London Hotel Decision
 

Looking for an air/hotel package and have tentatively narrowed the decision down to Chesterfield Mayfield or Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt.

We are a married couple in our 30s who have traveled pretty extensively - although this would be my husband's first London trip. We are looking at early September and I will be 6 mos pregnant - A/C (just in case), a large bed and a bit a comfort will be more important than usual. We will want to see the major tourist sites, take a day trip outside London and do some shopping.

Seeking some opinions and recommendations. We are not locked into those two hotels, but have to start the decision process somewhere. We are going for 5-6 nights and don't want to spend more than US$250 per night. Thanks

I have stayed at the Chesterfield Mayfield. It's a nice hotel but the rooms are small. I did think the rooms looked MUCH better on their web site. I paid about $300 per night and didn't feel it was worth it. It's in a nice quiet area and an easy walk to all the action. I have never stayed at any of the Radissons in London but I passed one in Covent Garden that looked very nice.

Radissons are generally quite nice. However, I have a couple of other suggestions. I just got back from London, and stayed at the Meridien Grosvenor House in Mayfair. It's on the West side of Hyde Park, about a 5-10 minute walk from terrific shopping, and reasonably close (in terms of walking) from the South side of the park (Kensington museums etc). I had a HUGE room, with a very comfortable king size bed and a large bathroom. I booked through the UK company Superbreak, and got a great rate (about 115 pounds including 17% tax and breakfast). If you look up my other posting, you'll see I noted that my room was a little bit run down (I got an unrenovated room - not surprising because the rate I booked was a steal), but service was great, breakfast was excellent and I didn't mind the odd dent or bit of dingy wallpaper because the hotel was such a good value. And - they have a wonderful pool (free), gym (free) and spa. They're also supposed to have very good restaurants. There are several tube stops within walking distance (although not as close as some hotels - you'll probably have a 5-12 minute walk to most stops).

You also might check out the two Marriott Hotels in Mayfair (one on Park Street, and one called the Marriott Park Lane). I've seen the rooms at he Park Street location, and they have very comfortable beds.

Thank for the input and suggestions, Jenson and Kate - I'll check them out

Hey Kate_W, glad you enjoyed your stay at the Grosvenor House as much as we did in May '03. See my review on the rants and rave. We booked a triple room via Expedia at less than $200 a night incl taxes and ended up with a spacious suite (#309)! Although it was a little musty, couldn't find anything else to complain about...especially at such seemingly fantastic rates. Couldn't have been happier with this historic landmark. Plenty of other great luxurious choices nearby too. The Marble Arch tube stop is a short 10-min walk away. Oxford Street with all its stores and crowds being right there as well. Buckingham Palace was less than 20 mins away along a pleasant park walkway. I loved the tiles about the life of the Duke of Wellington at the Hyde Park underpass.

By the way purplegoose, the Radissons appeared much nicer than the ones you typically see in the States and are in terrific, central locations.

My husband and I (in our 40s) stayed at the Chesterfield over New Years and loved it. I really wanted a very English-feeling place and I was not disappointed. I consider its location ideal - since Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, and Picadilly are all so close and a short walk away from the hotel. The people at the Chesterfield were very nice and we loved the two pubs just a block away.

My sister and I booked a flight/hotel package for London (6 nights) for the end of April. Great flight!(I can't emphasize that enough) on British Airways-experienced, pleasant staff, clean plane, o.k. food. We paid a bit more to stay at Thistle Royal Horseguards across the street from Embankment Station Tube. The hotel is in a beautiful old building on a quiet street. Our room was extra nice, large, with two sets of french doors overlooking the front garden and the river(loved the heated towel bars). Very pleasant breakfast room, with huge English breakfast and what tasted like brewed coffee. Nice lobby with fireplace, friendly doorman and desk staff. Package also included a ride on the London Eye, and a very well-done half-day guided London tour on the first morning which really helped get our bearings to the sites we would see later in the week. Would recommend this to anyone. Have fun.

If the LeMeridien Grosvenor is too rich for your blood you might also consider the LeMeridien Piccadilly...close to the tube, easy walk to the West End and Mayfair, indoor pool..but get it at a discount if you can.