I love a hotel with a great view! Whether you’re on a weekend away or a business trip, a room with a view immediately makes your stay feel more special. London can be an expensive place to stay but even here, you can wake up to a breathtaking cityscape without it costing a fortune. You just have to know where to look. Take your pick from this selection of the best affordable London hotels with a view that’ll make your visit unforgettable.
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I’ve lived in London most of my life – and I know hotels here don’t come cheap. You could splash a cool £20k a night on the most exclusive of suites in central London. But what if I told you that for £200 – or less – you can wake up to a world-class view. And not just any old view. A view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London or an urban cityscape of skyscrapers.
Finding a cheap hotel in London with a view
You can save on your hotel but still feel like you’ve splurged on the view!
You just have to know where to look. I’ve crossed the capital to check out the most affordable hotels in London with a view that will put you in the heart of the action. They’ll give you a window onto the city that elevates simple accommodation to much more than just a place to sleep. Here’s how you can save on your hotel but still feel like you’ve splurged on the view!
Local’s tip London hotel pricing is dynamic and fluctuates according to season, demand and special events. Everything’s relative so in peak season these hotels in London with a view may not seem cheap, but they’ll still be good value compared to more luxury options. Click the links for each hotel to check rates and availability during your visit. And read on for more tips on securing a great room with a view without blowing the budget.
How to pick affordable hotels in London with a view
Whether you’re on a first time visit, a fun weekend or a business trip, location is key. I’ve picked cost-conscious hotels that lie near major attractions and good transport links. This makes them time-saving choices for short stays.
As a baseline I’ve chosen hotels with private bathroom, free wi-fi and flat-screen tv, plus the option of a continental breakfast at minimum.
I’ve picked four London neighbourhoods with a great combination of cost-conscious hotels, landmark views and proximity to plenty of sightseeing. I’m in central London every week so I snapped photos of the hotels and their surroundings too.
- South Bank
- Tower Bridge
- Kensington
- Shoreditch
Check out each of these neighbourhoods below to find which one suits you best – whether you fancy a shopping weekend in Kensington or sightseeing in Westminster.
Cheap Hotels in London on the South Bank
At the southern end of Westminster Bridge, close to the London Eye, the Southbank centre and Waterloo station, are a cluster of affordable London hotels with views. Head north across the bridge and you’re in the heart of Westminster, the UK’s seat of power, and it’s chock a block with landmarks.
The South Bank is also the place to come for London’s made-for-visitors attractions like the London Eye and London Dungeons. Sightseeing buses and river cruises both depart from here. It’s a lively area with a lot going on. It also has some of the best cost-conscious hotels with a view in London.
I find myself here a lot, whether on my way to Covent Garden or the Southbank centre. Walks by the river are fun all year round and the riverside winter markets in December are some of the best in London. This area is the perfect choice if it’s your first time in London.
- Landmarks: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, the London Eye
- Local sights: Key historical places in London like Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Southbank theatres. Covent Garden is 25 mins walk away
- Places to eat: lots of choice from street food to the OXO Tower restaurant
- Visitor attractions: the London Eye, London Dungeons, Sea Life Aquarium
- Nearest Underground station (Tube): Waterloo station (convenient for a day trip by train from London to Windsor), Westminster
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
One of the best hotels for views of Westminster landmarks, the 4 star Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge offers you a glimpse of Big Ben as soon as you step out of the lobby. The hotel’s prime position means guests can enjoy great views of Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Thames river. With rooms starting around £150 per night, it strikes a sweet spot between affordability and a premium position.
This is a big 4-star hotel with an indoor pool, spa facilities, 24 hr gym and multiple dining spots. It’s also in a great spot for anyone wanting to book a stay for New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The booking site here specifies the rooms with Big Ben and London Eye views click to see the room and view availability.
Park Plaza County Hall London
Waterloo has two Park Plaza hotels on either side of the one-way traffic system. The mid-range Park Plaza County Hall sits a few minutes away from the London Eye and Westminster Bridge, making it a great base for sightseeing. Select rooms on higher floors have views of the London Eye.
This hotel is smaller than its neighbour but adds value with kitchenettes or microwaves in some rooms as well as a gym, bar and restaurant.
The combination of reasonable rates and a South Bank location makes it popular among visitors who want proximity to sights and a hotel with a London view without breaking the bank.
Room bookings specify London Eye or city views, click to see the room and view availability
Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment
- Nearest Attractions: Tate Britain, Lambeth Palace and Garden Museum, The Oval cricket ground
- Nearest Tube and rail station: Vauxhall
On the south bank of the River Thames, heading west from Waterloo, Hyatt Regency Albert Embankment offers guests front-row seats on London’s historic waterfront. This tall modern hotel has floor-to-ceiling windows and rooms with river Thames views on its higher floors. You can watch boats glide beneath Vauxhall Bridge and on towards the Houses of Parliament. It’s particularly pretty at night with city lights twinkling on the water.
The hotel has a fitness centre along with the international POTUS restaurant and Mezemiso rooftop restaurant and shisha terrace which serves Lebanese dishes.
Step outside the Hyatt Regency and across the road is the Albert Embankment and the River Thames. This is one bridge further away from the action than the hotels around Waterloo. So the surrounding area is less busy and landmark views a bit more distant. But you can enjoy a scenic riverside stroll to the London Eye in about 15 mins, with coffee kiosks to break the journey on a sunny day.
Check the booking site for a hotel room with a river view, some have balconies too. Click to see room with view rates and availability.
Premier Inn hotels on the South Bank
The Premier Inn economy hotel chain has two branches in Waterloo, minutes from the London Eye and South Bank attractions. Premier Inn Westminster Bridge and Premier Inn County Hall are both budget London hotels within a five-minute walk of some top attractions.
Their cost-conscious approach focuses on clean, comfortable rooms at budget-friendly rates. You can book a room that is specified to have a view and some, especially in the County Hall branch, have a view of the London Eye. But views can vary and will depend on availability. Premier Inn
Ibis London Blackfriars
Located in Southwark to the west of Waterloo, ibis London Blackfriars is a 3-star hotel that gives visitors affordable access to London’s most famous sights.
The ibis lies on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge, a 10 min walk to Tate Modern and 20 mins to The London Eye. This area has good transport links at Waterloo and London Bridge stations as well as nearby Southwark tube station.
Rooms are simple and modern and the hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar as well as plenty of places to eat nearby.
You can watch the city light up at night from the select higher floor City View rooms. You might strike it lucky with a outlook towards Big Ben or the London Eye though this is dependent on availability. Click here for reviews and availability at ibis London Blackfriars
Cheap London Hotels by Tower Bridge
Just north of Tower Bridge, close to the Tower of London, are some more great affordable London hotels with views. This area has quite a different feel to the South Bank. It’s close to the financial heart of the City so you’ll be contrasting historic sights like the Tower of London with a much more 21st century high rise cityscape. This is a great option if you’re interested in exploring this part of London and the East End.
- Landmarks: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, River Thames, famous London skyscrapers including the Shard, now the second tallest building in western Europe
- Local sights: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Katherine Docks, Bankside. HMS Belfast. Also walking distance to Shoreditch and Brick Lane
- Places to eat: Plenty of choice from Butler’s Wharf on the south side of the Thames to the restaurants of St Katherine Docks
- Visitor attractions: View from the Shard, Sky Garden, London Bridge Experience
- Nearest stations: Tower Hill, Fenchurch St Station, Tower Gateway DLR
The Tower Hotel
Positioned right beside the iconic Tower Bridge, The Tower hotel puts you face-to-face with one of London’s most famous landmarks. It’s a magificent sight whatever the weather: a friend of mine stayed here recently and vouched for the great views.
The ground floor riverside restaurant and terrace has sweeping views of Tower Bridge. And in the summertime you can relax at The Lawn, an outdoor space on the banks of the Thames, serving drinks and light meals. This hotel also has a fitness center.
The Tower hotel is close to the peaceful St Katherine Docks marina with its range of restaurants and is a short walk from the Tower of London and also Tower Hill tube station. For anyone wanting direct views of Tower Bridge without spending a fortune, this hotel hits the mark.
Starting at £130 per night, room rates are competitive for this prime location. Select rooms with Tower Bridge views are specified on the booking site. Click here for room reviews and availability
Citizen M Tower of London
Looking out over the Tower of London, the eponymous CitizenM Tower of London treats guests to some of London’s best skyline views and arresting combinations of ancient and contemporary. A fragment of London’s Roman wall stands outside the hotel whilst the skyline bristles with 21st century skyscrapers.
The one-size modern rooms are compact and start around £120 per night. The CitizenM brand is all about their supersize comfy beds, wall to wall windows and smart design features. You can control the lighting and blinds with an app on your phone or in-room iPad mini.
The 7th floor bar and outdoor terrace looks out onto the Tower of London, Shard, Gherkin et al. It was a stormy afternoon when I visited and steely skies made the views even more dramatic. On the ground floor there’s a stylish 24/7 canteen and comfortable open plan lounge areas to give visitors plenty of space to work or relax.
The hotel is literally on top of Tower Hill tube station and you’re well placed for early morning tickets to the Tower of London. For travellers looking for affordable luxury and panoramic city views, this hotel combines both without stretching your budget.
Rooms with Tower of London views are specified on the booking site click here for reviews and availability.
Where to stay in the City and Shoreditch
The City of London is the capital’s traditional financial district. The most iconic of London’s skyscrapers have sprouted here recently and you’ll find dazzling combinations of ancient and modern architecture side by side.
This is a great location to access east London, Bankside and Greenwich. Whilst Elizabeth line trains from Liverpool Street can whizz you to the West End of London, Oxford Street or further west to Paddington station. I’d recommend this area if you’ve visited London before and are keen to explore a new area.
Hotel Saint London
The 4-star Hotel Saint lies adjacent to the 18th century church of St Botolph’s Aldgate. This historic area is convenient for the City of London as well as Tower Bridge.
The hotel has a fitness suite, restaurant and bar and is also home to the Jin Bo Law Sky Bar with its 14th floor rooftop views where you can relax and take in the city skyline, cocktail in hand.
Check the booking site for the ‘Botolph’ rooms on higher floors with landmark or city views that might include St Botolph’s church spire, the Gherkin and vistas of the Square Mile. Click here for Hotel Saint London room rates and availability
Where to stay in Bayswater and Paddington
This area just north of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens is a great place for affordable London hotels. It offers easy access to the West End just a few Tube stops east, and the Kensington museums and shops lie south of the park.
Here you can enjoy some pretty London streets as well as sprawling, beautiful Hyde Park. This is probably my favourite of central London’s green spaces. It’s got lots to offer families, as well as lakes, art and places to sit – or run! The landmarks aren’t quite so much on your doorstep as they are on South Bank or Tower Bridge, but it generally has a more relaxing vibe. It’s also a great location for exploring on foot in Kensington’s museum zone and up-scale residential areas. Whilst Paddington station is handy for day trips from London by train.
- Landmarks: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Potential for distant views of the London Eye and the Shard
- Local sights: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Notting Hill. Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge are approx 20 mins walk across the park.
- Places to eat: lots of options in Bayswater and Kensington. Try pubs near the Albert Hall and Paddington cafes for more inspiration
- Major visitor attractions: Oxford Street
- Nearest Underground (Tube) stations: Queensway, Lancaster Gate
Thistle Hyde Park Kensington Gardens
In contrast to the city centre hotels, I’ve picked the Thistle for its location overlooking one of London’s most beautiful green spaces.
Thistle Hyde Park offers the best views of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens from its higher floors, with potentially distant views of the Shard and London Eye. The park-facing rooms have especially pretty views during spring and autumn when the gardens show their seasonal colours.
The property’s 1st floor restaurant and bar also face the park, whilst its position near Lancaster Gate tube station makes it simple to reach central London attractions.
This is a great hotel for visitors seeking a mix of city access and open spaces. There’s an entrance to the park just across the road from the hotel. So you can head out, like the locals, on an early morning run or take the easy stroll across the park to the Kensington museums. With rooms starting at £120 per night this hotel hits the mark for moderate rates and relaxing views. Click here for Thistle Hyde Park Kensington Gardens room rates and availability.
Tips for Booking Cheap London Hotels with Views
Check that the room you book actually comes with the view you’re hoping for. High floors and corner rooms are more likely to give you a panoramic view. Search recent guest photos and reviews on Tripadvisor to verify that the views match the descriptions.
Hotel loyalty programmes can sometimes provide free upgrades to rooms with better views.
Best Times for Cheaper Hotel rates in London
Thanks to a strategy of dynamic pricing, London hotel rates vary according to demand and booking trends. So I haven’t quoted any firm prices here. January and February usually offer the lowest hotel rates in London, with prices often 30-40% below peak season. Early November can also brings good deals, before the Christmas holiday shopping rush. Summer months of June to August see the highest prices as visitors flock to the city.
Weekday stays typically cost less than weekends, with Sunday nights offering particularly good value. Many hotels drop their rates for last-minute bookings, especially during quiet periods.
You can also find lower rates at London hotels by planning your visit around school terms: rates tend to spike during UK school holidays. .Look out for reductions for advance booking or members’ offers.
Enjoying your London hotel with a view
If I’ve got a hotel room with a view I really want to make the most of it. This can include catching the sunrise or sunset from the window or a rooftop bar. Ordering in breakfast as the morning light hits the landmarks, or winding down with evening drinks in the room whilst the city lights twinkle to life.
If your room includes a balcony, you could put together a picnic from a local market to enjoy against an iconic backdrop.
Capture a unique memento of your stay by photographing your view and the changing light throughout the day. And take advantage of your hotel’s communal rooftop spaces during off-peak hours when crowds thin out.
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
What to read next about London
- Guide to Central London Neighbourhoods and Things to Do
- Ultimate Guide to the Best Day Trips from London by train
- London Food 49 must-try dishes and where to eat them
- 101 British Snacks that also make great souvenirs
- Best Cafes in Covent Garden a local’s guide
- Best Cafes in Paddington
- 105 Things to do in London with Teens
- Things to do in London in April + weather and what to pack
- Things to do in London in May + weather and what to pack
- How to Visit the Long Walk Windsor
About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
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