texasbookworm

Calling on janis j and other London experts—I'd appreciate some advice for booking rooms for a group.

(janisj—Sure wish I had you around in person to pick your brain! But if you can advise, I’d so appreciate it! )

I am “taking” a group of 16 (or 17) to London next summer—we hope! There will be 4 males and the rest are females; some mom-and-daughter pairs, some college students, some high school aged, some teachers/chaperones.

I contacted Hamlet.uk to see about apartments (4 would work) at St. Katherine’s Marina, more than a year ahead of when we’d go. They report they don’t have enough rooms.

Sad face!

So—is there another “thing” like Hamlet.uk /St. Katherine’s Marina for a comparable price? An agency that has multiple apartment-like-accommodations close together?

We were really hoping to have apartment-like rooms, for maybe under $60 per person when cost divvied up, and other apartment-letting sites I’ve tried are either too expensive or have just 1 flat at a location.

We haven’t purchased airline tickets yet, so our dates are still a little flexible—leaving any time after about June 5, 2017, and returning no later than July 23,2017, with a stay of ideally 10 nights. It will be my 7th trip to London, so I’m pretty familiar with the basics of getting around and the different neighborhoods. We’d prefer to stay in Zones 1 or 2.

KyraS

I have stayed at the Tower Hamlets location, and it is too bad they cannot accommodate you, but you tried!

In London I've also used a company called Coach House Rentals. They were great, very professional, but I do not know if they would have multiple properties in one location in your price range.

I wonder if one of the apart-hotels like Citadines or Marlin Apartments would work, although I don't think they will meet your budget.

You could see if your dates work with the student accommodations through LSE or similar. These are basic but clean and have some very good locations. http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/Home.a....xa4kLErx.dpbs

Failing all else, perhaps a Travelodge or Premier Inn, booked ahead, would have a block of rooms close to your budget. Or there are hostels in London as well.

£40 per person per night is not a generous budget for central London but I hope others here will have some suggestions for you. Good luck!

janisj

Hi -- too bad about Hamlet

I'd try Citadines Barbican (there are other Citadines but I <i>think</i> Barbican has the lowest rates - but you could try all the Citadines to make sure)

Barbican runs about £165/$240 a night for a 1 bdrm sleeping 4.

OR try the various university lodging. Some have sort of 'pods' where there are 2, 3, 4 bedrooms/baths sharing a central living room/kitchen.

janisj

was posting the same time as Kyra . . . great minds

janisj

Oh -- and -- some sites (like Citadines) won't let you book a year ahead on-line. You may have to phone them.

texasbookworm

Thanks!

I had thought about calling some place like Travelodge for a block of rooms, so that's my fall back. Thanks.

I'll look into the other suggestions, soo.

I told folks to plan on close to $75 per night, but I'm going to strive for lower, while safe/semi-comfy/decent location.

(Don't think the moms going will agree to a "hostel" so haven't been considering that; our experience with one in Munich last year--with 2 of the moms going with me again--wasn't very good.)