London Christmas Week Accommodation Help
 

Hi guys, My indecisiveness is getting the best of me and I would love any pros and cons about accommodations when we visit our 25-year-old daughter who lives near Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Typically, my husband and I like a more authentic neighborhood and long stay, but in this case, I want it to be easy for us all to go back and forth between our place and her place for the week. All of these accommodations below are the same price for seven nights. The three hotels offer the same size room.

1. A 1-bedroom flat on a charming cobblestone street by the Royal Ballet/Opera House in Convent Garden (cute and the most spacious).
-Is it too touristy? The Times Square of London? We are not into street performers, however the shops and pubs are cobblestone streets are a draw.

2. The Hoxton Holborn (cool hotel and a five-minute walk around the corner).
-Reports are that the lobby fills up with day workers and one cannot find a place to sit for coffee.

3. Montague on the Gardens (Georgian architecture; looks like a pretty tree-lined street).
-Costco Travel has a good deal that is offering lots of extras such as a full English Breakfast, private airport transfers, tea for 2, and an activities credit. But I can't decide if the common lobby and bar is old English that is fun in a Downton Abbey sort of way, or is it too "themed" and feels a bit Disney-esque"?

4. The Club Quarters Holborn Covent Garden Hotel (is almost next door to daughter)
-While SUPER convenient, it looks pretty corporate.

Thank you in advance! I really appreciate any-and-all input. Good and bad ... I am a "gatherer" :) Feel free to DM me if that is easier for you.

We stayed at the Hoborn Hoxton last year. Even though we had the largest room, it was tiny with a hallway and closet taking up much of the available room. 3 star quality. Good location. True about the lobby. AMX probably best way to book. Would rather stay at the Citadines nearby. Looked at the Montague which is close to the British museum once, small rooms. Friend of mine stayed there and liked it.

We stayed at the Montague on the Gardens and liked it so much we hope to return. We are not fans of Disneyland and didn't consider it "Disneyesque" at all. A "Downtown Abbey" feel sums it up. The staff was nice and friendly but not the type to intrude if you wish to be left alone. I still remember the delicious G & T I enjoyed in their bar area.

If you can get a deal with breakfast included, that would be excellent as the breakfast was pricey but good.

P.S. I don't know if the tree-lined street will be in bloom or barren-looking in winter.

We haven't stayed at the Montague but have some experience at a couple of other Red Carnation hotels. All were great stays, and we thought the staffs from front desk to housekeeping to the restaurants were all exceptional.

Thank you all so much! KT and Jean, the Montague gets GREAT reviews on Trip Advisor. It seems like a very memorable experience. The Lamb's Conduit Street area looks darling.

mjs, thanks for the information about the room. It seems like all hotel rooms are small, but good to know how the Hoxton's are configured.

Hmmm.... Bloomsbury or Covent Garden at Christmas. Hotel or flat. I will have to sleep on it! :)

If its the Floral Street Covent Garden property -- it is about as far from Times Square as would be possible. More like a side street in Greenwich Village than Times Square. Very central and Covent Garden is great. But I personally would not want three flights of stairs several times a day.

The Montague on the Gardens is a WONDERFUL property. If Costco is throwing in a Full English (at least £20 per day per person) AND a driver from/to from LHR (approx £75 each way) AND Afternoon Tea (£60 pp) . . . it would be my choice hands down.

Maybe I'm not 'hip' enough but I personally don't get the attraction of the Hoxton.

I haven't stayed in that Club Quarters bit they are probably pretty similar -- yes, corporate.

trees will not be in bloom

Thank you a ton! I really appreciate the input. :) From London we are going to Amsterdam -- any red flags taking the Eurostar on Boxing Day?

I see I can book the direct train at quite a reasonable rate. Seems like a good day to travel since much of London is closed on December 26. The first direct departs just past 11am -- typically I wouldn't want to spend my cherished day time in Europe on a train but perhaps this makes sense given the Christmas holidays.

I think your departure time is OK. You can enjoy a lovely breakfast and then make your way to the train. I remember having to check in fairly early for Eurostar trains.

Irice!
I sent you a DM response about Floral st flat!

Just found out Boxing Day is a huge sale shopping day in London! Perhaps we will take the later Eurostar. ;)

From memory, public transport will not be back to normal on Boxing Day so if you're catching the Eurostar, either stay close by or book a taxi. There is a Premier Inn across the road from St Pancras which is fine (there are a few in this area so check on a map exactly which one you want).

Buses should be running, and with luggage packed lightly enough, one can walk from the Montague (or Holborn) to San Pancras.

Hi Irice,
I walked from Covent Garden to shop at Liberty and thought the area was so charming!

Don't know if this link will work...I asked google for maps and directions from CG to Liberty's:

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

eta: looks like the link didn't work. Sorry but you can map it easily.

Has anyone stayed at Chancery Quarters?

https://chanceryquarters.com/

If you don't want to spend 4 hours on the train, take a flight from London City Airport to Amsterdam. It's much faster and often cheaper than Eurostar.

Thanks Tulips! We love to travel by train; I just need to go book it NOW while the price is still reasonable. :)

KayF, we've decided to stay another day and go to Amsterdam on 12/27. Covent Garden looks like it is magical during Christmas.

I am now thinking that a hotel might be better than the apartmet I found. I hear Christmas is a wonderful time in London, and the apartment in Covent Garden is in a great location, but it is tired and dated. Perhaps the Hoxton or Montague would be fun -- both which I have booked.

The Henrietta is well-priced but doesn't seem to have a lobby.
The Academy has a similar vibe to the Henrietta, which I love. But I see myself walking to Covent Garden and Lincoln's Inn Fields every day so thinking I should stay closer.

This is my love-hate relationship with travel planning! :)

We stayed at Chancery Quarters 2 years ago and the apartment was very nice. We had a 3 bedroom which was great because everyone had their own bathroom. There was also a washing machine which helped us pack very light. We are staying there again next month although in a one-bedroom this time. It's very quiet there. A short walk to bus stops and Tube stations. Very much enjoyed spending evenings around the corner at the Old Bank of England pub - we were there over the Christmas holidays as well and the pub was very festive. If you opt for an apartment I would recommend staying here.