s.fowler

My husband and I are are planning to take my mom to London next March to celebrate her 95th birthday. This is a reward for her after several years of caring for my father as he declined and finally died. She's amazingly alert, energetic and together considering her years -- it hasn't been until the last 5 years that I could out run her! <BR>BUT 95 is 95 -- so we are looking for a clean, comfortable well-located hotel in the under $200 price range. We will probably take taxis a lot. On the other hand she wealks a mile a day so it would be nice to be located within range of culture/shopping that is walkable. <BR>In particular is there a hotel that meets this criteria near the British Museum? I'm not interested in the St. Margaret's and Morgan's. It needs to be fancier than that. Mostly it needs to feel accessible and have a decent bathroom [by US standards] IN the room. I'm thinking about the Colonnade Town House Hotel again, but it is rather UNcentral. <BR>So please fellow fodorites -- some advice?

elaine

Hi my guidebook recommends <BR>Blooms Hotel, 7 Montague St, <BR>as an "exquisitely" decorated town house with 24 hour room service, fireplaces, and all ensuite bathrooms. They have a very impressive website at <BR>www.blooms-hotel.co.uk <BR>Some rooms overlook the British Museum. <BR>The word townhouse makes me question if they have an elevator or not, but if not perhaps your mom could manage with a room on the first floor.

Debbie

Try the RUEBENS hotel. My Mom & Grandmother stayed there a few years ago and loved it. It is near Buckingham Palace & Victoria Station. <BR>It should be in your price range. <BR> <BR>debbie

Art

Your mother sounds great S(usan?). I hope that she and you all have a great trip. My own grandmother was active like yours until she hit 98 and fell running after the mailman to send a letter to the President. <BR>

lisa

Art -- Your post made me laugh because that sounds exactly like my own dear grandmother! Like S. Fowler's mother, my grandmother spent a lot of years caring for my grandfather in ailing health until he passed away a couple of years ago. Now in her late 80s, she is an avid traveller, currently in Hawaii (just got a postcard telling me how much she enjoyed boogie-boarding) and making plans to visit the Grand Canyon next year. My mom and I can hardly keep up with her, in high heels no less. <BR>S. Fowler -- I hope you have a wonderful time in London with your mom!

Lori

Remember the 1st floor in the UK is really our second floor so you would have to climb stairs if your room was on the 1st fl in a non-elevator hotel. <BR>I hope you have a marvelous trip, off hand I cannot recommend anything near the British Museum but I'm sure others will. Most hotels have bathrooms (ensuite as it is called) so don't worry about that. Since there are going to be 3 of you I'd recommend a driver service pickup (and return) at the airport - it saves the hassle of public transportation and at her age I cannot imagine doing that (even if she is a young 95). From Heathrow it's about 30-35 pounds and they meet you outside of immigration and take you to your destination. From Gatwick it's more but it is still worth it. My grandmother went across country in a RV with my mother when she (grandmother) was 91 by the way & the two of them had a great time .. you never know about those older folks, sometimes they are in better shape then us "younger ones""!!! I hope you have a great time.

Christina

I think the Blooms Hotel sounds perfect, also, but I think it is well over US$200. There seem to be a few hotels that might fit your desires on the www.bedandbreakfast.com web site (which includes info on the Colonnade, if you haven't seen it, it claims it is disabled accessible which implies lift to me)--in particular, the Basil Street Hotel in Knightsbridge looks very nice and is a lot cheaper than the Blooms, as I recall. I really prefer that area to the area around the British Museum myself.

wes fowler

If memory serves, Sally, seems to me I may have recommended the Colonnade to you earlier due to your desire to be near Paddington. At the time I didn't realize it had been sold by the family owners and was being refurbished as a boutique hotel with escalated rates. If you'll trust my judgement again, consider the Knightsbridge Green Hotel, 159 Knightsbridge. You can check its website at www.thekghotel.co.uk <BR> <BR>It's a few steps from the underground, Harrod's is just across the street as is Hyde Park.

Pat

Hi there. Have you tried the Kenilworth Hotel? It is on Great Russell Street. It is less than 2 blocks from the British Museum. It is part of the Radisson/Edwardian Hotel Chain. I have stayed there twice and really liked it. It is a great location. Also for a special dinner you may want to take your Mom to either Rules (the oldest restaurant in London) or Simpson's on the Strand. Both are very typically British and have wonderful food. Have a great trip.

s.fowlerq

Thank you fodorites for your kind comments and suggestions <BR> <BR>I *did* like the Colonnade whenw e stayed there last March. And yes it does have a "lift." I'd stay there with mom, but it is a little out of the center. <BR> <BR>Thanks Wes for the suggestion of the Knightsbridge Hotel. It looks perfect. The Bloom hotel is a bit pricier, but still on the list. And thanks for the other ideas! I *really* appreciate the "on target" suggestions! <BR>