Ideas to eat cheaply whilst in Travelodge and in London.

Triker

Hi all, we're off to London this weekend and it'll be a cheapy as I want to be as frugal as possible.

We're staying in a travelodge, I am seriously thinking of taking my slow cooker to save money....anyone ever done this?

I was thinking of preparing packets of things before I go so I could just bung it in each day and come back to a hot meal.

We'll take plastic bowls, plates etc.

Also I'll get the small packs of cereal and then just buy milk whilst we're there for cheap breakfast rather than buying it anywhere.

Anyone have any other ideas...do you think taking the slowcooker is OTT?:D

Looby_Lou

Hi we usually take, drinks inc extra tea / coffee, breakfast cereal, fruit and snacks. We buy a small carton of milk every night and we eat out. Have a look at the vouchers page
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-restaurant-deals

check which restaurants are nice and close to where you are staying and print out loads of vouchers to take with you. You can always cut costs by drinking tap water with your meal and have some wine/beer when you get back to your room. I'm not sure I would want the hassle of cooking (what would happen if the cleaners switched off your slow cooker whilst you were out?) Don't forget to take washing up stuff so you can clean your crockery/cutlery!

gingin_2

OH stays in Travelodge/ Easy hotels in London every week and there is usually a Tesco Express nearby. He keeps a knife and fork in his bag and a plate and buys the hot pre cooked chicken chicken and some salads to keep himself going. Most of them have decent takeaways nearby, GBK is a favourite and reasonable, too.

imataloss

I think that the slow cooker may be more trouble than it`s worth.
Good idea about breakfast and you could also take some fruit or buy some. There are usually a lot of fruit stalls around (depending on what part of London you are staying in).
I have brought rolls/fillings and made them up in my room or had a picnic outside if weather ok. For main meals you should find some good deals at restaurants/pubs near where you are staying.
Have a nice time

rachbc

How would you keep foods fresh before you cooked them - there aren't fridges in travelodge rooms. I'd just buy easy to prep food at a supermarket/ market there - rolls, sliced meat etc for lunches, find some vouchers for meals out - gbk, pizza express can be reasonable

liz545

If you're only going for a weekend, I wouldn't worry about the slow cooker - I think it'd be more hassle than it's worth. Whereabouts in London is the travelodge - there are plenty of inexpensive places to eat in London, could make some suggestions!

FatVonD

Whereabouts in London are you staying? I recommend this pub so often I should be on commission (I'm not!)

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-kings-arms-review-19128.html

They serve Thai food and the starters are easily generous enough to be a kid's meal on its own plus, as you get your own drinks from the bar, you're only paying pub rather than restaurant prices.


The Stock Pot serves good, cheap food and lots of it (I used to use the Knightsbridge one which has apparently closed down but there are a few other branches.)

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:1307/stockpot

also The Chelsea Kitchen on the King's Road

http://www.anythinginternet.co.uk/chelseakitchen/

spugzbunny

I've been staying in a hotel for 2 weeks now. No fridge so I have to buy food every evening. I'm not going to lie - it's a nightmare! I have been eating brekafast bars for breakfast (so you could make up some flapjack maybe), I take rolls and jam for my lunches (no need to refridgerate the jam!). For dinner I have been having cold chicken, cold ham, tinned tuna with salad or cous cous. Just remember to take a plate and a knife a fork as I forgot this week and I have a teaspoon and the tray my food comes in!

mlz1413

I think the cleaner may well switch off something like a slow cooker as I'm sure you aren't meant to have those in a hotel room.

Is there an Ikea nearby? they have cheap hot food.
Supermarkets often do hot chickens or pork joints that you could have with a salad in the room.

Breakfast cereals with long life milk should be fine, but the rooms will probably be quiet warm so not much food stuff will survive.

If you can take a cool box you might be able to keep sandwich stuff fresh enough to do pack lunches.

Otherwise the only stuff will be with boiling water from the kettle - cous cous, noodles, mash potato? You'll need extra bowls for making these up but actually with a hot chicken that could be a good dinner with enough chicken for sandwiches the next day!

Nelski

I would very much doubt a hotel will let you use a slow cooker whilst your out - it would not be checked by their electricians and when the cleaner comes in and sees it you may be in trouble.
and then of course there's carrying it from your transport to the hotel as I imagine you wont be leaping in a black cab with all your luggage :eek:

London has to be the mecca for buying excellent cheap food - and if you are only there for a weekend do you really want to be stuck in a travel lodge room eating your dinner on the side of the bed?

I have spent many a year working out of hotels week on week and there is loads of things you can do to save the pennies - why not eat your main meal when you are out and about - late lunch type thing which will mean you will only need snacks and bits for the room.

Teejay

If you intend to vist/view the Tower of London/Tower Bridge you will only be a stones throw away from Manzies Pie and Mash Shop in Tower Bridge Road www.manze.co.uk.

Pie and Mash is the traditional regional dish or the London working class and is still the cheapest plate of hot food to be found in the capital.