London Chelsea

No longer a punk-rock haven, Chelsea is now overrun with Ferraris, Benzes, and Porsches, and the hotels have adjusted accordingly. Budget accommodations here are short-stay apartment rentals.

IES Residence Halls, Manresa Rd. (020 7808 9200; www.iesreshall.com) Simple but highly affordable and value-packed (as Chelsea accommodations go), IES Residence Halls fill a large void in the Chelsea housing market, which is dominated by four- and five-star hotels. Three rooms share one spacious kitchen that has chairs, a table, a couch, and a fridge. The style is modern, the concept is simple, and the rates are low. Common rooms on each floor house a TV and the six RAs organize occasional events. Sloane Sq. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd. If you don't want to walk the road (it's manageable but long), the following buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, right on Manresa Rd. Laundry £2 for washer and £1.20 for soap, £1 dryer. No Wi-Fi, but ethernet in every room. Bathrooms cleaned once a week, kitchens cleaned twice a week. Bathrooms ensuite. 1-16 weeks, weekly rates: singles £331-397; twins shared £207. Rates for 16-36 weeks and 36-50 weeks also available. Daily rates: singles £52.86, twins £58.75. Security 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Air conditioned.

Sydney House Chelsea, 9-11 Sydney St. (020 7376 7711; www.sydneyhousechelsea.com) A luxury hotel that's graceful rather than obnoxious. The rooms are beautiful and bright, all light wood and clean surfaces. The lobby contains a lovely tapestry and the common spaces are bedecked in cool modern paintings and sketches. The breakfast room is pleasant and lit by lights with a patterned surface that looks like the guys from Tron have been racing on it. Not exactly directed toward students, but a very pleasant, four-star hotel. Sloane Sq. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd., go onto it and turn right at Sydney St. Breakfast of pastries, poilane bread, and coffee or tea £5.50. English breakfast £11. Everything is cleaned daily. Bathrooms ensuite. Prices change, but rooms range £150-295. Call in advance. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Air conditioned.
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The Sloane Square, 7-12 Sloane Sq. (020 7896 9988; www.sloanesquarehotel.co.uk ) These rooms preside over gorgeous (and expensive) Sloane Square with elegance. If you're going for the luxury Sloane experience, might as well go all the way. This hotel provides some rooms with bay windows veiled by soft curtains and some with large bathtubs. They're well furnished and comfortable, each with a free locker, a laptop, and an iPod station. Pay for breakfast separately and enjoy it in the sleek breakfast room. Sloane Sq. Discounts at some local restaurants given. Wi-Fi £4.50 per 1hr., £14.99 per day. Singles £147; doubles £173; "superior" £214; club room £239. Rates exclusive of VAT; check online for weekend rates. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet. Air conditioned.

Chelsea Cloisters, Sloane Ave. (020 7584 1002; www.chelseacloisters.co.uk">www.chelseacloisters.co.uk">www.chelseacloisters.co.uk) Though a bit old and worn, Chelsea Cloisters offers a viable alternative to the high-cost hotels that might otherwise prohibit a stay in Chelsea. The rooms are clean and efficient, each with its own kitchen and bathroom. It's not the swankiest or brightest building, but the apartments are clean and serviceable. Check carefully what you're paying before you book, as there are a few compulsory charges (cleaning and deposit) not included in the rates. Because of the deposits, it might be wise to book only for very long stays or for stays under a week, in which case no deposit is needed. Sloane Sq. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd., go onto it and turn right onto Sloane Ave. Luggage room. BT Openzone vouchers (for Wi-Fi) sold at the desk; £40 per month, £27 per 5 days, £10 per 24hr. Book at least a week in advance. Compulsory 5-day maid service and linen change £58.75 for a studio, £70.50 for 1 bed, £82.25 for 2 beds. 1-week prices: large studio apartment £590; 1-bedroom apartment £785. 2-bedroom apartments: doubles and singles £1,025; doubles and twins £1,075. Deposit: studio £600; 1-bedroom £600; 2-bedroom £800. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Air conditioned.