Leigh

Hi everyone! I'm going to London for the first time this February and I'm just wondering what the best area to stay in would be. Mayfair? Knightsbridge? Chelsea? We would like to rent a flat instead of getting a hotel (Any recommendations for booking agencies...?) A major consideration would have to be proximity to a tube station as we DEFINITELY won't be renting a car. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! <BR><BR>Have a great day everyone. : )<BR><BR>Leigh

chelsea

go for Chelsea or Knightbridge for the first time (maybe more $ but if you aren't looking for cheapest route)<BR><BR>www.apartments4london.com<BR><BR>as for proximity to Tube - almost everything in London Zone 1-2 is withing 7 minutes of a Tube stop - go for quality and price first then Tube location - Unless you feel like going to British Museum area then I got great deals 3 minutes from Russell Sq or Holburn (my preferred area)

aj

We enjoy the Covent Garden area. It is a nice area to walk in and many things to see and do. It is also close to just about every other area by walking or Tube. There are many small shops and restaurants in the Covent Garden and it is close to the Theater. If you are interested look up coventgardenlife.com and you will find much information on the area including hotels.

Barbara

We love South Kensington- you can walk to many sights, restaurants and shopping and there is a convenient tube stube right there. The Pelham Hotel is lovely.<BR>Barbara

mon

Have you given any thought to Brixton?

Merilee

On one of my visits to London I stayed in the Bayswater section, which I thought was very convenient to everything. There are 2 underground lines within walking distance. There are also numerous restaurants and shops in the area, including a mall named Whiteley's. There's even an ice skating rink in the neighborhood. Anyway, it's always lively and it certainly seemed very safe.

diane

We really loved the Chelsea area -- we stayed at Sloane Square (Moat House Hotel) and did a lot of walking around in Chelsea neighborhoods. What a beautiful place.

Virginia

If you want cheap, clean, convenient consider Oxbridge Apartments in Kensington. Close to Gloucester Road tube, Sainsbury's supermarket and a pretty decent laundromat. They have a website you can find through Google. This isn't fancy by any means (can you live with red sofa and pink and purple daybed in the same room?) but you can get a one=bedroom apartment with complete kitchen for under $100 a night off season.

Rita

After a good many trips to London we've decided that we like Bloomsbury/Russell Square area best, for a number of reasons. It seems especially accessable to and from the sites we most enjoy.

xxx

South Kensington

xyz

We love Mayfair. It can be a bit pricy but you are within walking distance of so many things--Green, St. James, Hyde Parks, the Palace, Piccadilly, theatres, Oxford/Bond St. shopping. We are inour 50's and not big on walking but we always seem to do a lot of walking in London. You may save a few $$ staying in another area but when being convenient to sites is important.

Leigh

Thank you so much for all your responses! Now I just have to make a decision... I'll probably look for a flat closest to a tube station.<BR><BR>Thanks again, everyone!

Sue

I go to London often, and prefer the Bloomsbury/Russell Square area, too. I love Blooms Hotel, a lovely little boutique hotel next to the British Museum. Easy walk to 3 tube stations, and close enough to theatre district.

samaritan

You picked amongst the most expensive areas in all of EUROPE!<BR><BR>Anyway, check out<BR>www.londonrooms.biz<BR><BR>I've found good accommodation in the centre of town at greatly discounted rates.<BR><BR>Good luck!

Steve

Near the Marble Arch, there's a Radisson at Portman Square.

Sharon

Leigh: I just stayed at the Thistle Bloomsbury. They had good rates on their web site. I loved the hotel. Very English. And, a block from the British Museum and easy walking to Covent Garden and also to theatres and also Leicester square, where I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to Mama Mia.I definitely would stay there again.