tigerandox

Hi Fodorites! Calling on your expert travel knowledge here.

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children (9 (boy) & 7 (girl)) travelling to London for our first time. We have planned on staying in London (or around) for 12 nights. Our budget is no more than 1600GBP for the stay.

Are looking at:

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/695512 (37 Delancey Street, Camden)

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/872001 (craven street entry from laneway at back)

Any other ideas welcome. With the varied experiences from airbnb/vrbo for apartments I'm beginning to wonder if we should pick a hotel instead...

Thanks in advance for your help

stokebailey

Honestly they both look pretty nice. No windows in the Trafalgar one would bother me, though the location is as central as they come. Lupita's Mexican restaurant is right there. You can walk to tons of things, and Trafalgar Square is a hub for many bus lines. you'd be right in the thick of things there.

The Camden one has tons of good reviews, which always adds confidence with airbnb. It might be fun to be around the corner from Camden Market.

janisj

I personally would not use airbnb for a family stay . . UNLESS you find the same properties listed on other sites and lots of reviews that are not related to airbnb.

Reason being, if there is a problem w/ the property, sure air bnb doesn't pay the owner until you arrive,but what good will that do you stuck in London w/ a refund and no place to stay. Most airbnb listing are legit but I wouldn't risk it w/ little kids along.

That Trafalgar Sq flat is in a good location but is absolutely TINY - looks like a closet w/ furniture.

airbnb or a hotel are not your only options.

There are MANY reputable rental agencies.

here is just one example. 1bdrm (sleeping 4) and 2bdrm flats w/ terraces or balconies, next to the Tower of London and w/i your budget http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/

tigerandox

Thank you both for your replies so far

stokebailey, No windows was also a concern for me, however location is really good as you said... we do want to do all the usual touristy things but from what I read transport is very easy, so perhaps Camden may not be too bad.

janisj, unfortunately the one you recommended isn't available during our stay. Yes, I am concerned with airbnb and vrbo etc as I said, so I am very GRATEFUL for recommendations and advice.

stokebailey

I peeked into a room at this hotel in Bloomsbury last month: http://www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk/i_n_s_i_d_e.html

We like the breakfast included small hotel experience in Bloomsbury, and shared bath never has been a problem.

stokebailey

You might also consider airbnb, then hedging bets with a backup hotel (refundable) reservation.

Our airbnb stays have all been good, carefully considering all the reviews.

Seamus

Camden property looks like it would be fine but the Trafalgar one is wa-a-a-ay too small and I would never think of being cooped up in such a space with kids.

An agency that gets good reviews here which I can highly recommend from personal experience is www.londonconnection.com. They are based in the US but have staff in London.
Have also used and can recommend www.ivylettings.com
Another is www.homeaway.com - have not used in London but have used in other cities

BigRuss

There are ton(ne)s of reputable apartment rental companies in London and 133 quid per night is not bad (if 1600 is the total budget for the whole trip, not just the lodging, you're going to be eating a lot of soup and crackers) - it's $210/night and you should be able to find comfortable lodging for that. Go with the reputable companies or with owners of single units (VRBO or similar) who have a LOT of positive reviews. Otherwise, you're dealing with a strange legal system in a strange land if someone scams you.

You need to determine the actual room in these places. A square meter is 10.5625 square feet so a 45 square meter apartment is just over 500 sq ft. For some reason Brits are not particularly forthcoming with those numbers on their listings (contra, say, Barcelonans).

joandy

Have you tried looking at places such as Travelodge Central Waterloo Hotel? It is a nice hotel in a central area and they do saver rates. You should be able to get 2 rooms for 12 nights for about 1600 GBP

tigerandox

stokebailey, I like the idea of a refundable backup hotel, thanks!

Seamus, have emailed londonconnection with a few properties, still waiting for a reply, ivylettings were out of budget.

BigRuss, when I said 1600GBP for the stay I meant accomodation. As you said, the Brits aren't forthcoming with the square meter, have asked a few, and they said they didn't know...

Will consider Travelodge Central Waterloo, thanks joandy.

Thanks again for the replies, will keep you updated!

Seamus

Hope that London Connection has something suitable. If you have not already done so, you may want to email Ivy and ask about what they may be able to do for your 12 nights, as they can sometimes offer a discount off the posted rates. Their properties are quite nice and the service is excellent.

Cathinjoetown

Anyone who does not know the sq ft or sqm of a flat they own or rent is telling a porky.

The Trafalgar place puts a whole new meaning on togetherness. I almost choked when I read that the owner could also provide a rollaway for a 5th person!

Would be a bit uncomfortable in the alley late at night but it might be well-lighted and with 7 and 9 yr old assume no late night returns. The door looks like a Dutch door so you could get some air in.

I Like Camden, our son lives there, quick bus ride or underground down to the West End.

tigerandox

Have heard back from London Connection, what do you all think about being near Tower bridge?

http://www.thelondonagent.com/Tower-...Short-Let.html

They are quoting around 1400GBP for our stay, so 200 pound more than the Camden property.

Did like the ivylettings property they had available for us, Seamus, but that was more than 2000 pounds, so out of budget. Suppose the good service is also what we're paying for, that and the property available is in South Kensington.

At the moment, I think I'm going to do as stokebailey suggested and book a refundable hotel just in case, however I don't want to go traipsing from one place to another if the Camden one turns out to be one of the negative airbnb experiences...

Thanks Cathinjoetown, looks like Camden is easy to get to/from the main London sites and has Regents Park for the kids if the weather is ok!

thank you all again for taking the time to read and post a reply

spaarne

Have you tried the LSE? Rosebery Hall is a great dorm for students and families from around the world when the regular students are on break. When are you going?

janisj

The latest flat looks lovely and is somewhere I could live (will be staying directly across the river in St Katharine's Marina for a week in May). But it is in Bermondsey and not very convenient for transport. It is about 1/2 a mile from the nearest tube station which is only on the Jubilee line.

the Camden property is actually more convenient, less than 1/4 miles from Camden town station.

tigerandox

Haven't tried LSE, spaarne, we're going 21 May 2013 for 2 weeks.

thanks again janisj for the input, we did try St Katharine's Marina, but they were all booked out

oh2doula

I went with http://www.rentals.chslondon.com/

I will be there mid March. I have been in contact with them through email and phone conversations - I understand your worries of REALLY having a place once you arrive!!

tigerandox

LSE all booked except for Grosvenor House.
Asked a few more question of my Camden one and turns out it's booked for our first 3 days in London!

We are going to go to Legoland for 1 night during out stay (at the beginning) and were hoping to leave our luggage in the apartment and take a small overnight bag for the Legoland stay and come back to the apartment after. So, having said that, I could book Camden for when we get back, but that would mean booking a hotel for 2 nights, packing bags, Legoland for 1 night, packing bags and into Camden for the remainder of our London stay... OR

Have had a reply back from holiday lettings

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/ren...-zone-1/308824

It is a 30sqm apartment, on the basement, have to pay for electricity, near Hyde Park and available for the whole time...

If you've got more time, feedback welcome
Thanks

Cathinjoetown

This flat looks much more reasonable in size and it has windows! Alsmo, much closer in than Camden.

Legoland is an easy day trip unless you are planning two days at the park or combining with Windsor Castle, in which case an overnight makes sense.

Seamus

This latest is not exactly cavernous but at least there is a window. You could do worse but also may be able to do better.
Have you looked at homeaway.com (or homeaway.co.uk their UK branded site)?