I'm looking to rent an apartment in London for a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids) in August (21 - 28th). I would prefer to be close to parks, the tube, rail stations, some shopping. I'm looking for a creditable company to book through and what area to begin looking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What is your budget? Different agencies specialize in different price ranges.

Between $1000 and $1500 CAD

That is going to be very difficult for 6 people at that price.

Two websites I have used successfully several times:

www.homelidays.co.uk

www.holidaylettings.co.uk

A quick look on both sites reveals that you may have to be outside of London on your budget - "Greater London." I have been to London a few times but am not an expert - there are many others here who could point you to the most convenient areas.

On one of our first trips, we stayed about 30-40 minutes outside of London in Henley. We rented a car and did day trips. We spent about three days going to London - driving to a car park in London and then using the tube. While it was not the most convenient for seeing London, we did see a lot of England in just 8 days and it was very inexpensive even considering the car park prices.

PS: Forgot prices. Since this was in 2003, this price is probably irrelevant. BUt we paid about $600 for a 3 BR 3 BA house for one week.

Driving into central London incurs a congestion charge on weekdays of £9 on top of cost of rental car and parking. This could soon add up to an amount better applied to your apartment rental budget.

You should do the same sort of arithmatic if planning to stay out and come in daily by train or Underground.

And, factor in loss of time for the commute.

Could make sense to stay in the 'burbs but do the math first.

Your budget isn't very realistic for central London.

Whatever you do, don't use Citadines. It is overpriced, worthless staff and cramped. We stupidly stayed at the Trafalgar location for 3 days a couple of summers ago and I was pretty much pissed from the time I arrived to the time I left. The AC did not work and when I told the desk about it they said it was acting up all over the place and I'd just have to deal with it. No offer of compensation, no attempt to try to book into another location, if I moved out, then I would lose my money. After my return I wrote to Citadines HQ and relayed all of the problems (many more than just the AC). Never received an answer.

dave

finding a flat for 6 for £600 (approx CAD$1000) will be <u>very</u> difficult. £900 (approx CAD$1500) is a bit more doable.

vrbo or homelidays might be a bit easier on the budget since they are just listing sites and the owners don't pay agency management fees.

You do NOT want to stay out of the center IMHO because the cost and time involved ferrying 6 people back and forth every day will add up very quickly.

This site has a couple of 2 bdrm flats for £929 (almost exactly CAD$1500) http://www.hamletuk.com/

But they are very popular and do book up so might not be available for your dates. They are on a lovely marina just next to the Tower of London. Not in the <i>very</i> center of the city but Tower Hill tube station is on the Circle and District lines so you can get anywhere pretty easily.

Thank you everyone for your insights. I will look into the sites that were mentioned.

We rented a house in Fulham last summer with three bedrooms and two baths and I think we paid $3000/week which was a very good price. It is however located outside zone 1 which is fine for us as we have been to London many times and do not visit the usual tourist sites but you may want to stay in zone 1. Am not sure why you would want to be close to a train station but you will want to be close to a tube station. Booking through a agency may be better in many ways than VRBO etc but will cost you more.

I would check out London airbnb. There are several great apartments for good rents. If you want to post any links on here that you like the look of I am happy to check the ad/areas out for you and give you advice. Make sure you read the reviews and only look at properties that have reviews!

When I first joined and even now I have researched several of the properties on London airbnb (I'm a London airbnb host but only for single travellers) and there are some fantastic ones in great central areas. Here's the link:

www.airbnb.com

some do recommend airbnb - but I'd be VERY leery w/ a family w/ young kids. What would you do if there is a problem. One person backpacking -- sure -- go for it. But when you are responsible for 4 children-- I'd never (ever) go that way.

Just as an example -- read this posted by a very <u>pro-airbnb</u> Fodorite . . . True it happened in A'dam, not London. But can you imagine what that couple would have done if there were6 of them . . . .

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-amsterdam.cfm

Ah Janisj, I've read that review, that was terrible but that is why I wrote here that I would be happy to check out the ads for Dobsonde. There are some amazing flats with great locations and I know some of the other London hosts so I think it is a very individual thing and if locally researched beforehand (which I'm happy to do) can be a very inexpensive option, especially if you are on a budget.

There is a beautiful flat advertised near me in zone 1 that I know is fabulous as the host is a friend of mine and I've been there several times. It has all mod cons and as a mother I know it's suitable for kids. It does have stairs however with no stairgates (so how young are they Dobsonde?) but is within that budget...

I do think it's worth looking at London airbnb as it's another option and I can give reliable local information although I suppose that is dependant on trust, but that is also where reviews can also serve a purpose...

You do laud airbnb - but we simply must disagree. For a couch surfer or an adventurous single or young couple. There is a <i>place</i> for it. But IMO, booking anything on airbnb (or craigslist) w/ young children is more than foolhardy. Really irresponsible.

We can grant that your friend isn't an ax murderer and has a lovely flat. Did that help nukesafe?

Dobsonde, I host travellers of all ages and none in my experience are 'couch surfers' or 'adventurous' singles, 80% of them are working professionals who prefer meeting 'locals' rather than staying in anonymous expensive hotels.

I understand nukesafe didn't have a good experience in Amsterdam which on reading his posting sounded terrible, yet he is still an advocate of airbnb. I only posted on here to offer you what could be an excellent alternative and which was within the budget you mentioned and of course I am only writing of my own experiences.

I'm not debating the pros and cons of airbnb but if you do decide to have a look at the properties available then I am very happy to give you a local viewpoint on them, that is all....I hope you have a great trip, London is a wonderful place!

There are 2 more sites you could try for weekly rentals:

http://www.homeaway.com/

and

http://www.vrbo.com/