Our UK Lodging Recommendations
It’s difficult for us to make detailed recommendations on hotels, everyone’s trip is different and they have different standards. But on our 20 years of travel to Britain, we’ve stayed in dozens places and we’re comfortable enough recommending a few of them based on the types of hotel you may be looking for. These recommendations are just for places that we have visited. We’ve not had a chance to stay in many other major cities in the UK, so we can’t yet recommend any hotels there. We hope to change this soon enough!
Lodging Recommendations in London
Bare Bones in London: EasyHotel
The EasyHotel is as bare bones as they get. It’s basically a room the size of a large American closet, with a bed, bathroom and TV you have to pay extra to watch. The hotels are clean, bright and safe. And they’re CHEAP. Prices start at £25 a night if you book well enough ahead. I personally recommend the location in South Kensington as it’s a nice neighborhood and close to transport connections. It’s spartan – but you won’t be spending much time there anyway. It’s just a place to sleep and watch Telly (if you pay £5). This is the cheapest hotel in London. £25-50 a Night ($40-75) Website
Nicer Hotel: Radisson Vanderbilt
If you’ve got a little more to spend, I can highly recommend the Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt Hotel in South Kensington. It’s a central location, close to a bunch of museums, Hyde Park, Harrods, etc. It’s comparable to a nice hotel in a major city in the States. You won’t feel ashamed to stay here. Staff are friendly, the building is historic and you’ll enjoy your stay here. £100-£200 A Night ($160-$300) Book a room at the Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt hotel.
Tourist Splurge: Cavendish Hotel
This is where we stayed during the Royal Wedding and we’ll definitely return here again. It’s a central location in St. James surrounded by history and it’s just a few feet to Buckingham Palace, rooms are well appointed and modern, staff are helpful and it’s all around nice hotel. This will cost a little more than most people are willing to spend – but it’s well worth the money. £150-£300 A Night ($250-$500) Website
Lodging Recommendations Outside of London
Updown Cottage – Dorset
Updown Cottage located on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury Dorset is our favorite place to stay in England. We cannot recommend this cottage enough – it’s paradise. It’s spacious, sleeps up to six, is in a good location in Shaftesbury and Dorset. Great views of the surrounding countryside. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the English country life. Updown Cottage Website
The Retreat Bed and Breakfast
The Retreat is where we used to stay in Shaftesbury before we started renting a cottage. It’s a perfect introduction to the town. It’s located right in the town centre, it’s quiet and in a beautiful hold building. Bernard and Sheena are excellent hosts and they make a delicious breakfast. The Retreat B&B Website
Old Swan and Minster Mill Hotel
Located in beautiful Oxfordshire, The Old Swan and Minster Mill is lovely placed to spend a romantic weekend. The rooms are luxurious, the location historical. They also have an excellent on site restaurant that’s so good, you’ll eat there every night. Old Swan and Minster Mill Hotel Website
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
