KathBC: "<i>- somewhere the Heathrow Express will get me to as I am a solo traveller with lots of bags and a bad back. </i>"

Then you definitely <u>don't</u> want the Heathrow Express. There is a long walk at the LHR end and a fairly long walk at the Paddington end -- and it is expensive and you still have to schlepp your bags. And it only makes sense if you are staying right at Paddington which is not the most central or convenient location.

If you have a lot of luggage it is much nicer/easier to use a pre-booked car service like http://www.london-transfers.com/ or justairports.com The driver meets you as you exit the arrivals hall and takes you door-to-door.

Your budget is fine and you wouldn't have to limit yourself to Paddington OR Victoria. But of the two -- Victoria would be better. If you use a car service you could stay anywhere in the center and not be tied to a train station neighborhood.

Try the major UK discounters online:

www.laterooms.com
www.lastminute.com

You'll be able to choose your area of London and get pretty good deals too. If you can wqait a bit longer before booking, you may well find better prices as you get nearer to your stay dates.

janisj - thanks for the heads up on the shlepping distance! Hope to see Wicked at Apollo Victoria so am thinking the Victoria Station area would work best for me too. Also sounds like it's a nice area to walk around in.

The Best Western Victoria Palace sounds too good to be true with rates @ 55 pounds, but the reviews on TA look good too.

Wow the "just airports" rates sound pretty decent. And here I thought London was expensive!!!??!! ;)

Thanks Lifeman will definitely check those sites altho I'll get antsy waiting too long before booking.