I thought this would have been addressed already here, but I can't find anything.
I was in London last week and wanted to stay near Islington where my daughte moved two weeks ago. The hotel most convenient was asking £106 pounds plus a parking charge of about £20. (Yes, I know, and I usually take the Eurostar as well but I needed the car this time ) I emphasise that these weren't the rack rates as I want through the Internet a couple of weeks prior to departure.
ANyway, we ended up driving down to Kent (we were going back to France the next day), where we stayed in higher quality accommodation in the same hotel group for literally well less that half the price being asked in Islington. Add in the fact that the breakfast was full-English and not just continental and that there was no charge to park the car, and the choice was easy.
So, my question is, where do we stay in London on our next visit? I know it's an expensive city for hotels having lived there for 4 years a while ago, but my usual choice, a Thistle hotel just off Kensington High Street no longer offers cheap deals over the Internet. I don't want a bed and breakfast, but do want a decent 3* hotel for a decent rate. Any ideas? We want to go back before Christmas. By train.

Reckon it'll have to be underneath the arches then.*

* Sorry US and everywhere else outside Blighty: don't even TRY to understand!

Sorry, Colin! I hate it when no-one gets back to a post of mine. Wish I could help, however it is 40 years since I lived in London...but...hang on, I just might have an idea...watch this space!

Thistle usually offer special rates at around this time as do others, particularly at weekends . On the internet Expedia often has special rates at chosen hotels. The alternative is to turn up and try several for the best rate (easier where you are not dealing with some computer and/or a junior, junior, "manager", so big chains are not best for this). It's surprising what deals you can do on hotels at the desk.

Ah, you got here before me, Fred!

Anyway, my friend Bob, who owns a private hire company in Hammersmith, is a first rate pianist (studied RCM & Vienna Conservatoire, degree in German, etc., etc.) has sent this in response to an email from me. I do not know whether it is too 'down market' for you, Colin, but it is always worth having a selection of possible places to suit different needs at different times.Hope it helps...

"Hi ritzmar BABY
TRY AA BED &BREAKFAST 02089922463 ONLY£20 FOR SINGLE. £1 FOR BREAKFAST!
BRUNELL LODGE GUEST HOUSE BED&BREAKFAST £35 FOR SINGLE 01895460037
ACTON HILL GUEST HOUSE NO BREAKFAST£30 SINGLE 02089922553
HOPE THIS IS OF SOME HELP. REGARDS BOB"

Cheers, Ritz

PS If you require something more pretentious, let me know, & I will engage Bob's encyclopaedic knowledge once more!

I've only just seen this last repsonse so my thanks to Ritz. On that last occasion, I was indeed looking for a three-star hotel, but details of these cheaper alternatives are always useful - I get asked all sots of questions over here by peope planning trips to London and they're probably not all plutocrats like me
Actually, I've just booked a double-room with breakfast at the Holiday Inn chain in central London. £59 per night for two, which is VERY reasonable. It's a special spring break offer, so do take advantage of it if you can. Not all the Holiday Inns offer such rates though, for as Fred hints, software is such an inflexible product - oh, and if you have a car, watch for the price of the hotel car-park. Mine costs only £7 per night. I might even be able to afford a beer at those prices.