Flat in London
#1
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Flat in London
Hi all, we will be five nights in London at the end of June so I think it is smart to rent a flat; if you have used a company I would appreciate a recommendation (will admit that sites like VRBO are overwhelming), but if I end up having to use a big site, would appreciate a recommendation of a good neighborhood--we'll be doing all the tourist sites--Tower, KP, seeing a show--but would also love being able to go a neighborhood pub and restaurants. We are 3 (me, husband, 17 year old daughter).
Thanks in advance!
Mary
Thanks in advance!
Mary
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
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You need to do better than this. There are TON(NE)S of vacation rentals in London.
What do you want? Studio, 1BR, 2BR? How many bathrooms?
What means "a good neighborhood" - do you need to be thisclose to the Tube or are you ok with staying near the buses and semi-local rail lines (like much of Battersea area - no nearby Tube). Your statement that "we'll be doing all the tourist sites--Tower, KP, seeing a show" is not correct: (1) it won't happen, London has more than 5 nights' worth of tourist sites, (2) you can't walk everywhere - the city is too big and the Brits didn't conveniently lump all their tourist sites in one area.
And the big question: WHAT IS YOUR NIGHTLY LODGING BUDGET? If you're at $750 a night, just look at Mayfair and forget about any worries. If not, there are still a ton of neighborhoods that can be "good." Honestly, if you're looking for something in the $125 per range (just under 100 GBP), you need to find a basic hotel.
Your best bet is go on those overwhelming websites, put in your budgetary parameters and lodging requirements (internet, bedroom #, etc), use the map functions to locate lodging. Your best bet to get more pointed help here is to tell us more.
What do you want? Studio, 1BR, 2BR? How many bathrooms?
What means "a good neighborhood" - do you need to be thisclose to the Tube or are you ok with staying near the buses and semi-local rail lines (like much of Battersea area - no nearby Tube). Your statement that "we'll be doing all the tourist sites--Tower, KP, seeing a show" is not correct: (1) it won't happen, London has more than 5 nights' worth of tourist sites, (2) you can't walk everywhere - the city is too big and the Brits didn't conveniently lump all their tourist sites in one area.
And the big question: WHAT IS YOUR NIGHTLY LODGING BUDGET? If you're at $750 a night, just look at Mayfair and forget about any worries. If not, there are still a ton of neighborhoods that can be "good." Honestly, if you're looking for something in the $125 per range (just under 100 GBP), you need to find a basic hotel.
Your best bet is go on those overwhelming websites, put in your budgetary parameters and lodging requirements (internet, bedroom #, etc), use the map functions to locate lodging. Your best bet to get more pointed help here is to tell us more.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I always start with www.booking.com and use the filters to narrow down the options. Once you have a few options come back and we can provide help.
Look for a flat inside the circle line (the yellow line)
Look for a flat inside the circle line (the yellow line)
#5
If by KP you mean Kensington Palace -- not really one of the top attractions -- especially on such a short visit (though the Diana fashion exhibit is interesting)
London is enormous and no single location is near more than a tiny handful of the major sites so you will have to rely on public transport some (or a lot).
The most important issue though is you budget. w/o knowing how much you want to spend we can't really make suggestions.
It is a little late to be booking a flat for June - though there will still be availability lots of places, your choices will be more limited.
London is enormous and no single location is near more than a tiny handful of the major sites so you will have to rely on public transport some (or a lot).
The most important issue though is you budget. w/o knowing how much you want to spend we can't really make suggestions.
It is a little late to be booking a flat for June - though there will still be availability lots of places, your choices will be more limited.
#6
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thanks Big Russ, been a long time since I've posted a question so apologies for being too vague; we are looking for a flat near a Tube station in the $300-$400 a night range; 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (although 2 baths may be hard to come by so one would suffice).
If anyone has the name of a specific company they have used I would appreciate the recommendation; London Connection, which is mentioned frequently, is booked. I am concerned about avoiding problems that friends have had who have booked through VRBO including not being let into apartments at the appointed times). It appears (and I could be wrong) that renting through a company is more reliable.
Mary
If anyone has the name of a specific company they have used I would appreciate the recommendation; London Connection, which is mentioned frequently, is booked. I am concerned about avoiding problems that friends have had who have booked through VRBO including not being let into apartments at the appointed times). It appears (and I could be wrong) that renting through a company is more reliable.
Mary
#7
Check out Dolphin House http://www.dolphinsquare.co.uk/dolphin-house/
Their two bedrooms should fit easily fit in your budget.
But they are very popular so you should jump on it ASAP.
Close to Pimlico tube station, the river, Tate Britain and Victoria. VERY nice flats with good on-site amenities.
Their two bedrooms should fit easily fit in your budget.
But they are very popular so you should jump on it ASAP.
Close to Pimlico tube station, the river, Tate Britain and Victoria. VERY nice flats with good on-site amenities.
#9
Join Date: May 2003
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Don't know what kind of dollars you're talking about. We use onefinestay.com. We have rented houses and flats through them, and also let a flat in London so know them well.
They're a higher price range. You deal with the company, not the owner. Even if there's a problem with your booked flat, they will relocate you to another one. And you get an iphone to use during your stay.
As a host, I must say they are very thorough. Got a call last week that guests complained about ants in the kitchen so they dispatched a man to spray them immediately. At my cost...
We've stayed at Dolphin Square in the past - nice location and good value.
KP - the Diana exhibition is popular. Buy tickets in advance to bypass the queue - though last week it was only 10 minutes or so. There's another queue before you can get into the Diana exhibition (10/15 minutes wait). Quite small, but if you're a fan you may enjoy it.
They're a higher price range. You deal with the company, not the owner. Even if there's a problem with your booked flat, they will relocate you to another one. And you get an iphone to use during your stay.
As a host, I must say they are very thorough. Got a call last week that guests complained about ants in the kitchen so they dispatched a man to spray them immediately. At my cost...
We've stayed at Dolphin Square in the past - nice location and good value.
KP - the Diana exhibition is popular. Buy tickets in advance to bypass the queue - though last week it was only 10 minutes or so. There's another queue before you can get into the Diana exhibition (10/15 minutes wait). Quite small, but if you're a fan you may enjoy it.