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Priceline
If you're not needing a specific hotel in London and you don't have more than 2 people, Priceline is an excellent way to get a great hotel for a great price. I've not been disappointed with the value for the money paid on any of the deals I've gotten, some of which are listed below:
July 2002, 4* Copthorne Tara in Kensington for $75US
May 2003 4* Mayfair Intercontinental in Mayfair for $65 (+$10 bonus money from Priceline)
June 2004 4* Waldorf Hilton in Mayfair/Soho for $100
August 2004 4* Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum in Kensington for $70
January 2006 4* Thistle Charing Cross in Mayfair/Soho for $80
June 2007 4* Marriott Hotel Maida Vale in Regent's Park for $125
June 2007 4* Hilton London Metropole in Regent's Park for $100
June 2007 4* Copthorne Tara in Kensington for $100
January 2008 4* Hilton London Metropole in Regent's Park for $110
July/Aug 2008 4* Copthorne Tara in Kensington for $90
May 2009 4* NH Harrington in Kensington for $75
September 2010 4* NH Harrington in Kensington for $105
You can bid for certain areas, Priceline has a rough map that shows you where you will be. Mayfair/Soho, the most central area, tends to be the most expensive, my 2nd choice is usually Kensington-Earl's Court-Knightsbridge. Most of the hotels in Westminster, Bloomsbury-Marble Arch and Notting Hill-Bayswater seem to be well located but I've never landed a hotel in any of them. Regent's Park-Baker Street might be a bit far out for some new London visitors but I really enjoyed staying there. The other categories are too far out for me.
Be sure to check out Bidding For Travel before bidding for hotels likely to come up, hotel reviews and recent bids and their FAQ section which tells you a lot about how Priceline works. Priceline is blind bidding so you don't know which hotel until your bid is accepted. It's non refundable, non changeable and non cancellable so there is an element of risk involved should your trip be cancelled, there is an insurance option but I've never looked into it. I usually start bidding about 30 days in advance for London.
