shezoolover

We are stopping over in London for a layover on our way to Rome. We arrive at Heathrow at 10:30 pm and leave from Gatwick at 9:00 pm the following day. We need recommendations on where to stay and what we can do in that short time. We thought about crashing at an airport hotel then heading out the next day, but should we try to get closer to the city. We have never been to London, so we only will have time for a couple of MUST DO's
Thanks!!

zeppole

Were it me, I would pick a hotel near Victoria Station, so that when I got up in the morning, I could park my luggage in that hotel, have my day of touring, and then easily pick up my luggage on my way to train that leaves Victoria for Gatwick.

One problem you're going to have arriving that late is getting anything to eat. There are a few all night eateries, but you might be better off making sure you have a sandwich in your carryon, or picking one up on your way out of Heathrow.

What you do during your one day in London is really up for grabs. Some people do the Tower of London. I've yet to set foot it in it. I'd head directly to the British Museum. Others would try a matinee at the theater. Up to you. And the weather. There are no "must do's" in a city with as much variety as London, catering to all tastes.

rogeruktm

Just so you know, Heathrow and Gatwick are not close together. The problem as I see it is your late arrival. With luck, plane on time, fast immigration and so forth, you will reach the departure area around midnight. You might want to make arrangements for a private car (taxi) to be waiting for you to take you to a hotel near Victoria train station as suggested by zeppole.

shezoolover

This sounds like a good plan. Now, does anyone have a nice hotel but not too expensive for this one night in a great location?

janisj

What do you consider &quot;<i>not too expensive </i>&quot;?

shezoolover

$250 or less We will be arriving after a very long day of traveling, so we certainly want a comfortable room and bed, but it is more important that we have a 24 hour desk and good location to store luggage while we visit some sights before our flight leaves that evening from Gatwick.

janisj

You know - since your departure the next day is in the evening, I personally wouldn't worry much about being close to Victoria. (W/ a morning flight, Victoria is very convenient)

I'd consider bidding on Priceline. You can usually get a 4 star (which would have a 24 hour reception) for around $100 ± or a 5 star for around $200 ±

Those would be better than just about any hotel you could find for &pound;130/$250

Check out biddingfortravel.com to see what's possible.

I'd bid in the Westminster, Mayfair/Soho, or Kinghtsbridge/South Kensington/Earl's Court PL zones

zeppole

I wouldn't want to find myself touring the Tower of London or St Paul's toward the end of the day, and then needing to get back to South Kensington or Earl's Court to pick up my luggage, and then haul it back to Victoria to get on the train. I'm sure I'd end up springing for a cab with the luggage, which I could have spent on a more conveniently located hotel room. Or worse, I'd orient my sightseeing toward staying close to my luggage -- which for only one day would be a pity.

I'd look here

http://tinyurl.com/6mhsol

and here

http://tinyurl.com/5mwoob

and then compare notes with Tripadvisor.

You also need to think about getting yourselves a decent meal during the day, since you're arriving too late for dinner, and will be caught up in airport travels once again during the dinner hour when you leave (and by the time you get into Rome proper, very little will be open).

After you've decided which attractions you're most likely to visit, do a little research on the Internet before you go for nice lunch places nearby them

or

I'm ordinarily not an advocate of the expensive London &quot;afternoon tea,&quot; but in this case, a generous one at 4pm, with good sandwiches and sweets and tea, might actually be a real pleasure and a fun send off before you battle your way through Gatwick (where you can pick up some eats if you're still hungry).

zeppole

PS: You probably should at least punch in your dates to see what the rate would be at the Rubens at the Palace, which is quite convenient to Victoria, and has an afternoon tea (although I bet the Goring's is better).

janisj

Well, if one doesn't want to be near Earl's Court - one would not bid that zone - - - -

The Westminster Zone is centered around Victoria Station, so If you wanted to be near Victoria I would STILL use PL. Many London budget accommodations are just very basic tourist class B&amp;B hotels w/ no public rooms except for breakfast rooms in the basement. PL is not great form a lot of European cities - but for LOndon it is brilliant.

I usually rent an apartment - but when only staying 1 or 2 nights I always use PL and have never paid more than $113 including taxes/fees, and always got a full service, modern hotel.

W/o PL, $113/&pound;60 would get me a hovel . . . . . .

(And - if you don't want to leave your bags at the hotel - you can always take your luggage to Victoria Station and store it at Left Luggage until you are ready to catch the train to LGW)

janisj

The Rubens is a terrific hotel - their best specials are normally in the &pound;130 double range. That is before tax so would come to around &pound;150/$280 total which may be more than you want to spend. Though it IS a very nice property.

zeppole

What's the scene like at left luggage in Victoria? I've never done it. In Roma, it eats up a huge amount of time to wait on line at the station to stow it, then come back later and wait on line to retrieve it.

But that's Italy...

If shezoolover bids Priceline for Westminster, what's the priciest cab ride she could face taking her luggage to Victoria Station?

Also, for this particular overnight, I'd be terribly tempted to stay in the Grosvenor or Thistle right at Victoria Station. Bad bet? I don't know the hotels. Tripadvisor is ambiguous.

janisj

There are really only two known PL hotels in the Westminster zone that are more than a few blocks from Victoria Station. The Mariott County Hall (5 star and hardly ever comes up) and the Riverbank Plaza. But even the Riverbank Pl is just across Vauxhall Bridge and a short cab ride.

But why worry about a &pound;5 or &pound;10 cab ride when you can get a 4 star hotel for $100-ish.

The Mayfair/Soho zone is also mostly pretty convenient to Victoria. As is the Knightsbridge/Kensington/Earls Court zone since most hotels in that zone are along the Circle/District tube line.

Left Luggage at Victoria is pretty straight forward. Sometimes there is a short queue - but in my experience it is always shorter/faster than left luggage at either LGW or LHR.

janisj

again - if I had an early morning flight I'd probably opt for a hotel right AT Victoria Station. But w/ a nighttime flight - I'd be happy staying just about anywhere in the city if the rates were good.

Robespierre

It really isn't necessary to stay near Victoria. For one thing, the Tube will get you there from anywhere in town in ten minutes, and for two thing, there are trains to Gatwick from a half-dozen stations besides Victoria.

I'd shop for lodging <i>value</i> first, and location second.

shezoolover

found a great looking hotel called he London Bridge for under $200 per night. Although it is not in the heart of the city, it looks like it is near the train and all comments on tripadvisor said great location.
Has anyone stayed there?

Robespierre

Excellent!

According to their web site, it's right across from London Bridge station, whence Southern Trains will whisk you away to Gatwick in a half-hour or so.

I haven't seen the hotel personally, but if you can find a couple of good reviews on it and no negatives, I'd say go for it - especially if you can get in for $200. The web site says &pound;212 and up.

So - leave your gear with the porter, gallivant around London, and pick up the bags on the way out. You can get to most of historic London in a day with a &pound;3.50 bus pass and this map:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...al_bus_map.pdf