London Neighbourhood: Belgravia (SW1)
Aug 18th, 2011, 09:26 PM
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London Neighbourhood: Belgravia (SW1)
DH & I are in the early planning stages for our next trip (Sept/Oct 2012) that will begin in France & end with one week in London. On our last trip, we enjoyed our stay in Bloomsbury (WC1) but thought it would be fun to stay in a different neighbourhood this time!
After an initial search, I've found two places in Belgravia (SW1) that look like possible places for us to stay: The Lime Tree Hotel (135-137 Ebury Street / Underground: Victoria) and the Dolphin House (Chichester Street / Underground: Pimlico).
www.limetreehotel.co.uk
www.dolphinsquare.co.uk
We are wondering about the area: is this a good area for second-time visitors to stay? is it an interesting neighbourhood with shops & things to do/see? are there restaurant/cafe/pub choices for dinner nearby? any comments about the Lime Tree Hotel or the Dolphin House?
Your feedback will be appreciated. Also, if there are any recommendations for other areas or accommodations (under £200/night) for us to consider, please share them!
With thanks,
2010
After an initial search, I've found two places in Belgravia (SW1) that look like possible places for us to stay: The Lime Tree Hotel (135-137 Ebury Street / Underground: Victoria) and the Dolphin House (Chichester Street / Underground: Pimlico).
www.limetreehotel.co.uk
www.dolphinsquare.co.uk
We are wondering about the area: is this a good area for second-time visitors to stay? is it an interesting neighbourhood with shops & things to do/see? are there restaurant/cafe/pub choices for dinner nearby? any comments about the Lime Tree Hotel or the Dolphin House?
Your feedback will be appreciated. Also, if there are any recommendations for other areas or accommodations (under £200/night) for us to consider, please share them!
With thanks,
2010
Aug 18th, 2011, 09:45 PM
#2
Well -- one is really in "Belgravia" - The Lime Tree.
Dolphin Square is truly in Pimlico.
Both are in good locations. I most often rent flats in Pimlico or sometimes a bit closer to Victoria. I really like the neighborhood--good for transport, close to the river, close to Chelsea, Buckingham Palace - you name it.
The Lime Tree is well known and well located about half way between Victoria Station and Sloane Sq and an easy walk to either.
Dolphin House is a bit longer walk to Pimlico station -- which is only on one tube line, so <i>slightly</i> less convenient since you'll usually end up transferring at Victoria or Green Park.
I'm assuming it is a flat at Dolphin House and a hotel room at the Lime Tree - right? If so-- I'd lean to Dolphin House just for the extra space/kitchen.
But honestly, you can't go wrong w/ either one.
Dolphin Square is truly in Pimlico.
Both are in good locations. I most often rent flats in Pimlico or sometimes a bit closer to Victoria. I really like the neighborhood--good for transport, close to the river, close to Chelsea, Buckingham Palace - you name it.
The Lime Tree is well known and well located about half way between Victoria Station and Sloane Sq and an easy walk to either.
Dolphin House is a bit longer walk to Pimlico station -- which is only on one tube line, so <i>slightly</i> less convenient since you'll usually end up transferring at Victoria or Green Park.
I'm assuming it is a flat at Dolphin House and a hotel room at the Lime Tree - right? If so-- I'd lean to Dolphin House just for the extra space/kitchen.
But honestly, you can't go wrong w/ either one.
Aug 19th, 2011, 01:47 AM
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Belgravia is a very well-to-do part of London, or as Wikipedia summarises, "Noted for its immensely expensive residential properties, it is one of the wealthiest districts in the world."
It's a lovely part of London, and not too far from the famous Kings Road with all it's surrounding bars, restaurants and money! Belgravia itself is quite residential though and I would not say there are too many great pubs / bars locally, but you really won't have to walk far to get to more vibrant areas.
A place I have discovered only recently in the area that is not far from the Lime Tree Hotel is The Orange, which describes itself as a Public House and Hotel (www.theorange.co.uk). I've stopped there for a few ales in recent weeks and a bite to eat, and I really like the feel of it. They have accommodation that looks very nice as well and it just fits in your budget. Perhaps worth considering also.
It's a lovely part of London, and not too far from the famous Kings Road with all it's surrounding bars, restaurants and money! Belgravia itself is quite residential though and I would not say there are too many great pubs / bars locally, but you really won't have to walk far to get to more vibrant areas.
A place I have discovered only recently in the area that is not far from the Lime Tree Hotel is The Orange, which describes itself as a Public House and Hotel (www.theorange.co.uk). I've stopped there for a few ales in recent weeks and a bite to eat, and I really like the feel of it. They have accommodation that looks very nice as well and it just fits in your budget. Perhaps worth considering also.
Aug 19th, 2011, 02:51 AM
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The Lime Tree is great - I work in Belgravia around the corner from it from it and frequent the local bars and restaurants. I would much rather stay there than in Pimlico - it's a prettier neighbourhood, and as mentioned above, you can walk to Sloane Square and there are good transport links via Victoria. Here are my recommendations:
The Thomas Cubitt - fantastic pub that gets a bit crowded after work but is a lovely place to pop into on the weekends for a bloody mary and great food. It's a sister restaurant of the Orange, which is also great:
http://www.thethomascubitt.co.uk/
Jenny Lo's Tea House:
Great value and food at this tiny Asian noodle house - popular neighbourhood lunch spot:
http://www.jennylo.co.uk/
La Bottega:
Great Italian deli, perfect for picking up a quick lunch:
http://www.labottega65.com/
The Ebury:
Wine bar and restaurant - the food isn't cheap, but it's a nice place to have a drink and grab a few nibbles:
http://www.theebury.co.uk/
The Duke of Wellington
AKA the 'Duke of Boots' is a bit more of a boozer but still good food and beer and nice outdoor seating:
http://www.dukeofwellingtonbelgravia.co.uk/food.aspx
Crussh
This soup/salad/juice bar provides us with a welcome respite from Pret and is a great place to get lunch. Just opened in Belgravia
http://www.crussh.com/about_us.php
The Thomas Cubitt - fantastic pub that gets a bit crowded after work but is a lovely place to pop into on the weekends for a bloody mary and great food. It's a sister restaurant of the Orange, which is also great:
http://www.thethomascubitt.co.uk/
Jenny Lo's Tea House:
Great value and food at this tiny Asian noodle house - popular neighbourhood lunch spot:
http://www.jennylo.co.uk/
La Bottega:
Great Italian deli, perfect for picking up a quick lunch:
http://www.labottega65.com/
The Ebury:
Wine bar and restaurant - the food isn't cheap, but it's a nice place to have a drink and grab a few nibbles:
http://www.theebury.co.uk/
The Duke of Wellington
AKA the 'Duke of Boots' is a bit more of a boozer but still good food and beer and nice outdoor seating:
http://www.dukeofwellingtonbelgravia.co.uk/food.aspx
Crussh
This soup/salad/juice bar provides us with a welcome respite from Pret and is a great place to get lunch. Just opened in Belgravia
http://www.crussh.com/about_us.php
Aug 19th, 2011, 04:28 AM
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We were able to stay in Belgravia in 2010 in a B&B off Kinnerton Street much nearer Knightsbridge than your possibilities (we used mostly Hyde Park Corner for Tube connections). We loved this area--it was near all we needed (Tube, grocery, eating places of several sorts, not far from Victoria train station) yet felt quiet and residential when we turned off the main streets. It is a pricey, upscale neighborhood (our B&B was well below average prices for this neighborhood which is why we were able to stay there) but so much is near there or accessible by public transport that you don't have to break the bank for food--but you can certainly find plenty of posh places if you want. I don't know those specific places you are considering, and they are a bit southeast (I think) of where we were, but I enter this as a general recommendation for Belgravia if you can afford it. (for chocolate and pastries--Ottolenghi on Motcomb--yum!)
Aug 19th, 2011, 01:34 PM
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Thanks, everyone for giving me a 'flavour' of the area and restaurants & apartment/hotel recommendations. It's EXACTLY the kind of information I need!
janisj: Thanks for allaying our concerns about the location (Belgravia/Pimlico) being a bit far from sights and a reminder that the London transportation system is both good & convenient! Sounds like this could be a good choice for us!
avalon: I checked out Nell Gwynn House. Looks lovely, well-situated & the rates are a bit lower than the Dolphin House! Thanks for the recommendation! It will go on our list!
OzzyBlue: Thanks for the description of Belgravia - sounds like a nice area to return to after a busy day of sightseeing! Rooms at the Orange are beautiful! Think we'll have some decisions to make as the Orange makes it onto our list as well!
LondonYank: I will check out the eateries which you have suggested! Including the links was most helpful! Thanks so much!
texasbookworm: I appreciate your comments about staying in Belgravia, especially that it <i>felt quiet and residential when [you] turned off the main streets</i>. That appeals to us!
Would you mind sharing the name of the B&B where you stayed?
janisj: Thanks for allaying our concerns about the location (Belgravia/Pimlico) being a bit far from sights and a reminder that the London transportation system is both good & convenient! Sounds like this could be a good choice for us!
avalon: I checked out Nell Gwynn House. Looks lovely, well-situated & the rates are a bit lower than the Dolphin House! Thanks for the recommendation! It will go on our list!
OzzyBlue: Thanks for the description of Belgravia - sounds like a nice area to return to after a busy day of sightseeing! Rooms at the Orange are beautiful! Think we'll have some decisions to make as the Orange makes it onto our list as well!
LondonYank: I will check out the eateries which you have suggested! Including the links was most helpful! Thanks so much!
texasbookworm: I appreciate your comments about staying in Belgravia, especially that it <i>felt quiet and residential when [you] turned off the main streets</i>. That appeals to us!
Would you mind sharing the name of the B&B where you stayed?
Aug 19th, 2011, 07:55 PM
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Let me add my thanks, too, for all these responses and information. We've made a reservation to stay at the Lime Tree late next Spring, and had similar questions, but unfortunately didn't receive responses here on Fodors that were quite as helpful as these are.
Aug 20th, 2011, 04:12 AM
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We have twice used AtHomeinLondon which is an agency that has a few homes in London which serve as bed and breakfasts, having one or two rooms in homes all over the city. The one in Belgravia was quite roomy, clean, and quiet. It wasn't luxurious with lots of amenities of a many-star hotel; it wasn't a flat so we couldn't cook or do laundry but we could use the refrigerator; it didn't have a cooked breakfast, which was fine for me but not enough food some days for hubby. But the location was superb (and we got a reduced rate because we stayed 2 weeks.) I haven't looked into the places you are considering so have no idea how these compare in terms of looks, price, and amenities, but here's the website for the agency http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/ (which is celebrating 25 years in business, it looks like!) I give the agency link instead of a link for the room we had so you can see if it's still being listed and maybe look at all their properties. Or you may see that their selections are not at all the sort you are looking for. I will always use this agency when/if I return to London; they have been wonderful to work with; we stayed in a room for 3 in Bayswater through them in 2010.
Also if you're interested in reading TR's, here's the link to ours from 2008 in which we stayed at the above mentioned b&b and spent 2 weeks in London with 5 day trips. There will be some specifics about the room in it.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-day-trips.cfm
Also if you're interested in reading TR's, here's the link to ours from 2008 in which we stayed at the above mentioned b&b and spent 2 weeks in London with 5 day trips. There will be some specifics about the room in it.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-day-trips.cfm
Aug 20th, 2011, 01:43 PM
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<b>Lexma90</b>: Looks like we will be following your footsteps! Hope you will report back about your stay at the Lime Tree + your time in London!
<b>Ackislander</b>: Good to hear that your wife & traveling companions found the Dolphin House satisfactory! Thanks!
<b>texasbookworm</b>: Thanks for your reply and the links to the B&B agency & your trip report!
For this trip, we are leaning towards B&B's which are run like small hotels as an option. But I did take a look at the website and I can see what a fantastic alternative this would be for travellers!
Also, I took a peak at your trip report! I love your writing style and will enjoy reading & gleaning ideas from it!
<b>Ackislander</b>: Good to hear that your wife & traveling companions found the Dolphin House satisfactory! Thanks!
<b>texasbookworm</b>: Thanks for your reply and the links to the B&B agency & your trip report!
For this trip, we are leaning towards B&B's which are run like small hotels as an option. But I did take a look at the website and I can see what a fantastic alternative this would be for travellers!
Also, I took a peak at your trip report! I love your writing style and will enjoy reading & gleaning ideas from it!
