Welcome to London - land of high-flyers, hippies and hard-done bys. London today is a multicultural explosion, an utter urban fever, one of the most astounding cities in the world. Except for its unrivaled cultural mix, here, juxtaposed within meters, you will also find history and modernity, the parks and the financial towers, the multicultural markets, both wealth and poverty, aspiration and degradation. London today is a living contradiction. Still it is also a notoriously expensive city, where prices are often astronomical. That's why finding good deals on hotels in London can be somewhat of an ordeal.

Fortunately there is a seemingly never-ending supply of hotel rooms in London, many of which in places a little off the beaten track, yet still right in the City. London's heart is made up of many districts including Camden, Islington and the City of Westminter – plus the City of London, the main financial area. This buzzing region has a dense concentration of theatres, museums, nightspots, shops and state buildings and is the official home of the Queen. It's also known for its arts hubs, including the West end and Bloomsbury. When looking for a cheap hotel in London, think centering your search for hotels on City of London rather than Westminster.

For example look up Borough and Bankside, which are minutes walk from St Pauls, but somewhat 'unusual' places for tourists to stay in. They actually offer better prices, and even though if they might not called “cheap” anywhere else, these are still your better choices, if you are looking for a cheap hotel in London. Another real advantage is - they are also more convenient than posher places in the west. Walking within central London is safe, easy and environmentally friendly. So get both the best out of your London visit by simply choosing a hotel in the City.

There are so many real sights in London that you can spend weeks here and not pay a cent for admission to anything. The best things in London are free, including many of the best galleries, museums and historic buildings. Parts of London are being affected as we speak by redevelopment, due to the well-looked forward to Olympics, and certain areas are undergoing a significant process of regeneration which is really positive. Budget hotels cluster round Bloomsbury, south of Euston Station, Victoria and Earl's Court, and the King’s Cross station. The area bordered by Tower Bridge Road, Long Lane/Marshalsea, Blackfriars Road and the river is also still hugely undervalued and there are many hotels there. The East End is another very good place to start. So for hotel deals in London, simply choose an 'unfashionable' location.

If you are there for the luxe, Malmaison on Charterhouse Square, is a great place, a chain of very trendy urban hotels, with a good City location. Another one of the truly comfortable choices is Aster House, a B & B in South Kensington, with a beautiful, small garden. And the he best bargain of London is probably the Hoxton Hotel, trendy arty hotel on Great Eastern Street, in the vibrant Hoxton area - the best of both worlds - luxury and budget, located in an area, which is great for restaurants, bars and nightclubs, but probably not so great for tourist sights. When you are looking for the best budget hotel, Abbey House, on Trendy Kensington Church Street that links Notting Hill and Kensington, great for shopping and restaurants is another recommended choice. Last but not least, the Generator Hostel London in a huge former doss-house, now refurbished, is a bunk-bed dorm style place in Bloomsbury, close to the King's Cross station and a good area not too far from the nightlife of Soho.