ssander

Hi, all Fodorites:

For our latest trip to London we are going to forgo our usual hotel -- Cherry Court near Victoria -- because the plane back to the US for one of our party leaves pretty early -- 10:35 am.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive hotel near Paddington, so they can get the Heathrow Express easily?

NOTE: We'd normally take the bus from the Victoria Coach Station -- about 2 blocks away from Cherry Court Hotel -- but these are newbies and they don't want to get up earlier than necessary. I suspect the train would be better for them.

And we still might decide on the Cherry Court-Bus option, since we might be flying home on a Sunday when lack of traffic might not make taking a really early bus the safe thing to do.

But I'd like to investigate the Paddington-Heathrow Express option just in case.

Thanks.
SS

qwovadis

http://www.booking.com/landmark/gb/p...tation.en.html
Tudor Hotel or Mercure both cheap for LON in past for me
eurocheapo.com/london other good options with a map.
Happy Hunting!

spaarne

I've stayed at the Hotel Edward twice. It is an average 2* place and only a 2 minute walk to the HEX platform in Paddington Station, http://www.edwardhotellondon.co.uk/. The Paddington Hilton is right in the station, £, £, £.

janisj

They want a cheap hotel near Paddington --yet are willing to pay a fortune for the Express? That seems back to front to me. Maybe they don't realize they can get a car service from most any part of central London, door-to-door, no luggage schlepping, for the cost of 2 tickets on the HEX.

Most any hotel near Paddington except the Hilton will be cheap or cheap-ish.

ChgoGal

Hi, ssander.
I stayed at the Darlington Hyde Park for one night and had a nice, clean, quiet stay there. Maybe check out tripadvisor for reviews.
http://www.darlingtonhotel.com/

sassy_cat

I've stayed at the Novotel Paddington recently (Nov 2011). It's very close to the station and weekend rates are especially good if booked in advance.
The breakfast spread is excellent if included or a pricey 16 quid if not. There's a Starbucks around the corner and a Sainsburys.
There are lots of restaurants around and it's quite nice to walk along the canal but not with wheeled luggage, believe me I tried

Even nearer to Paddington is the Mercure (same chain).

walkabout

I've also stayed at the Darlington Hyde Park. It's small and cosy, and has an included breakfast (which you might not have time for). Check wotif.com for discounted hotel rates.

I think the Heathrow Express is overhyped and overpriced. Try the Heathrow Connect instead. It's half the price, and only about 10-15 minutes slower.

Fidel

I agree about the expensive Hex and the incongruity of an "inexpensive" hotel. And if they took the regular old Tube for a 40-minute ride around 7am they wouldn't have to stay in the charmless Paddington area.

twoflower

I've stayed at the Cardiff and at Royal Court Apartments. Both are low priced and OK. Paddington charmless? No way! Heathrow Express is not too badly priced considering the speed and ease with which it gets you from Heathrow to Paddington after 30 hours of travelling!

historytraveler

I'm sure there are a number of okay even pleasant places to stay near Paddington, but the area would still be low on my list compared to others, and I certainly wouldn't compromise in order to take HEX to LHR. A HEX single ticket costs 19 GBP's, a car service direct to one's hotel or from hotel to departing terminal is about 30 GBP's.

Unless you're staying at the Hilton, you're going to have to wrestle with your bags for a few blocks at least. Fine if it's not raining, miserable if it is. Buses leave Victoria Station for LHR @ 7:45 and arrive about 45 minutes later, giving one 2 hours before a 10:30 departure. Not too bad IMO, especially if you print boarding pass beforehand.If you do decide to stay in Paddington area the Heathrow Connect is a much cheaper option. A single ticket costing about 9 GBP's compared to HEX @ 19 GBP's.

janisj

"<i>Paddington charmless? No way!</i>"

Well, it IS in London so not <i>totally</i> charmless. But compared to other/better neighborhoods it is really nothing to write homeabout.

"<i>Heathrow Express is not too badly priced considering the speed and ease with which it gets you from Heathrow to Paddington after 30 hours of travelling!</i>"

For two people the HEX costs nearly £40 and you still have a long schlepp w/ bags at both end of the journey. A car service will take you door-to-door for £10 less, in comfort and not a bit of schlepping.

So even if one decides to stay in Paddington - the HEX seldom makes sense -unless maybe someone else is picking up the tab.

ssander

The car service sounds great -- please recommend some -- in fact we might use it even if we decide to stay at our regular place near Victoria.

I had no idea they were that reasonably priced. Frankly, until our most recent trip -- when USAir stopped going to Gatwick -- we always took Southern Railways from LGW to Victoria -- and made good use of the 2-for-1 vouchers.

Our May 2011 flight was our first into LHR -- so we're not that familiar with it. (We took the tube at that time.)

Thanks.
SS

janisj

There are several - but justairports.com is one of the best