Whether you are coming to London this summer for the Olympics or here for other reasons such as work, the prospect of choosing Olympic accommodation could seem a daunting task. However, you shouldn’t panic. There are some great options out there, and some could cost you far less than the media is suggesting.
While many can’t wait to get to London and experience the Olympic atmosphere, there are also those who can’t wait to get away; luckily for you, they’re willing to let you stay in their homes while they’re gone. You could find yourself staying in a gorgeous townhouse in Notting Hill or in a simple one bedroom flat from which you can see the Olympic village; however, you may end up paying more for the privilege. For example, a three bedroom family house close to the stadium could cost up to £5000 a week. A cheaper alternative is to look for homes for rent slightly out of London; Essex and Kent, for example, are great options east of the city. Just be sure to check your commute before you make your decision as some routes into the capital will be busier than usual.
A hotel room might seem like the most straightforward option, but with so many raising their prices you may end up paying Ritz rates for a room of Fawlty Towers standard. A recent Which? report showed that some hotels are charging over £400 a night while the games are on, while many others will double their prices. For example, certain hotels in Stratford will charge five times their usual nightly rate in late July. If you decide that a hotel is the best choice for you, be sure to do your research to ensure you get the best deal you can.
Serviced apartments are another option. They offer more space than a hotel room and more often than not, lower rates. For stays of three months or more, serviced apartments are still available over the Olympic period for significantly lower rates than hotel rooms. The average one bedroom apartment also offers twice the space of the average hotel room, and includes a separate bedroom and kitchen/living area. If you are staying in London for a long period of time then kitchen facilities can be hugely beneficial; eating out three times a day could get very expensive. Serviced apartments are a great Olympics accommodation option as they provide you with more for your money.
Even if you leave it until last minute to book your accommodation, you should still be able to find somewhere to stay, although you may have to pay above the odds. During the 2000 Games in Sydney, a late scramble for accommodation drove up rates to as much as 10 times the normal level, but lots of accommodation remained available. The most important thing to remember when looking for your accommodation is to check all of the options available to you before you make any final decisions, you don’t want to rush into booking something only to find out later on that you could’ve got something a lot cheaper.
