We're planning a trip to England and are going to stay in London 5-7 days. Any recommedations on renting a flat instead of staying at a hotel? Helene

We've been renting a flat for years (actually the same one every year). I love it. The main question is what are you looking to spend. I'm convinced that you can get a really nice flat for less than a really fine hotel. But those looking for real budget accomodations may be disappointing in the selections for apartments.
Tell us specifically what you're looking for (number of people, location, and price) and you can get some good suggestions here.

Helene, you posted about apartments earlier regarding whether they are cost efficient. This is how I answered then:

"Check out the prices of all the hotels and apartments that interest you on-line (be sure VAT is included). Only YOU can tell what is cost effective for your budget. Make youself a spreadsheet with pros and cons of each.

Also factor in things like the fact that apartment will most likely just have weekly maid/linen service (you can request more often in some places but you will pay for it). Also factor in whether or not you plan on doing any cooking/snacking. I am not sure if it would pay to get an apartment with a full kitchen if you are not going to have some meals in. If you intend to do some eating in the apt (breakfast for example) it can be a good idea to have the kitchen. You can save alot of money by eating meals in your apartment but many people to do go on vacation to "eat in" so to speak. There are many places in London to get prepared food and you can bring that sort of thing back to an apt. and crank up the microwave easily. If you plan on eating all meals out then perhaps the apt. is not for you."

Apartments vs. hotels is always talked about on this board - just do a search for recommendations, etc. You need to be very specific when you ask questions here, i.e. what is your budget, what are your expectations ($100/day is not going to get you palacial furnishings for instance), do you require "attention", i.e. services of a hotel, etc.

We will be two adults. This is the first time we're vacationing in England...next July. Will we need AC? I don't want to be disappointed, so I'm willing to spend enough money to be comfortable, but I don't know what the flats even cost. Can you give me some ranges of what might be middle of the road....not high or low end. Any sites you would recommend? Thanks. Helene

Helene, to be honest middle of the road may be $1000 a night to some and $100 to others. You have to be specific on budget criteria.

We normally stay at Scala House Apartments - they are NOT fancy but they are clean and comfortable. They have a website, however their prices are going up in 2007. They average about $225/night. Again this is not luxury living. There are many other apts. recommended here all the time that range from $150 on to thousands.

Scala House does not have a/c but since we go in the Spring we do not worry about that. In July I would worry about that (big time worry consider the summer they are having now).

If this is your first visit you might actually be better off with a hotel (with a/c). Again hotels come in all budget ranges but I would be very specific in asking about a/c.

You could try this company:

http://www.deepblue-apartments.com/l...ill/craven.htm

We stayed there in March, good location, service was minimal, room was small and the kitchen had almost no cooking equipment but you can buy pre-prepared food at all the supermarkets and zap in the microwave. These meals are surprisingly good and fairly cheap. There are a couple of supermarkets close to this flat at Paddington station and also at Queensway.

Here is another place you could try:

http://www.vancouverstudios.co.uk/

or

http://www.london-house.com/index.php
Hyde Park Suites, where we also stayed earlier in the year. We stayed in a huge room on the ground floor at first which was unrenovated and in quite poor condition then we moved to the second floor and got a small room that was newly renovated. Location was good, service almost non-existent, kitchen facilities a little better than the Deep Blue apartment.

It really depends on if you want to prepare a few meals in an apartment. If you don't, you may as well opt for a hotel or B&B. We found it was nice to have a fridge and microwave just to do the basics like a cup of tea and bowl of cereal or yoghurt. You do get a bit more privacy with an apartment as they usually don't come in every day to clean. Hope this helps.
Kay

You could try university student residences, which offer apartments as well as single rooms. See:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/vacations

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34842139

http://www.vrbo.com/

http://londonguestsuites.com/

You won't find many flats with air-con as it is very uncommon in domestic environments in the UK.

Does London have the equivalent of an "all suites" hotel, where there is a bedroom with two double beds, and then a living area/room with a sofa sleeper, maybe a fridge and microwave? Don't laugh...We found a beautiful one in Venice (the Corte Grimani) and last time I looked, it was Trip Advisor's #1 hotel in Venice.