I don't think you mentioned on your other thread if you have been to London before? If not, IMO staying 30 or 40 minutes out oif the center is a false economy. Plus - on the other thread you mentioned your budget is nearly £90 a night which is doable in the center.

Having said that - re the first property, East Putney station in in the Wandsworth area and on the District line. Doable - not great.

The second one is near Fulham Broadway and would be a much better location IMO. That one is actually pretty central. Not as close in as I personally would like, but certainly better than Clapham

<<I don't mind 30 to 40 minutes of travel time by tube or bus.>>

Neither location should take quite that long by Tube other than getting to the City and the Tower. Don't try to get to central London from either place by bus - will take 45+ minutes to the West End on a good day. Both are on the District Line spur that goes to Wimbledon. The E. Putney location advertised 90 quid per night as a start price - you may be able to get closer to central London for that (see Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, Marylebone). On the site you referenced are two properties that are in the same price range and have better locations: Kennington and the 94 quid Chelsea place.

Don't latch onto just one site to check for properties. There are tons of places to look. Years ago my brother found a place on a teacher's budget thisclose to the V&A Museum, which is a far better location than either of your links.

Ok, I just read your other thread. You need to reconfigure your expectations in two ways.

(1) London is the largest city in Western Europe and the runner-up isn't close - it's a New York/LA type difference in population (London 7.7M, Berlin 3.8M). That said,

(2) you're being influenced by some rot you've heard over the years about how expensive London is. London is a budget traveler's dream because many of the major museums charge NO admission and there are tons of ways to eat and live inexpensively and do so close to many of the attractions so that you're not staying on a farm near a peat bog.

First, there are B&Bs in Zone 1 that will fit your 90-95 quid per night budget (do NOT get so stuck on a B&B v. a B&B Hotel that you end up out in the sticks instead of centrally located - your lodging is a bed, bathroom and repository for your stuff and NOT the point of your trip unless you're a rich potentate or a bit daft). Ultimately, thinking that a 90 quid budget means you have to stay in the 'burbs is just wrong. And thinking that a 30+ minute commute to the sites is worth the tradeoff for B&B instead of B&B hotel (see thursdaysd post on your other thread) means that your focus is a bit off. Note also that in the UK there are B&Bs (1-5 rooms available for rent) and guest houses (6-10 rooms) and both are the US equivalent of B&Bs. Look in the latter category too because by limiting yourself to only the term "B&B" you're cutting out other options that could be far better.

Second, there are plenty of inexpensive places to eat or for take away (pick a restaurant along Charing X Road's panoply of Asian cuisine, then there's EAT, Pret-a-Manger, M&S Simply Food, various pubs . . .).

Third, there's the daysoutguide.co.uk discounts that you need to print off the vouchers for and use with a seven-day PAPER travelcard that you procure at a NATIONAL RAIL station (Victoria, Paddington, etc.). Cabinet War Rooms plus Tower discounts from the daysoutguide.co.uk 2for1 offers means you save 30 quid, which could be the difference between a shared toilet and ensuite room for your 5-6 night stay.

I always stay in a B&B in Eltham, a 25-minute train ride from Charing Cross station, right in the heart of everything - folks inside London could commute the same time or longer to get to Charing Cross - and I pay 25 pounds a night including unlimited breakfast - i prefer staying in a real neighborhood with a nice old lady running the clean safe place.

In any case the savings are immense for me, a single traveler - if I were with someone else I could probably get a TravelLodge for two nearly as cheap. And check out TravelLodge hotels in London - they can have some dandy book early specials - one Brit said she got a 19 pound room at the Covent Garden TravelLodge! (http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/book/london-hotels) - now those 19 or 29 pound rooms are hard to get so don't expect that but it is possible - in any case TravelLodges are modern hotels with several in the heart of London.

There are many small hotels in London but not that many B&Bs - I am not sure what you think the difference is, but it's generally just a matter of size. First time visitors need to be central, and Bloomsbury is a convenient budget area with lots of eating options nearby.

>>Brit said she got a 19 pound room at the Covent Garden TravelLodge! << . . . On a special promotion two years ago.

The Covent Garden Travelodge can regularly be booked for around £40-65 but is very date sensitive and can also cost £100+. Occasionally can be found for £29 for one night but the next night is either sold out or £90+

But by no definition could it be called a B&B which is what the OP seems to want. They are just basic places to sleep.

PQ -you frequently mention that Eltham B&B - when was the last time you stayed there? My hunch is it costs more than £25 today.

janisj- tw0 years ago and I paid then 21.50 pounds so I inflated it a bit.

I used to live in Putney. It's a very good residential area for somewhere to live, but £90 a night for a B&B there strikes me as over-inflated expectations. As a resident I'm no expert on hotels, but surely you can do as well or better somewhere central like Bloomsbury? I'm not quite sure what you expect by the term "B&B", as referred to above, but to us they're nothing special - a cheaper alternative to a hotel. I wouldn't expect to be welcomed into the family, for example, nor would I expect any great luxury, just clean and comfortable.

Thanking everyone for your responses. As to my choice of a B&B vs Hotel. We have stayed in B&B's in many parts of mainland Europe and like the feel of being in someone's home. I know I might find something less expensive in a budget hotel with breakfast, but it's impersonal and my experence in my price range, the rooms are tiny. I'm still looking so no decision has been made yet. I will be looking at Bloomsbury as well as other areas in Central London.

When I do a Google search for B&B's in an area, most of the responses are for hotels. Any links that will narrow down my search would be appreciated.

This isn't directly relevant to the OP, but I am currently trying to find a B&B in Greenwich during the first week in March, and finding it quite hard to find somewhere that isn't either already booked, isn't exorbitantly expensive, and is in a reasonably convenient location. I do want to be centrally located in Greenwich rather than a bus/tube ride away in Blackheath etc.

The local Travelodge has rooms at £62 per night (and I am the Brit who got the Covent Garden Travelodge for £29, but as janis points out, that was over 2 years ago), and all the other hotels are way more (and over my puny budget).

However I started looking on airbnb last night, and am amazed at the apparently lovely places on offer in peoples' homes for relatively little money. Most seem to offer breakfast as well. These days many of the advertised rooms have several reviews.

So I might suggest to the OP that searching on airbnb.com might be of interest.

Here's a B&B that has been recommended on a couple of other travel sites I frequent. I have never stayed there, so can't personally recommend. It's very close to a tube stop, and about a 30-minute ride into central London. A double is 55 GBP/night:
Tara's B&B: http://www.taraslondonbandb.com/
TA reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d1052760-Reviews-Tara_s_London_Bed_Breakfast-London_England.html

<<When I do a Google search for B&B's in an area, most of the responses are for hotels. >>

As I said before, try searching for "guest house."

If you're thinking you'll have anything other than a small room at your price range in a B&B/GH in London area, you're mistaken.

And location is more important than anything else when staying in a city the size of London. Wouldn't stay in the northwest suburbs (Harrow) or the southeast ones (Eltham), I'd stay in LONDON. Your budget is not completely unreasonable.

Of course, you can also get a home, not hotel, feel from staying in a rental apartment and 90 quid per is not unreasonable for a 45-55 sq meter place in central London that will be far larger than the room at any of your B&B options.

"As to my choice of a B&B vs Hotel. We have stayed in B&B's in many parts of mainland Europe and like the feel of being in someone's home."

And that is possible all over the UK too. I almost always stay in B&B anywhere I go where renting a cottage isn't an option. But IN London, true B&Bs are pretty rare. There are some of course - but they tend to be either posh and expensive, or quite down market. A few exception do exist. And most are in flats - not stand-alone houses. But London just isn't a big B&B destination.

Your image of a 'home stay' will be wide of the mark in most any London area B&B.

Too bad that my B&B is in Lincolnshire, it sounds exactly like what you are looking for!

Dgassa, I've used an agency in London, At Home in London, that may have what you're looking for. Prices vary but all I've seen are very nice. Generally 1 room in each home. Have a look.

http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/

Now I see from your other topic on the subject that you already have that website. Good.

Try looking for the less expensive hotels in Bloomsbury on Booking.com, Venere.com, etc. Bloomsbury is close to Euston, St. Pancras and is served by several tube lines and many buses so its easy to travel all over London. I wouldn't stay in Putney or an outside point because you would be traveling an hour back and forth between your b&b.

bookmarking

But London just isn't a big B&B destination.>

no central London ain't but London itself in its outer preceints has many many B&Bs - like the one I always stay at in Eltham - in an old lady's house - there are many of these so if you want the real British B&B feeling and warmth just a 20-minute train ride away or so you'll find it and yes prices can be as low as 25-30 pounds per night (but per person so for two you may find a cheaper hotel right in the center of London at not much more but without the gargantuan breakfast B&Bs serve up.

So it is not correct IME to say that you will not find traditional B&Bs right inside London itself. And these are not bed-sits either (places that are like half-way houses, etc.) but real authentic British B&Bs - they may not show up on the usual B&B search engines but they do exist - contact the local Tourist Information Centre web site for details - like mine is in the London borough of Greenwich and I found out about it thru the TIC web site.

Just so you know, I am paying attention. I'm still looking for B&B's and will continue to do so, and I have found some in a more central location. I found these on AirBNB plus a couple of more closer to the center but still in my price range.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/558417

Here's another that's doable

https://www.airbnb.com/wishlists/9535749

So it seems there are real B&B's in London and closer in than my previous searches have found. I'm still looking but getting closer to the end of my search. Any comments about the area that these two are located in?

Thanks for all who have responded.

Well the first one isn't the close to good transport links....the closest is on the overland which isn't as well connected into central London and not as frequent as tubes.

I can't see the exact postal code to find the second on the map...but if it is close to elephant in castle that is not exactly the best address...it's pretty rough and wouldn't be my choice.

There is probably a reason these places are so cheap...

Jammy, the map on the website she linked will show you where it is - just zoom in the street is small and easy to overlook. Not too far from Lambeth North (550-600m) and Elephant & Castle (450m) probably a block or two closer to the latter.

So the OP is "paying attention" but not seeking advice on abodes in areas that everyone posting here has told her to look at (B L O O M S B U R Y). Islington is a decent residential area but the transport connections to the center of the city are surprisingly sparse considering London's general level of public transport coverage.

Don't know what your status is, but I can also highly recommend At Home in London agency also. We have stayed in two different ones--Belgravia and Bayswater. Check out their homes.

I have looked at them At Home in London and several of their homes are possibilities. Thanks for the first hand knowledge texasbookworm.

TEXASBOOKWORM,

If possible could you give me details about your two stays with At Home in London?

Thanks

If this repeats a previous post, I apologize, but this may be a good place to start if you are set on a B&B. There seem to be many nice options in your price range. Happy travels! I adored my time in London!

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/london-england.html

Monkton St is actually in the gentrified corner of Lambeth. My office would occasionally have a summer picnic in West Square, a few minutes walk from there, and there are excellent bus links up St George's Road and Kennington Lane.

Hemingford Road is rather similar, though most people would say it's more Caledonian Road than Islington (unless you're marketing property there). It's a few bus stops away from the tube at King's Cross and Angel, and there are plenty of buses through central London from Caledonian Road/King's Cross.

As predominantly residential areas, neither is likely to have much, if anything other than takeaways, in the way of choice of restaurants for evening meals, though.

Did you see these on Air BNB? IMO they are in better locations than the 2 you posted, but are still only around $100/night:

Victoria: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/715564

Brick Lane: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/488143

Trafalgar Square: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/513423 (great location, but the low ceilings and lack of windows would deter me)

Marble Arch: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/599058

Thanks Walkabout they all look fine, but none are B&B's which is what we would prefer.

As mentioned - traditional B&Bs are scarce in London. Yes there are some. But instead of fixating on a particular 'type' of accommodations and being stuck far outside the center, I'd personally adapt to the style of accommodations that actually are common in London.

Even if you do find a B&B in London, you may find that they are run more like a hotel, lacking in the kind of camaradie one usually experiences and where one really doesn't feel like they're staying in someone's home. At least that's what I encountered during my one and only stay in a London B&B. There are a number of small hotels that should meet most of your needs.

As mentioned - traditional B&Bs are scarce in London. Yes there are some. But instead of fixating on a particular 'type' of accommodations and being stuck far outside the center>

Is a 20-minute Overground train ride to Charing X being stuck outside the center? I can think of places in what is considered central London that would be also a 20-minute or even longer commute to Charing X - at the epoicenter of tourist London.

Personally if I had to make a 20-30-minute commute I'd rather be stuck outside plastic central London and in a real nieghborhood still within the boundaries of greater London. Greenwich is a type of place that has authentic British B&Bs -= I would not consider staying in Greenwich a bad thing, with the new Jubilee Line wisking me into central London in a few minutes.

Greater London has oodles of traditional B&Bs that are just a short commute away.

Maybe there's something sought by the B&B experience, but the original poster's budget can usually be met handily by bidding on Priceline, and you get a central location too. See www.betterbidding.com .

If the dates are right, this is good too:
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/

I really do appreciate all the replies and suggestions, but I'm still sticking to a real B&B and not a B&B hotel. Most people suggest something in the central area of London, so in the vien I've increassed my budget slightly and came up with these two possibilities. Input about the neighbood would be great.

http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/our-homes/view-home-details?ref=349&PHPSESSID=u5q4ao1gfittoo3835vle7rti4

This second one in close to Paddington Station making it painless for getting into town and to the B&B after a long flight from the West Coast (US).

http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/our-homes/view-home-details?ref=172

I have been viewing them on Google Earth so I get some idea of what's in the area, ie: food, transportation and the like, but personal knowledge is the best.

I'd so much prefer the Belgravia location.

Pal, Anyone who considers central London "plastic" probably shouldn't even bother going there. If one is living in London, perhaps a location farther out might be best, but for tourists a few days in the center of London has to be a better option.

You said you increased your budget "slightly." Actually, you have increased it by about 50-65%. You went from considering $100/night places on airbnb, to a £98 rental in Paddington, and £107 B&B in Belgravia. £98 is about $152, and £107 is about $165. Just want to make sure you are not confusing pounds and dollars.

Of the last 2 you posted, I would choose Belgravia. I'm not a fan of Paddington. I think the area is rather dreary (but I have a feeling that's the one you'll choose).

Have you searched londontown.com? They have a filter for B&Bs.

PS. The Bayswater B&B looks nice. We stayed in a small hotel in nearby Sussex Garden, which is a very cute mostly residential neighborhood.

Sorry to be so disjointed! The Belgravia place looks great, too. Between those two, I think you have found your B&B.

It too think I've found our place. At least one of the two (unless something better comes along)that I listed.

PeaceOut, I have looked at Londontown and used their B&B filter. It doesn't work very well as you can't rule out hotels that say they are B&B's. Anyway thanks to all that have sumitted responses. We are putting a lot of planning into this 2 month trip. Six nights in London, to start, then a car for at 3+ weeks around the UK, north to Scotland and in a counterclockwise tour returning to London for one night. Then it's the EuroStar to Paris where we will meet up with friends from Germany. We spend a week in Paris in this apartment.

http://www.perfectlyparis.com/La%20Belle%20Epoque.html

Then two weeks in Germany and Switzerland before returning to the states flying out of Zurich. I'm sure I will be seeking more advice before we begin our trip in September.

Agian, thanks to all!

Wow -- the trip of a lifetime!

dgassa: Of the two I would 100% definitely choose Little Chester Street/Belgravia. It is BY FAR the better/more central location. Walking distance to scores of things.

Porchester SQ is not central, and really isn't very convenient to LHR. The Heathrow Express is VERY expensive and you'd still probably need a cab from Paddington to the B&B. The B&B is very near the Royal Oak tube station and a hike from Bayswater.

Just no comparing the two locations.

Belgravia looks like a nice house, too. I will bookmark it.

Hi, sorry, life interfered with my Fodoring (plus we just decided to probably have some time in France this June, with me staying behind after taking a tour of England and Paris with students and DH meeting up with me--so I've been distracted with those preliminary plans!)

Anyway, in case, dgassa, you are still deciding;

We stayed in rooms right off Kinnerton Street in Belgravia. It was wonderful--roomy (actually sort of suite), convenient, loved the area. Breakfast rather Spartan but fresh--plenty for me but not always enough for DH. Up bunch of stairs. Very quiet. I'd LOVE to go back to this property some day!

We chose the Bayswater one because we had our daughter and needed a room for 3 which was tough to find. It was fine--also very very roomy and clean and great breakfast but not very "pretty" which didn't matter to us, but...

At Home in London is the only agency I have dealt with in London, but I was completely satisfied with all aspects of our arrangements.

Oh, and the one we considered as being in Belgravia lists itself as in Knightsbridge. I know calling the neighborhood by its proper name is important! But we'd walk out the door and turn a few turns and consider ourselves in the Belgravia "village." Or go out the door and turn a few turns the other way and be on Knightsbridge and 5 or so minutes from Hyde Park Corner Tube. Oh, my, I'm wishing I was back!

Texasbookworm, thanks for answering my request. I wonder if you could tell me a little bit about the neighbors? Is one better than the other? One easier to get to attractions? I'm getting down to making a selection, in fact I sent an e-mail to "At Home" today with some questions. Thanks for the input.

dgassa: >>Is one better than the other? One easier to get to attractions?<<

Please read my last post above. Answers both of those questions . . .

The one in Porchester Square is not convenient to much of anything . . .

The one in Little Chester Street is convenient to all of central London.

I don't know what you mean by "neighbors." Do you mean neighborhoods?

As always, listen to janisj, too.

I will comment on our experiences. As I said above, the rooms we had in what AHIL calls "Knightsbridge" I consider as practically in Belgravia as far as neighborhood is concerned. That area is quieter, prettier, and a bit posher--ok, more than a bit!!--than Bayswater, the other area where we stayed. Belgravia is spoken of as considering itself like a village within London and it sorta was--just a few steps off Knightsbridge and it was small businesses, churches, groceries and bakeries and residences and banks, etc. Very cool. Oh and several pubs and restaurants, too. I THINK the rooms you are considering nearer Victoria Station (?) would have access to the same.

I definitely like the Belgravia area better. You definitely need to consider access to London's center as a primary factor.

Also, as for LHR transport. We rode the Tube, straight shot on Picadilly line, to our Belgravia rooms. Cheap and easy. When we were in Bayswater, although a Tube stop was less than 10 minutes away, about as close as we were in Belgravia area, a ride from LHR would have involved a line change, so we opted to get a car service--justairports. Whisked us right to our doorstep--which on the tiny narrow street was no mean feat! And picked us up promptly for our return to LHR. Highly recommend. Don't look at other expensive options like trains or taxis--decide to use the Tube OR reserve a car service. (OK, my neighbor didn't take my advice on a recent trip and upon arrival at LHR stumbled upon some sort of coupon/voucher deal from HeathrowExpress that got them into town for pretty cheap, so that's possible--but then there was a taxi ride from station to hotel in the Westminster area--she never told me how much that cost!)

Thanks Texasbookworm and Janisj, I did mean Neighborhoods and you both provided me will all the information I was looking for.

For all of you who provided information and advice in my quest to find a B&B in a good location in London, I have listened and chose this place in Belgravia.

http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/our-homes/view-home-details?ref=349&PHPSESSID=94l39bp071c2i6nvugg2mmsrc5

It is over my original budget, but I decided to "adjust" the budget for the London portion of our trip.

That is a wonderful choice. It is about midway between the Victoria and Hyde Park Corner tube stations so terrific fortransport. If you threw a rock hard . . . you'd hit the lake in Buckingham Palace's garden.

You'll be close to HydePark, the Palace/Mews/Queen's Gallery, Green Park, St James's Park, the Cabinet War Rooms - just TONS of things w/i walking distance.

Thanks Janisj, I've been looking on Google Earth and you're right, there's a whole lot of things we can walk to, plus it's a stright shot on the tube from Heathrow.

May your visit be all wonderful! Our favorite bakery in the area was Ottolenghi bakery at 13 Motcomb Street. And there's a Waitrose grocery right near there on Motcomb, too; there might be a grocery nearer you but this one was great for us (our rooms were a bit closer to Knightsbridge than yours.).

Plenty of pubs all around, too--which have filling, decent, sometimes even quite tasty, inexpensive food. We ate several times at the Wilton Arms and the Nags Head (London's smallest pub?) on Kinnerton.

Oh, and you will post a trip report upon return? Sounds like, as someone said above, the trip of a lifetime!

PQ -you frequently mention that Eltham B&B - when was the last time you stayed there? My hunch is it costs more than £25 today.>

janis - you got to get out of central London and see what the real London offers - like look at www.airb&b and you will see prices like $27; $35, etc for many B&Bs in outer areas - only a 20-minute train ride from central London - they do exist contrary to your doubts - just to bring you up to date on you doubting that I could indeed find any B&B so cheap - they do exist and not just a few.

Give it up PQ. The OP has made a wonderful choice.

I dare say I've spent a lot more time in outer London than you imagine. But for 1st or 2nd time visitors you give bad advice IMO. You tend to tell everyone, no matter the specific requirements, the same things . . . stay outside the center, try travelodge, get a railpass. Maybe it is you who needs to experience more variety.

(If you use airbnb for London . . . sure hope you have a back up plan.)

...just to bring you up to date on you doubting that I could indeed find any B&B so cheap - they do exist and not just a few.

Hmm, I'm surprised nobody has yet mentioned the fact that many cheap B&B establishments in the London area are used by local councils to accommodate homeless people - certainly not the sort of place you'd want to spend a holiday in:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/oct/15/bed-and-breakfast-families-crisis

Yes I have been in one 'Bed sits' as they call it but that was arranged thru a B&B booking agency in Reading. Airb&b is a very reputable company that screens places listed and you can be sure you are not getting a bed sit IME and there are real authentic B&Bs inside London itself for 25 pounds - many many many and just a short Overground ride away - savor the real authentic English B&B with an ole bag landlady - usually a nice one - just like you expect.

"You tend to tell everyone... the same things... Maybe it is you who needs to experience more variety. (If you use airbnb for London . . . sure hope you have a back up plan.)" janisj

Janisj, you might consider taking your own advice above. Sticking with the tired old warnings about AirBnB is just contrary to the experience of so many of us that I, for 1, would like to know if you have a personal complaint with them and if not, give us the benefit of your otherwise excellent advice and let this one go.

Hey, what happened to my post. I think it got hijacked. I spent a lot of time and consideration in choosing a B&B. Several months in fact. Yes I know I could have found one less expensive and when we've traveled to Europe before (Not London) we manage on a budget of around $150 day, not counting a rental car. But London is a special place and we probably won't be going there a second time, so we have streached our budget to better enjoy a great city. To make the price of the B&B go down a little easier, we will be using points on our credit card to pay for it.

Texasbookworm, there will be a trip report which I will post on Fodors. Keep in mind we're not leaving till September. Weekly up date will be on my blog at:

www.gassawaysadventures.blogspot.com

dgassa,
I have been to London many times over the years, and I think you have made an excellent choice of accommodation. No need to explain or defend your decision. Belgravia is a great location, and the price of the B&B is reasonable for London. Yes, you could have found something cheaper, but cheap doesn't always mean it is a good bargain.

I hope you enjoy London as much as I do. I have traveled all over the world, and London still remains one of my two favorite cities. Have a wonderful trip!

stone throw from Buckingham Palace?? yes I think you made a great choice!! Have a great time and will be watching for the trip report this fall!!!

Janis - what is wrong with airb&b? You dissed them, why?

>> If you threw a rock hard . . . you'd hit the lake in Buckingham Palace's garden.<<

You might be well advised not to try, though..........

Re airbnb and as a follow up to my earlier post about finding a B&B in Greenwich, I will be staying here for 2 nights next week...

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/503221

The owner has sent me a number of emails and texts, and she has invited me to dinner with the family, which I have had to decline as the purpose of my visit is to spend time with my son who is a student at the University of Greenwich and I will be dining with him. She has even asked me what I like to eat for breakfast.

I will be their first guest, so there are no reviews as yet. I picked this place due to the perfect central Greenwich location, and the fact that it is £50 GBP per night - cheaper than the nearby Travelodge.

There were B&Bs in Blackheath, but that would involve a bus ride or taxi at night which I didn't want. At this place my son can walk me 'home'!

MmePerdu & PQ: We've already unnecessarily hijacked the thread -- but just to make it very clear - Airbnb is a listing site. They don't screen properties. Any more than vrbo or craigs list does.

Just read a handful of the threads about scam airbnb listings in NYC. Some exist, some don't, but in any case 99.9% of them are illegal.

Many people have wonderful results using airbnb - no argument there. But me personally - I'd never ever use them overseas where you have little recourse. And I would not use them for a family w/ small children. Finding replacement accommodations at the last minute w/ toddlers in tow - a nightmare.

It is like w/ any other booking option - common sense.I do find it curious that those who like airbnb tend to attack those who have a different opinion/point of view.

"I do find it curious that those who like airbnb tend to attack those who have a different opinion/point of view." janisj


And vise versa, ad nauseam.

You tend to tell everyone, no matter the specific requirements, the same things . . . stay outside the center, try travelodge, get a railpass. Maybe it is you who needs to experience more variety.>

Well janis show me where I ever said to someone staying in outer London to get a railpass? Totally bogue comment -and

janisj - what do you have against Travelodges so that you always seem to recoil at their mere mention - no they are not the various flats you always tout but IME are, along with Premier Inns, one of the best accommodations in London and the UK?

Ah now when someone dares mention other options it is now 'telling the person to do something' - au contraire - giving as many options as possible is what I try to do - something I find lacking in your prescriptive advice with only one option given. I never tell someone to stay in outer London but do say it is a viable possibility that is just a short train ride away - options given the questions are good - the more the better without being prescriptive as you so falsely accuse me of being. \

"janisj - what do you have against Travelodges so that you always seem to recoil at their mere mention - "

You want to carry on -- OK. I have actually stayed in Travelodges several times (probably 9 or 10 over the years). Stayed in a brand new one in Edinburgh last May - booked it before they were even open for business. I have absolutely NOTHING (nada) against them. What I do object to is telling folks they can get a travelodge for £19 in central London (I notice recent posts at least have upped that to £25). That travelodge in Covent Garden that you recommend may have the occasional night @£25 - but the next night will probably be £64, or £97, or anything in between. Their rates are VERY date sensitive and the typical visitor will not get a rate anywhere near £25 and especially not for more than a one or two night stay.

The same travelodge that charges £15 on a motorway will run closer to £100 in Covent Garden. There is nothing wrong w/ travelodge - it is just that in central London, they charge central London rates.

Now, go play on the train tracks . . .

. janis - this is what I said about Travelodges and always do:
<And check out TravelLodge hotels in London - they can have some dandy book early specials - one Brit said she got a 19 pound room at the Covent Garden TravelLodge! (http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/book/london-hotels) - now those 19 or 29 pound rooms are hard to get so don't expect that but it is possible - in any case TravelLodges are modern hotels with several in the heart of London..>

janis - now how do you construe this to me telling folks they can bet a room there at 19 quid?

Please read what I write before inaccurately stating something I said which I did not and do not say.

Ok, Children, settle down.

Their rates are VERY date sensitive and the typical visitor will not get a rate anywhere near £25 and especially not for more than a one or two night stay.>

Of course they will not get the 29 euro thing for more than one day - does that make it a bad idea if they then pay the going rate subsequent days? No it can make it a great deal. But yes for one day only not practical - but any day at that price will be a bargain and bring the overall price average per day down. Folks should know that they can get such a low price as part of the overall stay but not to expect it everyday- I will make that clearer in the past though I thought it were quite obvious.

(If you use airbnb for London . . . sure hope you have a back up plan.)> janis you may want to know more about how airbnb really works:

StCirq on Jan 27, 13 at 4:31pm
Well, something certainly seems amiss here, because the way Airbnb is supposed to work is that you contact the owner (through Airbnb), but you PAY Airbnb, which in fact doesn't turn the money over to the owner until 24 hours after you've showed up and Airbnb has confirmed that with the owner, which is a safeguard for the renter.