GiuliaPiraino

We will be traveling with our 4 month old daughter in March and I'd like to find an "aparthotel" type accomodation. I like the idea of having an apartment since we almost never book hotels in Europe, mostly apartments, even a limited kitchenette, but I also want a front desk if we need any help.

I found 2 apartment/hotels that look interesting. Base2stay in Earls Court has great reviews on TA but some on here said Earls Court was too far from the action. It looks nice albeit a little pricey if it's truly out of the center. But then I'm not familiar with London so I don't know how out of the center Earls Court really is. In 2006 we stayed right near Kensington Palace and I felt that was a fine area, not quite in the thick of it but not too far either. http://www.base2stay.com/our_hotel/h...ensington.html

The other is Citadines in South Kensington. I like that area but it doesn't have great reviews. Sadly I really like this area and it seems to have decent sized rooms at an ok price. http://www.citadines.com/en/uk/londo...ensington.html

I'd also be open to a hotel that had a full English breakfast included if it had really good sized rooms and decent wi-fi (we need to work), but I have no idea where to start, there are so many hotels that it just overwhelms me and I quit looking! So if someone has a fantastic recommendation, the most important is that it be clean and spacious and not in a super touristy area.

Thanks!

janisj

not knowing the rates -- I'd much prefer the Holborn/Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square Citadines. But if the two you mentioned are your only choices -- I'd take the Citadines location well before base2stay. The Citadines website does say it has been recently renovated so that might have a bearing on the reviews.

There are a couple of Fodorites who really praise base2stay and it probably is just fine. But me personally, I will not stay in Earls Court.

GiuliaPiraino

JanisJ thank you, can you please tell me why everyone is down on Earls Court? Is it a bad area? I was thinking also of going back to the Westland Hotel, it wasn't horrible and the rooms were big and they offered a nice big greasy breakfast. http://www.westlandhotel.co.uk

janisj

EC isn't 'bad' and is much better than it was 20 - 30 years ago when it was just an area of low quality B&B hotels and bed sits full of young Aussies.

But it just isn't as nice nor as central as some other areas.

The main problem w/ the Westland is there is no easy/cheap way to get there from LHR. But if you spring for a car service like justairports.com it would be door-to-door w/ no schlepping at all. But I would rather be a bit more central if I was traveling w/ an infant so popping back 'home' during the day would be easier.

GiuliaPiraino

I didn't think about the ease of getting there from the airport. In your opinion, which area would be the most central yet still quiet and safe?

janisj

There is really no unsafe area - not where one is likely to stay at any rate. What is your budget?

avalon

YOu might look ar Harrington Garden Apts on Harrington Rd. Excellent location. Check on Kayak for really good prices. There is also a Base2Stay near the Gloucester Road Tube station.

lizziea06

Earls Court has become a very pricey area to live in London and it's really convenient to get around from there. There are also loads of charming places to eat and walk around on Old Brompton Road and on and around Gloucester Road. You're an easy walk to Hyde Park, High Street Ken, and you could even walk up to Notting Hill if you're feeling ambitious. You're not far from Kings Road and Sloane Square in Chelsea. You have access to the Picadilly and District lines which will take you all around London. I love the area and wouldn't hesitate to stay there. It's not hte most aesthetically appealing view directly outside Earls Court station, but big deal?

GiuliaPiraino

I'd like to stay under $250 a night, not sure what that equates to in GBP.

lizziea06

At the existing conversion rate it's about £160

avalon

I don't consider Earl's Court and South Kensington to be same. Gloucester Rd is South Kensington , not Earls' court

lizziea06

Earls Ct is definitely distinct from South Ken, but they are very, very close.

GiuliaPiraino

Ok, this apartment is right near paddington station, is this a bad neighborhood? The apartment seems really great size and price wise. But I can't imagine that next to a train station would be a great neighborhood.

MAP:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x...earchp=ids.srf

APARTMENT:
http://rentals.chslondon.com/glt/glt.htm

janisj

The good news - it looks like a nice flat for the price.

The (slightly) bad news - Paddington is even a bit less central/convenient than Earls Court.

It isn't on a tube line from LHR and the 2 trains between LHR/Paddington are either expensive or VERY expensive. You won't be walking distance to anything except Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens.

It is another area I personally wouldn't choose w/ an infant since there will be multiple tube line transfers to get most places.

avalon

I said before try Harrington Garden apts

http://www.refreshaccommodation.com/...n-gardens.aspx

the same price for a 1 bedroom and even less for a studio. And a very excellent location between Gloucester rd and S. Ken tube stations, with access to LHR, lots of shops, services and also good bus transport!

janisj

avalon's suggestion is much better located than Paddington or Earls Court.

GiuliaPiraino

Thank you for the info on Harrington Gardens. My concern about this place is that the description says they have 41 apartments, so I am assuming that the photos could possibly not be of the actual apartment we would get. This is a little scary to me since I really like to see exactly what we are getting. How does one get to LHR from here? We've always taken the Heathrow Express to and from Paddington so I'm unfamiliar!

GiuliaPiraino

The photos of the 1 bedroom and the "deluxe" 1 bedroom are the same photos???

janisj

The HEX makes no sense unless one is staying right AT Paddington. And even then a car service is easier since there is no schlepping of luggage. For a couple the HEX costs £33 one way. And if one is staying anywhere else you have to take an expensive cab ride after you get off the train.

For Harrington Gdns -- either take the tube or a car service. Car service will cost about the same as the HEX, and drop you right at the front door.

1 Harrington Gardens is a bldg of serviced accommodations -- not individually owned flats. So there may be some slight difference in decor -- but they are basically all the same except for size etc.

GiuliaPiraino

Oh, ok that makes sense knowing that it's an entire building of flats. I've sent an email to the company with a few questions, I think this looks like a good fit for us. Can either of you tell me what the area is like? Is it more residential or kind of in the thick of the city? I looked at the Google street view but I'm afraid it's difficult for me to tell not being too familiar with London. I wonder if the Harringotn Gardens would be lacking in character since they are corporate rentals. I really like some of the homey apartments we've rented across Europe with the funky decor. But if the neighborhood and the price is right, I'll learn to deal!! Thanks for helping me out on this!