London - south side?
#1
Original Poster

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London - south side?
I've spent way too much time looking for hotels - end of Aug / beginning of Sept. I am somewhat familiar with the environs of London, but not really on the south side of the river. We did visit the restored Globe on our last visit and saw Boroughs Market. Are there some pleasant hotels in that area? the neighborhood would be called???? We prefer somewhat quiet, near the tube. Other suggestions? - currently looking at hotel near Hyde Park but reviews are all over the spectrum. Do NOT want to stay near major shopping - last time near British Museum / Oxford St. - HATED it! South Kensington seems a bit steep - would like around $200 US per night. Thanks!
#3

Joined: Jan 2003
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The Hampton Waterloo might fit your bill . . not much ambiance, but pleasant enough
https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/ho...LHX/index.html
https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/ho...LHX/index.html
#4

Joined: Feb 2006
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I stayed in Premier Inns my last trip to the UK, and was very pleased. This one is just south of the river (the Marriott in the same building has killer views, stop by for a drink):
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hot...unty-hall.html
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hot...unty-hall.html
#5



Joined: Oct 2005
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>>the neighborhood would be called????<<
The good neighborhoods for transport and hotels would mostly be 'Waterloo' and 'Southwark'. Southwark actually covers a large area and extends very far south. The convenient places would be in the little slice at the north end in the 'bulge' of the Thames. Basically from Tower Bridge to Waterloo. This would be the area of Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, the Globe, Tate Modern, the Shard, Potters Field, OXO Tower, the Eye, etc.
The good neighborhoods for transport and hotels would mostly be 'Waterloo' and 'Southwark'. Southwark actually covers a large area and extends very far south. The convenient places would be in the little slice at the north end in the 'bulge' of the Thames. Basically from Tower Bridge to Waterloo. This would be the area of Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, the Globe, Tate Modern, the Shard, Potters Field, OXO Tower, the Eye, etc.
#6
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>>the neighborhood would be called????<<
The good neighborhoods for transport and hotels would mostly be 'Waterloo' and 'Southwark'. Southwark actually covers a large area and extends very far south. The convenient places would be in the little slice at the north end in the 'bulge' of the Thames. Basically from Tower Bridge to Waterloo. This would be the area of Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, the Globe, Tate Modern, the Shard, Potters Field, OXO Tower, the Eye, etc.
The good neighborhoods for transport and hotels would mostly be 'Waterloo' and 'Southwark'. Southwark actually covers a large area and extends very far south. The convenient places would be in the little slice at the north end in the 'bulge' of the Thames. Basically from Tower Bridge to Waterloo. This would be the area of Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, the Globe, Tate Modern, the Shard, Potters Field, OXO Tower, the Eye, etc.
I agree with checking out Premier Inns. They are all over the place and generally great value. London has a lot of very poor value places, particularly in the mid-range. Premier Inn is considered lower end but I've always found the standard to be relatively high compared to more expensive hotels. Simple rooms but high quality fittings - bathrooms that are more European than British (that's a good thing), newer decor, clean. Generally well run as compared to many hotels where it's clear nobody cares. I've increasingly got to the point where I check Premier Inn first in many cases. Pricing within a Premier Inn can vary greatly based on the demand on that day.
I think you probably know this but areas in London (or anywhere) can vary greatly block to block. For example, you mention British Museum area and there are a lot of great, quiet areas right around there. I would not rule out a broad area just because there are unpleasant areas within it. Yes, Oxford Street can be awful but right around the corner can be lovely. Like saying Southbank is bad just because the area in front of County Hall is awful (and it is awful), despite the hotels within being commonly recommended on this forum.
#7

Joined: Feb 2006
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Also, the Premier Inns I stayed in last year had AC. Just saying... I, too, don't get the problem with staying near the BM. My go-to B&B is on Gower Street (it has a lot of stairs, which I couldn't handle last year, that's why I was staying in Premier Inns, with elevators.)
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#10

Joined: Feb 2006
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https://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/
Not fancy, the Arosfa next door is a bit fancier and a bit pricier.
Not fancy, the Arosfa next door is a bit fancier and a bit pricier.
#11



Joined: Oct 2005
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>>You're talking about the area generally referred to as - Southbank (although generally west of Blackfriars bridge) or Bankside (east of Blackfriars). Area around Borough Market and station by that name is pretty commonly 'Borough' as the area name. Other names are sometimes used within this as well.<<
yes -- I do know all that . . . My explanation was to answer what the neighborhood is 'called', and that area is called 'Southwark' - meaning that is what a property's description would call it. But the vast majority of Southwark is not a good area for visitors to stay -- the places I mentioned were just so the OP could pinpoint the specific slice on a map . . .
yes -- I do know all that . . . My explanation was to answer what the neighborhood is 'called', and that area is called 'Southwark' - meaning that is what a property's description would call it. But the vast majority of Southwark is not a good area for visitors to stay -- the places I mentioned were just so the OP could pinpoint the specific slice on a map . . .
#12
Joined: Aug 2004
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>>You're talking about the area generally referred to as - Southbank (although generally west of Blackfriars bridge) or Bankside (east of Blackfriars). Area around Borough Market and station by that name is pretty commonly 'Borough' as the area name. Other names are sometimes used within this as well.<<
yes -- I do know all that . . . My explanation was to answer what the neighborhood is 'called', and that area is called 'Southwark' - meaning that is what a property's description would call it. But the vast majority of Southwark is not a good area for visitors to stay -- the places I mentioned were just so the OP could pinpoint the specific slice on a map . . .
yes -- I do know all that . . . My explanation was to answer what the neighborhood is 'called', and that area is called 'Southwark' - meaning that is what a property's description would call it. But the vast majority of Southwark is not a good area for visitors to stay -- the places I mentioned were just so the OP could pinpoint the specific slice on a map . . .
But since you seem like you want to argue, my point was that this area that you're simply calling "Southwark" is often referred to by other names depending on the location within that area. I agree that it's helpful for looking at a map but I strongly disagree that properties (presumably you mean hotels) always or even usually describe themselves as "in Southwark". Clearly Southwark is not generally a prestigious name and it's also not very precise so many hotels will choose to name themselves or describe their location with more precision or with a name perceived more positively. Not deceptive...just because naming is very loose and there are often a few different ways to refer to a location in central London.
Just a few examples below of hotels describing themselves with Bankside and London Bridge (not recommendations, just examples of naming). I believe all are generally in the area that the OP is referring to. And yes, some hotels do have Southwark in their names and location descriptions.
citizenM London Bankside hotel (incidentally probably one of the closest hotels to the Globe which the OP references as a preferred location)
Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection
Hilton London Bankside
Mercure London Bridge
#16
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Yes, and there are many, many other examples in addition to those already referenced. Even Bermondsey also as you point out. Although most other hotels around Bermondsey Square Hotel reference their location as 'London Bridge'. Some in this area (i.e. very close to Globe) use the location reference of Blackfriars which was not referenced before.
Who would have thought that it was controversial to say that hotels in this area identify or describe their location in many different ways, not just as Southwark (or Waterloo)?
Who would have thought that it was controversial to say that hotels in this area identify or describe their location in many different ways, not just as Southwark (or Waterloo)?
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