Steve and I have never spent time in London. The only experience we had was a 5 hour layover at Heathrow - we trained into Paddington Station and simply walked around. That shouldn't count.
We will have 2 1/2 days in London in Sept. I fully realize that this is not enough to do the city justice. We need lodgings for 3 nights. Our goals are to perhaps see the British Museum, perhaps the Tower of London, and more importantly, to enjoy some historic or characteristic pubs and restaurants. WE'd like to stay somewhere in a great neighborhood. We don't want to pay a lot, but we are willing to go above "budget hotel" to get what we want. We'd like to just walk around and enjoy some sense of the place, to absorb some ambience. It could be a B&B or a small hotel. Yes, I've looked at the reviews on SlowTrav and I haven't seen the perfect spot yet. Any ideas for our choice or lodging? My bet is that there are good ideas out there.
Linda

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TourMama,

Linda - I find myself in a quandry each time we visit London - where to stay. Over the years we have stayed in nearly every corner of the large and sprawling city, and none has everything. This is just one of several sites I found this evening that tries to define London's varied neighborhoods. Frommer's describes Central London neighborhoodsand also those beyond the West End. These and others (google London Neighborhoods) might be a starting point.

My own favorite neighborhood is the area around Kensington High Street and Kensington Church St.; the High street has interesting shops and restaurants, the side streets interesting residential neighborhoods. However, it is well away from major sites, and even with the web of underground and bus routes that cover the area, you could spend more time than you have in a brief visit getting to and from.

With the British Museum and Tower of London on your list, staying in Bloomsbury, or somewhere in the West End would probably work well for you. I have just emailed a friend who has a favorite hotel not far from the British Museum - I will post the name when she replies. I'm not sure any of the places we have stayed in recent years meet your criteria. But if a B&B interests you, we did stay several years ago in a wonderful place we booked through London Bed & Breakfast.

Judy

If you are wanting cheap, clean basic accommodation, have you considered Travelodge? They have a lot of hotels in London.These can be picked up for as little as #19 per night depending on the offers available. The price doesn't include breakfast but many have somewhere to eat close by. You get a bedroom with double bed, TV, kettle, cups, tea bags or instant coffee sachets and ensuite bathroom with shower.

There is also Premier Inn? Prices are a bit more expensive but standards in the room are slightly better.

Eleanor

Linda - I just heard back from my friend. The hotel she likes is just 2 minutes from the British Museum, and close to several tube stops - it is The Hotel Russell. Not a budget hotel, but it is in a great location, and would be a special place to stay.

Judy

Judy, thanks for the links to those sites and to the Hotel Russell. That place looks huge! I'll have to do more research about it.

The more I think about it and look at the map, you're right. WE should probably stay in the West End. And we should probably consider all hotels, large and small. It's not going to be "all about the room" and location would trump ambience of the lodgings. HOwever, I would like a neighborhood that isn't thronged by tourists. (altho I'm one myself, I realize the irony) That's usually our preference and our style. I think I've got what I need now to do a little research. Thanks for your thoughts.
Any and all further advice welcome.
More later.
Linda

quote:

Originally posted by TourMama:The hotel she likes is just 2 minutes from the British Museum, and close to several tube stops - it is The Hotel Russell.

I stayed there many times. Great location.

Linda, another thought is to consider using Priceline. My best friend and I did this in '08 and got a great room at a great rate. Don't forget that London, like NYC, is very connected by public transportation, so you are never really too far from anything.

(boy, I'd LOVE to go back - great city!)

Linda, I'm glad you and Steve will have a chance to spend a few days in London. It's a great city and we've enjoyed every trip and every area where we've stayed. Except for one time when we stayed two weeks, our other visits have been shorter-- three for three nights and one (honeymoon!) for five nights. And except for the two week stay when we had an apartment, we've used hotel points to stay at pricier Marriotts and Hiltons for free.

The public transportation in London is excellent, so you will find most areas quite accessble. Buy a pass and you will take advantage of public transportation often.

On our long trip we rented an apartment in Belgravia. Our apartment was on the fringes, really too close to Victoria Station, but we went out most evenings and walked in neighborhoods. Belgravia, South Kensington and Knightsbridge are beautiful areas of townhouses.

I always like to consider recommendations by Karen Brown, which can vary quite a bit by price. This hotel on her list for London is in Knightsbridge and looks very interesting. (I like the idea of a hotel or B&B in a residential neighborhood.)

Kathy

We love Montague on the Gardens on Russell Street beside the British Museum (our son was in grad school at UCL, so this was convenient). It's pricey, but they do run deals and we went in the cold months of winter and got special rates.

I often look to the Guardian website for recommendations. Here's the London link.

Cameron

This has been really helpful. I know that I don't have to reserve anything yet - I'm just lining up some choices, as a winter daydreaming activity. I got a guidebook to learn something about neighborhoods, and still I'm unsure where best to locate.

Based on advice here, I like the idea of being near the British Museum, which is something we'd like to give a half day. It looks like a nice area, convenient. I've researched these three places in that neighborhood-
Hotel Russell - quite large for us, but well priced
Montague on the Garden - looks really lovely and comfortable, on the high end of our budget
Jesmond Hotel - has decent reviews, cheapest option that I liked in that area, I like the B&B idea

This one really attracted me - Luna and Simone. I like the idea of an affordable and nice B&B in a neighborhood, and this one has enthusiastic reviews and I like its look.
But what about being near Victoria STation? I understand that this is convenient for going to and from Heathrow. But what about other attractions? We're certainly planning to use bus and Tube, but is this well located for strolling interesting neighborhoods, seeing some traditional pubs and getting to the British Museum? We might want to see the Tower of London. What about something for first time gawkers like the hop on/hop off bus?

Anyone who knows London, I'd love more feedback on these choices and these neighborhoods- or others.
Kathy, I looked up that Karen Brown one - very cool. But really costly!

Linda

I found CShock's very recent review of Luna & Simone and that pretty much answers my questions about transportation from that Victoria Station area. Sounds very doable!

I hope it wouldn't take too much time. We will only be there for 2 and a half days.

Now all we have to decide is - do we want budget accommodations or do we want to pop for maybe the Montague on the Garden? We really should go budget, but......

And would the area up around the British Museum really be that much more convenient or attractive for us?
Thanks for all good advice.

Linda

This is only my opinion, and it comes down to a travel style.

If I were in London for 2 1/2 days, I'd be in the room barely long enough to notice the color of the rug.

I'd want to know the hotel was very safe, very convenient to the tube (my preferred method of travel in ANY city -- buses confuse me!) and there was enough in the area to keep me fed, watered, supplied and entertained.

I'd also want it to "feel like London" not an airport lounge.

I think the Bloomsbury area fills all these requirements. It is a university area, so there are many restaurants and it feels busy.

I prefer it to the area immediately around Victoria Station, though if you wander off away from the station there are many beautiful areas with pubs on side streets etc. It is fancier overall. My family used to use a vacation rental near Sloane Square for many years and I recommend wandering on and around the King's Road area. There are many little pubs hidden on side streets.

I used to stay frequently at a hotel a few doors down from the Jesmond on Gower St. It was such a long time ago that the rooms were 10 gbp a night, cooked breakfast included! It was cheap, clean, safe, convenient and I became very fond of it for those reasons. The Jesmond is in that mold, and to me that's a plus. The street used to be full of them.

The only other thing I can recommend, and I have never stayed here but I used to live not far from here and the neighborhood is great, full of restaurants, pubs, shops, bakeries, Kensington Gardens etc. It's close to the tube and Kensington High St. and not far from Notting Hill. It has always been recommended and well-reviewed. Do see how tall the building is, and that it has no elevator though!

It's right on the Circle and District Lines, and you could walk to Notting Hill Gate station for the Central Line (shortcut to the British Museum), and stations are only a few minutes apart, so it's not too bad. Take a look.

www.londonvicaragehotel.com

Blue Hour, thanks for the insights. You're right - its not about the room. But I do care about the neighborhood, as we like to wander around. I did a little online research on the London Vicarage Hotel as it sounded great. There were mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. Never know whether to take the negative ones seriously or not. We're not real choosey, but we do like a friendly face. It's certainly on my list of finalists.
I too want it to "feel like London" - I want that sense of place. Bloomsbury sounds like a fine choice. Again, thanks.

Linda

Yeah, I saw those too.

I don't know what to make of them, but the location and what it offers for what you want is the best of the three, which is why I offer it up. It's more residential than the other two. A bit leafier.

I think there's streetview for London, isn't there? You can get a good idea of all 3 areas.

Maybe try sending them an e-mail with a simple question and see if they "answer grouchy"?

But I'm not the one staying there. I know you'll make the right decision for you.

I honestly don't think any of these choices would ruin your trip, as long as you looked at what the places were really offering (like room size and the no-elevator thing).

That's a good place to start from!

WE were in London for the first time in October. We were there for only 2 1/2 days. We were on the go constantly and covered alot of ground. I had a recomendation for the Millenium Bailey's Hotel. The location was great. We took the Tube straight there form Heahrow. The hotel is nice and was a good price. We thougt the breakfast was overpriced and since there is a Paul across the street and Cafe Forum adown the block we ate breakfast at those places.

We took the hop on hop off bus which included a free river cruise. We had afternoon tea at Claredges and saw Billy Elliot. I doubt we were in the hotel more than 8 hours a day.

We are going again in Feb. I am thinking of trying the Park International Hotel. It is in the same area. A little less expensive for a king sized bed and includes breakfasa. I'm a little nervous though since we really liked the Millenium Bailey's.

Hmmmm...where to stay, where to stay, that sort of daydreaming is really one of the nicest parts of travel. Well, until your trip is two days off and you have yet to decide...
All of the suggestions you received are good ones re location (Russell Square is a first rate location), but if I read you correctly, you're also looking for neighborhood. One really a bit off the central map thought might be Hampstead, which is a great place to wander around(fab pubs and Heath) and has a good neighborhood "feel" to it, even though much of it is owned/lived in by people who probably have country houses as well.

There are very basic but comfortable b and b and guest houses as well as some more upscale small hotels and the tube is a quick ten minutes into central London. Two and a half days might give you one and a half central London, half for a good boat trip, and half day explore Hampstead Heath or Hampstead--and very pleasant evening local wanders after you get back from your day out. London Neighborhoods has a very nice explanation of --London neighborhoods!

Hi kaydee...
In the above post you said you often stayed at Hilton's or Marriott's while in London... could you tell me which of these properties you stayed at ... and/or which you would recommend for a first time visitor who wants to be near the tourist sights.

Thank you!
Karen

P.S. I sent you a PM about this...any help would be appreciated.

Karen - Kaydee is presently traveling in China (see this thread), so she may not be able to respond right away.

Judy

Judy... thank you for the "heads up" about kaydee being away...hope she's having a great time in China!

Karen

Karen, sorry to be slow to respond. I did just see your PM too. I'll answer here in case anyone else is interested in this info. (Sorry I don't have time to add the links... will try to get back later and edit them in.)

On our honeymoon trip to London we stayed through Marriott points at the Mountbatten. This is near Covent Gardens/Leicester square in an area called Seven Dials. I don't think you can stay here through Marriott points anymore, but it was a great location. We could easily walk to Covent Gardens and to Tralfagar Square/National Gallery from that base.

Next trip we used Hilton points and stayed at a Hilton on Park Lane, right across from Hyde Park. There was a tube station right there and we used the tube to get around a lot, as we had only three days and were with a child. We could easily walk to restaurants.

Then we used Marriott points to stay at a brand new property at that time, the Renaissance Chancery Court. This is on High Holborn, and you can walk to Covent Gardens and the British Museum... longer walks to St. Paul's and even down to Trafalgar Square. This is an elegant place to stay.

(Our trip after that was for two weeks, and we rented an apartment in Belgravia, near Sloane Square and just a few blocks from Victoria Station.) From here we could walk to Buckingham Palace, into Kensington.

This last visit we returned to the Chancery Court on Marriott points. There's a tube station right there, which is important wherever you stay in London. London is big and you can always likely walk a few places and will need to use the underground for others. And if you're a big walker, you could walk to more places. We like the Chancery Court area for its proximity to Covent Gardens (theater and good shopping). It is walkable to Trafalgar Square.

Some people with Marriott points like to stay at the City Hall area, across the river near the London Wheel. And there's a Marriott at Marble Arch too. All of these hotels are going to use up LOTS of your points, but they are expensive hotels so you're really saving lots of money.

Buy one of the day or multi-day passes for the Tube. It will make you feel more comfortable about using it a lot vs. buying single tickets.

Kathy

Kathy...thanks for the info.

So glad you liked the Renaissance Chancery Court, as that is where my sister & her husband decided to book. They are going to London in two weeks to see Les Mis and I was trying to get hotel info for her... am very happy that she picked a good place. They will be in London for 4 full days & nights.

Also...thanks for the tip on the multi-day passes for the Tube, I passed this info on.

Do you (or anyone else) have any restaurant suggestions?

Hope you are enjoying China!

Thanks again!

Karen

Karen, the Chancery Court is a great hotel in a beautiful, historic building. We're already saving up points so we can stay there again.

There are so many restaurants in this area... something for everyone. We found a small, non-chain Italian place, further along the main road from the British Museum. (I'll have to look up the name at home.) The Chancery Court does have a concierge, and I would encourage your sister to talk with them about what they're looking for. They did help us with a recommendation and reservation for dinner before we went to a show this past July. (Mamma Mia-- so much fun.)

Kathy

We've seriously considered every suggestion here and I thank you all. Kensington looks great!
Maybe another time.
This first brief time I think we will attempt to book at Montague on the Garden. It's more than we wanted to spend but it might be perfect for us. As I always say, I can budget when I get home.
It's just three nights.
I'm going to continue to check this section of the message board for anything relevant that might pop up. As often happens when you travel, we are now planning to perhaps meet new friends in London. We met this couple, who lives in Chester, when we were on our Croatian trip. I love it when you meet people and continue a friendship through e-mail - if you're very lucky you meet up again, face-to-face, and its very special.
Linda

Hi Linda, eventhough it doesn't sound like S. Kensington is on the radar for this trip, the last 2x in London we've stayed in S. Kensington at the Holiday Inn Forum (good deal 82L per night ) and then at the Regency Hotel www.londonregency.com (room special 102L per night). Great neighbourhood to wander around in. Both hotels were great and within walking distance of the Victoria & Albert Museum (one of the best in London along with the British Musuem, which is where you will see all missing bits and pieces from Turkey LOL!), Natural History Musuem, close to tube stations and a nice stroll from Harrods and Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey etc.

When my daughter and I were there for 3 days the first time we used the hop on/off bus to "see" the city since we knew we couldn't really do more than that in 3 days (we had pre-chosen the museums/sites that we would spend more time at). As well as getting a tour of the city on the HOHO, we took advantage of it to get us to the National Museum, British Museum and then the next morning (tickets are good for 24 hrs) to the market on Portobello Road (NottingHill)and the south bank. I would definitely recommend it if you only have a couple of days. You'll get to drive by (and hop off and back on if you choose) all the major sites such as Picadilly Circus, Oxford St. St. Pauls,Tower Bridge, Tower of London, the palace etc.

We ended up spending hours in the British Museum...absolutely fantastic! The V&A was also wonderful.

Linda

I recently took my aunt and mom to "Cafe in the Crypt" for an easy lunch when we were in the Trafalgar Square area. It's at "St. Martin-in-the-Fields. They serve a generously-portioned cafeteria-style lunch. They recently underwent a massive renovation; it is a beautiful space. Not fancy--traditional British food, but very pleasant feel to the place. Lunch was inexpensive, maybe 10 pounds. Also a good spot for a restroom break and cup of coffee or dessert if not for lunch... Incidentally, they have a huge selection of brass you can do your own rubbings to take home for a fee. My sons are big into Medieval history--next time I'm in London with the boys we will plot some time into the schedule to make one.