Cheap hotels in Soho

The branch of the Z Hotel chain is based just off Old Compton Street, and delivers much of what you’d expect: smart, compact, cosy rooms for no great prices. Breakfast will cost a little extra, but since you’re in an area thronging with ace cafés and restaurants, we’d suggest you wander further afield. Rather fabulously, there’s complimentary wine and cheese every evening from 5pm to 8pm: the perfect pick-you-up before you head out to the theatre or some nightlife.

Ok, a decidedly no-frills hostel probably doesn’t sound tremendously inviting, but this funky spots has perfectly fine double rooms with private en-suite bathrooms for very good prices. And its Dean Street locations is the perfect base for exploring the places to eat and drink in the area. Amenities here include a guest-only bar and roof garden, and free wi-fi throughout. A buffet breakfast is also available.

The rooms at this Premier Inn are little smaller than you’d find elsewhere in the chain, but they’re comfortable, insulated and come with en-suite bathrooms. And really, it’s all about the location: just by Leicester Square in the thumping heart of the West End. And these are Premier Inn prices. You’ll get free wi-fi, tea and coffee – and kids aged 15 and under eat and stay free with paying adults.

The recently renovated St Giles is a three-star hotel just off Tottenham Court Road on the fringes of Soho. It offers simple doubles and decent prices. All rooms come with tea and coffee-making facilities, but for wi-fi, you’ll need to pay a little more. One serious advantage is that guests have access to the YMCA fitness centre, which is just below the hotel.

Appropriately for Soho, there’s a touch of the boudoir about the insulated rooms at Mimi’s, which is a fairly recent addition to the district’s hotel scene. At the cheaper end of the scale are the seven-metre square rooms which, in spite of their cabin-esque proportions, have slightly luxurious finishes, Frette linen and Molton Brown toiletries. Just a tad decadent, and good fun.

Given its location on Tottenham Court Road, not far from Warren Street tube station, the four-star Radisson has rooms that you can book for a surprisingly low cost. Its comfortable rooms have slick furnishings and Sicilian-style marble bathrooms. Soho Square is just a 15-minute walk away. Book in advance, and you can get breakfast for free.

Yup, you read right: we’ve put a five-star hotel on our cheap hotels list. But believe it or not, if you’re canny with your booking times, a spacious and comfortable double room at the Grange Holborn on Southampton Row can be an absolute bargain. Breakfast and wi-fi are free, as is access to the hotel’s health and fitness facilities, which include an impressive 13-metre swimming pool and a spa.

The Rathbone offers stylish rooms with free wi-fi and White Company toiletries that can be snaffled for very competitive sums indeed. It’s located slap-bang in the heart of Fitzrovia, which is just a short walk away from Soho. Its facilities and services include free coffee in the lounge, a takeout breakfast and a residents’ bar. An extra supplement will bag you a traditional full English.

The chic, stylish CitizenM Bankside is located just beside Tate Modern – so yes, isn’t quite Soho, but is just a brisk (and very pleasant) walk along the river away. And we list it because for all its gorgeous, high-end design – rooms have wall-to-wall windows, huge beds, high-pressure showers, and a tablet to control technology – you can stay here for a relative bargain. CanteenM is open all day for breakfast, lunch, simple dinners and drinks.