BudgetTravel

20 NEVERN SQUARE

'Hood: Earls Court, an area full of inexpensive hotels and ethnic restaurants--and yet not far from the posh shops of Kensington High Street.

LONDON HOTELS If you want to stay someplace with style, you're going to spend at least £99 a night. Here are six hotels that are worth it. • Launch the slide show FEBRUARY 2007 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Secret Hotels of the Riviera Maya • James Turrell: Sky High • Dubai: Just Add Money • Eat Like a Local: Melbourne • Five Hotels: What 99 Pounds Buys in London • Road Trip: Hawaii • 40 Best Vacations

First impression: A Victorian town house with a distinctly Asian flavor--from the lounge's porcelain vases and ornate birdcages (home to chirping lovebirds) to the heavy silk curtains that dress the windows.

The rooms: Each of the 23 rooms is a variation on the Eastern theme. All have king-size beds; several also feature private terraces. The marble bathrooms are nicely accessorized with handcrafted wooden boxes containing Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.

Plus: The dining room has an unusual stained-glass ceiling, making the space seem bright and airy even on the dreariest of days. There's also a full bar, perfect for cocktails.

Minus: Small rooms are made to feel even smaller by the heavy furniture, most of which was bought in Indonesia by the owner.

Details: 20 Nevern Sq., 011-44/20-7565-9555, twentynevernsquare.co.uk, from £99 ($190), includes breakfast.

B+B BELGRAVIA

'Hood: Belgravia, one of the grandest postal codes in London. The hotel's neighbors include the homes of Margaret Thatcher and Joan Collins.

First impression: In the entryway, classic Georgian Details such as the black-and-white tile floor are offset with a contemporary black-lacquer table and a funky orange swan chandelier. The sitting and breakfast rooms are linked by a glass bridge.

The rooms: The 17 rooms have white quilted duvets, soft gray carpet, and celadon tiled bathrooms (half have tubs and showers, the other half just showers). Rooms 1, 3, and 4 face the hotel's small garden, planted with fragrant passion-flower vines. It's a lovely place to enjoy a glass of wine on warm nights.

Plus: In the sitting room, guests chat about the day's sightseeing on low-slung leather sofas next to the fireplace.