House shares vs hotel

[dang65]

It's not so much the daily rate that governs what accommodation you use. It's more about what you can afford beyond your usual outgoings. I have a large family which costs me a fortune, so although I'm on a good rate I try to keep my costs down when I'm away from home.

The London Youth Hostels do vary a lot in standard. The Oxford Street one is in a great location but is really quite grim and I won't stay there often. Most the others are fine, of the ones I've stayed in. But it's each to their own. Some people hate the idea, or are fine with paying extra for a private room. Hostels are just one of the cheap alternatives for those that prefer to keep costs down.

[Green Mango]

I saw a tv documentary on accomodation round London. They had a civil servant who could not afford accomodation in London itself so had a tent in a campsite in Epping Forest.

Not everyones cup of tea, but very pleasant in the Summer.

[Board Game Geek]

I saw a tv documentary on accomodation round London. They had a civil servant who could not afford accomodation in London itself so had a tent in a campsite in Epping Forest.

Not everyones cup of tea, but very pleasant in the Summer.

Epping might be alright, but Clapham Common might be a bit fraught.

Hmm. There are a lot of parks in Central London. Can you pitch a tent in them ?

[NickFitz]

Hmm. There are a lot of parks in Central London. Can you pitch a tent in them ?

I remember the time in the Eighties when some foreign students shinned over a wall in London and pitched their tent in what they thought was a park.

They were somewhat disconcerted to be woken up at daybreak by armed Police officers. They were in the gardens of Buckingham Palace

[Gonzo]

Epping might be alright, but Clapham Common might be a bit fraught.

Hmm. There are a lot of parks in Central London. Can you pitch a tent in them ?

In theory yes but you do need to have the written permission of the Secretary of State first.

The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 (SFW)

EDIT: Which Secretary of State? It was the Secretary of State for National Heritage that signed the act but the position has been retitled the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

[BA to the Stars]

If you are only requiring accommodation Mon - Thurs and travel home on a Friday, why not look at Travelodge, Premier Inn, etc. Booking in advance can work out pretty cheap.

[conned tractor]

So far I have found that:

The Youth Hostel, yes the Youth Hostel, which looks quite nice actually being a converted oast house, is £17 a night (£68/ week). This wasn't a bad looking option but availablity is very limitted over the next couple of months and over the summer is showing no availability .

Holiday Inn, no discounts available for that one on the few dates over the next few months I tried. Comes in at £308/ week.

mondaytofriday: Nothing in the area, but thanks for the suggestion.

Premier inn: want around £320/ week. Having stayed in premier inns before, I have only ever paid around £30 ish/ night. Edit: Tell a lie, have just searched some more advance dates and it is coming back with £250/ week without breakfast.

Lesser known large-ish hotel: £50/ night (£200/ week), could be a possibility.

B&B (old lady style) is a good option, their advertised prices are around £50+ a night therefore £200/week. I'm sure they would knock a few quid off for a long termer.

Shared house: around £65-£100/ week, a fair saving but involves living with other people. Minimum terms usually less.

Private let: around £100-£150/ week + council tax, utilities etc, but risky as pogle pointed out if project gets canned, left with minimum term rent plus bills.

Wild camping would result in me being the stinky one in the office, a touch impractical.

Camper van, a nice idea, but again a touch impractical. Although on a personal note, I would love to take a camper van round Europe or such like at some in my life.

Staying in hotel next week so will look around a few places while down there.

As another option, has anyone stayed on a boat for a contract? That could be an experience. Are there any moorings around Gillingham?

Thanks for all your suggestions.

[MarillionFan]

Remember if you are planning to use a hotel for any period of time ie 4 nights per week for three months it is worth negotiating with the manager. Many a time I've had a £100 per night style room discounted heavily for a long period

[Churchill]

Staying on a boat is quite fun. I stayed on a houseboat on the Thames for a few months up at Richmond.

[Grinder]

B&B prices from £25/night assuming this is Gillingham in Kent:

http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/gillingh.html