janisj

NP: All that glowing talk about the joys of commuting in to London from someone who usually stays right in the VERY middle of London in Covent Garden

But you know - even for free I would not stay in Slough unless I simply could not afford a room elsewhere. The time lost and money spent traveling in/out every day creates lots of issues. You can get a 4 star hotel in London on Priceline for about the same as you are paying or maybe a tiny bit more. That would place you in the center of the action, not way out in Slough.

Consider - you do some shopping and want to drop things off at the hotel before seeing some more sites. Well you can't do the in Slough. Or you get stuck in a downpour and your shoes get soaked. Can you pop back to the hotel to change shoes - nope. Or one of you gets a headache and wants to go back to the hotel for a quick nap - can't do that either. Or you decide at the last minute to get theatre tix at TKTS - you'll have a very late night getting back to Slough.

The HIE in Slough is a very expensive bargain indeed.

NeoPatrick

janis, yes I saw the smiley face, but still -- "glowing talk about the joys of commuting"??? Is that how you interpret "not the horror some people are making it out to be"? Come on now, that's quite a stretch, isn't it?

I never said I wouldn't MUCH rather be in the center of London -- in fact I think I made that VERY clear. But I'm willing to admit that some people have different priorities than I do, and I can even understand them.

janisj

NP: You are nit picking a bit today - must be the Oranges to Germany thread that annoyed you. Anyway, no you didn't say staying far outside London was the best thing - but even suggesting it is sort of OK-ish is a stretch.

No matter - commuting in every day from Slough or from St Albans really isn't a good way to see London. If there is no other option, then sure. But even suggesting it is almost as good is misleading at the very least.

And we know alcook2 can afford at least £45 plus all the extra transit costs there is no reason they need to stay out in Slough. We are looking at approx £60 a night - even w/o Priceline that is doable in central London. And w/ PL they can easily get a 4 star for that much.

NeoPatrick

janis, as I said before SHOW us the hotel, then maybe the poster will be interested. I doubt that you'll find a brand new place with breakfast included for that, but I'm willing to listen and she may be too.

My point is that some people are thrilled with a brand new Holiday Inn Express, but would hate a "charming" old little hotel in London. If that's their choice, who am I to tell them that they're WRONG. To some people traveling an hour each way every day and not being able to rest in their hotel is NOT a big price to pay to be in a brand new spotless hotel.

You're getting carried away with the idea that there is a right way and a wrong way to visit London, and that your way is the ONLY way to do it right. Your way and my way are the SAME, but I don't agree that other people couldn't enjoy themselves even more doing it another way.

RM67

Just for Flanner....

'Come friendly bombs....'

gertie3751

Presume you have all seen The Office?

caroline_edinburgh

Also try the Premier Travel Inn chain - I've stayed in quite a few and they've always been fine. And www.lastminute.com - I got the Paddington Hilton for £63 for a double on my last visit to London, in June. And www.superbreaks.com.

January is probably the quietest time of year & you should find good availability and prices. If you come back with some options we can further advise on particular hotels & areas.

alcook2

Thank you so much, everyone for your helpful feedback and for your concerns about the location and distances involved. I'm definitely going to carefully check out alternatives/options before our trip.

Thanks again!!!

Al