We stayed at the Thistle Lancaster Gate in January 2005 on one of AA's vacation specials. We did have a mini-refrigerator in our room; it was totally unexpected but we were thrilled. It was not a mini bar and was not stocked by the hotel. We were on the top floor in a twin room. The rooms were quite spacious.

The buffet breakfast selection was huge and included eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, cereals, toast, croissants, rolls, yogurt, juices, coffee, tea, and lots of other stuff. We ate a substantial breakfast every morning and snacked for lunch and dinner; the refrigerator came in quite handy after we went to Sainsburys (an enormous grocery store).

Years ago (probably 10 or so), we stayed at the Copthorne Tara. The room did have a mini-bar; however, when we removed one item, we were automatically charged. The mini bar directions very clearly stated that we would. Of course, we moved one item and it showed up on our bill, but we got everything straighted out when we checked out. Breakfast was included in our room rate but was continental - rolls, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, coffee, and tea.

We found that usually with the AA vacation packages, you can get the airfare, hotel, and transfers less than just the airfare. HOWEVER!! AA has made a change this year that may affect you. The really inexpensive packages (they usually feature Thistle hotels and are advertised prominently by AA)to London may involve a Q or an O airfare; these fare codes DO NOT earn AAdvantage miles on transatlantic flights. If earning AA miles is important to you, then make certain that your fare code is eligible for miles. Just a caveat.

In January 2005, we did get our AA miles plus our elite bonus miles; the air miles counted toward status (executive platinum in my case).

Thank you for your help with the hotels. If we go with the Thistle, I will contact them and request a room with a fridge and hope for the best.

This is an AA vacation we are looking at and although I am not executive platinum, the miles are important to me. Maybe I better do a little more research.

This is my first trip to London. I can't wait!

The Thistle Lancaster Gate is nothing special but the Thistle Hyde Park is nice, especially if you can get a room at the front with a balcony facing Hyde Park. Any chance you can get that ? It used to be my hotel of choice when I used to visit London on business a lot. The one time I had to stay at the TLG my room was small, very hot & I was woken very early by the bins being emptied (even though I was quite high up).

But curious - what does your BIL need the fridge for ? Since you're going in January, couldn't he just keep whatever it is out on the window sill ? I prefer to take my own teabags & fresh milk, & that's what I do with the milk if I'm in a room without a fridge. If it's for white wine - tell him to just drink it quicker !

I don't know what the big deal is about the fridge, but he was pretty adament about having one in his room. I guess just to keep drinks cold but I suppose he could just keep it on the window sill. And if it was white wine I could always help him finish it off

The Thistle Hyde Park would cost us each an additional $200+ ($400 for DH & I) and we are trying to stay on the cheap side since it is only a 4 day trip and since it was kind of an unplanned thing until a few days ago. We spent 2 weeks in Italy in June, so that was more of our splurge vacation.

Thanks!

If you're getting a good deal on the TLG go for it, it will be fine. It's almost back-to-back with the THP, just one street away from the park. I find staying in that area very convenient : the Lancaster Gate tube station, for the Central line, is 5 minutes' walk away; and it's only about 10 minutes' walk to Paddington for several other tube lines and the Heathrow Express.