Londons

LONDON has a new cheap hotel chain – and it’s already a huge success in Europe.

BOB W joined the scene back in 2019 , followed by its first hotel in the UK capital in 2024.

It’s a take on pared back hotels, close to an Airbnb but without the hidden fees, as well as much loved extras like gyms, luggage lockers and breakfast options.

I stayed at the newest hotel, Bob W Hyde Park, which only opened earlier this year, and paid £59 for a room for two people.

This was with the five per cent discount you can get when signing up to the free Inner Circle membership of the hotel.

It’s a short walk from Queensway tube station, as well as close to Paddington train station.

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GRAND DAME

I stayed at the grand 172-year-old hotel that is ‘London’s best connected’

Everything is done online, via the website or app, where you’re sent codes to get access to the building and room.

As it is a blend of Airbnb and B&B, but without all the much hated bits of each, this means you can forget the steep cleaning fees – you just pay the room cost.

Before I arrived, I received a phone call: “We’re so sorry but we’ve had to downgrade your room from a spacious to a compact. We will refund the difference but we’re really sorry.”

Slightly frustrating but, as a solo traveller, no biggie (apart from the fact they were the same price, so no refund for me).

However, everything else? Smooth as anything.

Arriving at 3:30pm, I easily entered the building – it is in the Henry Hotel but with Bob W posters to reassure you you’re in the right place.

There’s no lobby for guests, although there was a man behind the desk for the hotel guests themselves.

I personally love a lobby reception, as I’m often down there when my key doesn’t work, I have questions about the area or just need someone on hand.

But if you are someone who hates the awkward interactions then its the hotel for you.

Another nice touch within the lobby filled with sofas and chairs was a cupboard with free extras, such as toilet roll, ear plugs and spare tea and and coffee pods, as well as leaflets and London hotel guides.

The room was perfect too – clean, spacious, and modern.

A coffee pod machine and kettle were joined by complimentary towels, as well as a hairdryer, ironing board and safe, along with a huge TV.

Despite being the ‘compact’ room, it had a desk for working too. 

The bathroom looked recently renovated with a big walk in shower and complimentary toiletries.

Some of the hotels have added extras too, like kitchenettes and washing areas, which make them ideal for longer stays.

One downside was that it comes with “complimentary gym access,” but this was just a pass to one that was 45 minutes away at another Bob W hotel, so I didn’t end up going.

Breakfast is extra – I paid £13 – and it includes food and drink at a choice of cafes as well, although only up to this price (any bill over £13, the difference needs to be covered).

If you are on a budget you can easily skip this and just buy some snacks at a nearby bakery or corner shop, but if you want a proper breakfast, it definitely wasn’t overpriced.

I also loved getting to know the cafe owner, as it was a proper local caf so ended up chatting for ages.

So what’s the verdict?

I was seriously impressed with the whole process. Emails were sent promptly, check in was easy, the rooms were clean and the location can’t be beaten.

One of the biggest problems with Airbnbs is the lack of luggage storage, especially if need somewhere to leave it before a flight or train, so I’m glad this wasn’t a problem here.

Even with the smaller niggles, a room for £30 each in central London? I’m not sure I’ve seen a price like that in years – at least for a place as chic as this.

Other cheap dates still available:

• March 3-4 at Bob W Earls Court – £61 a night (£30.50 each)
• March 16-17 at Bob W London Olympia – £79 a night (£39.50 each)
• March 25-26 at Bob W London Kensington – £77 a night (£38.50 each)
• April 12-13 at Bob W London Holland Park – £76 a night (£38 each)

We’ve found another cheap hotel in London where you sleep in a private pod.

And here are our top 100 cheap hotels in the UK.

DESIGNED by one of the UK’s most famous civil engineer, Hilton London Paddington is both well connected and grand.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is the Hilton London Paddington?

I can see why they call it London’s best connected hotel, being adjoining to London Paddington Station.

Along with trains to destinations such as Plymouth and Oxford, from here there are five London Underground routes, as well as a fast 15-minute train to London Heathrow.

What is the hotel like?

The grand hotel dates back to 1854, originally called the Great Western Royal Hotel by HRH Prince Albert.

It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an English civil engineer behind Great Western Railway, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and London Paddington Station, as well as the hotel.

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The hotel itself immerses you in the grandeur straight away, with a huge pillared entrance and stairs, before an art deco lobby and bar.

A nod to its railway history is throughout also, with railway photography displayed and a steam train mural along the main staircase.

It also has all of the amenities so a gym, restaurant and 18 meeting rooms named after historic Great Western Railway locomotives.

What are the rooms like?

There are 424 rooms to choose from, with many undergoing renovations later this year.

My suite was spacious and modern, with a massive super king bed next to a chaise lounge and desk.

The bathrooms were just as beautiful, with marble walls and floors and Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries. 

They fix problems quickly too – my WiFi wasn’t working and quick call to reception got it up and running. 

Rooms start from £235 on a room only basis. See hilton.com.

What is there to eat and drink at the hotel?

The recently renovated Carriages Restaurant is where you will find everything from breakfast to dinner.

The buffet is extremely large, with an interesting variety – such as papayas and banana toffee muffins.

Hot full English breakfasts along with, fruit, cereal, bakery, and lots of vegetarian and halal options.

Come back for dinner for everything from pizza and burgers to curries and salads.

Or, grab a lighter snack and a cocktail at the 146 Paddington Bar & Lounge as well.

What else is there to do?

The hotel also has an on-site gym to make the most of.

However, it’s central location means it is easy to explore London’s top attractions with a short train ride.

Don’t want to go too far? A short walk from the hotel is the Paddington Bear Statue, or the Alexander Fleming Museum.

Is it family friendly?

There are family rooms and connecting rooms, with kids up to 18 years old staying free when sharing a room with a paying adult on a room only rate.

Kids aged 5 and under enjoy free breakfast, while those aged 6-11 enjoy a 50 per cent discount on breakfast.

Is it accessible?

The hotel has a number of accessible rooms, as well as accessible toilets in the main building.

Bath seats and pillow alarms can be requested and there is a deaf alert system at the hotel, as well as lifts and wheelchair access.

FINALLY the Southbank Centre is getting (some of) the attention it deserves.

This week, the brutalist building on the Thames near the London Eye
has been listed for its brutalist appearance.

But its looks are only part of its appeal.

As a travel writer and mum living in London, I’ve long considered it
to be one of the capital’s greatest attractions for families.

I schlep up to Waterloo every other month with my 7 year old to one of
their many free, or affordable activities for kids.

We’ve done their soft play using recycled materials, seen at least
three of their excellent family theatre shows (where you can get
tickets from around £12 to £20 depending on the show), have built a
Moomin House at a free workshop using saws and hammers and, most
recently, had a free drawing lesson with a well-known doodle artist
and attended a free kids rave.

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So many of the events that Southbank puts on for families on weekends
and in school holidays are completely free, but what makes them even
better in my opinion, is how wonderfully varied they are.

Take next week, for instance, when they are holding an ‘Imagine
Festival’ for half term.

The nine-day roster includes an interactive dance rave for children and
their families with deaf hosts, a live gig by CBBC’s Andy And The Odd
Socks, the theatre production of Mrs Armtiage On Wheels, a wildlife
jamboree and a pop-up Parkour session – and this just scratches the
surface, there are MANY more activities too.

I’m particularly looking forward to taking my son to the musical
version of the Dog Man comic books, which will be shown at the centre
this summer.

Another free event coming to the destination soon is the Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade from February 17.

The famous illustrator and author has made his memories of the 1951 Festival of Britain into an installation across the Southbank Centre.

I could probably go on for another 300 words about how wonderful this
institution is – so if you are planning a trip to London, do make sure
to check out the What’s On section of their website and see if anything appeals.

The 1960s Brutalist landmark has battled for a Grade II listed status for more than three decades, and finally got accepted this week.

Specific buildings at the site that have been given Grade II listed status include the centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery and terraced walkways and stairs.

The riverside centre opened back in 1967 and at the time it was voted as Britain’s ugliest building by Daily Mail readers.

The building was also the only post-war building on London’s South Bank to remain unlisted.

Twentieth Century Society and Historic England had recommended listing the Southbank Centre on six occasions since 1991, but the recommendation was rejected by the Secretary of State each time, until now.

Historic England argued that the Southbank Centre needed protection due to its “bold geometric formations, clustered to sculptural effect with a correspondingly dramatic silhouette”.

The use of exposed concrete was also praised, saying it had been “executed with exemplary technical skill”.

Twentieth Century Society director Catherine Croft said: “The battle has been won, and Brutalism has finally come of age.

“This is a victory over those who derided so-called ‘concrete monstrosities’ and shows a mature recognition of a style where Britain led the way.

“The lack of listing had become a complete anomaly.

“It is admired as one of the best Brutalist buildings in the world, so this decision is obviously very well deserved and long overdue.

“The arts complex is a highly sophisticated, sculptural masterpiece, with enormous richness of form and detail inside and out.

“The experience it gives concert goers and gallery visitors is unlike any other venue in the country, its virtuoso spaces still unrivalled.”

In other attraction news, how to get into hundreds of the UK’s top attractions for FREE next month.

Plus, new one-of-kind attraction at UK’s Warner Bros Studio is perfect for Harry Potter nerds like me .