We are going to London and Paris in May 2014 and I would like suggestions for hotels in London. I have been told that the Kensington area is central to many restaurants, shops and museums. Would $300 US be the right amount for a charming hotel in Central London?

Take a look at londontown.com. You can search for lodging by type, location and price. Your budget is probably good for a charming and moderately-priced place.

<< I have been told that the Kensington area is central to many restaurants, shops and museums>>

Need to do more research.

First, what do you want to see?

Second, what is "three days"? How many nights is your stay?

Third, Kensington is NOT central to museums. South Kensington is.

$300 will get you adequate accommodations, but what is "charming" to you?

Depend on

1) what you mean by charming
2)how many people you are

Kensington is a pleasant area not too far from the center. We prefer Mayfair or Knightsbridge and expect a decent size room/baby suite in a charming hotel for 2 to be about $500 plus.

I agree w/ BigRuss. <u>South</u> Kensington is close to sites/museums/easy transport connections - especially from LHR. Kensington is a different neighborhood.

Other areas to search would be Russell Sq/Bloomsbury (near the British Museum), Covent Garden (in the very center of many major sites), Victoria (near the river/Buckingham Palace and good transport links), Southwark/Southbank (near the Globe theatre, Tate Modern, St Pauls and the Tower of London)

Any of these should have hotels w/i your budget - $300/£185 won't be luxury but nice enough.

Re nytraveler's post -- Mayfair and Knightsbridge are probably the two most expensive areas for hotels. Which is why I didn't suggest them.

South Kensington is a great neighbourhood to stay in. I can highly recommend The Ampersand on Harrington Road, I was there for 9 nights this past July.
Very charming hotel with really good, friendly staff. Great food and drinks in their restaurant, Apero, too. Gorgeous room called the Drawing Room for afternoon tea or champagne and snacks.
The decor of the hotel is fresh and whimsical.

It is just across the street from South Kensington tube station and surrounded by great places to eat and shop. Very short walk to the Natural History museum and the Victoria and Albert museum.
A small double room is 180 GBP or American $286.40 (this room is probably very small, better for one person but might be okay for a short stay )
A Superior room (which we had) is 222.00 GBP or American $353.22 (if you were able to up your budget a bit)

www.ampersandhotel.com/

the St Giles near Tottenham court road tube is the best priced, best located hotel in London. Otherwise the travelodge Charing Cross is good, although they don't offer luggage storage. Both these hotels are a stone throw from Leicester Sq, China town, the West End theatre district, Trafalgar Sq, etc

Um, would either of those qualify as "charming"?

I'm not really sure what the OP means by that.

Quaint? Antique furniture? Or funky?

Upscale? Modest but pretty decor?

The St Giles isn't terrible (in fact I'm stay there for 2 nights next month. Not my choice exactly -- it is one of the package hotels for the 49er/Jacksonville NFL game)

But I'd never recommend it for someone seeking 'charming' . . . or even comfortable. I'm staying there 2 nights because I have to - then I'm moving to a nicer property.