indy_dad

Looks like the in-laws are coming for a visit and want to see England in a week. I thought we'd spend it in London with a couple of day trips. This will be at the end of October over half term.

6 people, 3 BR, clean not fancy, lift if 2+ flights of stairs. Normally I'd want to stay inside the Circle line, more or less, but I think something's got to give. Ideally would be within 5 (maybe 10) minutes of a Tube station.

I'd like to spend around £1500 for the week. Can stretch that to £2000 if necessary.

Currently slogging through the myriad of holiday rental sites. Would normally prefer an agency but will also consider individuals.

Any suggestions for sites? agencies? particularly good value areas? specific flats?

Fall back plan would be 2 rooms at the Premier Inn Kings Cross for £1700. Would prefer a flat for a number of reasons. Think I can find something that meets those conditions?

BigRuss

Have you looked? There are TON(NE)S of websites for apartment rentals in London.

janisj

There are LOTS of 2bdrm flats that are set up sleep 6. If you include those in your search, you should be able to find something well w/i your budget.

These 2 bdrm are plenty large enough for 6 if you get the one w/ the 2 wc's and for less than £1000. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/

But 2 full baths would be better if you could find one

Mrs_Wilde

I have also been looking for a 3 bedroom flat and found a town house on www.londonconnection.com. It's the one on Godfrey Street, SW3 for $314 per night which is in your price range. Do a search with your dates, there are others.

We have stayed as a group of 5 in a 2 bedroom, one bath flat and I would pay extra just to have a second bath.

Happy hunting!

indy_dad

@Mrs_Wilde -- thanks for the tip. I did come across that one earlier. Sounds reasonable. I'll keep looking to see if there are some others.

@janisj -- thanks for the link; I'll check it out. I think I'll hold firm with the 3BR to accommodate the different schedules. Agree that 2 full wc's would also be beneficial.

@big russ -- very helpful. I had no idea.

Here's the London Connection one plus a few more if folks prefer commenting on specifics.

http://tinyurl.com/6mss464

http://www.vrbo.com/213898

http://www.vrbo.com/109206 (though seems a little sterile/business like)

I'll keep looking. Early days.

indy_dad

Hmmm those didn't generate much response. Here are my top 3 so far -- all under desired budget.

Cheapest
http://www.vrbo.com/111049

Centrally Located
http://www.vrbo.com/323395

Very good and numerous reviews
http://www.vrbo.com/360217

Thanks.

jamikins

I cant see any addresses, but my choice would be in Fitzrovia or Lambeth (depending on the address) as they are closer in. Notting Hill is the least convenient.

janisj

111049 looks nice but is cheapest for a reason. It is in Hormead Rd which and is quite far out -- near the Great Western rd and Harrow Rd. The only nearby tube station is Westbourne Park on the Hammersmith & City line.

From reading a couple of the reviews it looks like 323395 is somewhere near Warren St tube - maybe between there and Goodge St. Pretty central.

360217 is apparently in Thorparch Rd and that is not a very convenient location at all IMO. The nearest tube station is Vauxhall and that quite a hike. Its between Wandsworth Rd and New Covent Garden

By FAR the best location is 323395.

jamikins

Yup, sorry, I didnt look close enough to find the addresses, thanks for the help janisj! Definitely go with 323395.

indy_dad

Thanks for the input.

PalenQ

ttt

CaliNurse

I love that London Connection 3 bedroom, above, and the price is fantastic! (I had it bookmarked a year ago, hoping the entire famiy could come to London this summer.)

The company itself is terrific. I've rented with London Connections before and they were great and responsive,and easy towork with. Flat was bigger and better than described. Will be staying at a different two bedroom of theirs in May

Tom Moore Senior has a blog, if you go to the company website there's a link. A couple days ago he posted a new property for them, a three bedroom in South Kensington, which looks wonderful!!

CaliNurse

http://blog.londonconnection.com/cat...nection-flats/

scan down to the blog date for March 6, re: three bedroom flat.

indy_dad

Thanks, CaliNurse. It doesn't look like the new property is available for my dates (at least it doesn't appear when I do a search). I'll see if I can find it.

I've got an e-mail into the Fitzrovia flat but have not heard back. Might have to actually pick up the phone . . .

CaliNurse

HI Indy, what a bummer when a flat isnt available for needed dates!!

If you havent already, i recommend calling LC.
They have always been prompt with replies .
They are based in Utah (MST Mt Standard TimeTime???) if that helps figure out when someone will be in the office.

Additional way to contact is via the blog site, above. Leave a message on the most recent entry,with your contact info, and Tom Sr (the very delightful gentleman who started the company) will have someone reply.

Good luck on getting the perfect place for you and your family!!

janisj

One of the main advantages of London Connections (and they are a good company) is they are US-based, take $, and mail the keys before the letting. Not sure how convenient that might/might not be for you, since you're based in the UK . . .

agrebe

We just rented a London Connections apartment in Covent Garden and were very pleased with our dealings with the company, the apartment, and the staff in London. Someone met us at the apartment so there was no need to mail keys ahead of time and she spent time showing us how everything worked in the apartment and answering questions.

CaliNurse

Hi JanisJ.
somewhat off topic, but i think the company that pre-mails the keys is Vacation in Paris (also US based) not LC
London Connections has someone meet you at the apartment to show you 'round, give local info, and instructions on sometimes mysteriously operated major appliances . This is also the time to go through the apartment together with their rep, and see if everything is to clients' satisfaction. I may be wrong--but this was my experience on renting tw0 yrs ago, and what the info is for the forthcoming rental in May.

janisj

Oh --good to know. My main point was the convenience of having a US-based company for most of us (no time zone issues, easy to phone w/questions, paying in US$, etc.) might/might not be such a big advantage for Indy_dad.

CaliNurse

Jan, so true. I love having great US based companies like VIP or LC where we can pay easily in US$, make etc. You're right--that may not be as big an advantage to someone in another country. However, I hope Indy and other "non-Yanks" check, sinceVIP and LC have some very reasonable prices on their flats