LONDON ROOMS FOR UNDER $50?

Before you run to your travel consultant screaming you've 'been over charged for your room, flight, vacation, etc' & waving a copy of a special deal you found on the 'net...


...please take a big, big breath & remember that old travel axiom: some 'special deals' are not so special.


IndependentTraveler.com  just published this:


London Hotel from $52/Night


Provider: Ascot Hyde Park Hotel
Expiration: 02-01-12
Travel Dates: Various dates.


You can stay at London's Ascot Hyde Park Hotel from just $52 per night. Accommodations are located in central London, where you'll find sights including Hyde Park, Notting Hill and Oxford Street. Rates even include daily continental breakfast.


For more information and reservations, visit the Ascot Hyde Park Hotel Web site.'


Hmmm. Sounds like a great deal, so I check their website:



Ascot Hyde Park Hotel in Paddington


Ascot Hotel London can be found in a residential area of Paddington and is close to the Bayswater, Edgware Road and Maida Vale districts of Central London. 


This comfortable, 3 star hotel is ideal for those needing a central base for their visit to the capital. Guests wanting to explore the local area will find Hyde Park, Notting Hill and Oxford Street close by. 


Ascot Hotel London is just a short walk away from the mainline and underground stations at Paddington. It is ideal for business travellers, families, tourists and individuals. >>> Book Online



Wow.  3 stars, breakfast included, close to Paddington Station, bed looks comfy. So I try an on-line booking & get a price - for a single - of 27 pounds per.


Yowza! According to the Ascot's currency converter that's like $35 for a 3 star hotel in a great location, with food & comfy beds in usually mega pricey London. 


I wonder what type of chocolate they'll leave on my pillow at night? 


Where do I sign?


But as I fumble for my credit card that old travel axiom pops into my brain, so I take a few deep breaths, let my mind take charge & logically see if there are any Ascot reviews - from people who have actually paid money for stays - on TripAdvisor.com.


Well, you can forget about the chocolates.


Out of 81 reviews, 59 rate the place as 'terrible', 11 'poor', 8 'average', 3 'very good' & 1 'excellent'.


And the 4 'very goods' & 'excellent' had to be relatives of the owners.


For the rest, some variation of:


'Dreadful, unsafe hotel. Do NOT stay here!'


was the norm. 


One 'guest' even went as far as to compare it to staying with the homeless in the local tube station. And for him - the 'tube' accommodations won.


So kids, there are 3 morals to this terrifying tale:


1. Always remember the 'special deal' axiom.


2. There sometimes is a big, big difference between getting the cheapest price & getting the best value for your travel $.


And


3. Give your travel consultant a break.