PatW47

Worked hard on search and had others but had to have surgery. By the time I was able to start reviewing, some of the best were booked. I have looked at these and am ok with amenities and price. Trying to stay around $150 per night. The location of some of these are my concern. I am thinking more about the last one at Battersea because of bus outside, elevator, AC, price and size. Don't know if the AC is needed but from South and am spoiled to AC when hot. Please tell me what you think. This trip is with my 15 year old grand-daughter.
http://www.vrbo.com/1172130ha#

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1088930...F2014&guests=2

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1258576...F2014&guests=2

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/590297?...F2014&guests=2

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/465461?...F2014&guests=2

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1701111...F2014&guests=2

I don't think I copied these correctly but computer wouldn't let me just copy first part. If this won't work, I will try again.
Thank you

PatW47

Know some of you recommend Kensington area. I found this small studio. Would consider if you think that this location is much better than the larger one bedroom apts.

http://www.vrbo.com/444371ha#

I believe I have found some near Hyde Park or Sheperd's Bush. Are those good areas?

Thanks

janisj

OK -- you are ALL over the place some are good, one is great and some are not great at all.

from the first post:

1 - Near Bayswater tube - not my favorite area but not awful
2 - is quite a ways from any tube station semi-Bermondsey. I would't
3 - In Shad Thames near Tower Bridge and the Design Museum interesting area not super terrific for transport.
4 - Not convenient - near Clapham
5 - Chalk Farm - so not too far out the Northern Line - OK-ish
6 - Battersea - not convenient

In the second post -- that studio is not in Kensington (which is a good thing). It is smack dab between South Kensington and Chelsea. Half way between the e&A and Sloane Square. A TERRIFIC location. The best of all seven IMO.

PatrickLondon

janis is pretty well spot on about the locations. Since you ask specifically about Battersea, I'd add that it is close to train lines to Victoria and Waterloo as well as buses, but it's not the most attractive-looking area to stay in - mostly formerly social housing, right on the edge of the derelict power station that or may not have (at last) a viable redevelopment proposal.

Air conditioning: when are you planning to travel? Hard to imagine we'd get a summer needing it, just at the moment, but I grant London can occasionally be unpleasantly humid in a hot summer, even if the outside temperatures aren't all that high (if it goes over 80F for more than two days in a row, some newspapers will start running stories about My Heat Hell and demanding ministerial resignations).

PatW47

Know some of you recommend Kensington area. I found this small studio. Would consider if you think that this location is much better than the larger one bedroom apts.

http://www.vrbo.com/444371ha#

I believe I have found some near Hyde Park or Sheperd's Bush. Are those good areas?

Thanks

janisj

PastW47: I don't understand your latest post. It is a duplicate of your previous one. Did you not see my or Patrick's posts????? See what I said above about that studio (that is not in Kensington BTW)

re the typos in my first post - they should say:

>>2 - is quite a ways from any tube station semi-Bermondsey. I wouldn't<<

and >>Half way between the V&A and Sloane Square.<<

BigRuss

FYI, the links only need everything before the question mark to be operative (the ? signifies the query that obtained the result).

For other considerations: (1) The AC is unlikely to be necessary. Seriously, Londoners get heatstroke in 68-degree weather (Google the 2009 London Marathon - it maxed out just below 68). And the AC will not be what you're accustomed to - much weaker and probably not central air.

(2) Location means more than AC.

PatrickLondon

For most of us, air-conditioning = opening a window (indeed, an advert that makes a thing about aircon makes me wonder whether there's a reason why you wouldn't want to open a window).

And just to underline Janis's point about Bermondsey, Grange Road would be OK for someone working in London, but it's more than a bit inconvenient for someone needing to do touristy things, and just plain dull, in terms of neighbourhood atmosphere and services.

PatW47

The second post was repeated in error. Arrowed back to previous page and I thought I had not posted it. Had not seen your response. Regarding AC, had checked Paris temperatures for first weeks of June last year and there were a few hot days. Just assumed London same. Glad to know it will be cooler.

Regarding windows, have read so many reviews about not being able to sleep because of noise with open windows and having to keep windows closed. If hot and can't keep windows open--AC would help. AC for London seems to not be needed.

The apartment that is a good location is so small with only futon sofa for bed. I am wondering if I should go with a hotel or B/B. I am still looking but just like the idea of extra space, being in a neighborhood, and of course the kitchen being available.

Thank you for your comments.

Seamus

PatW - yes that place is indeed too small for the two of you, even if nicely located - you can do better.
Suggest you have a look at www.homeaway.com - for example, www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p917868#summary - where I've had good luck in the past.

janisj

>>The apartment that is a good location is so small with only futon sofa for bed. I am wondering if I should go with a hotel or B/B.<<

Re the studio - yes it is small. But it is larger than a typical hotel room, is in an excellent location . . . and is considerably cheaper than a comparable hotel. Plus there is the kitchen.

Whether you'd be comfortable in a place that small -- I don't know. But don't think you could do better w/ a hotel. There are many larger flats you could find in great locations - but not many for £85 or £90 a night.

I'm not recommending the studio necessarily - just suggesting you not jump to a B&B or hotel expecting larger unless you pay more.

Katie7

Hi Pat:


We rented a one bedroom apartment in Kensington this past December through A Place Like Home ( Marloes Road). The agency was great to work with and the apartment was clean, comfortable and conveniently located . It's 5-10 minutes from the Gloucester Road and Earl's Court tube station (access to Heathrow). It was reasonably priced and a much better value than a hotel.

A Place Like Home has many, many choices in different sizes, prices and locations.

Katie

PatW47

Thanks Katie7. I am looking at the site you recommended.

Seamus: Also looking at yours. I finally got smart enough to look at a map that showed most of the main places to see.

laurie_ann

I actually think the studio would be a great choice.

I looked at the reviews on VRBO and the photos there of the bed. If you and your granddaughter would be comfortable sharing a double bed anyway that futon actually looks quite nice.

I lived in that neighborhood in London and it is very attractive and very convenient for sightseeing. The S Ken tube station has access to two lines, the Picadilly direct to and from Heathrow and the District/Circle which gives you access to the major sightseeing areas.

And I stayed again in the area when I visited for a week last summer.

You would likely never get a hotel or B&B anywhere near there for the price of that studio.

stokebailey

Your lucky granddaughter. It sounds so fun.

Not to complicate, but: we like staying in small Bloomsbury hotels, the kind that includes breakfast. (see tripadvisor.com, "B&B's and Inns.") My daughters, starting age 14, have loved these even when staying in a basic room where you share a bathroom. The breakfast rooms are friendly places, and there should be a lounge or two if one of you needs elbow room.

For instance, http://www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk/i_n_s_i_d_e.html twin rooms from £79 to 100.
Close to tube, and bus lines. We walk home from plays in the West End late at night.

Similarly priced, closer to Kings Cross, also well served by public transportation: http://www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk/

It's better to book these kinds of places directly rather than through expedia etc.