London - Hotel recommendations Classic Non-Scene
Jun 2nd, 2015, 07:37 AM
#1
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London - Hotel recommendations Classic Non-Scene
Hi Everyone,
I'm looking to stay in London several days late July. I hear Soho is a very lively neighborhood and convenient to many sites, but I don't know much about Mayfair, Bloomsbury, or other West End neighborhoods. I'm looking for a hotel that is more traditional than trendy, might even have a library where I can read and write, and be close to a lively area without being in the center of it. I like hotels with a very local feel, too, which is why I generally don't select five star hotels because I enjoy the friendliness of smaller establishments. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for hotels and key sites to visit.
Cheers!
I'm looking to stay in London several days late July. I hear Soho is a very lively neighborhood and convenient to many sites, but I don't know much about Mayfair, Bloomsbury, or other West End neighborhoods. I'm looking for a hotel that is more traditional than trendy, might even have a library where I can read and write, and be close to a lively area without being in the center of it. I like hotels with a very local feel, too, which is why I generally don't select five star hotels because I enjoy the friendliness of smaller establishments. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for hotels and key sites to visit.
Cheers!
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:07 AM
#3
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We always stay at the Chesterfield Mayfair. It ticks all of your boxes. But without knowing your budget, it is hard to make recommendations.
http://www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/
http://www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:15 AM
#6
oops we were posting at the same time.
$450 is about £290 which will get you a very nice room but not in a posh or deluxe property. I'd maybe try the Royal Horseguards, or the Chesterfield - totally different neighborhoods but bot very nice. (to get in your budget you'd probably have to prepay)
$450 is about £290 which will get you a very nice room but not in a posh or deluxe property. I'd maybe try the Royal Horseguards, or the Chesterfield - totally different neighborhoods but bot very nice. (to get in your budget you'd probably have to prepay)
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:29 AM
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Your budget fits with my hotel recommendation (we always get a superior room inclusive of breakfast). They have other options.
In addition to being a wonderful hotel it is 5 minutes walk from the Green Park tube station which has 3 lines running thru it - Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria. This makes getting around the city pretty easy.
In addition to being a wonderful hotel it is 5 minutes walk from the Green Park tube station which has 3 lines running thru it - Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria. This makes getting around the city pretty easy.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:47 AM
#10
I do love the library theme:
http://www.lib-rary.com/home/
http://www.venere.com/inns/london/inn-library/
http://www.lib-rary.com/home/
http://www.venere.com/inns/london/inn-library/
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:56 AM
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I've stayed at the Chesterfield and found it a really stodgy dull hotel for my tastes, with almost no restaurants nearby that I wanted to go to. Never looked for a hotel with a library in London -- but if I wanted to someplace to write, I'd book myself near the British Museum and use the desks in the reading room.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 09:05 AM
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Also, if I'm not mistaken, I think the library at the Chesterfieled is a conference space, that can be booked for private events or presentatons, so I am not sure it is a fully public space that you can access anytime, if that's what you want.
Wanted to add too that I did note you said you wanted "traditional", but I did feel the Chesterfield was kind of canned "traditional" rather than naturally so. (Didn't help that my room was way too small with too much overstuffed furniture to move about without knee-banging.) That is quite subjective and I'm not disputing other people's positive subjective reactions, but just putting it in the mix. Might be just what you want.
Wanted to add too that I did note you said you wanted "traditional", but I did feel the Chesterfield was kind of canned "traditional" rather than naturally so. (Didn't help that my room was way too small with too much overstuffed furniture to move about without knee-banging.) That is quite subjective and I'm not disputing other people's positive subjective reactions, but just putting it in the mix. Might be just what you want.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 09:57 AM
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Thank you for the information. The library idea will probably need to go 
. I like the idea of using the British Museum instead!
What I look for is a place locals would consider to be "local," meaning that it has kept its history even if that means the floors, staircases, and showers aren't high modern minimalist.
I'd avoid stodgy as much as I avoid a five star hotel where I'm very likely to run into people from my own city instead of people from England. While some 22 year olds might love staying in an ultra trendy hotel, like the W, a Starck hotel, or the Standard..., I'm more of a Mercer or Chateau Marmont type of person. I can go up in price if need be. It's always nice to get value, though.
I've scanned hotels in Soho, and they're nice, even trendy, but these are the types of hotels I'm surrounded by where I live, so if I were to select a trendy hotel, I'd feel as if I hadn't traveled across the USA and the Atlantic
.
. I like the idea of using the British Museum instead!What I look for is a place locals would consider to be "local," meaning that it has kept its history even if that means the floors, staircases, and showers aren't high modern minimalist.
I'd avoid stodgy as much as I avoid a five star hotel where I'm very likely to run into people from my own city instead of people from England. While some 22 year olds might love staying in an ultra trendy hotel, like the W, a Starck hotel, or the Standard..., I'm more of a Mercer or Chateau Marmont type of person. I can go up in price if need be. It's always nice to get value, though.
I've scanned hotels in Soho, and they're nice, even trendy, but these are the types of hotels I'm surrounded by where I live, so if I were to select a trendy hotel, I'd feel as if I hadn't traveled across the USA and the Atlantic
.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:28 PM
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When we have stayed at the Chesterfield the library was not set up as a conference room and we did have access to it (on different visits). Perhaps they may have changed their policy. We always stay in a superior room which has more space. I do find their standard rooms rather tight!
One block away is Shepard's Market with several restaurants we enjoy often.
For what it is worth, check out Brown's Hotel. We stayed there on three different visits BEFORE the renovation. Currently, it is too slick / contemporary for us. We preferred the look of the place before the reno but it might be worth looking at (no library that I am aware of).
The good news is there are several lovely hotels in your price range. The challenge is finding the right one. (I think Brown's might be over your price range).
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hot.../browns-hotel/
One block away is Shepard's Market with several restaurants we enjoy often.
For what it is worth, check out Brown's Hotel. We stayed there on three different visits BEFORE the renovation. Currently, it is too slick / contemporary for us. We preferred the look of the place before the reno but it might be worth looking at (no library that I am aware of).
The good news is there are several lovely hotels in your price range. The challenge is finding the right one. (I think Brown's might be over your price range).
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hot.../browns-hotel/
Jun 2nd, 2015, 01:27 PM
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I loved The Montague on the Gardens: http://www.montaguehotel.com/offers. Right across the street from the British Museum, traditional feel.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 01:42 PM
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Ok -- but the Chateau Marmont is unique!
There is probably a simiarly unique hotel in London but owners have gotten more clever about such things and charge accordingly.
There are 2 quirky places in London I have been tempted to book but never had the opportunity to so, and may not suit at all. One is Sanctuary House, and the other is Captain Bligh. I doubt they have libraries and they may not be located to anything convenient to your overall agenda -- and they perhaps have lapsed into terrible reviews. But I mention them anyway.
But the reading room at the British Museum is just the most gloriously inspiring space, rich in history and beauty, and entrance is free. It is usually rather empty and quiet. The tourists peek in but don't linger.
There is probably a simiarly unique hotel in London but owners have gotten more clever about such things and charge accordingly.
There are 2 quirky places in London I have been tempted to book but never had the opportunity to so, and may not suit at all. One is Sanctuary House, and the other is Captain Bligh. I doubt they have libraries and they may not be located to anything convenient to your overall agenda -- and they perhaps have lapsed into terrible reviews. But I mention them anyway.
But the reading room at the British Museum is just the most gloriously inspiring space, rich in history and beauty, and entrance is free. It is usually rather empty and quiet. The tourists peek in but don't linger.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 01:58 PM
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The British Museum reading room has been closed for at least the past two years. It is occasionally used as an exhibition space - but hasn't been a sitting down option for yonks.
If the poster is confusing it with the British Library:
- access to the reading rooms is by ticket only
- general access to open seats outside the controlled area is practically impossible unless you queue at least ten minutes before opening time. The library has better wifi than most young people's parents, so those in search of fast Facebooking hog the seats.
If the poster is confusing it with the British Library:
- access to the reading rooms is by ticket only
- general access to open seats outside the controlled area is practically impossible unless you queue at least ten minutes before opening time. The library has better wifi than most young people's parents, so those in search of fast Facebooking hog the seats.
Jun 3rd, 2015, 03:27 AM
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Covent Garden Hotel in the West End. http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/...t-garden-hotel
Jun 3rd, 2015, 03:35 AM
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we prefer the Millenium Glouscester across for the glouscester rd tube station. We book a club room that comes with breakfast all dys cookies and tea or coffee and predinner drinks. served in a private lounge with comfortable seating so you can read al da if desired. The staff is great and walking distance to the V and A.
