Five women celebrating the big "6-0" next year have questions about renting apt in London
Mar 27th, 2007, 09:58 PM
#1
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Five women celebrating the big "6-0" next year have questions about renting apt in London
We are a slightly disfunctional group and have the most difficult time making any kind of decision, but we have decided (after more than 200 emails) to spend a week in London. I'm the only one of the group who has been there...three times, in fact.
We ladies met as long ago as kindergarten and as recent as junior high. We'll be traveling from NY, CA, FL, and TX, and I just know travel coordination is going to be "interesting," especially with two of us hoping to use points to fly across the Pond. One woman is on a strict budget (in London!) and one has slight mobility issues. We've been getting together for a weekend once a year for the past ten years, but everyone wants to go to Europe for the big celebration.
To save money I suggested Indian food and got voted down, so my search in that area will continue, but I'll bother you all next year on that. There's always Chinatown. So, you can see, it's very difficult to make any decision -- we're already talking about where to eat!
I think renting an apartment or flat is the way to go, especially with an odd number of people. One of the ladies has volunteered to take the sleep sofa if necessary. I've traveled a lot, but have not rented an apartment. I've done some research on this board and looked at the websites suggested for rental companies. I'm wondering if we would be better off staying on the outskirts rather than central London to save money. Once I stayed with a local in Hampstead and enjoyed the residential feel. Are there other areas as lovely and convenient to a tube stop?
I could use a bit of direction as I am out of my comfort zone on suggesting a place and what questions we should be asking the rental company.
My usual travel partners leave the majority of planning up to me, so having five people equally sharing every minute detail is going to challege my sanity.
Any advice (other than aspirin)? I promise to give a full trip report.
We ladies met as long ago as kindergarten and as recent as junior high. We'll be traveling from NY, CA, FL, and TX, and I just know travel coordination is going to be "interesting," especially with two of us hoping to use points to fly across the Pond. One woman is on a strict budget (in London!) and one has slight mobility issues. We've been getting together for a weekend once a year for the past ten years, but everyone wants to go to Europe for the big celebration.
To save money I suggested Indian food and got voted down, so my search in that area will continue, but I'll bother you all next year on that. There's always Chinatown. So, you can see, it's very difficult to make any decision -- we're already talking about where to eat!
I think renting an apartment or flat is the way to go, especially with an odd number of people. One of the ladies has volunteered to take the sleep sofa if necessary. I've traveled a lot, but have not rented an apartment. I've done some research on this board and looked at the websites suggested for rental companies. I'm wondering if we would be better off staying on the outskirts rather than central London to save money. Once I stayed with a local in Hampstead and enjoyed the residential feel. Are there other areas as lovely and convenient to a tube stop?
I could use a bit of direction as I am out of my comfort zone on suggesting a place and what questions we should be asking the rental company.
My usual travel partners leave the majority of planning up to me, so having five people equally sharing every minute detail is going to challege my sanity.
Any advice (other than aspirin)? I promise to give a full trip report.
Mar 27th, 2007, 10:35 PM
#2
I would not stay outside of the center - especially w/ a group. The transport logistics and time involved is just too inconvenient. W/ 5 of you sharing a 2 bdrm flat you can easily stay under a reasonable budget.
Just last month joined 8 friends for a big London celebration get together. A couple of retirements, a couple of "big "0" birthdays", a huge promotion, and an engagement. We rented 3 flats and did somethings together and some on our own. We took a champagne flight on the Eye and then a glorious dinner at Simpsons in the Strand (Simpson's is expensive but a good place for a milestone celebration)
Unfortunately - the place we stayed is getting out of the short let business. But for budget flats in a very convenient neighborhood - consider http://eandeapartments.co.uk/ They have 2bdrm's for approx £115 a night
Just last month joined 8 friends for a big London celebration get together. A couple of retirements, a couple of "big "0" birthdays", a huge promotion, and an engagement. We rented 3 flats and did somethings together and some on our own. We took a champagne flight on the Eye and then a glorious dinner at Simpsons in the Strand (Simpson's is expensive but a good place for a milestone celebration)
Unfortunately - the place we stayed is getting out of the short let business. But for budget flats in a very convenient neighborhood - consider http://eandeapartments.co.uk/ They have 2bdrm's for approx £115 a night
Mar 28th, 2007, 02:59 AM
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Hi and good morning!!! What a wonderful time you all will have!!
Check out London Serviced Apartments
http://www.londonservicedapartments.co.uk/
They offer a wide vaiety of apartments in 3 different price ranges throughout London. My Mom and I have used them a number of times, staying at Mansions One in Earls Court!
Check out London Serviced Apartments
http://www.londonservicedapartments.co.uk/
They offer a wide vaiety of apartments in 3 different price ranges throughout London. My Mom and I have used them a number of times, staying at Mansions One in Earls Court!
Mar 28th, 2007, 06:16 AM
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Thanks for the advice. We're looking at staying under $2,500 for a two or three-bedroom flat with two bathrooms for a week. With what I'm seeing on the internet, we should be able to do that. That would be $500 per person for the week.
Of course Mayfair or Kensington would be lovely, are there any areas we should avoid? I've stayed at Hampstead, Grovsenor Square, Bloomsbury, and Holborn and thought they were all fine.
Of course Mayfair or Kensington would be lovely, are there any areas we should avoid? I've stayed at Hampstead, Grovsenor Square, Bloomsbury, and Holborn and thought they were all fine.
Mar 28th, 2007, 06:27 AM
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Try www.londonservicedapartments.co.uk.
The apartment we booked last year is no longer available, but plenty of others on that site.
Beaufort House is another one where we have stayed (www.beauforthouse.co.uk I think) but might be too expensive; very very nice though, great location too.
The apartment we booked last year is no longer available, but plenty of others on that site.
Beaufort House is another one where we have stayed (www.beauforthouse.co.uk I think) but might be too expensive; very very nice though, great location too.
Mar 28th, 2007, 05:43 PM
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I don't remember the number of bathrooms in all these but go to
www.londonguestsuites.com
Enter the following property codes in the box there:
Knightsbridge 1276
Knightsbridge 222
Covent Garden 1302
1594
1345 (might be closer to Earls Court than you want)
1513
There are more but will give you an idea. I've used this company several times. The rates are in US Dollars & VAT is included.
www.londonguestsuites.com
Enter the following property codes in the box there:
Knightsbridge 1276
Knightsbridge 222
Covent Garden 1302
1594
1345 (might be closer to Earls Court than you want)
1513
There are more but will give you an idea. I've used this company several times. The rates are in US Dollars & VAT is included.
Mar 28th, 2007, 05:56 PM
#10
Scala House is just off Tottenham Court Rd near Goodge Street tube so sort of on the western fringe of Bloomsbury.
However, you are probably out of luck. It has been sold and apparently they are taking it out of circulation. But you can e-mail Chris and see if the decision has been put off.
However, you are probably out of luck. It has been sold and apparently they are taking it out of circulation. But you can e-mail Chris and see if the decision has been put off.
Mar 28th, 2007, 05:59 PM
#11
meant to include the url http://www.scala-house.co.uk/
Nothing on the site says for sure they have quit taking bookings (I stayed there just last month) but another Fodorite stayed there a couple of weeks ago and reported there'll be no booking after May.
Nothing on the site says for sure they have quit taking bookings (I stayed there just last month) but another Fodorite stayed there a couple of weeks ago and reported there'll be no booking after May.
Mar 30th, 2007, 06:49 AM
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Try Farnum and Christ. I think they would be perfect for you! We did our big 3-0 trip in London last year (3 of us) and they helped us a lot! You will love chatting with Ann and Lisa!
http://www.farnum-christ.com/
We were all a bit budget conscious and this was actually the first trip I've ever taken where I came in UNDER budget. Mainly because one member was VERY budget minded, but also because I was prepared for the expense of London. Staying in a flat may not seem like a budget option right off, but it is if you eat in quite a bit. It also really maximizes the overall experience in my opinion
I planned our trip because I'm the planner and it really turned out great! We were also coming from all over (TX, CA, VA). We used web conferences once or twice before the trip to discuss details and narrow down the itinerary. The trip was AMAZING...due VERY much to all the research I did here on fodors. The people here are WONDERFUL at giving honest and fair recommendations!
Please feel free to ask more questions!
http://www.farnum-christ.com/
We were all a bit budget conscious and this was actually the first trip I've ever taken where I came in UNDER budget. Mainly because one member was VERY budget minded, but also because I was prepared for the expense of London. Staying in a flat may not seem like a budget option right off, but it is if you eat in quite a bit. It also really maximizes the overall experience in my opinion
I planned our trip because I'm the planner and it really turned out great! We were also coming from all over (TX, CA, VA). We used web conferences once or twice before the trip to discuss details and narrow down the itinerary. The trip was AMAZING...due VERY much to all the research I did here on fodors. The people here are WONDERFUL at giving honest and fair recommendations!
Please feel free to ask more questions!
