We are going to London in October. We would like to stay somewhere that has lots of people milling around at nite. West end? Covent Gardens? We don't want to spend more than a 3 star hotel costs per nite. We need suggestions! Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Definately Covent Garden, it's smack bang in the heart of everything and very busy/buzzy at night, without the sleeziness of Soho.

I live here so can't comment on hotel choice, but the good people on thsi board seem to swear by londontown.com to get great deals on good hotels.

Soho is not sleazy, it's well placed and fun.

I"d always recommend one to stay in W1, Mayfair area if you can!

zwho - do you want to stay right in the middle of that? or just within close walking distance?

Last September I stayed at the Citadine Trafalgar Apart'hotel . It was really convenient, quiet, and clean.

Covent Garden would be a fun place for the evenings. Soho...while in parts looks sleazy is actually great bars, cafes. Many open late night. Sigh...I am agreeing with you MK2 Mayfair I find a bit boring though.

Following on from mkingdom's post,

Mayfair is super posh, but VERY quiet in the evenings. All empty offices, embassies, gentleman's clubs and apartments. Doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for?

My "sleezy" comment about Soho was meant as a comparison to Covent Garden. Soho is VERY buzzy, fun, party all hours, youthful kinda place. It's also packed with young people getting pissed, really crowded bars trying just a little too hard to be cool and failing, strip clubs, rowdy bachelor parties on a Saturday night, you get the picture. Great to wonder through and get a drink or a meal at 4.30 in the morning, but NOT a great place to get a good night's sleep. Particularly not good if you dislike stepping in sick puddles first thing in the morning.

However, Covent Garden is next door, still buzzy but a little more, how shall I put it, "restrained".

You say Mayfair is quiet in the evenings, yet most of the capital's finest bars, clubs and restaurants are located there, I don't understand your point.

Covent Garden has busy street which I hate! Mayfair has superb shopping by day, and as mentioned above, wonderful nightlife. Fitzrovia which borders Soho might also be worth considering, although I would never live in this area.

As for it being "super posh", my dear, "super posh" doesn't exist in London these days. St James's is now only pseudo "super posh", but still wonderful none the less. The creative director of Burberry recently moved from St James's, across the road to Mayfair, I'm sure you're delighted I shared this little bit of star (followed by expletive).

I think for someone coming as a tourist...start in Soho and end up in Covent Garden. MK2 stop telling us where you won't live it's silly you sound like Hyacinth Bucket more and more She wants to go out and see a bit of buzz not go to China Whites.

Thanks to everyone who answered my question. I still need the names of hotels I can check out. Again, we want a 3 star thats nice and has triple rooms in an area where we won't be afraid to walk at nite. Thanks again!

As a solo female traveler,I have stayed at Mayfair, Covent Garden,Kensington,Chelsea and Victoria areas. For the last 4 years, I have tried(when prices were right) to stay around Trafalgar Square,as it is most convenient for walking to concerts and theatres, excellent public transports to major sites and Heathrow.

Around Trafalgar Square, besides Citadines T.S. mentioned above,I have stayed at Thistle T.S., Thistle Charing Cross,all are clean and convenient. Usually I book through www.Londontown.com, or www.laterooms.com,both offer good deals.

Siobhan -

that's priceless. I knew m-kingdon reminded me of someone - but now I know who:

Hyacinth Bu-kay of the private princess phone, Royal Doulton - and never-ending pretensiousness.