I am having difficulty renting a 2 bedroom apartment for 5 people in London during a planned June visit. We are only staying for 2 nights, as the rest of the trip will be spent in Scotland. I am finding that the most desireable locations have a 1 week minimum stay. We want to be close to a Tube stop, safe neighborhood, and at least some restaurants/cafes within walking distance. Any ideas?

This is indeed difficult as no one who has an independent apartment is likely to want to rent it out for only two nights. Have you checked with Citadines? They have several locations in London, including one right by Trafalgar that I think makes a terrific location. They do rent by the night, I believe.

Do you really need a full apartment with a kitchen, or could you do with two hotel roooms, also giving you two baths?

I have called a few hotels to discuss getting 2 rooms, but neither place could guarantee that the two rooms would be adjoining. Because we have 3 small children, I would rather rent an apartment than take my chances with a hotel, which seem to be more expensive any way. I believe I did look into the apartment you suggested, but they were a little pricey. I'd like to stay at or below 200 pounds per night.

Neal623: The Citadines NP suggested is apartments, or rather an apartment hotel.

try www.CitybaseApartments.com

There were few listed at about 200gbp.

Also, the citadines one is listed at 220gbp, a bit above your budget ...

I haven't tried that website yet. Thank you!

when you refine the search on the citybase website to 2-6 people and less than 3 nights, there are only very few that sleep 5, for 2 nights, and under £200. Most are much more expensive or are out at Canary Wharf.

The best combination of location/price that citybase comes up w/ is Citadines Trafalgar Sq for £170-£223.

(I have tried to use the citybase site several times but it really delivers less than it seems)

I have looked on two different websites at the Citadines Trafalgar Square, and have found the rate to be 230gbp in both cases. Because of the weaker dollar, I would still like to aim at or below 200 gbp. Any other suggestions?

if you use the citybase site, the Trafalgar Citadines is £223.25. Not a huge savings over their own site -- but something.

You have a problem - you only want 2 nights and most budget flats require a 3 night minimum, or more often a week. You will pay a premium for a place that rents by. If you were staying longer we could recommend all kinds of flats for £125-£150 a night.

that should read "You will pay a premium for a place that rents by the night."

As a side note, I think it's interesting that despite all our grumblings here about the horrible exchange rate between the dollar and the pound, I'm trying to think of any good recommendations for similar apartment lodging in NYC for a family of 5 for $250 to $300. In a way, that sounds like a bit of a bargain compared to NYC these days.

You might luck out if the dates you want fit into a slot between bookings in a flat you're interested in. Check VRBO or London Guest Suites & just ask. All they can do is say "No" but if they have a few days between lettings, they'd be silly to turn it down.

www.londonguestsuites.com

I think you have to decide what is more important to you for a couple nights -- the money, or all staying in adjoining rooms or together and with all the other things you want (like to tube, etc). Of course, you can't leave small children alone, but you and your spouse could sleep separately so you'd each be with some children for two nights, it wouldn't kill you--if a hotel really didn't have two adjacent rooms when you showed up. Maybe you should just book a hotel that seems fairly reliable at getting adjacent rooms, and if something happens that they aren't, split up for two nights.

I think finding a hotel for 5 people would be more likely. www.hotel-assist.com has a special section where you can search for "family rooms" and they did show several hotels with rooms for 5 for around 300 GBP total during June. The Montana was one of them. It looks like it was a room with two double beds and they would put in a rollaway or something.

oh, that 300 GBP total was for two nights, not one night.

We have stayed at the Traflager Citadines in a two bedroom flat and it is your typical Citadines 3 star type accomodation. Have you also priced in the 17.5% tax in your budget?

I mentioned this 5-bed flat before:
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/
Click on Butler's Wharf.

At 144 pounds per night, it's much cheaper than your other options.

Or click High Holborn Hall (excellent location), and you can get a double + a triple.

My apologies - I see you need this for June, and those two aren't available then. However, Passfield Hall (link on the left at the above site is) is available from June 16, as is Carr-Saunders Hall, and possibly others.

Another option: two Travelodge rooms, which can be very cheap indeed. One would be a room for four, and the other a room for two. But you'd probably have to split up the spouses.

Take a look at Basil Street Apartments in Knightsbridge

The Basil Street flats are fine - but for one that sleeps 5, they'll easily cost twice the OP's target budget .

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Christina, I think your thoughts are good regarding what is most important to us. Frankly, I do not want to take the chance of having my family split up in a hotel - I'd rather pay more to ensure that this doesn't happen. It seems like a lot of you really like the Citadines - perhaps that is our best bet, though I will look at the websites that other people have mentioned as well. I know the pound has come down in value recently - I would think I'd be able to find something for $400 or less per night which is decent and safe - even in London. Thank you for all of your help!