theilian

I have reserved a hotel in South Kensington, but in the view of recent bombings, I am thinking of changing the hotel so that we can minimize the use of public transportation.

It seems that Victoria station or Waterloo station area is close to most attractions. Could anybody recommend a cheap hotel in the range of $200 to $250 per night for 4 adults?

PS: I hope this doesn't sound like profiteering, but has the hotel price gone down since the bombings? (I can't tell.) If so, where or how can I take advantage?

WillTravel

I know someone recommends the Days Inn Waterloo, but I am not certain that would be more convenient than South Kensington.

Have you used the Journey Planner at http://www.thetube.com to figure out walking distances between your hotel and all the attractions you want to visit?

Check http://www.laterooms.com . I don't think there has been much of a drop.

theilian

Obviously, hotels in Westminster, St. James, Trafalgar area would be all fine. But I am assuming that they will be more expensive.

WillTravel

You could bid for two rooms in the Mayfair zone on Priceline. That might come in under your budget. Check www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com for tips.

janis

Actually I really don't agree w/ your premise.

Victoria is closer to B'ham Palace and Tate Britain. Waterloo is closer to the Eye, Tate Modern. Trafalgar Square and Westminster. S. Kens is closer to the V&A, Science and Nat'l history Museums, Hyde Park/Kens Gardens and Harrods.

So all are near several sites, but also are far from many others.

I'd just stay in a nice place - no single location is close to all, or even most of the attractions.

theilian

It's true, but in my opinion, a hotel in South Kensington would be far from most of those attractions. We are not interested in Albert Museum or any other close attractions, so we would have to ride bus/tube whereever we go.

WillTravel

Do you have a list of the attractions you want to visit? If you post all of them, maybe someone can name the hotel that's absolutely optimal.

We're staying at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury (obtained on Priceline). I admit I have also considered the possibility of walking everywhere, but quickly discarded it, as it just won't work unless we greatly restrict what we see. For example, on Day 2 we want to do the Beatles London Walk which goes to St. Johns Wood, and a play in the West End, and the Tower of London. Really not very doable on foot.

theilian

We are planning to go to Buck Palace via one of those parks, walk from Westminster Abbey to Trafalgar Square via Parliament, visit Nation Gallery, Brit Museum, Tower of London (for this we'll probably have to ride the tube), and maybe pass by Covent Garden.

We are staying for just 2 days, so that's about it, I think.

WillTravel

In that case, Mayfair on Priceline is probably your best option, and you would be able to do your whole trip by walking except for the Tower. For the Tower, you could take a riverboat ride from Westminster Pier if you really wanted to avoid the tube.

Otherwise, it will be very difficult to get a decent hotel in that precise area for 4 people at the price you want to pay. The only hotel that I can think of for which this would be possible is Regent's Palace, which has horrific reviews. You could try this very central hostel and get two private rooms, if they have any left: http://www.piccadillyhotel.net

WillTravel

My perception is that the Waterloo area is really too far to walk with all the places you want to visit. Much better to get a place in the middle, rather than one on the southeast corner.

janis

Yes - PL Mayfair is probably your best bet. Whatever you do - DO NOT stay at the Regents Palace. a dreadful place.

theilian

Thank you for suggestions. Has anyone heard of Citadines Trafalgar Square?

janis

Citadines is a fine chain and the Trafalgar square property is in a great location. It is an apartment hotel so you'd have a kitchen.