I'm finding that a hotel room with a/c costs considerably more. My family trip(including two teenage sons)is the last week in August. Its subjective, but any tips on whether its worth spending the extra money to get a/c?

I stayed in a room without A/C August 3-10 last year. The average high temperature each day was probably 75-80. We were comfortable although our room got stuffy while we were gone during the day. Fortunately our room had a French doors that opened to a balcony which helped air out the room. A few nights we slept with them open. The bottom line- A/C would have been nice but not necessary.

Hey Howard- I stayed for 5 London nights in August and I was very uncomfortable! Don't even try to go back to your room before the sun goes down...you'll hate it! However, late evening to early morning were quite cool. Just make sure you get out of your room by 8 a.m. or you'll cringe if you have to turn a hot hairdryer on!

Apartment Hotels are a reasonable way to go <BR>some have A/C <BR>You may want to try <BR>http://www.London4Rent.com <BR>http://www.Vacationspot.com

I booked rooms at the Byron Hotel in Bayswater that advertises a/c. They gave me a good rate for doubles for our July stay. It could just be window units. I'll let everyone know how it goes. I too have heard horror stories about London heat waves and sweltering hotel rooms.

Howard, <BR>We stayed at Rhodes Hotel on Sussex Gardens near Paddington and had A/C( window unit) which we used several afternoons. We were there in early Sept last year and were glad to have the A/C. We thought our accommodations there were very good for the price. Their website is www.rhodeshotel.co.uk if you are interested. We found it very convenient near Hyde Park for walking and close to Lancaster Gate as well as Paddington tube stations and Paddington rail station. Several good ethnic restaurants nearby also. Very clean and cordial ..... no frills, but all necessities ( even a small frig... great source of ice!). <BR> <BR>Have a great trip; we did. <BR>JJ

The temperature in London in August can range from mid-60's to mid-70's and depending on where you are in the country, it can even go as low as mid to upper 50's if you are north or by the sea. Also, if you are by the sea, there is almost always a nice breeze. I have lived in England in Plymouth and Bristol and I have never had air conditioning and have never been uncomfortable. In fact, two years ago in July, I was extremely uncomfortable (cold) in shorts. So, depending on where you are, I wouldn't spend the extra money - spend it shopping or eating or something!!! Also, if this is your first trip to England, you probably won't spend much time in the room anyway - there is too much to see and do!!!

How much more?? We were in London during an incredible heat wave two years ago in early August. Staying with friends, so couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth, but I would have killed for A/C. The one day respite we had was when we headed out to Salisbury. I simply can't sleep if I'm hot and sticky. Good luck.

No you don't need air conditioning! No one has it in their houses and most places are not air conditioned. I lived there for 2 years and didn't need it. I remember wearing sweaters in the summer. If a heat wave happens to occur, some hotels have a fan that you can use. It would only be warm in your room during the day, but why would you be in your room during the day? Even during a RARE heat wave, the evenings cool down. I would concentrate on staying at a nice bed & Breakfast and save my money for other things.

Boy, well different strokes for different folks I guess. We were there in August having spent two weeks in Holland. The first week was cool and we wore windbreakers. The next week it was very hot. The Hollanders were not used to it and were dripping with sweat and looked miserable. But they say.. its only for two weeks a year so we do not spend money on fans or air, or ice etc., I was awake every night, stuck to my bed. I would stand out on the balcony and wash myself with cool water. I finally broke down and bought a fan and left it as a tip for the housekeeper in our hotel. We then stayed by Schiphol airport in a hotel and it was AWFUL! The hallways were stifling and the stairs going up had glass for walls so the heat just filled the staircase. Our rooms had tiny, tiny windows and nothing to move the air. My husband was so miserable we stayed in the rented VW van we had out in the parking lot. At least you could open windows and the pop up top! thank god for that! Then we went to London for 2 nights and we had reserved a nice room across from Hyde Park on the internet and saved 25% by doing so. It said it had a/c. What it really had was cute tiny fans by the beds. And a big balcony with a nice view 3 floors up. A Beautiful tiled bathroom and pretty burgandy/pink room with gorgeous furniture for $65 a night. Can't remember the name- maybe it was London Guard hotel= I think thats it. Old old place. Found it in the EXCITE.com search engine. You e mail the hotel when you find what you like and guarantee it with a credit card. Worked quite well. If you can get the fans for that price, then why not!! That's my theory!

Three years ago we spent our 21 day holiday divided between London, the Lake District and the Isle of Wight all during the month of August. London was sweltering even for someone use to the high heat and humidity of the north central part of the United States. I am so thankful that we had air conditioning in London as there was very little breeze. In fact, I'm glad that at the last minute I threw in a couple of sleeveless tops, I may have started out the day wearing a sweater and again in the evening but appreciated them the rest of the day. <BR> <BR>When we arrived home and were catching our flight out of Chicago, the woman at the ticket counter saw our "international" stickers, looked at my mother and I with our gorgeous tan's and asked, "did you just return from the Mediterrean?" Imagine her face when we said, "No - England."

Howard, <BR> <BR>Get a room WITH air-conditioning. It is not often really hot in London, especially by American standards. The real reason for AC is noise control. If your hotel room is warm or stuffy and you have to leave the window(s) open the street noise can make sleep impossible. <BR> <BR>Even if your hotel appears to be air-conditioned, get it in writing before you go. We arrived at the Hilton St. Ermine's Hotel with a reservation made through Hilton's central reservation system that promised an air-conditioned room. The hotel said that only "club" rooms had a/c and we would have to pay more (we refused and made them honor our confirmed reservation with a/c). Another quirk is hotels whose public rooms have a/c, but guest rooms do not. So look carefully. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip--stay cool! <BR> <BR>David White <BR>www.KidsToLondon.com

I guess it depends on where your hotel is. I've always stayed in quaint bed and breakfasts on quiet tree lined streets in London. For instance at The Fairways near Hyde Park where we stayed in August. We certainly didn't need a/c! It was great to open our french doors with a balcony and breath in London! A luxury hotel probably has a good air conditioning system, but if you want to economize, I would be leary of what kind of a/c you will get in England. It might be a noisy dirty window box and then you cant see out the window! Ask if your hotel has a fan if you are really worried. That's all you would need if a heat wave happens.

I agree with the other posters- airconditioning is a must! I just got back from London where I stayed at the Millenium Gloucester. Would highly recommend it- it is modern, airconditioned and they give out room upgrades quite readily. I paid 85 pounds (plus tax which came up to 100 pounds) per night and for 25 pounds more, they will accomodate an extra adult. (some of the rooms have 2 Queen size beds and may fit four). Another alternative is May Fayre House (serviced apartments)- I saw the 3 bedroom apartment which looked very nice and I know that they have 2 bedroom places that are about 220 pounds a night (tax included).

As someone who lives (and has always lived) in England, I would say that air conditioning is not essential (I've never lived anywhere that has it), but can be a desirable extra. <BR> <BR>It can get very hot in England in August (it can also not get very hot!), especially in London. When it does, it can also get very humid. While it usually cools down in the evening, it often stays warm all night, and opening a window will not generally be a pleasant option in central London. It is likely to be noisy and possibly smelly (exhaust fumes, etc). <BR> <BR>Having said that, it does not really get unbearable except on very rare occasions and if you are used to hot summers, you probably won't be too bothered (unless you are also very used to air con). <BR> <BR>In conclusion, if you have trouble sleeping when you are hot, and you feel this is likely to make a big difference to your holiday, then pay the extra if you can. If you can live with a bit of discomfort overnight then don't bother.

Hello, Howard. I guess we're not like most people responding here but when you're out and about all day, all we do when we get back to the hotel is relax a bit, then go to bed. We don't need 18th century decor and antique furniture in a "classic" hotel. We want a clean, quiet, comfortable resting place. We just returned from London where we stayed at the Travel Inn near Euston station (see my thread on this elsewhere). They call it "air-cooled" not air conditioned but it did get into the mid to upper 70s and when we returned in the evening, the room was quite pleasant. For 62.99 pounds, it is a great deal. And Euston is a great central location, close to the Underground and buses, yet quiet. It gets my humble vote.