Latest research from serviced apartment provider Cuckooz claimed that the cost of staying near tourist attractions in London is significantly higher than hotels miles away.

Cuckooz looked at the top 10 must-see attractions in London before taking the average cost of hotels based on their proximity to each landmark.  The research shows that on average, hotels surrounding these must-see areas command a daily room rate of GBP 240! That’s 63% higher than the London average of GBP 147.

The most expensive was the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, with a daily room rate of GBP 356. Buckingham Palace ranked second at GBP 348 while staying around the London Eye would set you back GBP 280.

Big Ben (GBP 265), Westminster Abbey (GBP 256), the Science Museum in South Kensington (GBP 247), the Tower of London (GBP 243), the Natural History Museum (GBP 239), also in South Kensington, the Royal Albert Hall (GBP 237) and the Shard (GBP 205) all ranked within the top 10 most expensive for hotel costs around London’s must-see sights. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich was the most affordable, but at GBP 158 a night it’s still above the London average of GBP 147.

Co-founder of Cuckooz, Fabienne O’Neill, commented: “London is one of, if not, the best city in the world but the cost of staying in the capital can be very high indeed. As this research shows, planning your stay in around the city’s most popular attractions will see you pay well over the odds for a pretty basic hotel room for nothing more than the convenience of walking distance to a few tourist attractions.”

Cuckooz and other serviced apartment accommodations offer an alternative to pricey hotel stays.

“Serviced apartments and other more experienced based accommodation options not only provide you with a home away from home, but they also incorporate the culture of the city and the area you’re staying in. Not only can they be more cost effective, but you will also get more space, a unique, design-led experience, a more personal touch and real feel for the city,” O’Neill said.