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Four days in London, enjoy people and experiences what should we do?

Four days in London, enjoy people and experiences what should we do?

Old Jun 15th, 2011, 04:36 PM
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If it is just you and your daughter -- use Priceline/

You can get a full service 4 star hotel for between $90 and $150 (yes, $ not £). Or about £55 - £95.

Sure - you won't know which hotel it is -- but it won't be dreadful and it WILL be 10000% more convenient than Ealing. Or Hotwire if you want to know a little more about the hotel before paying.

Or - if you are uneasy using Priceline/Hotwire, Londontown already mentioned is good. After finding something that looks promising you can ask here and we can tellyou about the location.

Also several of the colleges/universities in London rent rooms to visitors.

Any of the above would be better than a B&B in Ealing.
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Old Jun 15th, 2011, 05:47 PM
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My grandmother and I recently stayed in London, and we booked a hotel on the South Bank, Premier Inn, London County Hall. It is literally right next to the London Eye, five-ten minutes walk from Westminster Abbey and Parliament, five minutes walk from Waterloo station, which can link you to anywhere. A useful bus, RV1 stops at London Eye, aka, right next to the hotel, and we got it pretty cheap. All the Premier Inn hotels have really good deals. We had a twin room, and the beds were humongous! You could easily fit two adults in one bed, and there are two beds in the room. Staff were very helpful and friendly, and my grandmother and I went to Hamlet at the Globe theatre one evening, and the show didn't finish until 9:30-9:45. We just went to the bus stop for Tate Modern after the show, and caught the RV1 back to London Eye, never felt unsafe, even though it was late, there were heaps of people around. I would definitely consider the Premier Inn, London County Hall.
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Old Jun 15th, 2011, 07:06 PM
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to put your mind at ease about the Eye. The wheel makes only 1 revolution in a 30 min ride, so therefore it moves very slowly. You hardly know you are moving. The enclosed pods hold at least a dozen people and are very stable. Most people stand to get the best views, but there is a bench in the pod if you prefer to sit.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 02:45 AM
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If you do end up staying in Ealing, let me know if I can help with directions or anything. We used to live there up until late last year. Depending on where the B&B is (Ealing is a big area) you may be close to 3 different tube lines as well as buses which is very handy, especially if one line is closed for maintenance which does happen occasionally at weekends. Staying more centrally would cut down on your travel time but certainly the area of Ealing we lived in was fine, with lots of shops and restaurants around.

If you are flying into Heathrow, the Heathrow Connect stops at Ealing Broadway - dearer than the tube but quicker.

Kay
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 05:00 AM
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Military background and people watch -- this might be a good day for you:

Tube to Westminster. Walk up Whitehall to the Horseguards in time for the changing of the guard there at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on Sunday). Visit the Cabinet War Rooms. Enter St. James Park and wander, pausing on a bench to rest, people watch. Enjoy the birds, the flowers and the general ambience. Buy an ice cream from one of the stands. Public restrooms in the park are immaculate. Continue your wander through the park to Buckingham Palace. Stare at the palace and the Victoria monument. Head down Birdcage Wali to the Guards Museum. Explore the museum and pick up a DVD in the shop that will show you all you want to know about the Changing of the Guard.

Walk back to Westminster, cross the bridge, and take a ride on the Eye. I'm a total acrophobic, can't even sit in a theater balcony, and I love the Eye.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 08:51 AM
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I have found the Lancaster London for $138 per night. It is near Hyde Park. Is this a good location?
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 08:58 AM
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If you mean precisely the "Lancaster London" that is a 10,000% better location than Ealing. (no exaggeration) It is mere feet off Bayswater Rd right at the Lancaster Gate tube station and across the street from Hyde Park.

I only ask because there are other hotels w/ similar names.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 09:05 AM
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- If you like people and experiences, think about take at least one London Walk (www.walks.com). They run 7 days a week and offer a variety of walks all over London.

- Also, try to visit the Borough Market - an amazing array of quality food vendors. Try the grilled cheese sandwich there!

- A performance at Shakepeare's Globe is am amazing experience.

-A visit to the Museum of London will give you a better perspective of the history of the great city.

Have fun and enjoy!
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 09:26 AM
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"ry the grilled cheese sandwich there!"

The cheese sandwich folks have moved out of Borough Market http://www.kappacasein.com/
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 12:43 PM
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See if there is room at the London School of Economics: http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/summer2011.htm

We stayed at the Northumberland House, near Trafalgar Square, a couple of years ago.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 01:25 PM
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G? PG? what means this?

Does it mean that the OP doesn't want to see anything more challenging than "millie, molly, mandy?"

no Shakespeare then!
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 02:30 PM
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The hotel is right across the street from Hyde Park. As for P and PG. We like upbeat fun things without nudity, obsessive swearing and innuendos about sex and body parts. We have a Improv Comedy Club here in Denver that markets it venue as "above the belt" comedy and it is absolutely hilarious every time we go. As real life has a great deal of tragedy, I like to be uplifted when I see a movie or a play. I love all of Jane Austin and my daughter likes Spider man!
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Old Jun 17th, 2011, 08:07 PM
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i booked a room on brick lane through air bnb. It was the best pricing that I found.
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Old Jun 17th, 2011, 08:31 PM
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ncounty: Do you actually want to stay in Brick Lane?? It is quite far east and -- depending where in Brick Lane since it is a fairly long street-- could be a long way from a tube station.

take a look http://tinyurl.com/3ozxejg
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 05:45 AM
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booked a room on brick lane through air bnb. It was the best pricing that I found.>>

ncounty - have you considered that there might be a reason for that?

It may not have quite the ambiance you are used to.

As for P and PG. We like upbeat fun things without nudity, obsessive swearing and innuendos about sex and body parts.>>

like i said, no shakespeare then. nor most UK TV after 9pm.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 07:33 AM
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"have you considered that there might be a reason for that?"

ncounty, honestly BrickLane is not maybe the best place to stay (understatement font off). Are you traveling solo or w/ a family or what??
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 11:42 AM
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thanks for the info. I have just arrived and the area doesn't bother me. I am looking forward to venturing out soon to try a curry place and i don't think public transportation is very far. I am traveling with my 14 yo son. It has been a very long journey though and we are exhausted. I hope we make it out this evening at all.

I've stayed at generally budget places so this is nicer than many I have been at. The ambiance I am used to varies as low as a hut in the chitwan jungle in Nepal with a rooster in my room, lol.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 01:31 PM
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ncounty - you are a fodorite hero. [or should it be heroine?] we didn't realise that we were dealing with someone who has slept with chickens.

one thing you should not lack in Brick Lane is curry houses.

hope you find a good one and have a great time!
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 03:17 PM
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lol annhig, if fodors had an award for greatest swing in accommodations, I'd be a contender.

We had a pleasant walk tonight and a nice curry meal. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to Spitalfields Sunday market in this area.... and then, we are looking to do a London walk and perhaps a show in the west end for the evening. I did not realize the restaurant St. John is just 2 blocks away; we must fit that in as well.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 04:22 PM
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To get a feel for what it is like to live in London you have to stay towards the center of London. I like the area around the British Museum and Tottenham Ct Rd.--Bloomsbury. You can walk to many venues including the museum, many of the theatres. Wed and Sat matinees are easy to book (a few Fri at 5 pm too), esp if you use the Leicester Square ticket booth. Visit the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery within a few mins of Leicester Sq. Eat at the cafe in the crypt of St Martins in the Field. I always feel safe riding the Underground after the theatre but if you want to get back to the hotel early, see a matinee. Ride the Eye--it is not a true Ferris Wheel but goes slowly and is an excellent intro to London. Ride one of the River Boats along the Thames. Take your time and explore to your heart's content.
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