The London evening paper, the Evening Standard, recently mentioned that London is one of the most expensive places in the world as far as hotel accommodation goes. Warning: the cheapest option, sleeping in open spaces (parks) is not advisable, as the parks are locked and patrolled at night. Another inexpensive option is to beg your friends, relatives, and acquaintances to let you crash at their place. Otherwise inexpensive options are youth hostels, college dormitories (in the summer), camping in Wormwood Scrubs (tents are provided) and inexpensive hotels.

Tent City Old Oak Common Lane W3, Tel: 0181-743 5708, Underground: East Acton This is one of the cheapest places to stay, although not strictly in Kensington, very near. Dormitory style accommodation in tents with beds costing £6 per night. It is open from June to September and it is advisable to book beforehand. There is also space available for your own tent.

Youth Hostels

Earl's Court 38 Bolton Gardens, SW5 0AQ Tel: 0171-373 7083 Fax: 0171-835 2034 Underground: Earl's Court. A Victorian House with dormitory style accommodation. Rates (inc. breakfast) around £19. Comment: Inexpensive evening meals available. There is also a large garden.

Holland House Holland Walk, W8 7QU Tel: 0171-937 0748 Fax: 0171-376 0667 Underground: High Street Kensington or Holland Park. There are nine youth hostels (YHA) in London, and this is both one of the nicest and the most central. Located inside one of the best parks in London. Rates (including breakfast) are around £19. Comment: Very popular with school groups from the continent. Book early to secure accommodation.

Albion Court Hotel 1 Trebovir Road, SW5 Tel: 0171-373 0833 Fax: 0171-373 9998 Underground: Earl's Court Beds from only £10 per person, although this is in a shared room of a maximum of 5 people. Twin rooms about £40. Comment: Very lively place. Always seems full. -kept and friendly hostel. Dorms are £13 per person, singles are £23. Comment: Use of kitchen and TV lounge.

Chelsea Hotel 33 Earl's Court Square, SW5 Tel: 0171-244 6892 Fax: 0171-244 6891 Underground: Earl's Court Like some continental hostels, this one is full of travellers. Bed in a dorm is £12, a single £25. Restaurant. Comment: Huge place, very popular with backpackers. No kitchen.

The Court Hotel 194-196 Earl's Court Road SW5 Tel: 0171-373 0027 Underground: Earl's Court Friendly management, eager to help with advice. TV in some rooms. Weekly rates also available. Dorm bed available for £11, singles £21 and doubles £24.

Curzon House Hotel 58 Courtfield Gardens, SW5 Tel: 0171-581 2116 Fax: 0171-835 1319 Underground: Gloucester Road Well

London Independent Hostel 41 Holland Park, W11 Tel: 0171-229 4238 Underground: Holland Park Good position and good value: dormitories from £9 per person to doubles at £11 per person.

The New Ark Backpackers Flotel Adrenalin Village, Queenstown Road SW8 Tel: 0171-720 9496 Underground: Sloane Square On the River Thames, this is a converted barge that some people love. A bunk in a cabin (of four bunks) costs £12 a night.

The Imperial College of Science and Technology 15 Prince's Gardens SW7 Tel: 0171-594 9494 Fax: 0171-594 9505 Underground: South Kensington First class position near the major South Kensington museums. Open only for Easter and summer. Bed & breakfast costs £26.50.

London School of Economics Residences Not in Kensington, but excellent value with prices from £16 per person and fantastic position in Central London. This famous university has six residences which are available to visitors to London on either a bed and breakfast basis or self-catering (suitable for groups or families). Accommodation is available until the third week of September (book early for next year!), before the term starts. Details/brochures are available from LSE, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE or telephone ansaphone 0171-955 7575 or fax 0171-955 7676. Or e-mail me and I will pass on your requests for a brochure.

Abbey House Hotel 11 Vicarage Gate W8 Tel: 0171-727 2594 Underground: High St. Kensington Located in a lovely, quiet street near Kensington Church Street. Shared facilities, but the place is kept spotless by the proud owners. Singles cost £40 per night, with doubles at £65. Comment: Good reports from people who have stayed.

The Boka Hotel 33 Eardley Crescent SW5 Tel: 0171-370 1388 Underground: Earl's Court Friendly and relaxed. Free use of kitchen. Dorm beds from £16, single rooms from £25. Comment: Many Australians and New Zealanders stay here.

Garden Court Hotel 30-31 Kensington Garden Square W2 Tel: 0171-229 2553 Fax: 0171-727 2749 Underground: Bayswater Located on the other side of Kensington Gardens to Kensington High St. Completely renovated a few years ago. Close to Whiteley's Shopping Mall which has an 8-screen cinema, numerous restaurants & cafes and many shops. Prices range from £34-48 for a single and £48-74 for a double (with and without facilities). Comment: A friend stayed there and her report was very favourable. Her room was a little bit small, but on the other hand, the price was right and she already booked for another visit this year.

Gate Hotel 6 Portobello Road W11 Tel: 0171-221 2403 Fax: 0171-221 9128 E-mail: gatehotel6@aol.com Underground: Notting Hill Gate Actually a converted town house. Prices for singles are £45 without facilities or £60 with, or £75-78 for a double room. Comment: Very pretty hotel situated in a particularly lively area of Notting Hill Gate, which is one of the trendiest areas in London at the moment. You couldn't be closer to Portobello Market.

London Town Hotel 15 Penywern Road SW5 Tel: 0171-370 4356 Fax: 0171-370 7923 Underground: Earl's Court A mid-range priced hotel with rooms that have all the facilities. Prices are £68 for a single room and £90 for a double.

Lord Jim Hotel 23-25 Penywern Road SW5 Tel: 0171-370 6071 Fax: 0171-373 8919 Underground: Earl's Court Rooms are small, but some doubles have private facilities. Singles basic are £30, with facilities are £40. Double rooms are between £35-39, those with facilities cost £48-52.

The Magnolia Hotel 104-5 Oakley Street SW3 Tel: 0171-352 0187 Fax: 0171-352 3610 Underground: South Kensington Located in expensive Chelsea but very good value. Bit far from the Underground. Singles from £35, doubles from £45.

Merlyn Court Hotel 2 Barkston Gardens SW5 Tel: 0171-370 1640 Fax: 0171-370 4986 Underground: Earl's Court Quiet area, close to public transport. Very popular. English breakfast is included in the price. Almost all rooms have private facilities. A single room with facilities costs £55, one without is £35. Doubles are £60 or £48 without facilities.

Ramsees Hotel 32/36 Hogarth Road SW5 Tel: 0171-370 1445 Fax: 0171-244 6835 E-mail: younis@rasool.demon.co.uk Underground: Earl's Court Many budget visitors stay here. All rooms with colour TV. A single room from £24, double £35, triple £48.

Rasool Court Hotel 19-21 Penywern Road SW5 Tel: 0171-373 8900 Fax: 0171-244 6835 E-mail: younis@rasool.demon.co.uk Underground: Earl's Court Same management as Ramsees. Very popular. Single room from £29 per night, double from £40, triple from £54. Breakfast included.

Shelbourne Hotel 1 Lexham Gardens W8 Tel: 0171-373 5161 Fax: 0171-373 9824 Underground: Gloucester Road or High St. Kensington Reasonably priced hotel with well-equipped rooms (TV, shower and direct dial phones). A single room costs £35, while a double is £47. Comment: Better than some others in the price range.

St Simeon 38 Harrington Gardens SW7 Tel: 0171-373 0505 Fax: 0171-589 6412 Underground: Gloucester Road. Near the museums in South Kensington. Prices from £9 to £17 per person.

Swiss House Hotel 171 Old Brompton Road SW5 Tel: 0171-373 2769 Fax: 0171-373 9383 E-mail: recep@swiss-hh.demon.co.uk Underground: Gloucester Road Singles with facilities are £59, and doubles with facilities are £82. Comment: They have raised their prices since last year, but it is clean and tidy and they have many returning guests.

Vicarage Private Hotel 10 Vicarage Gate W8 Tel: 0171-229 4030 Fax: 0171-792 5989 Underground: High St. Kensington Website: londonvicaragehotel.com Prices are: singles £40, doubles & twin £63, triples £80 and quads £88. Comment: Go to the website and read the reviews of previous guests yourself. I'll not say anymore.

ATTENTION HOTEL KEEPERS: Please, please get an e-mail address and possibly a website. You will make life easier for many travellers and for yourself as well!!!

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