"I spent two days in London with £0 - blagging free hotel, meals and 4* spa day"

  • 3 weeks ago
A man enjoyed two days in London without spending a penny - by blagging a free hotel, meals and even a 4* spa day.

George Redfern, 21, decided to see if he could survive in the capital for two days without spending any money - starting his challenge on August 3.

He arrived at Euston Station at 9.03am and headed to Premier Inn Westminster Abbey Hotel - where he was able to grab a free coffee and plan the day ahead.

From there, George managed to blag free food from luxury hotel The Dilly and kip overnight in the lobby at The Generator Hostel, Shepherd's Bush, London.

The next day he even snuck into a 4* hotel spa - enjoying a dip in the pool and use of their sauna.

During the trip, George walked 50,000 steps over two days - unable to spend money on the tube or Ubers.

He said he set himself the no spend challenge to step outside his comfort zone and to see what's possible with no money.

George, a content creator, from the Wirral, Merseyside, said: "It's the most difficult thing I have ever done - it's the not knowing what is going to happen to next.

"Before starting the challenge, I thought it would be best to dress smartly, so people had a certain perception of me.

"The most difficult part of the challenge was finding a sleeping arrangement and the thought of not knowing where to sleep."

George started by making his way to a hotel where he was able to get a free coffee and glass of water and plan his day ahead - including where to try and sleep and what fun things to do.

He managed to sneak into the 4* Park Plaza London Waterloo and use their spa facilities - enjoying the pool and sauna.

He said: "I walked past it first and usually with 4* star hotels they have someone at the door, but there was scaffolding on the building and that was the reason why they didn’t have anyone at the door.

"I was just waiting to see what other people were doing to get into the spa and then a grandma just walked past and entered the spa, without speaking to anyone."

George decided to do the same and strolled past the receptionist - who was distracted - before hopping in the pool for a swim and sitting in the sauna.

George realised finding something to eat for free might be tricky - but he had an idea up his sleeve.

He said: "I went into different outlets and said that my family ordered a load of food an hour ago and didn't get a burger to make it sound realistic.

"I went into four shops and finally got a burger - which I was pleased about."

George has now reflected on his challenge and says it was the hardest thing he has ever done.

"I found the challenge one of the most difficult things I have ever done," he said.

"It was very rewarding getting a free spa day and free food but you don't actually understand how fortunate you are until you go without.

"I got a free apple The Dilly and I appreciated every bite.

"The sad reality is that this is the normal for some people and that is why it has given me the idea to do a bigger challenge an
Transcript
00:00Good morning, I am in London and I'm doing a no money challenge.
00:04The rules are the next two days I can't spend any money.
00:07I've got no accommodation booked, no food, no drinks.
00:10I have to make it work basically for the next two days.
00:17Just thinking of things to do in the day and I'm looking at booking.com
00:23and there's places with swimming pools, hotels with swimming pools.
00:28We go to one of these hotels and use the swimming facilities.
00:31I'll have a look which pools are the best and then choose which one to go to.
00:37I've had my coffee and now we are heading to one of the hotels to see if we can get in.
00:43At least one of them should work but gotta find out.
00:54We're in.
00:58Excuse me, where did you get the towels from?
01:03Oh, they're on the hallway right before we get in here.
01:20So now just go and go for a little swim.
01:23This is the pool.
01:28I actually can't believe we got in.
01:30I can't believe how easy it was to get in.
01:34So I'm going to relax here for a few hours.
01:36I'm going to see if there's places to drink.
01:39If there's like fruit or something for free I can have.
01:42Finished up now.
01:43Just going to jump into the shower because I don't know when I'm going to get one next.
01:47I am starving so I need to go get some food where I don't know.
01:51We'll find out.
01:59I can't believe I actually snuck into a five-star hotel.
02:03So I'm going to go into McDonald's and try and get some free food.
02:08Do the Simon Wilson trip.
02:10Let's see how it goes.
02:18Package secured.
02:20We did it.
02:21Simon, I am coming after you.
02:24I've got into a spa.
02:25I've got a free McDonald's.
02:27I've got a free coffee.
02:29Now I just need to get another drink because I am thirsty.
02:32So I'm going to go into Starbucks and get water.
02:36But so far so good.
02:37We're eating tonight which is great.
02:40Is there any chance I can just get some tap water?
02:49So we've secured a Big Mac burger and a Starbucks water.
02:54All for zero pounds.
02:56I'm going to find a hotel lobby first to plan how I'm going to be sleeping tonight
03:02and then see if I want some more food.
03:04But I'm not too sure how I'm going to do it.
03:06Today I've done 23,000 steps.
03:11Oh my god.
03:12My feet are killing.
03:13I'm hoping just to sit down in the lobby now and do some research on how
03:19I can either get a night stay somewhere.
03:22Hostel stay.
03:23A couch stay.
03:25If not, we're going to be sleeping in lobbies which isn't going to be that fun
03:29but it's better than sleeping on the street.
03:31When I was talking to someone about this challenge,
03:35someone said to go to Weatherspoons
03:38and put your table number on like Instagram or something
03:41and see what people buy for you.
03:45Fingers crossed someone gets me something good because I am so hungry.
03:49We have got a Pepsi.
03:51Yay!
03:52Ice-cream Pepsi.
03:58Needed a fizzy drink.
04:00Second item is Halloumi sticks.
04:10Never appreciated food so much.
04:12Anyone who knows me knows Guinness is my favorite drink.
04:15Look at what we've got.
04:17At Guinness, I am shocked.
04:20So I thought the Guinness was it.
04:22Look at this.
04:24Oh my god.
04:25Thank you for whoever has donated these and the Halloumi prize as well.
04:31I really appreciate it.
04:32It's time to split the jealous.
04:35Let's give it a go.
04:38I am out of Weatherspoons and I am full.
04:42I want to thank everyone who's just donated to me.
04:44I've literally just had a free course in Weatherspoons.
04:49Now I'm going to head to the place I'm going to be staying.
04:53It's about a 40-minute walk.
04:54Look at this view.
05:02I'm currently at the Pullman Hotel.
05:06Just made a little den here.
05:10Don't think I'll be staying here but there's some chairs and stuff.
05:13I would say I'm going to sleep tonight but I don't know if I will be.
05:22Okay, I'm going to try and spend the night here.
05:24It's very hidden from the reception over there.
05:29Not many people sit here.
05:30I think I might be okay but we'll just have to see.
05:34Day two is going to be out in a few days after this video.
05:38So hit the like button, hit the subscribe button.
05:40Hit the like button, hit the subscribe button to see if I actually spend the night here or not.
05:45Thanks for watching.
05:46See you next time.

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