Budget hotels in London can be hard to come by, so when I heard about a new Malaysian hotel chain that had opened up in London last year, I thought it was time to pay a visit.
I nearly missed the entrance to the six-storey Tune Hotel, Westminster, squeezed between a Costa Coffee and The Horse pub, but inside the doors I was greeted into the latest no-frills budget hotel. I was reliably informed by the receptionist Elly that the concept behind the hotel is basically that you book "room only" via the internet (www.tunehotels.com).
I had a nose in a number of the 79 rooms, and the concept seems to me to be quite simple. Most of the time when you are staying in a hotel, you really only want a clean bed and a decent shower -- and this hotel provides exactly that.
Each room is equipped with a UK-size double bed (think Queen-size). Elly informed me that the mattresses are of a 5-star hotel standard, and giving them a quick squeeze (I didn't want to jump on the bed for fear of messing up the newly made bed) I could certainly believe this was the case. The beds are then made up with white cotton sheets and a duvet. The bathroom pod has a power shower, toilet and small sink. Other facilities in the room may be few with only a few hangers and no wardrobes, but this seems sufficient for a quick stay. You can slide your suitcase under the bed and pull out a little table for your laptop.
Rooms start at £35 (including taxes) and go up to £80 depending on availability. Like many budget airlines, the earlier you book the more likely you are to be able to secure the lowest-price deal. However, on the day I visited, there were still rooms available for that evening at £60.
Eleven rooms are without window, and offer the cheapest deal. If you're not worried about a view (and to be honest there's not much of one) then opt for the cheaper rooms without windows. These are perfect for single travellers--most of them tend to be smaller than the rooms with windows and you may only be able to jump into the bed from one side. Even the slightly larger rooms with windows tend to be a little tight to squeeze around the bed. Those with limited mobility really should think about booking the specially adapted rooms--there are 4 in total in the hotel. The company's motto of "Less Waste, More Earth" means that other extras, from towels to hair dryers and TV, come at an additional price. But, at £1.50 for clean towels this is hardly going to affect your sightseeing budget. Other costs: Internet in reception (£1/50/hr); Wi-Fi £3/24 hr; Hair dryer £1; TV £3/24 hr.
Although the hotel has no restaurant facilities, there is a drinks machine in reception, where you can buy a coffee or tea for no more than £1, and you can order a breakfast voucher from reception to use at Costa Coffee next door for just £4.95.
For those concerned about safety and security there is a 24-hour manned reception, CCTVs throughout the hotel, and nobody can enter the hotel without a key card after midnight.
The only gripe I would have about the hotel is the name. Tune Hotel, Westminster implies the hotel is Westminster when in fact it is just across the road from Lambeth North tube. Saying that, the location is also only a 5-minute walk from Waterloo station (use exit 2, and head towards The Old Vic, then turn right on Baylis Road, and it is at the far end, just round the corner from Costa Coffee), and only 5 minutes the other way to the London Eye.
15 more Tune Hotels are due to open in the Greater London area over the next few years, with the next one due to open near Liverpool Street station in 2012 with 180 rooms.
For more information on Budget hotels in London, and low-cost meals out check out Frommer's London Free & Dirt Cheap available from Amazon.
