Don't overlook the buses in your planning, by the way. There's a handy map showing the bus routes that go by the main attractions, in the TfL visitor guide at:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15101.aspx

TPAYT, I know you mostly do hotels but I love the maps on the apartments I linked you. They really show what is there in the area. All the transportation links.

Seamus, yes, I mistyped... I meant 51 Buckingham Gate!

flpab----actually we are not fans of hotels at all, especially huge business type properties. With just the 2 of us we prefer an apt, gite, or B&B and have rented them in Europe on many of our trips. As it is a first trip to London and we will have a 13 yr. old with us, we think a hotel will be a better choice. It will get us out & about faster to go down to breakfast instead of lingering over coffee in an apt.
I did check out the info on Flipkey and thank you for the post. We have never used that service but may do so at another time.

I like the Harlingford Hotel. It's located in Bloomsbury and in a pleasant neighborhood. The Harlingford is within easy walking distance of three tube stations: Russell Square, Euston and King's Cross / St. Pancras International. We walked to the British museum from the hotel.

Checking the website, the price is currently 140 pounds a night for a triple. Breakfast is good and there are several good restaurants in the neighborhood. Be aware it does not have an elevator.

YIKES!!!

I've been searching the sites for hours and hours.
For our dates, June 15-19 2014 everything we like in the $500 seems to be booked.
Many left either too cheap or too expensive or wrong location.

After reading the above posts we kind of wanted the St. James, Mayfair, Covent Garden location but I think we may be priced out unless we want to hit close to or above $600.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html
Looks really tired

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...d.html#REVIEWS
Again looks old and tired

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html
Somehow I just can't picture us at a Hiliday Inn even if the location is good

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/park...d56a89bc8d2X12
Different location than we have looked at

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.

Here's one more near The Eye

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

I realize London is popular but I though 8 months out we'd be able to find something acceptable. We're almost ready to ditch London all together and just go to Paris. Is Paris also expensive? Yes, and we wanted to see London, but this is getting very disappointing.

The County Hall is an excellent location

I'd be surprised if places were booked up this far out. Sometimes the websites don't have the rooms released months and months ahead. If you see something you like, perhaps you can send a specific e-mail (or call) to check . .

Then again, I don't tend to stay at the fancier places . . .

FYI, we stayed at the HI in Mayfair with points -- great deal but perhaps not the charm you are looking for.

Good luck.

I would go for St Ermin's, the first you listed above. The tripadvisor reviews are excellent. I looked at the photos and didn't really see "old and tired" but I guess those things are in the eye of the viewer.

I would go and realize that London is a very expensive hotel city, but the opportunities to enjoy it at a relatively reasonable rate abound. Good transportation, two for one deals, free museums, a huge variety of small reasonable restaurants...

You ask if Paris is also expensive. Did you find it so during your many visits? I don't think it's as expensive for lodgings as is London.

TPAYT have you looked at the Ampersand hotel in South Kensington? I stayed there for nine nights in July and was very impressed, great staff, lovely fresh and whimsical decor, not tired at all. I am fussy about where I stay, preferring boutique hotels or smallish hotels with charm, not a fan of corporate cookie cutter hotels.

The location was great, right across the road from the tube station, plus a bus stop literally outside the door of the hotel. You can walk easily to the V and A museum, Natural History museum, Hyde park, Kensington Palace, Harrods, we also walked to Chelsea and all over Knightsbridge and South Kensington.
When we went further afield for the theatre, a couple of guided tours etc it was quick and easy to get the tube.

They have a suite which sleeps three, the cost is a bit above your budget at about $647.00 per night but looks really nice. We liked the extras like Nespresso machine in room and the mini fridge stocked each day with water, juice, soft drinks for no charge, and leaving room for things you might buy elsewhere.
You are spoiled for choice in the neighbourhood for eateries, plus the food in their restaurant, Apero,is very good.
It looks like their booking schedule isn't up to speed for June yet. Take a look at their site and if it interests you I would email them directly with your request.
www.ampersandhotel.com

The park plaza county hall is NOT a place I'd stay - especially since you are looking at upscale/posh properties.

Now, the Marriott County Hall is fantastic, but the Park Plaza is located between Waterloo station and the MUCH cheaper Premier Inn. It is not a hotel I'd choose at most any price, but definitely not at those rates.

You say the St Ermins looks tired- well it is a much more upscale/ nicer property than the Park Plaza.

TPAYT - I would stick with London if you want to see it. A "must visit" right up there with Paris and Rome. You can even stay in the choice neighborhoods you like. Here's how: Rent an apartment. I promise you can find a REALLY nice 2 BR on VRBO, AirB&B, or Homeaway in those neighborhoods under your budget...

Royal Horseguards Hotel in Westminster. Great location. Walk to everything and near Charing Cross Station. Across the river from the London Eye.

The Montague on the Garden is beside the British Museum in Bloomsbury. Smaller but service is excellent. It's part of the Red Carnation group. They have several other properties in London. All are small, boutique.

London Connection is a great site for apartment rentals. I'm staying in one of their flats in January - 4 bedrooms/3 baths for $600 per night. Price is the same in June.

Hi TPAYT,

I agree with champ21e who wrote: “Royal Horseguards Hotel in Westminster. Great location. Walk to everything and near Charing Cross Station. Across the river from the London Eye.”

I would strongly suggest a hotel in this area of Whitehall near Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Trafalgar Square – so much to see and do within walking distance without having to take the Tube everywhere.

Horseguards is above my budget so I have stayed twice (and maybe a third time?) at the Strand Palace not far from Charing Cross which TDudette suggested above. Staying at either of these hotels, or those in the area, allows you to return during the day and decompress before venturing out again.

I am sure that your lucky granddaughter will LOVE London…

TPAYT - The Holiday Inn chain in Europe is quite different than in the US - not 5 stars, but definitely nicer than in the US where so many HI properties are (or were) just a step above motel. The HI Mayfair is priced as highly as it is due to its absolutely brilliant location, in Mayfair and literally across the street from the Green Park tube station which is well served by several lines. Buckingham palace is just the other side of Green Park. I have stayed there a couple times including with an accompanying teen aged niece and it is typically British dark wood and chintz drape decor. Once I found the Crowne Plaza St James I never went back but it was fine.

I just did a quick look at www.londontown.com and it offers several options that might work. have you looked there?

As Seamus mentioned, the Crowne Plaza St James is a fantastic hotel with a good location and some interesting dining options. If you can get past the chain-hotel name, it's a really good choice and should be well within your budget.

Can't recall what area it would be considered but several years ago we stayed at the kenilworth hotel, which we thought was a good location. Very close to the British museum and soho and covent gardens. Actually as I am writing this its coming back to me. Think it was the Bloomsbury area. Would definitely stay in that area again.

After much consideration we have decided on the London-Paris Globus Family Tour. We will be 4 nights (1 extra) in London and 3 nights in Paris.

We are definitely not tour type people, always go on our own, but thought with a 13 yr. along it would be best if we had a rigorous schedule to follow---fast & furious is our plan. We still will have basically 3 days on our own in London(plus 1 tour day) and 1 full plus 2- 1/2 days on our own (plus 1 full and 2- 1/2 tour days) in Paris. Not too much bus action and including The Chunnel to Paris.

Paris is a snap (our favorite city) to plan and London is shaping up. Purchased tickets for "Matilda" on our last night.
We know she would love a Downton Abbey tour but it just looks too long and complicated. We'll keep looking at doing that on our own though.

All of the above suggestions have been a great help in our decision. We have booked hotels, planes, trains, cars, etc. on our own for many years. We'll see how we like this way of doing things.

My son saw Mathilda in NYC and loved it. How much better to see Roald Dahl in London!! You guys are wonderful grandparents and I hope you all have a great time.