Here's an idea I am currently contemplating. Please give me your honest opinions.

I am from the US and am giving serious thought to a 9-day comprehensive tour of Jordan. Normally when doing a tour like this I would arrive a couple days early and explore on my own and get over my jet lag while I can be on my own schedule. But, Amman doesn't look particularly interesting, and my tour includes a half day in Amman plus every possible day trip out of Amman. Obviously, I can't look at other nearby large cities that I might be able to consider in normal times.

So I started thinking about using London as a place to at least deal with some jet lag. Amman is still a 3 hour time difference from London though.

Despite having visited about 40 countries, I have never been to London. This would not be a blitz visit to see the London sights. Rather it would be a gentle transition and perhaps even a scouting trip for a long London visit. I'd need to be in a neighborhood that has convenient public transportation to Heathrow. A nice neighborhood for walking and exploring, with easy access to public transportation if I decided to see some museums or other tourist sites. Perhaps in an area where there are lovely parks or green space. I often find that I enjoy just walking and browsing interesting local areas as much as I enjoy the typical tourist places. This would be around April 1 so I am assuming some things should be green and blooming.

What do you think? Any recommended areas to stay? I don't like big, fancy business hotels and much prefer something smaller, quainter and more intimate. And safe! Air B&B even. I don't need nice restaurants and often prefer take-out or small hole-in-the-wall places.

What do you think? A feasible idea or forget it because it would be a huge hassle just getting to the airport? (I have thought about doing the same in Dublin too since I have never been there.)

Thanks for the help.

I am just about to leave for the airport for a 4 1/2 day trip to . . . London. I can't believe you've not been before.

I think that would be a great idea. For that short a visit I'd probably stick to a hotel . . . especially since this is your first visit. A concierge can be a great help finding things and giving recommendations. There are literally countless great central neighborhoods. For a first timer I'd be looking in Sloane Square, South Kensington, St James's, Belgravia, Victoria/Pimlico, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury/Russell Square, and Fitzrovia. There are other really nice neigborhoods but not quite as central . . . Notting Hill, Kensington, Marylebone and lots more. What is your budget??

. . . I'll be pretty much incommunicado for the next 19+ hours but others will have suggestions

This is not a personal recommendation but it comes from my sister, who visits London often with her husband.

Lately they have been staying at Duke's, and she has raved about the place to me; I don't know the price, but my sister does have very good taste in hotels, usually picking small, homey places, not huge business hotels. Location looks ideal. But do check as she told me after her stay last year that they would be renovating.....

https://www.dukeshotel.com

Duke's is a really lovely property -- on the pricey side though. Now I REALLY have to get to the airport

It�s a great property but I think it said it was closed for renovation until fall 2025. Not sure when the op�s trip is taking place.

We stayed at Raddison Blu on Mercer street in Covent garden and loved the location. Close to great restaurants, museums and theatre. Have also stayed at the Hoxton Holborn which is more of a scene but preferred first hotel.

Before the Covid plague, we stayed at the Residence Hotel (it was named Nadler then) near the Earls Court tube station. The rooms were nice and had a closet kitchen. Earls Court station is a straight shot to and from Heathrow, no stairs, and connects neatly to other tube lines. The hotel is a short walk to Hyde Park. There is also a Premier Inn right there which may be cheaper. Plenty of restaurants and take out shops in the neighborhood, but my info on them is out of date. I have a trip report: The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018

So thus far it seems all of you think this is a feasible idea. I am going to look into all of your suggestions. I know absolutely zero about London so am starting from square one. I think good access to the tube for going to the airport is probably my number 1 non-negotiable need.

And, yes, Duke's will be closed for renovation when I would be there (early April this year; I don't plan way ahead as so many of you do.)
I am flexible on price but don't need or want to go super deluxe. Maybe $300. I ended up at $400 in Amsterdam this summer which was more than I wanted to pay, but I think I read that Amsterdam is even more pricey than London. I am fine with a guesthouse or B&B that is memorable and has charm (and a fridge). Frankly, I don't need all the staff a big hotel usually has on hand.

Thanks all.

I�m at SMF waiting for my first flight in a few mins. $300 is doable but not in any sort of �posh� hotel. If you click on my screen name you will find MANY London trip reports maybe 15 or 20 - almost all in different hotels. For that price range I�d start looking either on booking.com or at the many PremierInns scattered all over the city

London is never a dumb idea! ‼️ Have a wonderful visit!

I think it's a fantastic idea. London is the best city in the world. Make sure the get your ETA before leaving, as it's now required to enter the UK. And use the official site, as there are some oddball sites with extra fees. The cost is �10. The app is very quirky so you might have to do it online instead.

I would post a link to the site, but being tech challenged, I can't seem to do that on my phone.🤒

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-fo...horisation-eta

I think this is it.

I'm not allowed to say why I might be against this.

Bilbo--Why aren't you allowed to say? And what is it you have to say?

I knew nothing about the ETA.

I'm afraid there are a lot of people who don't know about the ETA. Europe is about to do the same, but I don't know the start date, as the website only says mid 2025.

Bilbo sort of thinks no one should fly 'for the fun of it'. His 'not allowed' is only for when he gets too preachy

I have arrived in London and am ensconced in The Conrad St James's and about to head out for dinner (only slightly jet lagged) and I don't feel one bit guilty about flying across the pond. Really

Not even a bit preachy.

Nothing against fun. But not allowed to explain.

If you belong to any hotel loyaty groups, always pays to check to see if you have points you can use. Although I didn't have enough points for comp room anywhere back in 2023, I did end up at Doubletree West End to pick up more Hilton points. Business hotel that was in a good location as between Russell Square and Holborn tube stops and we mostly used Holborn. Our room wasn't cozy or especially old world kind of charming but it was immaculate. I upgraded for a large deluxe room so we had a comfortable and quiet room. There were plenty of cafes nearby and pretty much we stuck to those cafes for breakfast. Easy walk to British Museum as well as restaurants. Could have walked to Covent Garden as well but was too rainy the night we had made dinner reservations at a place there

If you click on my user name, you will find a London trip report--we were there for a week and had a great time!

janisj I had no idea you were such a London aficionado! I am slowly working my way back looking at some of your trip reports to see where you stayed.

StantonHyde I took a look at your trip report, and one thing instantly jumped out at me that I had completely forgotten about (and know a lot about from past experiences). What to do with luggage if renting an apartment and arriving earlier than check in. Obviously, that's not an issue when using hotels.

So, I have lots to think about (first of all to make sure I absolutely am going to do this). And, using booking.com there are a gazillion hits for my dates so how to narrow all those choices down is another challenge.

Thanks for all the assistance.