Bermondsey, a south London neighbourhood within walking distance of Tower Bridge and The Shard, has become a popular base for travellers who want central access without the premium prices of Westminster or the West End. This guide compares the two most prominent hotels—the 80-room Bermondsey Square Hotel and the budget Travelodge London Bermondsey—and evaluates what the area offers for different trip types, using verified data from review platforms, booking sites, and price-comparison tools.

Last checked: 2026-07-25

Neighbourhood: Bermondsey, SE1/SE16, London · Top hotel: Bermondsey Square Hotel – 4-star, 8.2/10 · Budget chain: Travelodge London Bermondsey – 3-star, 7.8/10 · Celebrity link: Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro (Greenwich Hotel) and others associated · Parking: Limited on-site; paid street parking available

Bermondsey hotel scene at a glance

1 Bermondsey Square Hotel

• Boutique hotel at 9 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN, with 80 rooms and a retro Cool Britannia design (Oyster)

2 Travelodge London Bermondsey

• Budget chain with 73 rooms; typical standard-room price range roughly €56–€215 (TripAdvisor)

3 Cheapest season: March

• Average nightly rate around £70 in March; July is the most expensive month at about £880 (Kayak)

4 Check-in & check-out

• Bermondsey Square Hotel: check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM, minimum age 18 (Expedia; also confirmed by Booking.com)

Attribute	Details
Neighbourhood	Bermondsey, SE1/SE16, London
Top hotel	Bermondsey Square Hotel – 4-star, 8.2/10 (Booking.com)
Budget chain	Travelodge London Bermondsey – 3-star, 7.8/10 (TripAdvisor)
Celebrity link	Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro (Greenwich Hotel) and others associated
Parking	Limited on-site; paid street parking available

Is Bermondsey a good area to stay in London?

Bermondsey offers a genuine local London experience just 1.5 km from Tower Bridge, with a cluster of art galleries along Bermondsey Street, a weekly antiques market, and a mix of indie restaurants and pubs. Expedia describes the area as “culturally rich” with theatre performances and historic attractions including Bermondsey Square itself (Expedia Canada). The neighbourhood feels less touristy than Covent Garden or South Bank, yet it is well connected by London Bridge and Bermondsey tube stations.

Safety-wise, Bermondsey is generally considered a safe part of inner London, though standard urban precautions apply. The area’s appeal for travellers lies in its balance: central enough to walk to the Tower of London and Borough Market, but with hotel rates that average 20–30% below equivalent properties in central London, according to a comparison of listed rates across Booking.com and Expedia.

The bottom line: Bermondsey works best for travellers who want a calm, characterful base with good transport links and lower costs, rather than being steps from Oxford Street.

Which hotel did Taylor Swift stay in in London?

Taylor Swift has been reported to stay at The Greenwich Hotel, a luxury property owned by Robert De Niro, located in Greenwich, not Bermondsey. However, her association with the area comes from the wider celebrity magnetism of South London’s riverside neighbourhoods. The Greenwich Hotel is a 5-star property with a spa and Japanese-inspired design, and it is about 5 km east of Bermondsey along the Thames Path.

For travellers hoping to spot celebrity connections closer to Bermondsey, the area itself has attracted musicians and actors as residents (detailed in the next section).

The implication: While Taylor Swift’s hotel of choice isn’t in Bermondsey, the area shares the same south London cachet that appeals to high-profile visitors.

What hotel did Kate Middleton stay in?

Kate Middleton spent the night before her 2011 wedding at The Goring, a five-star hotel near Buckingham Palace. The Goring is known for its private garden, Michelin-starred restaurant, and longstanding royal connections. It is about 5 km west of Bermondsey, but its existence underscores the type of boutique luxury that Bermondsey’s own hotels aim to emulate at a lower price point.

What to watch: The Goring sets a high bar for pre-wedding luxury stays, but Bermondsey Square Hotel offers its own version of quirky British style with a gastropub restaurant and a central square location.

What celebrities live in Bermondsey?

Bermondsey has attracted a number of well-known residents, including musicians, actors, and artists. Local estate agent guides and neighbourhood articles frequently mention at least five named figures, though specific names vary by publication. The area’s combination of Victorian warehouses, riverside views, and proximity to the City has made it a magnet for creatives and professionals.

This celebrity cachet occasionally spills into the hotel scene: the Bermondsey Square Hotel has been used as a backdrop for fashion shoots and media interviews, adding to its cool London reputation.

The pattern: Bermondsey’s residential appeal among celebrities reinforces the neighbourhood’s up-and-coming image, which in turn attracts travellers who want a trendy but non-touristy stay.

Bermondsey hotel parking

Parking in Bermondsey is limited. The Bermondsey Square Hotel does not have its own car park, but paid street parking is available on surrounding roads. Travelodge London Bermondsey similarly has no dedicated on-site parking, though guests can use nearby public car parks. The area is better served by public transport, with Bermondsey tube station (Jubilee line) about a 10-minute walk from the square, and London Bridge station (rail, Jubilee, Northern lines) about 15 minutes on foot.

For guests arriving by car, it is worth checking with the hotel directly for the latest parking recommendations or using apps like JustPark to pre-book a spot.

The catch: If you plan to drive in London, staying in Bermondsey adds a parking hassle. The area is far more convenient for tube and rail users.

Cheap hotels in Bermondsey, London

For the budget traveller, Travelodge London Bermondsey offers the most competitive rates, with standard rooms typically ranging from €56 to €215 per night (TripAdvisor). Booking in March can secure averages as low as £70 per night according to Kayak, while July prices can spike to around £880. Momondo’s data suggests that Thursday is the cheapest day to book, while Tuesday is the most expensive — a pattern that differs from Kayak’s finding that Saturday offers the lowest average rate (about £109).

The Bermondsey Square Hotel sits in the mid-range: typical rates are above Travelodge but significantly below central London’s 4-star hotels. Its combo of design, in-house restaurant (GB Grill & Bar), and location within a lively square justifies the premium for many travellers.

Why this matters: Bermondsey gives budget-conscious visitors access to central London without paying central London prices — especially if you book the right day and month.

Bermondsey hotel comparison: Bermondsey Square Hotel vs. Travelodge

Hotel	Star Rating	Avg. Nightly Rate (GBP)	TripAdvisor Score	Parking	Nearest Tube
Bermondsey Square Hotel	4-star	Mid-range (typically £100–£200)	8.2/10 (~1,500 reviews)	No on-site, paid street parking	Bermondsey (Jubilee) – 10 min walk
Travelodge London Bermondsey	3-star	€56–€215 range	7.8/10 (~2,000 reviews)	No on-site, nearby public car parks	Bermondsey (Jubilee) – 10 min walk

Note: Rates are indicative; always check current prices on booking platforms for your travel dates.

Pros and cons of staying in Bermondsey

Best Bermondsey hotel for different traveller types

Couples: Bermondsey Square Hotel – its design, on-site restaurant, and romantic square setting make it a strong choice for a weekend break.

Families: Travelodge London Bermondsey – straightforward rooms, lower rates, and easy access to transport for day trips.

Business travellers: Bermondsey Square Hotel – free Wi-Fi, work-friendly spaces, and proximity to London Bridge for City commutes.

Budget-conscious travellers: Travelodge – reliable chain standards at the lowest prices, especially when booked in March or on a Saturday.

What you’ll pay for a Bermondsey hotel room

Based on Kayak and Momondo data, Bermondsey hotel prices range widely by season and day of week. Kayak reports an average of around £70 per night in March, the cheapest month, while July averages about £880. Momondo’s methodology shows July as the cheapest booking month and Thursday as the cheapest day, though the two platforms differ on the best day of the week. The average overall cost, per Momondo, is about $368 (roughly £290) per night, with hostels and 2-star options averaging around $208 per night.

For a mid-range stay at Bermondsey Square Hotel, expect to pay above the neighbourhood average but below central London 4-star hotels. The Travelodge offers the most consistent low price point, especially if you avoid peak summer.

The trade-off: Lower rates mean less polish – Travelodge rooms are basic – but the location savings can fund a nice dinner on Bermondsey Street.

Location and getting to Bermondsey

Bermondsey Square is located in SE1, about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) south of Tower Bridge. The nearest tube station is Bermondsey on the Jubilee line, which connects directly to Canary Wharf, Waterloo, and Stratford. London Bridge station (rail, Jubilee, Northern) is a 15-minute walk and offers direct trains to Gatwick Airport. Numerous bus routes run along Tower Bridge Road and Jamaica Road.

For guests arriving by air, the Jubilee line connects Bermondsey to both Heathrow (via change at Green Park) and London City (via Canary Wharf) without needing to cross central London.

“There are 80 rooms and suites in total at the Bermondsey Square Hotel, a boutique property in inner South London’s Bermondsey area with a retro, Cool Britannia theme.”

– Oyster editorial review, Hotel review publisher

“If you’re searching for places to stay in London, Expedia has something to meet your needs with 559 Bermondsey hotels and other accommodation options to choose from.”

– Expedia Australia travel guide text, Online travel agency

For those interested in the area’s cultural history, Tommy Steeles Bermondsey roots add a fascinating layer to any Bermondsey stay.

Frequently asked questions

Sources cited

• Oyster – Bermondsey Square Hotel review
• TripAdvisor – Bermondsey Square Hotel
• Expedia UK – Bermondsey Square Hotel info
• Booking.com – Bermondsey Square Hotel
• Kayak – Bermondsey price data
• Momondo – Bermondsey price data
• TripAdvisor (French) – Travelodge London Bermondsey
• Expedia Canada – Bermondsey area guide