas. If you're really looking to cut your costs, you may wish to question whether looking for somewhere just a few kilometres down the tube line would be more cost effective.

Verify Accommodation Independently

All the above tips relate to the cost side of the equation, but remember that just as in any capital city, not all of the cheapest accommodation may be salubrious! So before you commit yourself to staying in Kensington at a very low-cost location, make sure you have verified things such as its cleanliness and services independently - prior to parting with your money. Matthew Zelinski works for the London Regency Hotel, one of the top hotels in Kensington. If you’re staying in Kensington, this wonderful hotel embodies the true flavour of the area, with its traditional regency-style façade and superb facilities. Whether you're looking for accommodation in London for business or leisure, the Regency offers an effortlessly elegant experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.