caryneh

Any advice on places to stay in London with a 2 1/2 year old and an infant for less than $120/night?

We're experienced travelers but do you think we're crazy to go there with such young children?

janis

No I don't think you are crazy to take little ones. But I would NOT stay in an inexpensive hotel. $120 (I assume you means US$) is only about £65-£70 per night which will only get you a small, pretty basic - though totally safe - hotel or B&B.

For the same amount you can rent a studio apartment w/ a kitchen or kitchenette and space for a cot (baby crib). Having a larger room and the kitchen makes traveling w/ children much easier - especially if theye are picky eaters or need to eat at odd hours. Not that you want to do any major coking - but beingable to have breakfast foods or some of their favorites on hand REALLY helps.

Do a search on here about flats or apartments in London and you will get a lot of info.

But here is one agency you can try -- E&E Apartments. They ahve studios in Pimlico/Victoria for about £62+ per night.

www.eandeapartments.co.uk

janis

sorry about the emoticon - they happen automatically. That should read ( I assume you mean US$ )

travelbunny

..yes I think you are a bit crazy..Why are you going? If this is business or family. I can understand. If this is tourism, forget it unless you are ready to modify the trip to deal with the kids. They will not remember the trip. I would think about 120 pounds a night min for a suitable lodging.

LynnP

Of course you are not crazy. We still travel with small children. Naturally we do not expect them to "benefit" from the experience or even to remember it. We travel to see the place, our children come with us. Children just want to be with thier parents.

When we went to London with our 6 month old and our older son last year we stayed in Scala House and took a 2 bedroom apartment. It was great to have the space, to have a washing machine and to be able to cook a meal at night rather than take a 6 month old out in the evening when she would rather be crawling around her own space.

Have fun.

nytraveler

I don;t think you're crazy to travel with the kids - it's more work naturally - but why bother to have children if you're going to leave them behind.

But I do agree that with 2 such little ones you really should have an apartment - otherwise food, snacks and having a place to play is going to be a real issue. (Most super budget London hotel rooms are barely large than the one double bed.)

But I do think your budget may be a challenge. We were thinking of London for this summer (plans had to be postponed AGAIN) and looking at apartments - and defiitely did not see anything anywhere near that range - even for two adults - in any sort of decent central neighborhood.

janis

>> and defiitely did not see anything anywhere near that range . . . . in any sort of decent central neighborhood. <<

I already gave one contact for flats w/i that budget and Victoria/Pimlico is definitely a decent central neighborhood.

Scala House mentioned above is great -- but is much more than £65 per night. But there are others with studios or even 1 bedrooms for £500 or less per week. Besides E&E, you can try Price apts, Chelsea Cloisters, etc . . . . .

And if you are there at the right times of year, most London universities offer self catering flats in student housing.

caryneh

Thanks for the replies. As LynnP said, "We travel to see the place, our children come with us. Children just want to be with thier parents." We're not really going for the kids. We want to go and they'll be along for the ride. We've been there before (I have been 3 times), so we're not really concerned with seeing every #1 site. However, I do agree that we have to rethink our budget with kids. My husband and I like to stay in budget places with barely more room than the double bed b/c we only sleep there anyway. But we definitely need more space with kids. I think a studio would be ideal. I already thought so; hopefully some of your replies will convince my husband! Any other ideas of where to look? Thanks.

janis

caryneh: the E&E I mentioned above will run about £62 for a studio and about £71-72 for a 1-bdrm flat, plus whatever they might charge for cots (cribs) for the babies. Couldn't be a more convenient location for transport since Victoria train, tube and coach stations are all w/i walking distance.