London Dormitory Rooms

Student and Tourist Accommodations

London dormitory

London hotels can be budget-busters for backpacking students, visitors from third-world countries, or victims of the weak U.S. dollar. Youth hostels are an alternative, but many tourists have found an even better option: residence halls at London's universities, where rooms are available at rockbottom rates during the summer vacation period (normally mid- to late June until mid- or late September). For example:

University College London has rooms from £29.50 (single) to £55.00 (twin), with discounts for alumni. Five dorms were available when we last checked in 2010, some with ensuite facilities and some without. Rates include either breakfast or kitchen privileges. For information, visit UCL's Residential Services page.

The London School of Economics has singles from £32, twins from £49, and triples from £66, with some rooms available during Easter and winter breaks as well as summer. For details, go to LSE Vacations and view pages for LSE's eight residence halls. Also see LSETopFloor for information on slightly more luxurious LSE apartments, studios, and rooms that can be booked throughout the year.

City University London's Finsbury Residences have a short summer season (late July through the end of August), but its rates are low. Rooms are equipped with washbasins; WCs, showers, kitchens, and common rooms are on each floor. The modern dorms are near the City and the Barbican underground station.

King's College London offers single rooms,with rates depending on type of accommodation and whether an English breakfast is included. Guests over 60 and students or interns under 26 can request discounts. Some rates include cooked or continental breakfast. See the college's Summer Accommodation page for details.

Queen Mary, University of London has ensuite single or twin rooms at daily B&B or weekly self-catering rates. Residences are on the college's East London campus near the Mile End and Stepney Green underground stations. Click here for descriptions and rates.

University of Westminster's Unilet summer accommodations include a number of Victorian and modern residence halls in London and its suburbs, with both rooms and self-catering apartments. Rates start around £20 for singles and range up to just over £80 for two people in a one-bedroom apartment.

Things to know before booking at a residence hall:

Dorms don't offer double beds, and many don't have private bathrooms, so they may not be the ideal choice for a honeymoon or dirty weekend.

Breakfast and other meals are available at some dorms, and others have kitchen facilities. If you're on a really tight budget, access to a kitchen--even if you only use the refrigerator--can leave you with more money for the occasional splurge. (Warning: In some cases, you'll need to supply your own crockery and utensils, so read the descriptions carefully.)

Each university has its own vacation dates, and availability of rooms may vary among a school's residence halls. If the first dorm on your list doesn't have a room when you want it, be sure to try the other residence halls and schools before giving up.

Some residence halls offer special rates and services for groups; these are described on the university Web sites.

Note:

The rates in this article are subject to change. For up-to-date prices, click the links to the dormitory Web sites.

London Metropolitan University, which was featured in earlier versions of this article, no longer rents dormitory rooms to tourists.

Also see:

Other London travel articles at Europe for Visitors

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