Will be in London for five days. I have a choice of a room in one of the Grange hotels (South Kensington) or the Columbia (former US officers club north of the park) First couple of days will probably be at the Morgan. Given the choice of Columbia or a Grange Hotel, any experiences? I will be travelling with my son (10 yrs old) Many thanks.

I've never stayed at either, but The Columbia hotel is the hotel where (second division/at the lower end of the pop charts) pop groups stay when in London - which may/may not be fun! (I think Oasis got themselves banned from it - so they've obviously got good taste It gets good reviews though - it's situated near Lancaster Gate tube station

I've stayed at the Columbia. No serious complaints. We plan to stay there again in a few weeks. It's located on the northern boundary of Hyde Park and is relatively convenient to many of the sites, etc.

Thanks. I booked 5 days in October at the Columbia. Note, they have advised that they are painting the exterior so ask when you book. They will gladly tell you in which part of the building you should get a room. Also, check out www.laterooms.com. I got a lead on some apartments that I would have taken if there were three or moore of us going.

I stayed at the Grange hotel in Kensington (Grange Strathmore) Nov 2000 and was very disappointed. We had a lower ground floor room which had piles of laundry outside on the floor every morning we came out. The bathrooms are tiny and the rooms are far from the luxurious descriptions on their web site. I certainly wouldn't return. Very little atmosphere.

you will like the Columbia - I stayed there when it was the officers' billet back in the 70's and once after it converted. The location is terrific. fairly short walk to the Lancaster Gate tube station. Many rooms overlook the park, and on Sunday mornings the entire north side of the park is a 1+ mile long open air art gallery.

Oops - I just noticed the posting dates -<BR><BR>I don't understand why some old posts are topped. If they are asking general things, fine - but Jeff is not still looking for a hotel in Sept of 2000?