Cheap UK Hotel Options By Type

Written by Editor on February 12, 2010 under Budget Hotels, Europe Hotels, Hotel Search.

There are more people will be jetting off on city breaks, inter-railing round Europe and generally heading off traveling every year. In the current difficult economic condition, travelers try to reduce their travel expenses by selecting the cheap hotels. And budgeted travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the sheer range of excellent accommodation options in UK.

tower-bridge-londonhotel-125 In England, Wales and Scotland, the AA (Automobile Association) has assessed accommodation based on a set of common quality standard that are agreed by the AA and the UK tourist authorities. These accommodations are assessed under three broad categories: Hotel, Guest Accommodation and Budget Hotel. Hotel categories comprise Hotel, Country House Hotel, Small Hotel, Town House Hotel, and Metro Hotel. While guest accommodation categories include Guest Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, Guest House, Farmhouse, Inn and Restaurant with Rooms. The AA uses star ratings from one to five to assess guest accommodation.

Hotels vs Guest Houses

You will find a significant difference in both price and facilities between hotels and guest houses in the UK. Hotels usually offer breakfasts, lunches, teas, dinners, a licensed bar and a range of services and facilities to suit individuals, families and often business groups. Country house hotels will often add recreational facilities such as golf, tennis, swimming, health spas, gyms and attended play areas for children. Top league international hotels in London and major cities offer comprehensive amenities and services for business and holiday guests, and a choice of first class and luxury accommodation. Guest houses may not have bars or offer lunch or teas, but will have television and sitting lounges.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B)

Bed and breakfast accommodation, is mostly in private homes. Facilities in B&Bs are very limited as they focus on providing nice bedrooms rather than on facilities such as a bar or restaurant. They are often the least expensive form of guest accommodation although prices vary according to their location. Whether they are located on the most popular holiday locations or offering stopovers ‘en route’.

As private homes, including farmhouses and working farms, B&Bs tend to offer a very personal welcome, and an insight into British ways of life in different parts of the country. Breakfast is intended to fill you and will often include bacon, eggs, fried bread, tomatoes, even fried potatoes and local additions such as black pudding. Or you can enjoy a ‘continental’ breakfast: cereal, bread, toast, tea, coffee and juice. photo credit: ceiling

Hostels

The number of backpackers hostels and independent youth hostels has surged in response to increased demand for cheap accommodation, as a result of a radical overhaul from the travel industry in the last five years, or so.

There are many hostels located all over England, Wales, Scotland and North Ireland. Hostels vary in style and amenities but they offer bedrooms with two up to six beds for young people, families and groups. They usually provide substantial breakfasts and dinners at low prices and have communal kitchen facilities if you prefer to cater for yourself.

photo credit: TFDuesing

The main hostel organizations are the Youth Hostel Association (YHA), the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) and Hostelling International Northern Ireland (HINI). You do not have to be a ‘youth’ to stay because there is no upper age limit (in Scotland the lower age limit is 5). But you may have to be a member of the YHA or SYHA if you want to stay in a hostel under those organizations, which involves paying a small annual membership fee. There are also a variety of independent hostels offering accommodation. Staying in hostels is traditionally popular with people pursuing backpacking, walking, cycling or generally exploring outdoor pursuits. But there are also hostels in many towns and cities, which enable members to enjoy good basic accommodation on a low budget.

Cheap UK Hotel Search

The following are the quick links to search your cheap hotel in UK