If you're going to be there 2 weeks, you might find some extended stay lower rates at some bandb's; try athomeinlondon for starters; we're staying 2 weeks in late July near Hyde Park for about $125 USD/night. Can't recommend it first hand yet, of course. But you might try it.

As said, I'm in London for last week of August. (26-31 Aug, departing 1 Sep). I've stayed in Cardiff Hotel, Paddington, before. I was travelling solo that time and it was fine. Small room, smaller ensuite, but handy, clean, and a good breakfast. This time I'm travelling with my DW, and was thinking of moving up a notch. Maybe.

Finding biddingfortravel a bit hard to get to grips with. Can access offers OK (Hotwire), but not opportunities to bid. Do I have to be an accountholder on the site? Tried it, but got bogged down in not-understood questions (what is yuku.com?), system got too slow, so I pulled the plug.

Will keep perservering...!

I'm not sure if this would be suitable or not, but if the idea of an apartment appeals try going to the vrbo site and looking up property listing #52647.

I haven't stayed there yet, but I've booked that apartment for next October. For a week's stay, it comes to about 75 pounds per night. Perhaps with a kitchen you could save a bit on food, making up the difference.

It's not tourist central, as it's located at Archway tube station. And there are many, many stairs involved, as it's on the top floor of a Victorian building with no elevator. But the owner has been wonderful in all my communications with her, there are rave reviews on the vrbo page, and the apartment looks so fresh and airy in the photos. Apparently there is a huge Sainsbury just down the street, and it's only 10-20 minutes on the tube to all the traditional tourist sights and neighbourhoods.

Again, I'm not sure if it's anything close to what you'd want, but I thought I'd suggest it since the apartment is in the ballpark of your budget, and appears to be available on your dates.

No - bidding for travel is not a bidding site - and a log-on is not required. Just scroll down to "Europe Hotels" "England - London Hotels"

There you can see both the list of "known" London hotels in each zone plus what folks have bid and won lately. That gives you an idea what sorts of bids are working and which were not successful

Susan7 - you mentioned 2 hotels: the Omega and the Oxford. I've been checking them out. Both seem OK. I think Omega incls full English breakfast, while Oxford incls continental breakfast. You said you've used the Omega - how do you rate it for comfort, cleanliness, etc? Are there lifts (elevators if you're an American) or do we have to lug bags up lots of stairs?

Grateful for your thoughts.

I like the Omega, I think I've stayed there 3 times now, it's very clean and quiet and the cooked breakfast is fine--standard egg and bacon. The bathroom is small, it's like a weird pre-fab plastic capsule, but perfectly functional.

There are no lifts, it's a converted terrace with, I think, 4 floors.

In case anyone's interested, Ibis Hotels are running 3-night specials (Fri-Sun). I can get into Ibis near Euston/St Pancras Stations for 58 pounds per room per night, plus 7 pounds per person per day for breakfast, plus VAT, all of which adds up to around 84 pounds a night, which is not bad considering I've found Ibis to be a known and consistent standard all around the world.

I don't know the Euston/St Pancras area too well, but I imagine it's as lively as Paddington? Then again, if I'm going up to that price level, I could look at the Copthorne Tara. Can anyone compare these 2 options and their respective localities?

Thanks Susan7, I'm also considering the Omega, the Oxford and the Cardiff. Each has good and bad reviews, which doesn't make the task any easier. (A worrying one - about the Oxford I think - was to do with room intrusions).

If I'm going to go to that price

Ignore last lonely sentence above. It should have been edited out.

Just topping this for feedback on Ibis in Euston/St Pancras area of London vs. Copthorne Tara in Kensington vs. variousothers in Paddington area.

Would appreciate comments re hotel and localities. Thank you.

We stayed at the Royal Court Apartments last summer not fancy but close to the tube and Paddington station. Clean and cheap $95.00 for a double and staff was great

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

Thanks Quiz. That would be $95 US? Was the room and ensuite a reasonable size? Was there a lift for the upper floors?

Anyone know the Hotel Radnor, also in Paddington?

Sorry
But yes it was US dollars. Yes there was a lift and it was a 3 room suite with kitchen and dining table, bedroom and a bath. Plenty large for myself and DW. There are many good pubs and shops near. They allowed early check in with no problem. Hyde park is across the street. I checked some recent rates on www.expedia.com and it seems to going for $115. to $125. USD at the current exchange rate.

Thanks Quiz. Royal Court Apartments must be good - they are already booked out for the dates I want, and that's not till late August!!

Back to the search!!! Keen to hear fodorites comments on the Ibis in Euston/St Pancras.

Ah the Ibis in Drummond St - such happy (and naughty) memories.

It's a chain hotel so if you've ever stayed in a Holiday Inn or Travelodge you'll know what to expect. It's clean and functional, but you only get the room - no brekkie. However Chalton St is just nearby and has some corking cafes which do builders breakfasts. If you want some sort of poncey continental arrangement the hotel does sell this - but it's stupidly expensive.

The area it's in is good too. Euston Station is the other side of the road and Drummond St itself has some rather good Indian restaurants.

The area that it's in - Somer's Town can be a bit iffy at night, but not around your hotel but I wouldn't wander too far into the estate behind the station (not that you'd want to - there's nothing there).

Quiz - tried Royal Court Apartments again, and this time I was given the opportunity to book for the dates I wanted. (Perhaps it wasn't fully booked after all, but had not just opened up bookings that far ahead when I tried before).

So I've booked a 1-bdrm apartment, at quite a good rate too.

I'm assuming there is a lift. Their website warns that the Paddington Hotel - which is part of the same establishment - has no lift, which I've taken to mean Royal Court Apmts does have one.

Thanks everyone for your input. Now to prebook Paris - but I'll start a new thread for that!