Hello,

My husband and I are planning to visit England in October. We are very fortunate to have a great number of Travel cards (like cash) and points with the Best Western chain of hotels, sufficient enough to cover all our hotel reservations. That being saId, if we can't find a BW hotel we like in a particular region, we would choose otherwise. We are thinking of staying for 3 days in London, renting a car and travelling to Oxford, Bath and the Cotswold Region, Cornwall, along the coast (will visit Aunt in Worthing), possibly staying in Eastbourne and Canterbury and back to London. We considered Cambridge as well but think it would be just too many stops. Is this schedule realistic? We think we will love the Bath and Cotswold region the most but have heard Cornwall is absolutely breathtaking. We are wondering what cities/areas are recommended as a base to explore from keeping in mind we will try and use Best Western hotels if possible. We have found and booked one just outside Bath for 3 days and seen others near Worthing, Eastbourne and Canterbury (actually there are over 150 to choose from!) If anyone has any feedback regarding BW hotels and recommendations, that would also be appreciated. The BW hotels in Cornwall region are in Plymouth and Newquay. I don't think Newquay looks like our style so open to suggestions to other towns in that region. Any advice at all would be very much appreciated. We love old archictecture, antiques, coastal walks, charming villages, good food, and hotels with alot of character. Thank you!

If you are staying three nights somewhere that is only two full days. So are you staying in each place three nights (two full days) or four nights (three full days). Three nights in each place wouldn't be enough for me, and I'd want more than even four nights in London, but perhaps you have already spent a lot of time there. The itinerary is too busy for me (too many short stops), but only you know whether it is too busy for you.

I haven't stayed there in quite a few years, but I really liked the BW Mornington Lancaster in London when I did stay there.
http://www.morningtonhotel.co.uk/

It's on a quiet side street, but only a block or so from Hyde Park, which is really nice, and only a block or two to Lancaster Gate tube station. It's convenient to Paddington rail, also.

Some people may think that too far out, didn't bother me, I liked that area, in addition to the tube, there are buses, of course. There's a good pub on the corner, also, the Swan. It's near a cuople car rental companies, actually. Bus 94 goes right to Piccadilly Circus, for example, and runs along Bayswater Rd with a stop only a block or two away. Bus 148 also runs along there
https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/timetable/148/

>>We are thinking of staying for 3 days in London<<

Unless you have been several times that is VERY short for London. It will give you barely 2.5 days for the largest city in western Europe and the first day or two would be jet lagged. Maybe consider staying the first 2 nights in Oxford car-less, (direct coach from LHR) then collect a car and visit the cotswolds, Bath, the SW, etc drop the car at LHR or LGW and spend the last few days in London again car-less.

Two weeks is not much time for all that territory. Cornwall is not a 'quick' place to visit and really needs nearly a week by itself. In fact I personally wouldn't spend the time driving all the way to Cornwall (or taking the train) unless I had a good 5 days to play with.

Both Canterbury and Cambridge are a loooooong way from Cornwall.

Two weeks -- if you actually mean 14 days will only net you 11.5 days free on the ground.

Since Best Westerns aren't a 'chain' but a group of affiliated hotels, they are ALL different so you would have to tell us which ones specifically you are considering.

Thank you to everyone so far for your replies. I was so surprised to see so many so quickly, wonderful! Janis, we could definitely eliminate Cornwall and save that area for another trip. We will definitely be jet-lagged coming into London so perhaps we should add on an extra day, good advice. The hotel we booked around Bath area is the Limpley Stoke (but there was also the Swan in Wells and the Shrubbery in Ilminster). Near Worthing we thought the Old Tollgate in Steyning would be a better choice than the Princes Marine. Abbots Barton in Canterbury. There were two along the way in Eastbourne (the York and the Lansdowne) but not sure if that is a worthwhile detour. Christina, the BW Morington was the hotel I had zeroed in on in London if using BW so very happy it was your choice as well. I thought the location was excellent and thank you for bus suggestions etc. Kathie, I prefer to spend more time in one place so I think I agree that we should narrow down our choices. We have never been to London and it seems there is alot to do and see.

I haven't stayed in any of those but just re the locations:

Mornington Park (And I <i>know</i> Christina likes to stay north of the park/near Paddington) -- I personally would try for something a bit more convenient to the airports and sightseeing. Nothing (at all) wrong with the property. Maybe look at the Cromwell since it is practically on top of the Gloucester Rd tube station on the Piccadilly line

Or the Piccadilly London West End which could not be more central -- though it is a BW Premier and pricier). If your points would cover it - great.

The Limpley Stoke would be good -- you would probably use the Odd Down park & ride lot when you go into central Bath since driving/parking in the city is a bear.

the Old Tollgate is practically across the road from the ruins of Bramber Castle (not much of it left but a pretty site)

With just two weeks and wanting to hit London, the Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath and visit your Aunt, I really don't think you have enough time to travel all the way to Canterbury

Hi again Janis,

Thanks once again for some very helpful comments. We are definitely shaving off quite a few destinations having just realized that it is almost three hours from Bath to the Worthing area. We are now thinking of doing four days in London, two in Oxford, four in Bath, 3 in Worthing and will possibly stay at Heathrow the last night. Quite a difference from the original plan. If you recommend staying longer in one place than the other, I am happy to hear your recommendations. We very much appreciate everyone's comments and help!

That looks fine -- If it was me -- I might add one night to London and subtract one from Bath.

I would consider doing Oxford first. There is a nice direct coach from LHR into central Oxford and after 2 nights there you'd be over the jetlag and ready to pick up a car and head out. Then Bath then Worthing. From Worthing it is a short drive to Gatwick where you can drop the car and take the train into London for the last few days. This will save you one extra packing/unpacking/move hotels and also quite a bit of driving.

>>just realized that it is almost three hours from Bath to the Worthing area.<<

More like 4 hours - but maybe 3.5 on a (very) good day.

<<We have never been to London and it seems there is alot to do and see.>>

Well, there's an understatement of the year nominee.

If you have any interest in the city at all and have never been there, you will shortchange it with the time you're considering alotting, whether 3 nights or 4. London is the largest city in Western Europe, was the seat of the British Empire and the capital of the besieged UK when it stood alone against the Nazis. The historical value contained in it outpaces any city in the world.

>>We have never been to London and it seems there is alot to do and see.<<

To give you an idea: Bath is a city of 80,000 w/ 1 major, and at a stretch 3 major-ish sites and some really lovely streetscapes.

London is a city of 9,000,000 with more sites/attractions/beautiful views than you could see in a month.

Now, Bath is a good base for also visiting the southern Cotswolds, so maybe 3 nights there would be lovely IMO/IME

good advice above.

"London big" ought to be the clear message


BW used to be the tatty brand attached to a massive range of tatty family hotels with no connections at all. But things have changed in the last 5 years and standards raised. So you really need to use tripadvisor (roughly honest this side of the pond) on each one. Expect a little quirkyness from these hotels.

Well, it seems the message is clear - more time in London. We can definitely up it to 5 days but think we will leave 3 days in Bath so we can visit the Cotswolds. We do like the idea of picking up our car in Oxford and coaching in from Heathrow. Yes, Trip Advisor has been very helpful. BW hotels in Canada are very ordinary so it was quite a pleasant surprise to see what was available in the UK. Thanks to everyone, it is a big help!

Hello again, Just have another question for those familar with London. We realized that we have enough Starwood/Marriot points to stay in London and the advantage of a 5th free night if staying for 4 which is an added advantage. We are looking at Le Meridien Piccadilly for location or the St-Pancras Renaissance for the sheer beauty of the building. We could pay a reasonable amount to upgrade to a larger room in both cases as the room allolated for points, is quite small. Any thoughts ..... thank you!

All good advice above and have nothing to add except:

Whatever mapping app you use to suggest driving times, it's wise to double that at least. I think on our car trips around the UK, we've averaged taking at least 1.5 times what the mapping app would suggest, so because we always planned on it taking us twice as long, we were never late when driving to some destination.

If you have the points, stay at the Marriott County Hall. It is directly across the river from the Houses of Parliament and the views are great. Although the Renaissance would be tempting.

Mornington Park (And I know Christina likes to stay north of the park/near Paddington)>>

I've stayed near Gloucester tube, also, I don't always stay near Lancaster Gate, but I didn't find Gloucester tube location any more convenient for sightseeing, actually. Bayswater Rd used to be right on the airport bus line to Heathrow, as I recall, but I don't think that bus runs along that road any more, but it was convenient to the airport for the train. I liked the Gloucester location also but didn't stay in a BW so can't recommend one over there, not familiar with the Cromwell but it may be fine, also. The BW Mornington is not really right near Paddington, either, it's only a block north of Hyde Park and Paddington is a half mile away. I didn't really consider either location superior to the other for sightseeing myself as you have to take the tube or bus to get to the most central area and I think they are about the same distance.

Thanks once again - our choices are expanding and really hard to make a decision. I looked at the Marriott County Hall and we have enough points - the views are spectacular! The St-Ermins also looks like a very nice hotel so it will be between those now (unless someone suggests another option!). We were using goggle maps as a guide for distance between locations so definitely keep in mind that the times given are not realistic. Much appreciated everyone

>>Le Meridien Piccadilly for location or the St-Pancras Renaissance<<

Both are AMAZING. When you say upgrade -- do you mean to the historic rooms at the St Pancras? If so jump on it for sure! Le Meridien or County Hall are wonderful but the St Pancras is in a class by itself (but again only in the historic rooms - if that is above your points, then Le Meridien or County Hall Marriott would be wonderful)

Here is a link to my trip report re the St Pancras Renaissance - To save you having to read the whole thing, the applicable bits are in the fist post

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-two-gtgs.cfm



(Christina -- we have now progressed several levels UP from either the Mornington or Cromwell to world class properties)

we were posting at the same time - St Ermin's is also wonderful -- but my comments remain - IF you can get the historic rooms at St Pancras . . .

Janis, I'm afraid we would have to pay a pretty substantial amount over our points to get into the historic rooms at St Pancras - they look absolutely stunning however. Looking forward to reading your trip report! I think we are leaning between County Hall and St. Ermin's. County Hall seems to have a big city feel while St-Ermins looks to have a very soothing and calm ambience. We checked all the Marriot hotels and they have some very nice selectons in London. Appreciate your comments as well Christina.