Wakeforce139

I will be staying solo in London Nov the 18th through the 20th, arriving on that Monday via train from Cambridge and then departing that Weds morning on a flight out of Heathrow airport.

I want to be somewhere that is not too complicated for a first-timer to get to and from the main London attractions, pubs/restaurants, and access to Heathrow. Ideally I'd like to keep the cost of the room to $200-300 (I'm a budget shopper and not ashamed to admit it) total.

I am considering either Tune Hotels - Westminster or Premier Inn London Hammersmith, leaning towards Premier. Anyone have any insight on that? Am I in the wrong area? Hotels better suited to my wants? I know I have a pretty big want list.

Other than that I have all day Monday and Tuesday to explore. I like beer and really want to explore some pubs, get a taste of the main historical attractions, and don't mind taking a tour. Any suggestions there that tie in with hotel suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've read a ton of other posts on here and have a good idea of what I want to see but figure I'd seek more input. Thanks in advance.

janisj

Only time for a quick comment right now . . . I would not stay in either of those hotels. Neither is well located nor convenient to the sites or your arrival from Cambridge. Check out Londontown.com for an easy site to search hotels in your price range.

nytraveler

You do NOT want to be in Hammersmith - but in Central London. If you look at Priceline the central London zones you may well get a 4* for that amount.

Wakeforce139

Thanks for the initial replies! I was going based off a loose idea of the area and quick map glances + user reviews. The search continues

jamikins

Agreed hammersmith is not ideal!

janisj

FYI - the Tune is not actually in Westminster. It is practically on top of the Lambeth North tube station.

Hammersmith is out west, and the Tune isn't in a terrific location either - though it is a bit more central.

Wakeforce139

Which area is the ideal location then? I am reading Kensington is pretty cool?

What about the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington or the Strand Palace Hotel? Tara much better value but Strand seems to have awesome location.

jamikins

Strand palace is an excellent central location and would be my pic.

dulciusexasperis

Click on the map tab on this site to see hotels. Using a site that shows the hotels on a map makes it much easier.
http://www.venere.com/uk/london/

laurie_ann

You might also check out these sites:

www.lonelyplanet.com (has hostels and budget hotels, for your dates I found the Gainesborough Hotel a 4 star in S. Ken for $342 (total for 2 nights for a single room).

www.hostels.com (despite its name it also includes budget hotels)

Wakeforce139

Thanks again.

I found this place on one of those links, Hotel Meridiana near Kings Cross and it seems a convenient location - accurate?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

Tulips

The Copthorne Tara location is much nicer than Kings Cross.

laurie_ann

For the $106 price I saw on expedia for your dates this looks like a good choice. There are nicer more expensive hotels of course but the location is good (train station to London from Cambridge and tube to Heathrow) and near the British Library and British museum. Quite central for sightseeing really.

In your earlier post you mentioned pubs. A good website is www.fancyapint.com which lets you search by location (such as near a certain tube station) and gives reviews for all.

If you go to the British museum I highly recommend looking up their schedule for free docent tours. They have some "highlights" tours and some specialty topics tours (like Eqypt and Roman Britain which are especially good).

Wakeforce139

Thanks Laurie_ann! I thought the price was absurdly cheap for what seems like great reviews and central location. Think I'll book it and just go with the experience.

Awesome pint website. Many thanks all.

Avalon2

We prefer SOuth Kensington for your budget you could get a club room which includes breakfast and pre dinner cocktails ,wine free internet at millenium gloucester, across from Glouceter tube and great bus connections.Lots of sights within walking distence restaurants and services . Totally safe for a solo traveler and great sservice.

laurie_ann

Another good website for planning on a budget in London is www.timeout.com/london. There are plenty of cheap eats and you can get great theater off the West End for good value. I used to go to the National Theater on Monday nights. It was usually easy to get a last minute single ticket on that day.