I am going to London in September and I would like information on places to stay <BR>that are not so expensive. This is my first trip and I am more concerned about safety <BR>and clean then frills. On the web I read that some of the colleges will let you <BR>use the dorms if school is not in session. <BR>I have no idea if school is in session in Sept. Does anyone know? I will appreciate <BR>any information to help a new traveler. I <BR>will be traveling with a friend who is more experienced then I but she has never been to London either. We are especially interested in accomodations with twin beds. We would like to spend most of our money on other things besides a hotel just as long as it is clean and safe. <BR>Thank you, <BR>Beth <BR>[email protected]

check: http://www.accomodata.co.uk/041296.htm <BR> <BR>prices and dates appear to be from last year, but they've got email. <BR> <BR>budget London is an oxymoron...it's the only city I've ever visited where it requires a LOT of work to find budget accommodations and restaurants. They do exist, but they are not as easy to find as in Paris or Amsterdam, for example.

Beth - <BR> <BR>The website I found helpful when I was looking for a hotel in London was s-h-systems.com. This is the Smooth Hounds system which covers small hotels and bed and breakfasts. Good luck, have fun. <BR>Martha <BR> <BR>

Beth, <BR>The London School of Economics and Political Science has three halls of residence and three self-catering apartment buildings available to budget minded tourists. You can get information from the British Tourist Authority, though I doubt their availability in September; school is in session then. The Tourist Authority publishes a number of brochures dealing with inexpensive accommodations, i. e., bed and breakfasts, self-catering facilities and inexpensive hotels. I'd suggest you contact them and specify your interests.

Beth, <BR>Succeeded in your quest? Im am interested too, only that I'll be there in July, on my own. <BR>Please, share your progress on this. <BR> <BR>wes, <BR> <BR>How do we contact teh British Tourist Authority on the net? <BR>

Mariela (and Beth, too) <BR>The websites of interest for travelers to London and Great Britain are: <BR>www.londontown.com - London Tourist Authority website <BR>www.visitus.co.uk - British Tourist Authority website <BR>

The LSE residences are open for tourist rental until 25 Sept, at prices per person from 17 pounds per night. You can e-mail for a brochure to [email protected], but you need to phone the individual halls to make reservations. E-mail me if you want the phone #s.

Beth, <BR>Here are the flats available at the London School of Economics: <BR> <BR>Carr Saunders Hall, 18-24 Fitzroy Street, nearest underground station is Warren Street on the Northern and Victoria Lines; tel: 071 580 6338 <BR> <BR>Butler's Wharf Residence, Gainsford Street, nearest underground station is Tower Hill on the District and Circle lines or London Bridge on the Northern Line; tel: 071 403 8533 or 071 407 7164 <BR> <BR>Rosebery Avenue Hall, 90 rosebery Avenue; nearest tube stations are The Angel or Islington on the Northern Line; tel: 071 278 3251 <BR> <BR>Passfield Hall, 1-7 Endsleigh Place; nearest tube stations are Euston, Russel Square or Euston Square; tel: 071 387 3584 or 071 387 7743

http://WWW.LON.AC.UK/accom/vacation.htm <BR> <BR>Here are listings of available university accomodations. My mom and I booked at Hampstead campus for four nights in September. The twin room is less than $50/night, which is less than we would have paid in a hostel.

Wes and Ron <BR>You have been most helpful. I really appreciate it. <BR>Ron, <BR> I would like to have the # of the halls. I could not email you because your address does not appear in the message. <BR>I think this is being sort of controversy in the Forum isnt it? <BR>Do you have this information first hand? <BR>Is there anything a Uruguayan going to study in London for a month (first time) should know? <BR> <BR>

Beth, <BR>The numbers you're requesting from Ron are the numbers I've included in my response to you of 6/25. They were secured from the Accommodation Guide issued by the London School of Economics and provided by the British Travel Authority.

I am sorry, Mariela, my knowledge is not first hand. I only replied originally to correct the misinformation about availability of rooms in September. My info is largely from the LSE Residences advert in the June 1999 issue of "in Britain" magazine, and differs somewhat from that provided by Wes: <BR>1. The London area code is 0171, not 071 as in all his references (the "0" in front of both is only used when calling from inside the UK) <BR>1. Carr-Saunders Hall only has rooms available at the Easter break. <BR>2. Butlers Wharf is not currently listed. <BR>3. Bankside House, 24 Sumner Street, London SE1 9JA, tel 0171 633 9877 is a new residence that may be worth a try. On the south bank, near the Globe theatre, it was newly built in 1996. It has nearly 600 rooms, mostly singles, nearly half with private bath. It would be a bit of a hike to the nearest tube station (~1/2 mile to Blackfriars), but then London is meant to be walked. <BR> <BR>I have no advice, only envy for a Uruguyan student spending a month in London for the first time. Hope you enjoy yourself immensely. My hidden e-mail address is [email protected]. <BR> <BR>Ron