You know you’ve booked accommodation well when you get a warm chocolate-chip cookie upon arrival. It almost [sarcastic tone] made up for the £20 overnight parking fee at a lot 2 minutes away!
There’s no two ways about it. London is bloody expensive.
As a tourist, accommodation is often small, boxy and grossly overpriced- even the guesthouses and hostels.
But one thing I’ve learnt from past mistakes in the city, is that it’s better to fork out a little more on accommodation and know that you’ll get something decent, rather than go budget and regret it later on.
True Story: A few years back, I made a minor error on Booking.com.
I booked a budget guesthouse in Maida Vale, thinking I was being smart by saving a few bucks (why didn’t I know about Airbnb then!)
In a black taxi, we arrived at the address, but had to go up and down the street a couple of times because we couldn’t see the building anywhere.
With warning bells now ringing, I checked the location again and we pulled up outside a regular looking house. There was no guesthouse name outside or even a bell! Just an old mattress beside the door and a few neglected plant pots filled with cigarette packets. Then I realised I booked a bogus guesthouse. 🙈
But the worst bit was that it was the middle of the high season so most hotels had booked out months ago. We ended up heading to a local pub and spent the next few hours trying to find something online that was decent yet reasonably priced.
Live it, learn it!
This time, I was playing it safe.
Before choosing to stay at Hilton Hotel, I had my eye on dinner at The Harwood Arms, a gastropub in Fulham that’s the only Michelin Starred pub in the city. I only had one night to spend in the London, so this time I had to make it awesome.
Thankfully, you can’t really go wrong with: a) Chelsea and b) The Hilton brand.
Chelsea is one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods. A huge perk to staying here is that you’re nice and central, so you won’t spend ages getting to all the best bits of town.
It’s also not a crazy busy suburb. The end where the Double Tree sits is relatively chilled-out, with the Imperial Wharf just on your doorstep for riverside walks.
The hotel is conveniently a stone throw away from Kings Road and Fulham, which is one of the nicest parts of the city for mid-high end shopping and dining.

The size of our room was very generous for London standards and the quality is as you would expect from a reputable brand. It was well-furnished, modern and for the 3rd floor, even presented a nice view of the city.
We paid £120 for a night, which isn’t exactly cheap, but considering the quality of the hotel, impeccable service and comfort- it was great value for money in London.
Overall, we had a really pleasant stay at Double Tree. After our last experience with the bogus guesthouse (which led to a spiral of unfortunate events) the Sailor was hesitant to return to the city, so I knew I had to make it special. I definitely won him over this time!
. . .
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, London- Chelsea
- Tip: book early to avoid disappointment.
- For the best rates and genius discounts, I always book my stay with Booking.com.
- Transportation to anywhere Central/ West London and walking around is easy from here. If possible, avoid hiring a car to bypass the £20 per night charge.
How did they go?

Lizzie Pluta
10 September, 2017I’ll have to keep this place in mind. It looks awesome.
Travel Mermaid
10 September, 2017Thanks Lizzie! It was such a cool night in London; wish I could be back!