I, too, obsessed with the hotel until I finally decided to book one through Priceline. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com - it's a board for priceline users and is unbelievably helpful. This board makes using Priceline a lot simpler. We stayed at the Waldorf (won Priceline bid at $100 per night but I did make arrangements with Waldorf for an upgrade since there were 3 of us, and they charged us an additional £30 per night) a couple of weeks agao, and this is an incredible hotel. Even with the additional amount, it still was not bad, considering the Internet rates for the room we had was $450 a night. We still ended up paying less than if we stayed in a 3* hotel and the Waldorf is a 4*. The customer service was wonderful and the location is excellent - walking distance to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, British Museaum, theaters, etc. We had a really good experience with this hotel; and I would stay there again. It appears people are getting it still for $100 a night. Best of luck.

If you work for a large company, check to see if they have an arrangement with Club Quarters. We stayed there when my wife was doing some consulting for a company that had a membership. The weekend rates are incredibly cheap for members. The local was great, for me at least. Close to 2 or 3 tube stops, and while we were right in the City (financial district), it wasn't just all office buildings. Rooms weren't huge, but big enough for two, and very clean.

2fly,
after staying in some very nice hotels, we started thinking that staying in a flat would give us more of the feeling of living there rather than the luxury hotel experience..which while perfectly wonderful, can be had anywhere, we wanted to walk back to our flat at night , shop, bring flowers, etc..pretend that we were Londoners for a few weeks.
We used Manors & Co. The flat was in So Kensington and was perfect. They even have a limo pick you up at the airport if you want to pay the fee (we did)
There is maid service included, they supplied hair dryer, etc.
There was everything we needed if we wanted to stay in and eat ( we had take away from Harrods Food Halls once) .. on that trip, we left our stuff and the apt and took the train to Paris for a long weekend, coming back to our little flat..
I am not sure if the cost is better with an apt, unless you count food, but the experience was great.

You might want to look at Topham's Hotel in Belgravia. It is on a quiet street, a quaint old building, large rooms for London, and wonderful service. When we last stayed there, it was about 150 pounds per night, including VAT. It is also close to Victoria Station, so you can get anywhere from there.

We are staying at the Rembrandt for 2 nights in July at the recommendation of my soon to be daughter-in-law, a Brit chef with two restaurants in London and two in Manhattan.
They are being married @ Hambleton Inn (www.hambleton.co.uk)
M

Mikemo et al: if you read through the posts, you'll find that vm decided to go with the Rembrandt- which is clearly the best choice in London hotels- recommended by the locals.

Try http://www.farnum-christ.com/ if an interest looking at a wide variety of really neat rental apartments around London. You can call them at 800-366-2048 or email [email protected] if an interest. Mention a friend from Cannes referred you.

The Rembrandt looks lovely but won't work for us as have 2 adults and 2 kids 12 and 9 and they only allow 3 per room even though the girls are free. any ideas??

2fly,
I always stay in apts. Daily maid service is usually included. If maid service is a priority, just make sure prior to booking. You are right that apts don't have star ratings. You need to do a little research and look for good reviews & recommendations - I personally don't mind this aspect of the planning process.

<<why do you love flats so much? .... Would like to know your stories about flats.>>

We prefer staying in a flat for several reasons. You have more room to relax. There are sofas and comfortable chairs instead of having to sit on your bed or a desk-chair in a tiny hotel room.

You also have your own kitchen where you can prepare your own breakfast (saves £££'s!) and you have a fridge where you can keep beverages and snacks cold.

We just find it more comfortable and relaxing than a hotel room.

For Annecourt-if you really want to stay at the Rembrandt, why not contact them about a room for 4? No personal experience, but other hotels mentioned here for families-
the Marriott County Hall or the above mentioned Travel Inn County Hall both near the London Eye on the river. Dolphin Square apartments are apts but run like a hotel (ie front drsk, included breakfast). Also, several apt places around Queensgate. Check all on tripadvisor.com!!

You can also do a search here for quad rooms AND london.

I booked the Marriott Ciunty Hall for three days; got a super deal with code E88 via their website. I also booked the Cavendish via the British Airways site www.baholidays.com for under 100 pounds (middle of June). They have other good deals.

Thanks to everyone that showed me the loveliness of staying in a flat. I am getting hooked....
We are able to extend our vacation by a few more days. So will try everything but hotel. I will have a separate post on flat + bb + castle. Thanks.