“Great Expectations” may be a classic tale set in London, but you need to reset your expectations when it comes to London hotels to avoid a potential vacation disaster. Here are some basics to keep in mind:

1. Because the US dollar is so weak right now, chances are you will be spending a lot more than you want to for city accommodations. Don’t forget to calculate in a possible 10-15% hotel service charge and the required 17.5% VAT (value added tax) to your final bill to avoid any checkout shock. These costs are not automatically included when you see the nightly/weekly room rates.

2. London is a city of extremes. There are plenty of extraordinary luxury hotel suites (the Ritz, the Savoy, the Dorchester, Claridge’s the Four Seasons) and plenty of cheap dorm-like B&B rooms. There isn’t as much selection in the moderately-priced range, and even then, you may be traveling outside of town to Docklands or Greenwich to get the best rates. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time on the internet to do your research because this will be your greatest expense and booking the wrong hotel could potentially be your biggest disappointment. Sites like www.tripadvisor.com are good places to start because they give brutally honest (and often very accurate) customer reviews.

3. Don’t assume your rooms will be air conditioned, so ask in advance. Make sure there’s an en suite (in room) bath too. Heating in London hotel rooms usually provides the opposite problem — too much of it! Don’t forget to ask for non-smoking rooms, if that’s what you need. Many of the affordable are in older buildings, so a small, drafty room… a little less hot water than you’re used to… and the occasional thin wall and uncomfortable mattress are definite possibilities. Avoid potential problems and don’t be afraid to ask to see the room in advance before heading upstairs.

4. Know your room types before booking. A single room is for one person, with a single (twin-sized) bed. A double room is for two people, with a double or queen-sized bed. A twin room is for two people, with two single (twin-sized) beds. Triple and quad rooms are self-explanatory, but ask about the bed configurations (a triple, for instance, could be three singles or 1 double and 1 single).

5. If your party contains four or more people, you may want to consider booking a furnished flat instead of opting for a hotel or B&B. They can be pricey and there’s no maid service, but the benefits include a full kitchen (toast and coffee for breakfast will save you money and time, and the occasional home-cooked meal beats the expense of a restaurant), a washer and dryer, and oftentimes modern conveniences like high-speed internet and cable television. There are some outstanding U.S. companies like www.londonconnections.com which book London flats. They even quote and charge in dollars (with no VAT!).

6. Package vacations with Travelocity and other sites can often a no-hassle way to book your airfare and hotel at the same time. You are given a choice of price range, and you can see photographs of the rooms in advance online. Visit Travelocity for London Deals