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For a bed in London, breakfast too, here's a look at some top value B&Bs with large rooms that welcome families.

Delta is doing it, so is United. Several other airlines are reducing their fares to London. That, plus the most favorable exchange rate in years -- US$1 to ₤1.46 -- is making that great city affordable again for 2009. Hotels too are offering deals, but the way for families to really save money is to stay in a B&B.

On my last trip to London I walked around the posh Belgravia quarter, up one side of Ebury Street and down the other, looking at the numerous four-story Edwardian houses that are now B&B's. The selection runs the gamut from luxurious to... how shall I put this -- not desirable. It pays to do some research.

On my walk I discovered the hip B+B Belgravia (011/44/207 259 8570; 64-66 Ebury Street), but I could not stay as the place is so popular that reservations are hard to come by at the last minute. There was, however, a room for me across the street at the Lord Milner (011/44/20 7881 9880) named for a 19th-century British statesman in Southern Africa. The friendly girl behind the desk leapt up to take my suitcase and lead me to a small but well-lit room. The bed was comfortable; the bathroom had lots of towels, shampoo and plenty of soap. "More hangers, Mrs. Davidson? Would you like a cup of tea, a glass of sherry?" Lovely service.

Money for Value Proposition

All room rates for the B+B Belgravia include tax, free internet access, and a full English breakfast -- eggs, bacon, cappuccino, the works.  Prices at my visit ranged from $145/N a night for a single to $278/N for a family suite that sleeps four.

Prices including tax at the Lord Milner ranged from $135/N a night for a single to $277/N for a suite large enough to house a family. These B&Bs can be booked by phone. When dialing within the U.K, eliminate the numbers 011 44 but add a 0 before the local code 207 that goes for this and all telephone numbers that follow. One other tip, the code 0207 applies to central London; 0208 connotes a few miles away from the heart of town.

There are other B&B's on Ebury Street that are worth looking into.  The recently renovated Lime Tree Hotel (011 44 20 7730 8191; 135-137 Ebury Street) has rooms that go for $125/N to $285/N.  Morgan Guest House (011 44 20 7730 2384, 120 Ebury Street) is a bit fuddy duddy but it is really cheap. Rooms start at about $76/N; a suite for four is $193/N.