Try www.fancyapint.com for pub recommendations, and if you haven't booked your hostel yet, take a look at www.yha.org.uk

Lee Ann

"I'm going for 2 full weeks - have pretty expensive tastes and am planning on spending about $1500 or possibly a little more total. " That's absolutely awesome Janis!

Some awesome advice here as always...I just found out I need to cut it to 4 days, so I'll spend even less...

The recession has claimed half the people in our office. Really sucks.

Thanks to all who have shared their knowledge. In past trips to Europe they have always helped.

Oh, and this is the tour chain that I'll be using, and probably pick a hostel from there...though I'll check out your link too ElendilPickle.

I've stayed at two of the Astor Hostels locations and thought they were great. I'd pick the Museum branch for its location, but Victoria (and I'm sure the others) are also fine.

www.astorhostels.com

I've stayed at the IYHs near St. Paul's, Holland Park, Hampton Heath, and the newest one, London Central. You're right, they're great places for meeting folks. I've heard for ages that many (?all?) of the hostels have kitchen facilities, but only used facilieties at London Central last year when the dollar was taking a beating. Wonderful way to save money, and meet other folks. I enjoyed the Holland Park location the most, the cooking facilites at Londont Central the most, and the one at St. Paul's for all of the tours, discount tickets, etc. I have to stay at a hotel w/ my sister when I go next month. Sigh. Harder to meet others that way, but whe WON'T stay at a hostel.

Yeah hostels are not for everyone. Some people just don't like the lack of privacy. I went to Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin last May. I stayed at a really nice hotel in Amsterdam, a friend of a friend's place in Paris, and a hostel in Berlin.

By far the hostel was the best experience in terms of meeting people, and getting to know the city.

My experience of London regarding saving money is that you have to spend a lot more time upfront doing research and a lot less time being spontaneous on the ground to not repeatedly get socked with high costs.

I never mind going to London on a budget (and it is cost-favorable with New York) and mainly go for its museums, and not the London eye, high teas or shopping. But I have to be a lot more money conscious every step of the way -- although I haven't been since the pound plummeted. I look forward to it!