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One of five large, good-value Bloomsbury hotels run by Imperial London Hotels, the Bedford’s advantage is a good restaurant and a sunny lounge and garden.

Centrally located near the corner of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street, this modern hotel is a good choice for fitness fanatics – guests have free use of a basement fitness centre and 25-m (83-ft) pool.

The Thistle Group has 23 hotels in London, many in prime sites. This one is next door to the National Gallery, so staying here will save on transport costs.

This large, rambling hotel near Piccadilly Circus is good value for its central position. Because it is a popular hotel for London breaks, weekend rates are more expensive. The hotel has no restaurant but there is a large Irish theme bar, O’Callaghan’s.

Occupying four large Victorian mansions, this is one of the best of the many South Kensington town-house hotels. Overlooking a quiet square (some rooms have balconies), this is a relaxed and friendly place to stay.

Located in a quiet side street near Oxford Circus, this enticing hotel, with its attractive facade, is as friendly inside as its exterior promises. Rooms are comfortably furnished and there is a good restaurant serving mainly French food.

This family-run hotel near Marble Arch is well suited for a short shopping and sightseeing stopover. Blue awnings outside add a jaunty continental touch, but inside the atmosphere is civilized and old-fashioned.

Named after the English painter Thomas Gainsborough, this hotel aims to recreate the feel of an English country home. It is conveniently located for the museums and Knightsbridge shops.

This hotel squeezes into the mid-price category for its excellent weekend rate. It is a pleasantly airy modern hotel next to Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace and close to the shops of Kensington High Street. Facilities include a health centre, spa and gym, 24-hour business centre and two restaurants.

Close to Regent’s Park, this classic hotel was built as a block of model apartments in 1936. Now refurbished as a comfortable 82-room hotel, it has spacious rooms, a restaurant and bar. Prices can vary by 100 per cent, the most expensive times being mid-summer and Christmas.