rahjmh

My husband (2 teens) and I are going to London in November. We will be there for one full week. We like being close to the major sites. We like walking, music, watching people, being close to shops. I am into photography.
We are using marriott points for the first 4 nights. Which one is best?

Marble Arch - This one so far is not a choice from reading reviews.

County Hall - One of my top choices, but is it too far from everything. Isn't it across the bridge from everything. I might be wrong.

Hotel Regents Park.- Not sure.

Grosvenor - Looks really good. Is the locations good?

Thanks for the help. I love this site.

rahjmh

a

Cicerone

IMO other than County Hall, the the best choicse are not even on your list. In terms of location, the Park Lane Marriott is the best choice I think. It is in the heart of good shopping and has good transport connections. It is a very nice hotel as well. There is a small indoor pool which is a nice feature. I would ask for a room on the highest floor available for views of the Park and noise abatment, or barring that, a room facing North Row street. The rooms facing Park Lane and Oxford Street on lower floors can be a little noisy, certainly livable but if you have a choice take a high floor or a North Row street floor.

If you can use points at timeshare properties, their Grand Residence Club at 47 Park Street, around the corner from the Park Lane Marriott is very nice, great for families as there is a kitchen, separate bedrooms, etc. You may be able to use the pool at the Park Lane Marriott as well. It is on a quiet street.

Next for me would be Chancery Court because I love the way they have restored this historical building, and they have a great spa and excellent restaurant. It is a close to the tube. Neighborhood is a bit quiet at night which is one drawback.

County Hall has great views along the river, and is very convenient for Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

The others I would put further down the list. Groversner may still be in the middle of their renovation, please check first; if they are done, then this would be a pretty good, choice; although I don't think it is the greatest location for tourists, it is a better location for business I think. It is not really near shopping or tourist sites./ If they are still doing renovations, I would avoid it, as you may get a room which has not been done, and the hotel is pretty old.

The Marriott Kensington is also in a great location for shopping and for the V&A Museum, altnough the rooms are quite small and the walls are a little thin.

artlover

We stayed at the County Hall with points and thought it was a great location--walking distance to most major sites and right across the bridge from the tube. The staff were very helpful too.

janis

Cicerone has given you a good run down. Of the ones you list, County Hall is the ONLY one I would stay at.

Yes,, is is across a bridge - but that short walk connects you to Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James Park, the Cabinet War rooms,, etc. The Eye is RIGHT there. it is a short walk to the Southbank arts centers. And a very short walk to Waterloo station for a day trip to Hampton Court Palace.

All of the other properties you mention are not close to nearly as many sites . . .

rhkkmk

grovesnor square is the best one quality wise....also the best location...county hall is perhaps the newest and a good location....just across from parliament and next to the london eye....

marble arch is a converted holiday inn, but not bad...location is so so...in the middle of the muslim area, but a nice area...