My Brother and His Family Planned to Stay in London at My Expense—But I Made Sure They Realized That Wasn’t Going to Happen!

My brother is six years older than me. Three years ago, he got married and, rather sensibly (or at least economically), decided to move into his wifes flat rather than set up camp with Mum and Dad. Given Londons astronomical rent, that was the only remotely sane option for them.
I, on the other hand, had been married for six years already, complete with two noisy offspringa six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. My wife hailed from the capital, so naturally, we settled in London as well. With both of us working, we managed to buy a tiny flat, courtesy of a mortgage that I suspect will haunt us until retirement.
Not long ago, I received a call from the parental headquarters: apparently, my brother and his clan were planning to descend upon us for a week, and I was expected to play the gracious host and put them up in my flat. As much as I was thrilled to see my brother after so long, the idea of hosting them in our one-bedroom flat where our family of four already lived like sardines was, well, more of a horror story than a family reunion.
After picking them up at Kings Cross, we spent the day playing tourist around London. As evening approached, the parental party once again suggested I take in my brother, his wife, and their son, pointing out the outlandish cost of accommodations in the capital. Sadly, it wasnt happening. Over dinner, I tried to steer things diplomatically by offering to help them find a hotel, but my brother dismissed the idea entirely, insisting on staying at mine.
I tried every possible alternativesuggesting a decent budget hotel, a friendly hostel, or even getting a mates place on short-term let. Predictably, they turned all of it down. It was crystal clear they wanted to enjoy a week in London entirely on my tab: free bed, free board, free everything.
The thing is, I genuinely believe I have every right to say no. Surely, making sure my wife and kids have some semblance of space and sanity takes priority? Its not like I owe anyone a free holiday home. After all, even the Queen doesnt open Buckingham Palace to relatives for the week.