jarmnm

Has anyone stayed at the St. Athans Hotel on Tavistock Place near Russell Square. It looks like it is right around the corner from the Cartwright Gardens people talk about here often. Please share your thoughts!
Regards,

Julie

mclaurie

Tavistock Place is right near Cartwright Gardens. Have you tried looking for reviews on tripadvisor.com? Are you sure your spelling is correct? Athans looks weird to me.

jarmnm

Hi! No info on Tripadvisor, but on a google search found out that it has been in business since the late 50's owned by the Geyer Family and it stands for "st(ay) at Han's Hotel." It appears to be in an excellent area and the price is right...just a simple b&b close to the british museum and close to cartright gardens by map. Any info that could be shared would be appreciated!

Regards,

Julie

mclaurie

Julie, I did a search for reviews of this hotel. What I found was a seemingly intelligent woman's &quot;tips&quot; in London on virtual tourist. She lists this hotel in a short list of <b>don't bother</b>. Here's the URL. I'd avoid it based on this.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/6666e/4b7ec/3/

Elaine, a frequent poster here, recently stayed at the Arosfa in that general neighborhood. She said it was &quot;fine&quot; but warned of very small bathroom &amp; particularly small shower. She paid around 50GBP if I recall correctly. What's your budget? Have you considered bidding on Priceline? People are getting 4* hotels for under $100/nite. The other option is trying laterooms.com or lastminute.com

jarmnm

Thank you for your search. I looked all day yesterday and only found where that hotel was listed as available w/ rooms. I've also found a hotel, The MayFlower, off Earl's Court, that seems to have good reviews and a rate of 60gbp pn from London Town. We also found a good rate for the Hogarth, where we've stayed before on a tour. Earl's court, in close proximity to the tube didn't seem too bad and the tube is so easy to get around on, that we're more interested in getting in from LHR by tube. We're trying to keep things around 80gbp/night, so I know that won't be fancy, but I would like to ferret out something that will be comfy for us after a day of walking, i.e., comfortable chairs and a good reading lamp. Agan, thank you for your help! It's appreciated!

Julie

mclaurie

Julie are you American? At the current exchange rate 80GBP is almost $150-that's a lot! And if it doesn't include VAT (tax) you have to add another 17.5% or almost $30/night. That's why, if you're just 2 people, I'd strongly suggest bidding on Priceline. Go to biddingfortravel.com &amp; they explain how to do it. It is confusing at first but you're looking at 2* properties or 3* in less desirable locations &amp; if you can get a 4* for $100/nite or less on Priceline, that's the way to go IMO. You'd save $50/night-enough for acr service to/from the airport &amp; more.

Have you checked Londonnights.com? Some Fodorites like that site better than Londontown.

The other option as I said is using laterooms.com or lastminute.com Laterooms has bookings into May right now but prices may go down as you get closer to your travel dates.

jarmnm

Yes, I'm American and yes that is a lot. I have felt really overwhelmed since the exchange rate went down for the dollar and appreciate being headed in the right direction. Hopefully we'll find just the right place, between trip advisor and here, should find something great! Thanks again!

Julie

jarmnm

McLaurie:
Went with Price line, got room at Metropole Hilton in the Regent's Park area, 225 edgeware Road, by Marks and Spencer (Have good shopping therapy patterns for $95usd a night works out to about 50gbp a night. Thank you for your suggestion. I'm thrilled silly!

Julie

Lovejoy

Jarmnm I am also bidding for a hotel in London on Priceline.Was the $95.00 bid your first bid? Does that amount include Pricelines taxes and fees?
Thank you..

jarmnm

Lovejoy, No, I bid $65 for westminster, got a counter offer for 119, rebid adding bloomsbury and upping ante to 75, got rejected, rebid adding kensington, upped to 85 got rejected, upped to 90, added vauxhill, got rejected, added regents park upped to 95 and got the hotel. Besure and read the biddingfortravel through several times...it was totally confusing at first, but as I read further, it began to make sense and I'm really pleased. Good luck and let me know how your bid goes!

Julie

also, they add the taxes in at the end and there is a disclaimer there that if there are additional taxes they will be due at the hotel.

mclaurie

Julie that's really great! I think you will be right near Lisson Grove where there is a fish &amp; chips place everyone raves about-I think it's called the Seashell.

jarmnm

Thanks will put that in my palm pilot. We're celebrating our 20th anniversary so this is really great. I enjoyed priceline and now I feel that I can use that service better. Again, Many thanks!

Julie

mclaurie

Happy anniversary! Hope you don't mind if I offer a few more thoughts/tips.

You probably won't have breakfast included with your room rate. Don't &quot;blow&quot; your savings by spending a lot in the hotel for breakfast! Marks &amp; Spencers (call it Marks &amp; Sparks like the English) has great takeaway food.

You're also not far from Notting Hill. It's where the Portobello Road market is. Also, Little Venice is not far. You could take a boat barge up the canal.

Here are a few threads with tips on saving money in London

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34457675

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34428199

the 50 best free activities in London
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34469759

mclaurie

One more thought Julie &amp; then I'll leave you alone Just read reviews of the hotel on tripadvisor (mostly very good!), which I'm sure you've done. It seems the west wing, which is newer one, is <b>the</b> place to stay. You should join the Hilton Honors program (even if you never use it again). I think you can join online at their website. People on the US board have reported getting great treatment on Priceline rooms if they're a member of the hotel's awards program Once you join &amp; have a number, you might make a room request ahead of time (through their 800# or email) or at least do it on check-in. Also, you should DEFINITELY tell then you're celebrating a 20th anniversary.

They have a pool in the hotel if you want to pack a suit (swimming costume)

jarmnm

Mclaurie:
I was really pleased when I found out that Marks and Sparks was across the street from the hotel. I had already planned on using them librally for &quot;picnic&quot; dinners in the room, or if the weather is nice, one of the parks. I think the idea of the Hilton membership is an awesome one. We'll be going to Edinburgh for our daughter's wedding the following week, so I plan to do some more priceline shopping for those reservations. This is one of those unexpectedly nice surprises, a wedding in one of our favorite necks of the wood...just was more planning on a Seattle wedding instead of Edinburgh...many thanks for your great ideas and all your help!

Regards,

Julie

Sue4

Jarmnm, was happy to see of your success with Priceline. I think I'll try that on my next trip to London! I assume you were bidding for 4*'s with all your bids, right? I did Priceline once for a Paris airport hotel (CDG), and was thrilled, but I knew at that time that they only had one 3* for CDG, and it was a lovely new Marriott Courtyard. And it was beautiful! I've been afraid to try for any others on Priceline, but now maybe I will. Also, guess I'd better study that Bidding For Travel site a bit more.

jarmnm

Sue4,
Yes it was all 4*, biddingfortravel.com was a wonderful guide to using priceline to the best advantage. I may have just gotten very lucky because on the London part of the website, other people did similiar bids to mine with no luck. Have fun planning your trip!

Julie

mclaurie

Congrats to the whole family! A wedding in Edinburgh sounds exciting! Your London hotel is actually not far from the church where I got married. Best wishes for a wonderful trip.