My wife, son and I are going to London this summer. I am looking for reasonably good accommodations - around 4 star ($250 -300 per night US). The travel agent suggests one of the following : Thistle Kensington garden, Plaza on Hyde park Hotel or the Kensington Forum Hotel. My friend suggests the Strand or the Cavendish. Anyone know these hotels or can make suggestions of others similar in quality?

Try lifestylesoftherichandfamous.com <BR> <BR>I think you're on the wrong site buddy.

To bad that you'll miss the travel experiance. All you'l see at those types of hotels are other Americans.

Barry, I too like to stay at nice hotels when I'm vacationing, and I know there are many on this forum that do also. Of the hotels you mentioned, I'm only familiar with the Strand, which is a big, nice place with good food and service. I've head good things about the Cavendish. I myself like Dukes, which is much smaller, with it's own gas lit courtyard. If you look into it, you might want to check out the newer rooms that are quite a bit bigger than the others.

Friends who have stayed at The Sloane tell me it's charming (~170 pounds). Rooms are not huge but very nicely decorated and everything in the room is for sale. One Aldwych is also very nice if you are looking for a more modern hotel (but that's more expensive- ~240 pounds)

Barry, ignore the above advice about being on the wrong site. <BR> <BR>The last time I was in London I had saved my money and took my mom with me and we splurged a bit. We stayed at the Knightsbridge Green Hotel. Generally I have very budget minded, but London was a special trip...

If the Kensington Gardens and the Royal Gardens in Kensington are the same(I believe they are) than I've stayed there about 2 years ago. The location was great, only a minute from a tube stop. The staff was very helpful and knowledgable. The only down side was my room was very small for the price I thought but you could just request bigger rooms I suppose. I will be staying at the Churchill Intercontinental based on advise from this forum, so if you want to email me after April 2nd and can let you know how it was. By the way, during my stay at the Kensington, I can't remember many, if any American(maybe 1 ten gallon hat amoungst the group, but that only adds flavor). There were a lot of business travelers naturally, Brits and other Europeans.

My husband and I stayed at the Plaza on Hyde Park and were extremely pleased with our visit Can't beat its location!! You're actually closer to Kensignton Gardens than Hyde Park, but either way, both are basically right across the street from the hotel. You're also very close to Kensington Palace. The hotel's in a very nice, quiet part of the city and the Lancaster Tube is a/b a 1/2 block away. When we visited, the facade was being repaired, so it should be done by now. The room we stayed in was small, but clean (the bathroom was small, too, with a hand-held showerhead). It also had a full sized bed. I'm sure they have bigger rooms/bed and I'd ask the agent to ask since it's the 3 of you. They provide coffee and tea (of course) in the room so you can make it in your room. Don't know if this is your first visit to London, but some people don't like small rooms; we were fine and felt like we had plenty of room. Inside the hotel is a bar/restaurant; the Concierge was VERY helpful and the staff was very attentive and helpful. Included was a continental breakfast. But I'd check the price, b/c while the hotel looks GREAT, very European, I'm not sure we paid $250/night. I say that b/c we did a package deal that was very inexpensive for what we rec'd, so I'd check the price again.

We've just made reservations for the Gallary in Kensington - part of Elegant English Hotels (they have a web site by the way). Has anyone stayed there?

A very nice hotel -- maybe at the upper end of this price range -- is the Thistle at Hyde Park. It used to be named "Whites Hotel" -- but even then, it was part of the Thistle chain. A smallish property -- probably 50 -60 rooms -- but well located and very nice rooms, each uniquely furnished -- extremely friendly and helpful staff.

Barry, <BR>Check the websitewww.etontownhouse.com/colonnade/colimg.htm for information regarding the Colonnade Hotel. What you see on the website is what you get. The hotel, formerly family owned and operated, was sold last year and subsequently completely remodeled. It's in a quiet residential area with the canals of Little Venice just a block or two away. The tube station and bus station is within 200 yards of the hotel. The tube stop is the Warwick Avenue station, on the Bakerloo Line one stop from Paddington Station where trains from Heathrow arrive.

Barry, I live in London, so I don't stay in hotels. I would think in terms of hotels near parks if you like to look out on some green and if you like to take a walk close to your hotel. I have stayed at Duke's and it is charming. Quite small, though. And I'd say the canals of Little Venice, charming though the area is, may not be central enough for you. I'd opt for the Hyde Park, or Knightsbridge or Kensington area if you're wanting to be close to the smart shops and the parks. Good luck and have a great time.