London: the capital of the United Kingdom. Characterised by its long and illustrious history (during Victorian times it was in essence capital of a quarter of the world's landmass), its role as a catalyst of industrial development (as well as being the first city to reach a population of a million inhabitants), its perpetual part as a major player in world politics, culture and finance, as well as its widely varied multiculturalism and high status as a tourist hotspot (as the second most-visited city in Europe) - all these qualities make London a crowded, expensive city; in which subsistence is at a premium and the cost of living is high - second only, in fact, to Moscow.

Attracting millions of visitors into its environs every year, many, if not most hotels in central London can be excessively costly, despite the sumptuous facilities offered by some. People will pay through the nose for lodgings in the city if they have no alternative - as an expensive city one must anticipate expense. However, it doesn't have to be this way. With a little forethought and a small amount of legwork, you can find discount London hotels scattered around the city which offer fantastic locations at affordable rates. Do you really require an on-site 5 star restaurant when you have the entirity of the city of London at your disposal to provide your daily repast? Why make use of the overpriced facilities in one of many hotels in London when you have one of the world's most varied cities at your disposal?

The Abba Queens Gate hotel, for example, provides you with an enviable location in the heart of fashionable Kensington & Chelsea, granting you easy access to many of central London's most upmarket shopping, entertainment and hospitality facilities. Don't let the traditional exterior fool you - this Victorian townhouse has been lovingly renovated to reveal a chic, modern interior that utterly belies its outside appearance.

Offering a similar level of retail excellence, the Rathbone Hotel London is set in the West End, a few minutes' walk from Oxford Street, Regent Street, Soho and London's famed Theatre District. As far as central London hotels go, you won't find one more central, or one located in a better spot for shopping and trying out some of London's most famous restaurants and bars.