sap~ I do use Google and other online maps as well. I write the information ONTO the paper map that will go with me on the trip.

Obviously kaydoll was having problems figuring out where these places she's looking at are located in relation to the center of each of these cities and other sightseeing. Whatever it takes to clarify this for her... I'm good with.

I'm just worried she was heading towards having a lot of cheaply priced places booked WAY out in the toolies of each city she is visiting. And that would really be too bad.

KayDoll, One big general principal you do need to accept, it IS cheaper (whether aparment or hotel) the further outside a city you stay. For me the location is THE single more important thing and I want to be close to what I plan to sight-see each day. Not 'commuting' in from the suburbs to save a dime.

>>sap~ I do use Google and other online maps as well. I write the information ONTO the paper map that will go with me on the trip.<<

Excellent idea, suze. I think I'll try that myself.

I agree about location, location. We tried to save $$ by staying in the burbs on our last trip to London and, while I loved the B&B and it was only a 15-min commute, I will certainly choose to stay closer to the center next time 'round.

KayDoll, Europe and the UK were completely different 40 years ago. In some ways it was harder, in other ways easier (hitchhiking in most places was easy, for instance.)

But there's still lots of charm to go around. Montmartre sounds great, your route sounds great!

i agree with what you both are saying. i think i've given up on trying to find an apartment. can't find any within my price range that don't look kind of shoddy. been looking at some hotels.

Hotel Meridian and the Paddington. Have heard of the Paddington around fodors a bit. still looking though.

Before you book anywhere - maybe check here for insight. Re the Meridian -- do you mean the Meridiana or some other 'Meridian'? I'm pretty sure you don't mean Le Meridian since that is a high end Starwood property.

And is it exactly 'The Paddington Hotel' - or 'Paddington something else'? There is a Paddington Hotel in Gloucester Terr. near Paddington Station and Lancaster Gate - but there are many other hotels w/ Paddington in their names. 'The Paddington' isn't in a wonderful location, but it IS 1,000,000,000% better (no exaggeration :) ) than Thamesmead.

Priceline listed it as The Meridian but I am certain it is not affiliated with Starwood! and it is "The Paddington Hotel" i have read your other review about the location of the property in another post and have decided to forgo that one. hehe i think anything would be better than the other location. still waiting on the final verdict from that situation but have DEFINITELY learned my lesson. only thing to wonder now is at what price? lol =D

One of our favorite ways to safe money is to have lunch out, which is usually cheaper and buy food as you walking around and throw it in your backpack and have it in your room later. We call it our continental dinner. Put knives, forks, and a cork screw in your check-in baggage. Meats, bread, chocolate, fruit, cheese, can all be considered.

Aduchamp:: that's one of the things i'm looking forward too the most! i firmly believe in street foods ,hole in the walls, and mom&pop shops =D mmm...french cheese.

"<i>Priceline listed it as The Meridian</i>"

Huh? -- OK, I assume you are looking at the regular booking side of Priceline. You don't want to do that. Honest. That is just like any ole booking site and not as good as most. If you are trying to book a specific hotel, then use Londontown.com instead of PL

When we talk about using Priceline - it is the "name your own price" bidding side. That is where the bargains are -- but you will NOT know which hotel it is until after your bid is accepted and fully paid.

Don't "book" a hotel thru Priceline.But if you are willing to study up a bit (here and on biddingfortravel.com ) before bidding you can get a HUGE deal. But you need to know what your are doing re zones/amount to bid.

I always jump in here to support janisj and say that bidding on a hotel on Priceline is great for London. We've done it many times, especially when trying not to spend too much $$$.

(It is absolutely fabulous for Heathrow hotels, so sometimes we take the day flight from the US, arrive at 9 pm, spend the night at Heathrow and then move on the next morning.)

yes i was looking at the actual site site: didn't know that you couldn't pick the hotel when you bid though. currently working with a person recommended by a fellow fodor ,chris from londonapartments. he's been very nice so far so i'm hoping this will go well. i think priceline will be the last resort.

"<i>chris from londonapartments.</i>"

That is great. Turn yourself over to him - if he can find something w/i your budget I'd go for it. You can trust him (but maybe run the location by here too ;) )

(I've met him as well - he used to manage a terrific place for budget apartments - Scala House which is GREATLY mourned. It was bought out and converted to sort of corporate longer term "short term" lodging and no longer an option for holiday rentals :( )