My cousin and I will be in London early May. My cousin will be staying with me for 2 nights after that I'm on my own for 2 other nights.What is best/safest location for single women. The Cranley looks great at 180GBP/night or do you have any other suggestions I've also seen The Connaught at 430$CDN I'm so confused. Budget is not really an issue (WHAT'S A BUDGET?!?!?)But I don't want to spend just for the sake of spending, give me ALL your suggestions AND web sites to get the best deals...NO Priceline please, I have had mixed experiences with them (ie second-grade rooms awarded to priceline customers...anyways I don't want to start a debate here...)
Thanks!!!

There isn't really a "best" or "safest" location because it depends on the person. London overall is extremely safe...."best" location for doing what????
Overall, South Kensington is a great location, either close to the Gloucester Rd or South Kensington tube stations.
What sorts of amenities do you need?
Certainly the Cranley is a very nice hotel but there are many, many others in that area for less money too.

Well, best for the touristy stuff you know, big ben, buckingam, london bridge, shopping, theatres... as for amenities...just CLEAN, comfortable, restaurants close by, breakfast included and overall, a place we can walk back to at night without having to look over our shoulders...

look at the Knightbridge Hotel on Beaufort Gardens (not the same hotel as the Knightsbridge Green.)
It was gut-renovated a few years ago, I haven't been inside since but I stayed on that street, which is quiet, safe, attractive, and 3 blocks from Harrods.
A friend of mine stayed there last year and was very happy with it, not sure of current rates.

Next door to it is the Claverley where I stayed a couple of years ago (that's how I know the street.) The Claverley is more a B&B than a full-service hotel. When I stayed there it was a bit worn around the edges, but clean and pleasant. I've compared it to being like my great aunt's house if she hasn't redecorated in 30 years--plenty of chintz. There is an elevator that goes to most floors. Good cooked breakfast was included. Plenty of hot water in the bathroom, though towels on the thin side.

Hi, Look for a place close to a tube stop. Guest Houses are nice. You get a lot of information from the host. Most hotels are expensive and they don't take the time to listen to you and answer your questions. Do a search on guest houses Just make sure they are in central London and near a tube stop. It's a great city.

I really love the south kensington area and actually 180 is a good price for the Cranley..you are not mistaking it for Cranley Gardens , are you? Any hotel in that area would suit me just fine. check on the Rembrandt, Millenium Baileys, No 16 , Astor House, 5 Sumner place , Elaines's suggestion are excellent.There is a neat small hotel on Sydney Place..Sydney Hotel??

I stayed at the Cranley hotel about 1 1/2 years ago through a luxurylink.com auction (definitely check there for some great deals on hotels) paying around 200/nt US. The rooms were nice, no complaints and there was a complimentary continental breakfast by room service also included. It is about a 7 min walk to the tube. It is a safe area.

I've stayed at the Basil Street Hotel (www.thebasil.com) in Knightsbridge (just down the street from Harrod's) several times, and always felt safe there as a single woman traveler.

I can also recommend The Montague on the Gardens (in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum), where I stayed last year when I got a good rate there through londontown.com. I thought the Montague was comparable to the Basil Street, although I happen to like the Basil Street's location better. The Montague is part of the Red Carnation Hotels chain (www.redcarnationhotels.com), which, when I looked at it recently, was offering rates comparable to the deal I got on Londontown last year (£109 for a single room, £119 for a double).