4 days in London - would you go?
Apr 2nd, 2009, 10:37 AM
#21
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Hi
It was a small-ish room with a double bed - I am assuming that means double? Maybe they deem that a large single? Plus it was February. At any rate, it was a great price.
Sessa, they took my bags right away and I came back at 11 AM and they let me into the room. I would have preferred earlier, but, 11 AM isn't awful. The British Museum is around the corner (literally) so you could wander around there when it opens, until 11 AM. Covent Garden is close by as well...
It was a small-ish room with a double bed - I am assuming that means double? Maybe they deem that a large single? Plus it was February. At any rate, it was a great price.
Sessa, they took my bags right away and I came back at 11 AM and they let me into the room. I would have preferred earlier, but, 11 AM isn't awful. The British Museum is around the corner (literally) so you could wander around there when it opens, until 11 AM. Covent Garden is close by as well...
Apr 2nd, 2009, 10:40 AM
#22
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I would not bother with booking a hotel for an additional night (for the night before), unless you have $$$ to throw away.
There have been times that I was able to check into my room right away, despite showing up at 9am.
There have been times my room wasn't ready until 1 or 2pm. In those cases, I just left my luggage at the hotel (they all have a luggage room), go out for breakfast, a walk, then head back to the hotel to check in, nap, shower, then head out for walk/dinner.
Breakfast is not included in Priceline wins. I wouldn't worry about that either. There are plenty of delis, coffee shops, starbucks, pret a manger, cafe nero all over London that you can get a greasy spoon English breakfast for a 4-5 pounds, or your skinny latte with blueberry muffin for similar price within blocks of your hotel.
Most hotels in London offer a tea kettle in room. So you can always pick up some cereal bars from grocery store, and eat your breakfast in room with tea/coffee.
There have been times that I was able to check into my room right away, despite showing up at 9am.
There have been times my room wasn't ready until 1 or 2pm. In those cases, I just left my luggage at the hotel (they all have a luggage room), go out for breakfast, a walk, then head back to the hotel to check in, nap, shower, then head out for walk/dinner.
Breakfast is not included in Priceline wins. I wouldn't worry about that either. There are plenty of delis, coffee shops, starbucks, pret a manger, cafe nero all over London that you can get a greasy spoon English breakfast for a 4-5 pounds, or your skinny latte with blueberry muffin for similar price within blocks of your hotel.
Most hotels in London offer a tea kettle in room. So you can always pick up some cereal bars from grocery store, and eat your breakfast in room with tea/coffee.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 10:40 AM
#23
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flygirl - That sounds like a great deal and nice that they let you check in at 11am. Like you said, earlier is preferrable but that's not bad at all, especially when you factor in the trip from the airport into town.
Will they let you book a single when it's for 2 people??
Will they let you book a single when it's for 2 people??
Apr 2nd, 2009, 10:58 AM
#25
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sessa - we stayed at the 4* Copthorne Tara off Kensington High Street (very convenient area for us) last week for $65/night on a Priceline bid. We had a very nice room but had to ask for a double bed - at first they gave us a room with two singles. You do not want a single for two people.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 12:07 PM
#28
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Sessa,
I've also stayed at the Copthorne Tara - I'd stay there again. Another option would be the various Thistle hotels. I've stayed at the one around the corner from the National Gallery - it was a really good location and quiet at night (believe it or not - considering Leicester Square is also nearby!). A friend of mine stayed at the one next to the Charing Cross station - I don't believe it's a Thistle anymore though.
Another place to check for hotels is www.londontown.com
I've never used priceline, but, anyone I've met who has used it swears by it.
You would call the Morgan if you think it's a good location - the room I stayed in would probably "double" as a double because of the bed. I would estimate that room at roughly 12x11 in size. Personally, I would have wanted the table and two chairs removed if I had another person in there, and overall it's a smaller room than I'm used to (even solo) but that is a great price at a great location. It's worth a shot, anyway. I know they had larger rooms and even small apartments, too.
I've also stayed at the Copthorne Tara - I'd stay there again. Another option would be the various Thistle hotels. I've stayed at the one around the corner from the National Gallery - it was a really good location and quiet at night (believe it or not - considering Leicester Square is also nearby!). A friend of mine stayed at the one next to the Charing Cross station - I don't believe it's a Thistle anymore though.
Another place to check for hotels is www.londontown.com
I've never used priceline, but, anyone I've met who has used it swears by it.
You would call the Morgan if you think it's a good location - the room I stayed in would probably "double" as a double because of the bed. I would estimate that room at roughly 12x11 in size. Personally, I would have wanted the table and two chairs removed if I had another person in there, and overall it's a smaller room than I'm used to (even solo) but that is a great price at a great location. It's worth a shot, anyway. I know they had larger rooms and even small apartments, too.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:03 PM
#30
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Good news - we booked our flights so there is no turning back now (well, except for Delta's 24 hour cancellation option)! I am so excited - this is the most "spontaneous" I've ever been with an international trip, and I still have over a month to plan.
My husband asked if we can do a day trip to Paris. Sounds a little crazy to me - has anyone done this with such a limited amount of time?
Next up will be booking a hotel so thanks again for all of the great input. I am thinking about giving Priceline a shot, but I always worry about paying for things up front and not being able to cancel.
Regardless, I am sure I will have many more questions to come!
My husband asked if we can do a day trip to Paris. Sounds a little crazy to me - has anyone done this with such a limited amount of time?
Next up will be booking a hotel so thanks again for all of the great input. I am thinking about giving Priceline a shot, but I always worry about paying for things up front and not being able to cancel.
Regardless, I am sure I will have many more questions to come!
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:19 PM
#31
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Congratulations!
You can do a day trip to Paris, but I would NOT recommend it. You already have such a limited time in London and can barely scratch the surface, and you want to rush around to see Paris in 1 day? With airfares the way they are, chances are you'll be able to find a cheap flight to Paris in the near future and go then.
Here is a recent thread by 3sica about how to spend 3 days in London. It is a good place to start:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-356521-2.cfm
Also, look at Destinations here on Fodors.com, and go to any bookstore (or your local library) and look at any London guidebooks. All of the will have a "Itinarary for X days" section and you can browse through them. Again, ask yourselves what are your top priorities? Is it seeing English history? Is it seeing great art paintings? Is it shopping at Harrods? Is it strolling among the parks in London?
Once you have some ideas of what you want to see and do, and come up with some sort of itinerary, come back and post more questions.
You can do a day trip to Paris, but I would NOT recommend it. You already have such a limited time in London and can barely scratch the surface, and you want to rush around to see Paris in 1 day? With airfares the way they are, chances are you'll be able to find a cheap flight to Paris in the near future and go then.
Here is a recent thread by 3sica about how to spend 3 days in London. It is a good place to start:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-356521-2.cfm
Also, look at Destinations here on Fodors.com, and go to any bookstore (or your local library) and look at any London guidebooks. All of the will have a "Itinarary for X days" section and you can browse through them. Again, ask yourselves what are your top priorities? Is it seeing English history? Is it seeing great art paintings? Is it shopping at Harrods? Is it strolling among the parks in London?
Once you have some ideas of what you want to see and do, and come up with some sort of itinerary, come back and post more questions.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:25 PM
#32
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Yay, plane tickets!
Could you do a day trip to Paris? Sure. But I agree with yk. It's your first trip to London. One day will be jet lagged at least somewhat, no matter how well you usually handle it. There is way too much to see and do in London to make a rushed trip to Paris this time.
Could you do a day trip to Paris? Sure. But I agree with yk. It's your first trip to London. One day will be jet lagged at least somewhat, no matter how well you usually handle it. There is way too much to see and do in London to make a rushed trip to Paris this time.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:49 PM
#33
You already have a really hectic schedule getting to London and back and then traveling to the beach the very next day - forget about Paris. Just doesn't make sense IMO.
Next time you see a fare sale to Paris - jump on it.
Next time you see a fare sale to Paris - jump on it.
Apr 3rd, 2009, 03:09 AM
#34
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Sessa, how fun! I always feel a little thrill once I've clicked "buy" on plane tickets.
I definitely would not go to Paris. You won't have time. Day one - you will be ragged and will be good for walking and eating. Day two will be your first full day (non tired). Days three and four - you will still be discovering London. Paris is a full day trip and you'd spend a good portion of it on a train. It would be like someone saying "I am coming to NYC for the very first time, but, should we hop a train to Washington DC for the day?"
I agree with Janis, airfares will probably stay cheap for a while yet, just hop another flight over. How about Labor Day?
I definitely would not go to Paris. You won't have time. Day one - you will be ragged and will be good for walking and eating. Day two will be your first full day (non tired). Days three and four - you will still be discovering London. Paris is a full day trip and you'd spend a good portion of it on a train. It would be like someone saying "I am coming to NYC for the very first time, but, should we hop a train to Washington DC for the day?"
I agree with Janis, airfares will probably stay cheap for a while yet, just hop another flight over. How about Labor Day?
Apr 3rd, 2009, 04:59 AM
#35
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I am glad you all agree that Paris will be too much. I think my husband will realize that once we start really researching all that there is to see and do in London.
flygirl - You know I am already looking at Paris fares for Labor Day weekend - ha ha.
flygirl - You know I am already looking at Paris fares for Labor Day weekend - ha ha.
Apr 7th, 2009, 07:14 AM
#39
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Wow! Great deal! It's a good location - not far from the High Street Ken tube... I liked the Copthorne Tara. I stayed there about 8 years ago - I'd be curious your thoughts when you return.
Here are some things nearby:
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/tube-hi...kensington.php
I have done a London Walk which met near that tube station, as well:
http://www.walks.com/Homepage/Thursd...m/default.aspx
Here are some things nearby:
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/tube-hi...kensington.php
I have done a London Walk which met near that tube station, as well:
http://www.walks.com/Homepage/Thursd...m/default.aspx
