I may be traveling to London very soon, for 5 to 7 days. I've never been there and have no idea where to start. What area would be good to stay in? I want to be near the Tube and/or buses, but not in a Times Square type part of London (if there is such a thing). I've heard Notting Hill is nice and funky--is this true? I'm, of course, on a fairly strict budget. Any suggestions on interesting, fairly funky parts of London and/or hotels or other places to stay would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jem<BR>You can find reasonably-priced hotels in Bloomsbury, South Kensington, and especially Paddington although I don't care for the P. area as a base.<BR>If you do a search here on London hotels you will find many suggestions.<BR>Or look for some hotels by name, such as the Morgan, the Claverly, the White House, Ebury House, St. Margaret's, and many others.<BR>Notting Hill is an interesting neighborhood, I personally prefer being a little more central so that I can walk to more places I want to visit, but it's not far by Tube. Many hotels can be found in all price ranges and in all neighborhoods at www.londontown.com<BR>I have a file on London; if you'd like to see it email me.

We prefer to stay in Soho (artsy theatre district area). Favorite sights: covent garden (shopping), selfridges (big department store, way better than Harrods), London Tower, Churchill War Rooms and Houses of Parliament (order tickets early from the states through their website as availability very limited). Great website: www.londontouristboard.com

Here is what I did last October/November for 6 days in London. Bid on a hotel through Priceline. The hotel was the London Ryan in the Kings Cross area for about $42 excluding taxes, bonus(paid by Priceline), and Pricelines fee.

Jem<BR>Why dont you go get some good guide books and do some research and decide what you want to do? Get some video tapes from the library and watch them. Search the web. Research, research, research, plan, plan, plan, and then research and plan some more. You really must be responsible for your own trip and plan it out and then do it...gee girl is there going be someone there to hold your hand the whole time?

Dear Doiturself:<BR>I'm not sure exactly what you mean. I guess getting online, going to a travel site, and asking for some basic information and the subjective opinions of other travelers does not count as doing my own research? Gosh, I'm so sorry that I've offended you with my lack of independence and initiative. What the *@%^$ is your problem? Why do you care?

Jem, <BR><BR>what is your hotel budget, per night.<BR><BR>even 35 pounds a night won't get you much at all, by yourself that is. unless you don't mind staying in the north - if so I know a REALLY nice place to stay, but it's 25 minutes or so out of the Leicester square area...<BR><BR>if you are young, and don't mind youth hostels, you could stay in one of many near Gloucester Road (a nice area) for maybe 10-15 pounds a night, sharing a room with three other folks.<BR><BR>??

welcome to the club, Jem! ignore the idiots, they will get bored and go away.<BR><BR>

Thanks, helpful. Your name is apt. My budget allows for about $75-100/night (100-150 lbs?), so I have some flexibility. And, alas, I am not nearly young enough to qualify for a youth hostel. Any other ideas? Thanks!

Jem, you have the conversion backwards -- one GBP is worth about US$1.45. So your budget of $75 - 100 works out to &pound;50 - 70. <BR><BR>The cost of living is so high in London, you can assume that something that costs a dollar in the US will cost a puond (i.e., $1.45) in Lonodn.

Jem - sorry but you have your math wrong.$75 to $100 is about equal to 50 to 70 GBP (pounds - not lbs). So be careful when looking up places recommended to you.<BR><BR>Just about everywhere in central London is convenient and close to the tube and buses. The only areas I would definitely not stay as a female on a first time trip are Kings Cross and Paddington. Even those areas have good choices but it is easy to get the "other" kind.<BR><BR>Near Victoria Station, South Kensington, Bloomsbury are probably your best bets for location and selection of inexpensive B&Bs.

Thanks, everybody! You've all been very helpful. I've gotten lots of great suggestions to look into. Cheerio!

Jem, you don't have to be young to stay at youth hostels although there are slightly higher rates for adults. Most of them or maybe all are shared accomodations so if that isn't your thing.....<BR><BR>Try this website for more info, it looks like you can make reservations on this site.<BR><BR>http://www.yha.org.uk/<BR><BR>I stayed at the one in Holland Park quite a few years ago and wouldn't recommend it as a single female as the walk through the park at night was kind of unsettling.<BR><BR>Also try Travel Inn, I think they've gone up to L75, $107 at today's currency conversion.<BR><BR>Other budget hints-look into transit passes, I know there is one for the weekend that is cheaper. A bunch of the museums are now free in London so that's a cheap thing to do. If you're interested in the theater, try the 1/2 price ticket booth in Leicester Square but go to the official one that is a stand alone building not the unofficial ones around the edges. You can travel out to many places via train on your own for not too much-Windsor, Hampton Court, Bath, etc. Be sure to get return trip tickets (round trip) as they are cheaper.

helpful again..<BR><BR>age in youth hostels isn't a factor - it's what you can put up with! LOL<BR><BR>on 75 pounds (which is a little over 100 bucks) you could stay at the Travel Inn County Hall - it's near the London Eye & Westminster and all, and is in a good location generally.<BR><BR>also, check out www.londontown.com<BR><BR>you can put in your search parameters (B&B, hotel, price, etc) and it will spit back a list of hotels which fit your specs. many places will give big discounts from rack rate, using this system. I stayed a few times at the Radisson Grafton for 70 pounds for a double (next to Warren Street tube, which is a total of ten minutes on the tube to Leicester Square/Covent Garden).<BR><BR>the B&B I mentioned earlier is RIGHT on Hampstead Heath, a very pretty 15 minute walk in the morning to the tube, then 25 minutes into the Leicester Square/Covent Garden area - which as a first timer you will likely spend some time.<BR><BR>it's 35 pounds, or roughly 50 bucks. for longer stays it's nice - presumably you have more time to get around, you can explore North London (very pretty) and it's cheap on the whole. but as this is your first trip, perhaps you would want to stay closer into town? it's up to you really...<BR><BR>I'll try to email you in the next few days with the specs, have to run!!<BR><BR>HRH