LONDON IN MAY - WHERE TO STAY
 

I am interested in staying in the Hyde Park Area but I'm not familiar with any of the hotels. Would like something in the $150.00 a night range.

For that price I think you can get hotels in the Bayswater area, that is along Hyde Park. In Park Lane, at the bottom of Hyde Park, near Oxford Street, all the hotels are much more expensive, the Marriot, the Dorchester.

How long are you staying for? Can your budget perhaps be stretched for a more sabiritic experience?

m kingdom. I will probably be staying 7 nights. Yes, my budget can be stretched. Any good ideas?

If this is your first time in London, I am sure that a week will not leave you with too much spare time on your hands.

The Lanesborough, in a recent survey was found to be "simply the best hotel in London" this faces Hyde Park, and offers superb accomodations, dining and drinking - I for one regularly patronise Salvatore Calabrese's superb Library Bar.

This is an expensive option, but the excellent position - within walking distance of Mayfair (15 min) and Knightsbridge (10 min) is worth it.

Other hotel worth considering is Claridges in the heart of Mayfair, but not really the Hyde Park area specified by yourself. However, whilst it is cheaper than the Lanesborough, the standard rooms are noticeably smaller and more tired.


Perhaps if you do not wish to spend all your time in London, you could try a couple of nights in The Grove - a magnificent new country house style resort (www.thegrove.co.uk) with the amenities, services and leisure facilities of the finest London hotels. This would offer you some time to enjoy the picturesque English countryside, a welcome break from the fast pace of London.

I would not normally reccomend venturing away from London, as many hotels are not really up to scratch - this one has just opens, and looks fantastic. I have been taken of an extensive tour of the spa centre, and the estate in general - it will be the finest resort hotel in the UK.

If you could extend your stay, you could enjoy five nights in London and if you are able to drive in the UK, another five in Scotland. Scotland affords breathtaking scenery as well as vibrant cities.

In Ediburgh the Balmoral is the best, and there are numerous "castle" resorts near Inverness e.g. Inverlochy Castle.

If you do want to stay solely in London you should not be bored, especially if you're residing at The Lanesborough!

Madison, people have reported getting very good rates recently at the Le Meridien Grosvenor House on Park Lane across from Hyde Park. This is a large hotel often sued for big antique shows & banquet events. The public rooms are lavish but the hotel rooms are described as somewhat faded (probably why the rates are lower). It is down the street from the very posh Dorchester as Tere mentions.

I can't remember the website people used for these good rates, but if you do a text search here for the hotel, you should be able to find it.

Reviews on tripadvisor.com are mixed, but it is in the area you mentioned & probably can be had at your price.

My post should read "...often USED for big antique shows..." not sued-LOL!

The Dorchester fails to impress me, it's in the top price bracket, the restaurants and bar are good, but not the best, and both public and private areas are a little faded.

The Grosvenor House is not as prestigious as the Dorchester, but shares similar problems.

If you can get the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park at a good rate, this is also a good option.

Here are ways to browse for hotels:
londontown.com lists hotels by area and by price, pick out a few that look interesting and within the budget.

Then look for comments from past guests.
You can search on each by name right here on this message board. You can click on the top of this screen on Hotels, and review London hotel listings on Fodors along with customer comments. And you can find customer comments on hotels also at
tripadvisor.com

If you need to narrow it down further, post a message here with the hotel name(s) in the title.

I'll admit my ignorance and ask. What is a "sabiritic" experience?

I did look in the unabridged Random House Dictionary of the English Language.

I assume the poster meant "sybaritic."

Thanks, WillTravel.

Thank you to everyone for all your help. I really appreciate it.

Going from $150 per night to the Lanesborough, Dorchester, Mandarin Oriental, etc would be quite a stretch! If anyone finds rates close to that at any of those hotels, please be sure to let me know.

Glad someone said it DMG =D>

BTW, Madison, VAT (tax) is 17.5% so if rates don't include tax, add that.

Yes, it it would be a stretch, however, when I for one decide to compromise on hotels, I am usually disappointed with the results. This disappointment overshadows all the other positive aspects of my trip, and it will be these let-downs that stay in my mind.

If you cannot stretch to the best, either shorten your stay or make sure you a get such a good deal, that little niggles won't annoy you too much.