scdreamer

Well, here I am again. Thought we would take the Pepys Street flat, and still may, but ...

I am looking at this place as a possibility.

http://www.vrbo.com/52647

No address given until we talk to the owner, but perhaps a Fodorite may know about where it is and how difficult it might be to get into and around the city from the location. I realize it's not in central London - but it looks like a wonderful place to stay, and is almost $1,000 less for an eleven day stay than the one we are also looking at on Pepys Street.

Any comments or suggestions? Thanks!

socialworker

One of the reviewers says that this restaurant is on the same street as the flat. Therefore you can look at the restaurant's site for info on your location.

http://www.500restaurant.co.uk

janisj

That same flat has been highly recommended several times on the Forums over the years. Apparently it is really great. I have not stayed there - I personally would never stay in a 5th (6th) floor walk up.

But if that doesn't bother you. It is essentially in central London - I can't remember exactly where it is but I seem to remember it is in Highgate/Archway area. So a few stops up the Northern line.


But those 5 flights of stairs -- not for me.

janisj

Meant to say -- most everyone who has recommended it agrees the rates are due to the climb.

If it had a lift they would likely charge £300 or £400+ more per week.

scdreamer

janisj - Thank you for the information. My husband and I are going around and around between these two flats. Neither of us would have a huge problem with the stairs - in fact the extra exercise would probably be good for us. The approximately $900 per stay difference in cost is, of course, a bit of an issue, although we can afford the more expensive flat if it is that much better a location.

We don't know the city enough to understand the comparison between the two locations - so (don't laugh) we are going to put the question to you: If the stairs were not an issue, which flat would you choose? Yes, we are actually asking you to pretend you are a middle-aged American couple who wish to have a great time in 11 days in London.

Bet that doesn't happen to you every day!

pandaschu

I used to live in Archway, and found the commute to central London quick and easy. The neighborhood wasn't particularly charming, but I always felt safe and the price was good.

The flat looks beautiful. I would do the climb for that view.

janisj

If it was me -- I'd probably take the Pepys St place. I have stayed in Highgate lots of times and like it (I have a friend who owned a flat there and free is always good !! )

But it is a longer commute. And while 5 flights doesn't seem to phase you -- it might if you had to do that several times a day for 11 days. Not that Pepys is very central either - but you will be a 5 minute walk from Tower bridge/the river, and a couple more minutes from the south bank, and are practically across the street from the Tower of London. Walking distance or a short bus ride on the #15 to St Pauls

If the extra ££/$$ means you need to skimp somewhere else - then take the penthouse - and the views are terrific for sure.

But if the money doesn't cause issues - I'd take Pepys Street.

janisj

If you don't need posh - these flats are in the same area as Pepys Street (only actually IN the marina so even closer to the river) for less ££

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/

scdreamer

Thanks, janis.

Another question - what would you consider to be more "central?" Is there a particular neighborhood I should look for?

janisj

The generally most central/convenient neighborhoods include (but aren't limited to):

Victoria, South Kensington, Sloane Square, Mayfair (very pricey), Knightsbridge (very pricey), Westminster, St James's, Covent Garden, Russell Square/Bloomsbury, and a couple of areas on the south bank.

The Pepys street flat is not the most central -- but is not inconvenient w/ two tube lines and the #15 bus.

PatrickLondon

>>No address given until we talk to the owner<<

Whyever not? That would be an amber light in my book.

Ackislander

We have rented often through VRBO, so fa always happily.

Owners don't like to share addresses because of their concerns over burglary.

You can often suss it out from reviews, maps etc, but burglars are after the quick and easy. Or so the owners think.

scdreamer

Yes, it is true that owners don't share more than general location until a contract is involved - due to security issues. That is a usual practice.

janis - thank you for all your help - I have looked in VRBO for the more "central" areas you mentioned, but the rental rates are sky high, and I don't think we will have any problems with the Pepys location as far as getting around. I did check out the other link to the properties on the marina, and even contacted the property managers, but the photos available are a little wonky (think overlapping collage-type format), hard to tell what we would be getting exactly, and there are no reviews from former tenants, so I think we'll go ahead and pay the extra for the Pepys flat. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to help me out with locations. So glad we passed on the Hoxton property, and I had no clue as to where that was. And by the way - you settled the decision in my husband's favor - haha.

jamikins

I would definitely go with the Pepys location if I had the option as you can't really walk to most places from archway and would be dependent on the northern line.

shirley_pevensey

Highgate is a veyr posh area of London

If youc an use a bicycle
you might like to get around on that.
but then you would have to drag it up five flights of stairs
so look up highgate and see what you think of it

janisj

>> but the photos available are a little wonky (think overlapping collage-type format), hard to tell what we would be getting exactly, and there are no reviews from former tenants, <<

Pepys Street is truly fine and you'll probably be happy there . . . but the St Katharine's Dock properties are TOTALLY legit. They originally rented out 4 flats and are now up to 6 in the same complex. They have done the holiday rentals for at least 15 years.

While I much prefer staying in Pimlico (love the area) I've stayed in St Katharine's twice in the last 5 years and have friends who stayed there as much as 12 years ago. Each flat is different and they will send the specific details of any that are available during one's dates. Not sure what you mean by no reviews - there are tons on the website.

janisj

and if the letters and reviews on the website aren't convincing, there are several on TA

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

PatrickLondon

>>Owners don't like to share addresses because of their concerns over burglary.<<

A street name, or even a postcode, doesn't usually identify an individual property.