WillTravel

I think it's Air Transat.

RM67

Canada got the short straw then ........... ;-)

Apres_Londee

Hotwire is another good option for booking a chain hotel room at a deep discount. You could also probably get an airport hotel room for $50-$70 (US).

Hotwire doesn't reveal the actual hotel until after you make your booking- you get to choose a hotel based on location, price, no. of stars, and amenities. The betterbidding and biddingfortravel sites can help you make an educated guess beforehand though.

Jim143

The flight is a Monarch Airlines charter through GoTravelDirect. You can check the gotraveldirect website if you are interested. Flight leaves St John's Newfoundland at 19:05 every Thursday over the summer months. Arrival in Gatwick at 3:20. I can't explain their timing but that's it.

We're still looking at options for accomodation. Still nervious about Priceline but havn't ruled it out yet. A B&B in Hampstead looked interesting. That's a lot closer than North Finchley but I assume has the same transport issues??

Basetostay looks expensive.... 173 pounds for a double.
Tried athomeinlondon but not much available in zone 1. Many people apparently don't want to rent B&B' s for extended periods although I didn't think 2 weeks would be a problem.
Does anyone know of similar sites for arranging B&b?

WillTravel

Where is the Hampstead place? The transport issues will vary depending on the exact location.

janisj

Yes - what is the address - or at least the street name? Some owners 'fudge' the actual neighborhood. Hampstead is very posh, and if it is truly in Hampstead it would be 10,000% better than N. Finchley. (and even if it isn't IN Hampstead, it is probably 1,000% better)

janisj

and those 10,000% and 1,000% above may be <i>slight</i> mathematical exaggerations - but they are true

Jim143

Willoughby Road about 5 minutes’ walk to Hampstead underground station

janisj

Willoughby Road would be wonderful. It is literally around the corner from the tube station and a very short walk from Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill w/ great views over all of London.

That location is <B>100,000%</B> better than N Finchley (no exaggeration)

WillTravel

Hampstead is a very nice village that feels outside of London, although it's technically part of London, I think. There is a lot to see and do in Hampstead, so if you end up there for a day or in the evenings, you need not feel put out at all. The theatre has some interesting plays too. I would recommend taking the Hampstead-themed London Walk--it's very good.

texasbookworm

NOT second guessing you, or pushing athomeinlondon as if I make a percentage or something--but did you contact the office directly? I'm not surprised that things might be already booked, but I am surprised if nobody wanted to have you stay for 2 weeks; in fact,3 places we looked at actually gave a discount for staying 2 weeks. Anyway, hope you can find something suitable soon in as close as you can (We LOVED staying in Belgravia; we're staying in Bayswater this summer and hope it's as suitable--only staying 4 nights this time, though.)

Jim143

Yes I did contact the site directly. Actally there was one possibility , unfortunately there were cats and while I like cats myself, my wife has a phobia. The comment from the site was that hosts in the central area prefer to have guests to stay for a few nights at a time.

texasbookworm

I'm sure you'll find something soon that will work; will look forward to hearing how you plan to spend your time (and then hearing how you DID spend it.). Keep posting!

Jim143

After much web surfing and looking at many options we finially decided to go with the B&B in Hampstead. With the 90 pound agency non refundable agency fee that pretty well commits us now. On seeing a little more detail I'm a little apprehensive. It was advertised as "garden level" which I assumed meant being level with the garden. But in looking at the house on google earth I can see that the room is , from the street view, probably a metre or more below ground. Also there are bars on the windows....wonder what's out here!...and the entrance door looks to be tucked away under a set of steps. Not what I was expecting. It doesn't give me a warm and cosy feeling and I'm a bit disappointed but hoping it will look better on site.

Cholmondley_Warner

A garden flat/room is often below the surface of the street.

The bars are to deter burglars (tourists are a prime target (cash, cameras, traveller’s cheques etc).

This is perfectly normal for London – don’t fret. It’s a great location. You have the tube and the 24 bus to take you into the centre.

Hampstead itself has some cracking pubs but surprisingly few good restaurants, so you won’t be thirsty but you may grow sick of the sight of Pizza Express. (Eat at either the Flask or Hollybush rather than restaurants)

Sue878

Have you tried: www.londontown.com for hotels?

janisj

Garden level means "Basement" but not a dark dingy basement like you might think.

The houses have gardens, or often just a sort of courtyard/patio, a floor down from the street level.

You'll enter the flat down exterior stairs which are below the bldg's main door. This isn't bad - and definitely isn't false advertising. It IS at garden level. And you'll have full size windows - not like basement windows in parts of the US.

Once you are actually on the ground in in London you'll see many MANY houses/apartments set up this way.

When the bldg was a single house before it was converted to flats, the kitchen, larder, services were in the basement/garden level.

Did you ever see "Upstairs Downstairs"? You'll be in the 'Downstairs' -

Don't worry a tiny bit about this.

historytraveler

I don't know if you need anymore convincing, but C-W and Janis are right. You'll be fine, and you won't have to worry about climbing up a couple of flights of stairs.

Jim143

Thanks.... your comments help put me at ease.
I checked out the Flask and Holybush pubs on line, both look interesting...we'll definately take those in. I'm looking at a few things to do in the Hampstead area. The walk suggested by Willtravel looks good and we'll probably spend time at Hampstead Heath...maybe do a picnic.

Does anyone have any other suggestions in or close by Hampstead?

carolyn

See the Kenwood House. It's great--especially the library.