Where to stay in London: independent hotels, guest houses and B and Bs

Independent places to stay across London, from hotels to guest houses and bed and breakfasts, each a licensed business with its own front desk and its own number to book direct.

Booking a place to stay in London direct, rather than through a booking site, usually means talking to the front desk that will actually check you in. The independents here are licensed hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts, each with its own number, so you can ask about the area, late check-in and the actual room before you pay for it.

What to ask before you book

• Which area and the nearest Tube or rail. In London the line and the zone matter more than the street.
• Check-in and check-out times, and whether an early or late one is possible on your dates.
• What the rate includes, breakfast, VAT and any extra charge, so the price you hear is the price you pay.
• The specific room, not the category. Ask about the bed, the floor and whether it faces the road.

Places to stay across London

Booking direct

Ring the front desk, give your dates and ask for their best direct rate. It is often the same or better than a booking site once fees are added, and it lets you sort out anything particular before you arrive. The number on each page is the property's own.

Written by See The Smoke · kept current from the directory, last checked 2026-11-06