Help with London hotel: quiet neighbourbood
 

Hello,

We are trying to decide between the following hotels. All are hiltons and we are booking with points. All of these have executive rooms also..

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

This is our third visit to London. We will have our 1.5 year old son with us. We are looking to experience more of the neighbourhoods of London. Plan to do a lot of strolling with cafes / pubs. Definitely open to taking subway to visit hampstead heath etc..But would be nice to stay within the neighbourhood of the hotel also.

Help us decide :)

Thanks,
S

None are in 'neighborhoods' except the 'Kensington' - which is really in Shepherds Bush and not where I'd choose. But the 'leafiest' of the four locations.

Canary Wharf is - well, in Canary Wharf. 'nuff said. Not a good location for a holiday. Terrific location for a business trip.

Tower of London is in Pepys Street so very convenient for Tower Hill station, the Tower, river, and St Katharines Marina. Mainly

Victoria is directly across the street from Victoria station so VERY convenient to anywhere - but not what you'd call a 'neighborhood'.

If you input each hotel's street address into Google Maps, switch to street view, and walk around the vicinity of each Hilton, you'll get a first-hand look. Then consider the distance to the nearest tube station if that's a concern with the baby, or look for bus stops and figure out where the buses go.

<<open to taking subway to visit hampstead heath>>

That's a long walk and the SUBWAY in London just connects various parts of large intersections. Doesn't stretch that far. Might want to use the Underground instead.

<<We are looking to experience more of the neighbourhoods of London>>

What exactly does that mean? Harder to experience a neighborhood when you stay at a hotel, no? You really can basically just pick a 'hood and go there on the Tube and stroll about while junior snoozes.

Wouldn't be stuck in Canary Wharf as a tourist - too far from Central London and purely a financial/business district. All the charm of a steel-and-glass pickle (oh, right, the Gherkin is further west).

Thank you all..

1) Any thoughts on accessibility to 'hood's from the Tower of London :) i.e underground/bus? How is the neighbourhood immediately surrounding it? I know its been likened to wall st in NYC so I think I know what to expect but right now the other hotels are not terribly attractive.

2) Hilton Kensington - i was told its walking distance from there to Holland Park and Notting Hill. But its proximity to Westfield shopping centre worries me.

3) There are a few more options but these do not have larger rooms so are not on the top of the list
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...PTW/index.html
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...PHN/index.html
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hot...YDI/index.html

maybe if you take the advice you've already gotten on other boards you would be in good shape. Just sayin,

Just one more choice:

http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hot...MDI/index.html

Thank you for your time!

I think you're looking to combine incompatibles - Hiltons are not "neighborly" - if that's what you want, then look for small hotels, guest houses, Bed-and-Breakfasts, in largely residential streets.

But if you looked around on Google street view, as I suggested, you'd see whether or not the Westfield Shopping center has any impact on your comfort level near the Kensington Hilton. I don't see it, but it's up to you to judge.

I can only tell you that we stayed at the Apex near the Tower Hill Underground station and liked it very much. Having a large hotel room was quite nice, and I believe we only used a taxi once.

It isn't much of a neighborhood, but the proximity to the Tower was nice, and Tower Bridge, and St Katherines Dock had several restaurants and really nice outdoor space.

Victoria might be more convenient for sight seeing, but it's a little yucky around there.

Using street view is a good idea.

Of all your new possibilities in the two new posts -- the only one I'd stay at is Green Park - but then I like to be on the Piccadilly line in from LHR.

The Westminster one is not near ANY tube station. Closest would be Pimlico - but it is a bit of a trek and is only on the Victoria line. We had one fodorite w/ mobility issues ask about staying there and I advised against. She did anyway and came back and complained about transport (Shoulda listened ;) ) Since you have a toddler I'll assume a stroller - no I would not stay there.

Green Park is in a VERY posh neighborhood but not 'homey' if that is what you mean.

The Hilton Hyde Park is essentially on top of Queensway tube station - so across the street from Kensington Gardens. The Doubletree Hyde Park is a bit farther down Bayswater Rd so close to the park but not across the street. Both would be very good IF you wanted to spend a lot of time in the park. If not, then they aren't that convenient to other areas/sites.

Thank you all. This is all helpful. Green park was my first choice but the rooms are small and in need if renovation.

Right now doubletree tower of london is the top choice. Anything i should know?

Could the Waldorf Hilton be in the mix - or too many points? It isn't in a 'neighborhood' but is in a terrific/central location close to Covent Garden and close to the river.

If not, the Tower would be fine. Not a particularly 'toddler friendly' location but for a 'business area' hotel there are a lot of attracttions nearby - the Tower, piers for boat trips, the Marina - w/ many family friendly restaurants.

Hi, The Waldorf is also possible. But I thought the immediate area would be very crowded. We are imagining having to take lots of single parent walks while the other one sleeps so wanted a quieter/calmer area.

But please weigh in..

The parks are good for that but Bayswater/Queensway isn't that great.

Most of Covent Garden is pedestrianized - crowded - yes but at least no cars.

However - I go back to Green Park -- it is convenient for transport and is very close to Hyde Park, Green Park, St James's Park. That one probably has the best location for you. How bad can the rooms be??

Have a look at the Hilton on Tooley Street, the Tower Bridge Hilton. We've stayed there a couple of times and it's in a very good location. Close to London Bridge tube station, not far from Tower Bridge itself and close obviously to the river for walks, bars and restaurants.

Janisj - Most of the online reviews are unanimous in their critique about the Green Park's rooms.
Rubicund - Yes, that looks nice but alas is much more points to book.

Thank you all for your help. We are booking with Doubletree Tower London. I will post back with other travel related questions for London and Paris (We are staying a week in an apt in the Marais).

S