eclectictraveller.com

Yes it’s one of the world’s most expensive cities, with hotel rates to match. But the past few years have seen the emergence of a dual economy in London. Yes, there are plenty of swanky hotels charging £400 a night, but it’s now also possible to find stylish, comfortable cheaper options, among them the Hoxton Hotel (020 7550 1000, www.hoxtonhotels.com), on trendy Great Eastern Street, where we found doubles for a bargain £99. Its highest rate year-round is just £145.

For a more central location, check out the award-winning Parkes Hotel, www.parkeshotel.com), near Harrods. 33 rooms luxurious rooms including 14 One Bedroom Suites - it’s the only townhouse in London to feature suites. For more information see  Luxury Boutique Hotel  in Knightsbridge.

Another hotel bucking the trend for spiralling room rates is Base2Stay (020 7244 2255, www.base2stay.com), in Kensington. It has doubles for £99, room-only, and is a personal favourite of Tom Bell, editor of Alastair Sawday’s guide to London hotels.

So, while we’re fans of the Firmdale group of hotels, we’re in no hurry to pay £317 for a night at the Charlotte Street Hotel, in Fitzrovia, or £223 for the Pelham, in South Kensington. Even the normally good-value Malmaison in fashionable Clerkenwell looks top-heavy at £235.

There are exceptions. Montagu Place (020 7467 2777, www.montagu-place.co.uk), in a Marylebone town house, is fairly priced at £149, though breakfast is not included, and The Sumner (020 7723 2244, www.thesumner.com), near Marble Arch, has attractive rooms from £147.