BHA Members

Thinking about dropping in on this year’s Summer Olympics in London? It isn’t too late.

Though the Games are right around the corner—they will be held July 27 through Aug. 12—lodgings are still available for those planning last-minute trips.

Travellers looking to stay near Olympic venues in Stratford, the East London borough where the Games are taking place, may be disappointed. However, there are over 100,000 rooms in the greater London area at all prices and a further 75,000 rooms in the south east region of the UK – all within easy travelling distance of central London. This is more than any other Olympic host city has been able to offer previously.

Stratford also has a well-connected transport system; the main station is easily accessible from other points in London and most hotels. On the more affordable end of the scale, Travelodge Hotels Inc. is opening 11 hotels in London this year.

Separately, the London Organizing Committee said in January that roughly 20% of the hotel room nights it had reserved in London eventually will be returned to the hotels, making more accommodations available. “More than 120,000 room nights at more than 200 hotels will now be available to visitors to London this summer from five star to budget hotels,” the committee said in a statement.

Those seeking to book rooms should be wary of scams. Earlier this year, local police arrested almost 100 people for selling fake tickets and bogus hotel rooms ahead of the Games. Your best bet: Double-check with the Organizing Committee if you are contacted by anyone claiming to be associated with London 2012. You can find a list of Olympic email scams and how to spot fakes HERE