runnerjefff

Hi First time posting, love the site so far but SO much information! We're taking our 16 yr old son to London over Easter vacation and have one hotel in S Kensington for the first 3 days, and would like a different one for last 2 days. We'd like to be close to the London Eye, but definitely cannot spend alot. One place sounded great but would require us to get 2 rooms if our kid is over 15! Not sure why... Any mid-price hotels you could reccommend? THANKS SO MUCH

ballbuster

Days Inn london Waterloo.

cheaper and nicer than the travel INN

/thread

janis

I assume you mean the County Hall Travel Inn. The question is -- does your son look 16 or older -- or is he smaller/looks younger?

If he can pass for about 14 then you'd be OK. But if he's a big strapping lad -- then you are out of luck. They have a firm policy agains 3 adults (16 being considered adult) in a room.

There are some other moderate hotels south and east of Waterloo station -- but I sure wouldn't move from South Kensington to one of them. The other hotel right next to the Eye is the Caounty Hall Marriott and it is not a budget property.

My question is why do you want to move - from S. Kens you are just minutes from Westminster tube station which is directly across the river from teh Eye.

KathrynT

I, too, would recommend staying in one location if possible. You will lose quite a bit of one day packing up and moving when you could be using that time sight-seeing. Also, many hotels require you to check out at an earlier time than you can check in leaving you with luggage to worry about.

Keith

Just wanted to add my voice to the ones urging you to stay at one hotel.

Is there a particular reason you want to change?

Keith

runnerjefff

Hi Keith & others: The reason we wanted to try two hotels is: having read on this site about problems w/European hotels vs. American hotels. We've been to Europe twice before and had decent luck but after reading those messages, were a little skittish. Plus, if the second hotel is closer to the "main" action, there would be less tubing for our teen to do when he's off on his own. Thanks again for all your help.

Tulips

It's difficult to say where the 'main action' is in London. As others have said, from South Kensington it is so easy to get to wherever else you want to go in London. Your son would still get on the tube, wherever you are staying. The area around the London Eye is not really that exiting for a teen!

If you can tell us what your budget is, I'm sure people would be able to give you specific recommendations.

janis

D**n this site - I've tried to post twice and keep getting the dreaded blue umbrella!

Anyway I'll try again . . .

First of all S. Kens is VERY convenient tube-wise. It is on the Piccadilly line which gets to many of the major sites/areas w/o any line changes. Westminster/the Eye/Waterloo would be no more convenient - and in some cases it is less so since he'd have to change lines to get to most sites.

2nd - "were a little skittish" - It sounds like you are unsure of your original hotel. Tell us which one it is and we can give you more info. If it is nasty (which it probably isn't BTW) you would be better off just booking a new hotel for the whole 5 nights instead of keeping it and booking a different place for just 2 nights.

going_places

You waste a lot of time changing hotels. it doesn't sound like a hassle, but it is. As someone said you will have a lag between check out and check in. You have to pack and repack...may not be worth it!

Keith

While we all seem to agree that we wouldn't change hotels, anyone care to take a stab at answering runnerjeff's question regarding an inexpensive hotel near the Eye?

Keith

chepar

Travel Inn County Hall is - literally - right behind the London Eye. It's just steps from the entrance.

Stayed there last spring. Very basic place - I would equate it to a Comfort Inn in the US - but very clean and recently renovated, from what I heard.

Very reasonable in comparison to the Marriott next door - our nightly rate was approximately 85 GBP, depending on the day of the week. I would try to see if they have availability now, because I've heard they fill up far in advance.

The room was enormous - I had been expecting a very small room from what I've heard about London hotels. The room had a queen bed and also what I think was a twin (but was sized somewhere between a twin and a double).

Excellent location and great for the price. If you can't get a better deal via Priceline or you just have to stay next to the London Eye, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Travel Inn.

m_kingdom2

What is not "alot"?

Also, why not change area - the London Eye is relatively central, but you could go in other directions.

I'd second the advice about not changing hotels, it's an unwanted hassle.