The Most Budget-Friendly Hotels in Covent Garden, London

Plopped between the City and the West End, Z Holborn comes through on its promise of being a prime location in the entertainment district. Perfect for city breakers and guests on the go, this upbeat boutique-style hotel near Covent Garden provides convenience in spades. Offering a refuge from the hubbub outside, rooms are fresh and minimal with flatscreen TVs for late-night scrolling. Tea and coffee facilities can be found in every room, so guests can get hopped up on caffeine before taking on the city, and a dizzying array of eateries are on your doorstep.

Fringed in fairy lights and neighbouring the Royal Opera House, the Fielding Hotel – named after the 18th-century novelist Henry Fielding – exudes a festive air year-round, which makes it a favourite for families in town for the ballet. Despite the wallet-friendly cost, this cheap Covent Garden hotel offers plush furnishings – a ballet slipper bath here, a glass chandelier and ornate dresser there – yet, despite these cushy surroundings, it’s the unbeatable Covent Garden locale that comes up trumps. For more opulence, strike towards the storied Ivy for celebrity-spotting – it’s within waddling distance from this three-storey stay.

Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity, which draws influence from the literary wonder boy Oscar Wilde, promises rooms with typical features such as smart TVs, Nespresso machines and Hypnos mattresses, along with unexpected delights like gramophones, touch-panel controls and Grohe rainfall showers. The mood outside might say traditional townhouse, but inside, stretches of blonde wood, mason jars topped with condiments, trendy cookbooks and minimalism speak to a Scandi aesthetic that pleases a young clientele. Rooms at this cheap hotel in Covent Garden are compact with a clever use of space that feels more in keeping with high-tech cities like Tokyo than the historic heart of London.

Strand Palace Hotel has sat on the same intersection of the city centre for over a century (a fact it wears proudly), and unlike many of the ritzy hotels in the area, it started life as a guest house as opposed to a residency for noblemen. Though a smidgen more than the original entry price – five shillings and six pence for a room and breakfast – the stately city pile is still finance-friendly, especially given its central location and heritage as one of London’s foremost hotels. Strand Palace’s old Art Deco foyer now sits in the V&A, which also owns a collection of vintage artefacts from the hotel’s heyday – though, back at the hotel, keen art enthusiasts will catch more than a few surviving features from the 1920s and ’30s.

A discreet monogram plaque is the only signifier that this isn’t a swanky old-school townhouse – but rather a refreshingly modern home away from home. Inside this cheap hotel in Covent Garden, rooms are replete with springy beds, en-suites, HD TVs and super-fast wifi, while huge toffee-toned leather booths juxtapose the buffet counter where you can load up on fruits, juices, meats and pastries. Meet other travellers and swap tips over a complimentary cheese and wine spread that runs daily between 5pm-8pm.

The bright SoHostel exudes a cheery air: crayola-coloured seats are scattered around the well-stocked bar and games room, lending an SU vibe that’s in keeping with the large student cohort. The hostel is London’s only with a rooftop; anticipate great views and a global crowd glugging reasonably priced beer while exchanging stories from the night before. In contrast to the bold tones that dominate the shared areas – such as the lounge and pamper room – dorms are bright but sparse with a range of mixed, single or same-sex options.

India Club Bar & Restaurant, a colourful, plant-clad eatery that first opened over a half a century ago, sits in the belly of Hotel Strand Continental – dishing up South Indian dishes and complimentary continental breakfasts. Contrary to the eatery, though, rooms are minimal, airy and fitted with university hall-style furniture, with shared showers and toilets. Note that this cheap hotel near Covent Garden is unsuitable for the less physically able, on account of the towering multi-storey townhouse structure and lack of lift.

Citadines Trafalgar Square London is firmly planted in the hub of London’s historic heart; swing a cat here and you might hit any number of attractions, including the National Gallery and River Thames. It’s well-connected with tube stations Charing Cross and Embankment nearby, so should you tire of “central” – as it’s locally known – you can hotfoot it North, East or West. A range of accommodation is available, and all are spacious and well furnished with kitchenettes, partitioned living areas and cosy beds. Outside your room, facilities include a launderette, car park, business corner, breakfast room and 24-hour reception.