Does anyone have recommendations on where to stay if we only have 2 full days in London with 3 nights? I have been but my friend has not. I have stayed in Covent Garden area but am not sure if there are better recommendations? Also, what properties? Wanted somewhere fun - we are 2 30-somethings =) Thanks all!

It looks we're going to do the same trip , two full days and three nights with a friend that it's his first time in London and we both in the 30-somethings
Are you going to be there by any chance the last weekend of July ?
How do you arrive to London ? We arrive at Stansted so I've wanted to be not very very far of Liverpool Station so I've booked the Hilton Euston for a fairly good fee, about 90 pounds with taxes per room.
Covent Garden is a great area if you can find a good rate in a hotel or you have a good budget !!

Actually we arriving from Nice and it will be the first week of October...We are taking the eurostar out via Paris to get to London. Someone told me about Kensington but I am wondering if that will be too staid?

My first time in London was near Kensington (Bayswater, in fact) and though I liked it a lot for a 7 days stay (I think it's a bit cheaper than more central zones) its very quiet,as you've said, a bit staid
If you're arriving at Waterloo Station why don't you try Bankside ? I've read a lot about it and seems to me an interesting zone, both old and modern, with a lot of things to do (more than we could do on a two day trip!)

travelodge by docklands light railway cheap.out of hustle/bustle but 1/2 ride on d.l.r + underground. stylish cafe in hotel. mcdonalds 5 min drive

LisaH,,
Not sure of your budget but parts of Kensington are delightful with Hyde Park close by and plenty of shops, supermarkets and reasonably priced restaurants.
Covent Garden would be great but the hotels are mostly hideously expensive although The Strand Palace is in a great location and you could probably get a good deal through Expedia or similar sites. Go for a upgraded room if you can.
The Thistle Charing Cross and The Royal Adelphi are two other posibilities within a shortish walk of Covent Garden.

Lisa_H: W/o knowing your nightly budget it is impossible to give you useful advice about specific hotels.

In general for a pair of 30-somthings I'd consider either Covent Garden or South Kensington. Both areas are great for dining/pubs/shopping. There is a better choice of moderately priced places in South Kens than in Covent Garden.

How much do you want to spend?