Hotel advice
 

After deciding to book my trip without a travel agent, I am now deciding on hotel and location. I have Marriott reward points and would like to use them. I'm considering the London Edition or the County Hall. Both locations have good reviews regarding location, transportation and overall stay experience. I can't decide on location. My husband and I are early 50's. We are very active and energetic. We will be visiting the museums, historical sights etc. I love shopping and we both love antique shopping. We enjoy exploring a city, stopping for lunch at a small cafe, talking to locals, having a pint(or 3) at a local pub in the evening, listen to music and truly experience the culture. We are in London for 6 days, then off to Paris. Any advice on location would be helpful. Paris location also!

Of the two hotels, the London Edition is in the better location in Berners St. Some nice pubs in the area. The Marquis of Granby, a former haunt of the likes of Dylan Thomas and TS Elliott is worth a visit. Walking distance to some decent eating places in and around Charlotte St. Soho is also close by and not too far to the British Museum.

County Hall being south of the river, has some great views of the Palace of Westminster and is close to the London eye but, I feel is a little less convenient.

Thank you!!

In my opinion, if this is your first trip to London, I would chose the County Hall. Since you said you are very active, there is nothing like walking around Westminster, seeing the famous sights, as well as along the Thames - pinching yourself - and saying "we're in London!" South of the river is "hot" for redevelopment with great restaurants and pubs.

No question, County Hall. Just walk over the Hungerford Bridge to Charing X; over the Westminster Bridge to Westminster; thisclose to the Eye, and easily walkable to Trafalgar Sq and the National Galleries. It's also convenient for hopping on the District/Circle to get to either South Kens for museums in that area or to go to the Tower.

If you're going to go to Windsor or Hampton Court Palace or both, County Hall is thisclose to Waterloo station, which has direct trains to each. No other London station has a direct train to either (Paddington has a train route to Windsor that requires a change at Slough but Paddington is not close to Tottenham Court Road station, which is the closest Tube stop to the Marriott London Edition; only Waterloo has direct train service to HCP).

And do go to the Days Out Guide website for BIG discounts to the Cabinet War Rooms, Tower, Hampton Ct Palace, etc. I may have mentioned that in your other post. If not, remind me and I'll post the info here.

I sure hope the OP didn't see the first post and dash off to book :(

Absolutely County Hall -- No question. The views are worth a million bucks and it is very close to a lot of things. It is a lovely property.

The London Edition is certainly in an OK location - not far from the British Museum. But County Hall is walking distance from the Globe, Tate Modern, Big Ben/Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Sq. etc etc. And next door to the Eye.

Great information. We will be making a decision tonight!

Are you asking for a Paris location to stay in or a Marriott in Paris? Not using hotel points in Paris?

I would just say that you will want a hotel, most likely in arrondisements 1-9 to be closest to most attractions. I would look for a hotel near a Metro station. However, the arrondisements 10 and above will likely be less expensive for hotel and dining. Everyone has a favorite and mine is the 6th. I also like the 5th but have enjoyed every arrondisement I have stayed in. I like to be close in but there is no right or wrong.

You might also choose the area that is closest to the most locations/attractions you would like to visit. Many will say that isn't necessary as the public transportation is so good. Another reason I like the 6th...close to a lot of the things I like to see and do.

For London, St. Ermin's is in Marriott's Autograph Collection... it seems to require fewer points than the other 2 hotels you mention and it's about a 30 second walk away from an underground station.

Trophywife007, do you know anything about that location? When I went back to book County Hall, points had increased plus they are asking for an additional $100+ per night. If I were going to a resort....to enjoy the resort....that would be fine. I'm just looking for a nice hotel in a great area for sleeping. Back to the search. I may just use points in Paris.

If you mean St Ermins it's a very good location - near St James Park tube, near Buckingham Palace, walkable to Downing St and Westmnster Abbey

if you can afford it, go for it

St. Ermin's is near Buckingham Palace and St. James Park, very central. Don't know about the points situation.

Thanks for the info. If we stay at St Ermin's, will we be walking distance to nightlife... pubs, restaurants etc. that are more locals than tourists?

St Ermin's is a wonderful hotel in a wonderful location.

>>If we stay at St Ermin's, will we be walking distance to nightlife... pubs, restaurants etc. that are more locals than tourists?<<

OK - you need to understand London a bit. Every single neighborhood has pubs and restaurants. And in every central neighborhood there are locals -- but lots of tourists too. And you don't have to be walking distance from anything since the public transport is very good.

The St Ermin's is not n a 'neighborhood' like you may be imagining. It is an area w/ some VERY posh flats (the Queen is a neighbor after all ;) ), lots of government buildings, St James's Park etc.

St. James's Park tube station is very, very close by (the aforementioned 30 second walk) and there are some pubs nearby though I can't say if they are more local than tourist and we haven't been to all of them but there's the Albert, Adam and Eve, Three Feathers, and Sanctuary House.

I was checking out the points for our visit next December and was pleasantly surprised at how it compared to some other Marriott hotels so I booked it.

Breakfast is not included... but it rarely is with Marriott. We found a place on Buckingham Gate.

Enjoy your time!

Booking a hotel in Paris is a lot easier than in London, because the city is much smaller and it's easier to walk to many things you'll want to see and do.

Most hotels are very close to Metro stations, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Most first-timers would be happy in hotels located in Postal Codes 75003, 75004, 75005, 75006 - which are convenient for walking as well as transport and lots of stuff to do. Here are two I can recommend:
http://www.residencehenri4paris.com/
http://www.saintlouisenlisle.com/?langue_id=2

We stayed in a flat right at the corner of Palmer Street and Petty France, right across from the Adam and Eve, in 2007. It's a little bit more of an office district than residential, but I liked the neighborhood, and that hotel (the St. Ermin) is someplace I would definitely consider staying.