London accomodations

London is an expensive city, but it is possible to find affordable accommodations. A list of budget-friendly hotels, hostels, and serviced apartments can be found here.

(Graduate students and Dissertation Colloquium participants who receive funding may be eligible to access discounted hotel rooms, some of which are triples. More information will be made available once the program is finalised in November.)

The easiest way to find and book accommodations, in any price range, is through Expedia, Booking.com, Trivago, Kayak and other third-party aggregators. Extra discounts usually apply if you become a member and download their apps.

On these platforms, the cheapest rooms usually require prepayment and are non-refundable. Making changes will trigger extra charges. You should therefore choose the non-refundable option only if you are very sure you will be using the rooms, on the dates you've indicated.

If the app allows, put 'South Kensington London' (rather than just London) as the destination. If you don't mind taking the Underground, aka the Tube, you can also search 'Victoria London' and 'Earls Court London.' Both neighborhoods have numerous budget options and are two stops away.

Budget chains such as Premier Inn, Hub by Premier Inn, and Travelodge can also be booked directly. Sometimes this can be cheaper.

Accommodations from private hosts can be found through Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner). These can often be cheaper than Airbnb.

Sharing a twin room with another attendee is another way to save money. When booking, be sure to specify that you want two twin beds. Confirm this with the hotel shortly before you arrive to minimise the chances of error.

In all cases, you should:

  • Check Tripadvisor and other review platforms to confirm that you are happy with the accommodation you have chosen.
  • Check Google Maps for how long it will take to walk or take public transportation to Imperial College.

Mid-range and high-end hotels near Imperial College include the following:

Mid-range

  • Citadines South Kensington
  • The Adria
  • The Exhibitionist
  • San Domenico House
  • The Other House
  • The Bailey's
  • The Queens Gate
  • 54 Queens Gate
  • The Gore
  • The Rembrandt
  • The Harrington
  • Hux Hotel Kensington
  • The Pelham
  • Melia Kensington

High-end

  • Knightsbridge Hotel, a Firmdale hotel
  • Number Sixteen, a Firmdale hotel
  • The Ampersand
  • The Kensington

Also check Expedia, Booking.com, etc. for apartments.