London- where did you stay?
 

My husband & I are going to London in April.
Has anyone stayed in the May Fair-West end area? Does a double mean double bed or two people? Are there any hotels or B/B that have queen or king beds? Also, private bathrooms? How about American hotels? Open to staying in other areas too. Are there rooms for $150.00 a night? Thanks.

Hi g,

Does a double mean double bed or two people?

Double bed for two people.

Are there any hotels or B/B that have queen or king beds?

Yes

Also, private bathrooms?

Yes

How about American hotels?

You can't stay in an American hotel in London. They are all in America.

Are there rooms for $150.00 a night?

Yes

A double generally means for 2 people but may also mean a double bed. Queen beds are available in some places. Kings are harder to find. If you mean American type hotels, there are several Hiltons, Holiday Inns and a few other chains that escape me at the moment. IMO the single best deal is bidding for a room on Priceline where you can "win" a room for under $100/night. You MUST know what you're doing though so if you want to try, read biddingfortravel.com carefully and/or betterbidding.com.

People were getting great deals a few months ago at the Holiday Inn Mayfair which everybody thinks is a great location.

Clarification...the deals on the HI Mayfair were from somewhere on the HI's own website (special offers or something like that)as I recall, not from Priceline (although people do win HI rooms on Priceline).

Marriott is another chain with hotels in London. The Marriott County Hall is popular, esp. with families.

We're staying at the Days Inn Waterloo, which seems to have good reviews. Would have stayed at somewhere less "corporate", but we're taking our young kid. Wish us luck!

gluvscats- There is also the Radisson chain throughout London. We've stayed at the London Hilton on Park Lane once and had a queen bed and was very happy with the hotel and location but it was off season so the price was right.
I also looked into the Lincoln House B&B that's a few blocks from the Marble Arch tube,www.lincolnhousehotel.co.uk, last March and even had a reservation but changed my mind and went with a hotel.
I see they are running specials now. We loved Mayfair but after staying in Kensington the tube line was much more convenient so I don't know if we'd changed again. Also try pricing on www.londontown.com.
Hope this helps.

gluvscats- I just reread my reply and I meant to say we stayed in an apartment this time in Kensington and preferred it to a hotel and also preferred the Gloucester Rd. stop to any in Mayfair because it sits on 3 major lines that run to a lot of tourist attractions as well as Heathrow.

King beds are available in some hotels; a double room means for two people but doesn't necessarily offer a double bed..could be two twin beds, for exp.

HJoliday Inn Mayfair is about as close to a tube stop (Green Park) as one can get since it is literally just around a corner from the hotel's front entrance.

I'm sorry you got "slammed" by Mr. Perfect for asking about an "American hotel"...most of us undcerstood what you were asking.

We stayed at one of the Thistle chain hotels, the one at Victoria Station, during Sept. 2003. Hotel was very convenient, being right at Victoria train station (entrance right in the station) and next to one of the main tube stops. We were within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, etc. Rooms were not luxurious but nice and comfortable. The hotel staff was polite and helpful. Seemed to be quite a few Americans - I guess we like convenience. Next time I'm in London, I probably won't stay there just so I can try something different (and a different area) but I wouldn't complain if I had to stay there again. One caution - if you do stay here and need A/C, ask for it in advance. Some of the rooms have A/C and others do not. I believe our room was less than $150 per night (but who knows now since the pound is so strong against the dollar).

Ken

The Waldorf near Covent Garden is now owned by Hilton. Our room had a king sized bed and we bid 4*, $100 Mayfair/Soho zone on Priceline. Others have bid about 4*, $75 Mayfair/Soho and received the Holiday Inn, as others have written.

Have a wonderful trip!

Here is my advice (take it as you may) If you are set on a hotel and want a good location...you are very wise at looking at the big hotel (chains) DO NOT BE MISLEAD by the small "family run" hotels that offer to good to be true rates in prime locations.

I have mentioned it before and I will keep mentioning it (I am so afraid someone else might make the mistake I did!) I stayed at the Windsor House Hotel. Right around the corner from Earls Court. I was so excited!! ONLY 32GPB for a single AND you can even use their kitchen. Not only that, according to their website, they "pride themselves on cleanliness" - WHAT A DUMP! and they made me pay in full before I could even look around and see my room!! (RED FLAG!!!)

My point? Spend a little more and get something nice ... this place is too nice just for me, but it might be PERFECT for you!! :D (Your price range too AND queen bed!! - It is a deluxe B&B not a "hotel" though)

http://www.londonby.com/kildare/pages/apart.htm

London has a <b>LOT</b> of dumpy 3-star hotels that should really be 2-star at best. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

I still think you get the most for your money thru Priceline (bidding on 4-star or better.) Do your homework first on <b>www.biddingfortravel.com</b>.

If you're not going until April, you might want to wait until closer to departure to book accommodations.

Last year my boyfriend and I booked a United vacations flight. For BOTH of us, departing LAX r/t AND staying 6 nights at the Berners Hotel (very nice with amazing breakfasts)our grand total was $1400. Nope, I'm not making this up. That's not each person, that was both of us together.

And, Holiday Inn is a British chain, and has been for years.

That said, the best advice in the above messages is to avoid what seems like real bargains. I shivered one November, and would not have if I hadn't been so cheap.

London is very expensive, compared to lots of places. When you are thinking of hotel prices, don't compare them to mid-American cities; compare them to New York, and then add on a frwe dollars. It's hard to find a nice NYCity hotel for $150 US, and it's equally hard to find a London hotel for 150 pounds.

You'll also find restaurants expensive.

But London's worth the premium prices.

BAK

We stayed at the Radisson Vanderbilt Edwardian in Kensington area. Great location and close to a tube. Hotel was very friendly. I was able to get 99 pounds a nite including breakfast back in may 2003.

Hope this helps

My wife and I, along with my mom, stayed at the Holiday Inn Mayfair at the end of September for four days, and were delighted with the hotel. We were able to take advantage of their &quot;Europe for Less&quot; promo, although that offer has expired. The room was about the size you'd expect at a US Holiday Inn but the room had two queen beds. As has been mentioned, the Green Park Tube station is only a block away, as is the bus stop, making travel to anywhere quick and easy. We took advantage of the Marks and Spencer market in the Green Park Tube station for snacks and beverages and were quite pleased that there was a Starbuck's right across the street from the hotel, where we had breakfast each morning since the hotel's breakfast was incredibly expensive.

I thought the location was very quiet and clean.

I would definitely stay at the Holiday Inn Mayfair again and would give it a very high recommendation!

Mayfair (no hyphen) is the perfect area to stay in. If you can book a four star (or better) then the standards shouldn't be so diabolical, however, seek advise from here and fodors.com if booking a 3-star as (and previous posters have mentioned this) they can be rather iffy with regards to their overal standards.

Holiday Inn Mayfair is an hideous building that really should be pulled down, but for your purposes it has location, an acceptable quality level, and a keen price.

We stayed at the Rembrandt Hot. in July.
Had a great Queen exec with VG full English B'fast for 99 GBPs (prepaid internet rate).
The location is excellent - 1/2 way between Harrod's and South Kensington tube station just X the street from Victoria and Albert museum.
I would def stay there again (when the USD gets a bit more strength).
M

I stayed at Norfolk Plaza Hotel. It was close to the tube and liked the location. If you are a Princess type person don't stay here. I'd compare it to a Days Inn in the U.S. It was a clean place and nice enough beds so that was all I was interested in.

My last trip to London was 2 years ago, and we stayed at the Strand in Covent Garden. I know, I know---Tourist City! However, our purpose there was theater, five plays in four nights, and the hotel was offering a wonderful incentive on the tickets + shows. We stayed in two newly renovated rooms that were lovely. The concierge was helpful and extremely gracious. All told, the experience was great.

Staying at the Holiday Inn Forum and Crowne Plaza St. James this time (passing through twice) because the prices were too good to pass up on priceline. I, too, have stayed at some horrible &quot;family owned&quot; hotels---maybe the Addams Family! I don't do quaint any more, and we don't want to spend the money to do luxury, so a four-star chain under $125 suits me at this stage of my life.

We've stayed by Marble Arch (Thistle), Covent Garden (Waldorf Hilton on Aldwych) and South Kensington (Millennium Bailey's). Though the Waldorf Hilton was the most central location (especially nice for first-timers), you can easily get all over by tube or bus.

I'm a huge fan of Priceline for London. You have plenty of time to study the hotel FAQ's at Biddingfortravel.com and watch for winning bids for your approximate dates. You could also request bidding assistance.

Though, I highly recommend checking out the Priceline packages (you can select your flights and hotel before booking).

We stayed at the HOLIDAY INN Kensington for five l-o-n-g hot nights. The room was an adequate size with two double beds. We did NOT enjoy our stay. We were there in early August and the temperatures were in the 80's. The website stated there was A/C in all the rooms and that is why I booked it. (This has changed now..the website says A/C in public areas.....there was NO A/C in public areas when we were there either.) We reported the problem to the management daily but the A/C was NEVER repaired during our stay. We would have left the hotel, but we had PREPAID our stay. Holday Inn stated policy is : if there is a problem they will reimburse you for that part of the stay. I wrote the management explaining the lack of A/C (ice machine on floor didn't work)and I received a surly note stating &quot;AMERICANS expect too much&quot;...and I was NOT reimbursed for the five days. Check out Tripadvisor.com for other reviews of this hotel. Seems like HEATING in the winter is a problem, too. Good luck in your quest to find a decent London hotel for a decent $$$$.

We booked thru british airways a room at the Rembrandt at Thanksgiving for $144 USD a night including taxes that includes breakfast. Found good solid reviews on trip advisor and the location is suppose to be very good as it is across the street from V&amp; A museum close to tube stop South Kensington and very near the big bus tour stop.

If I ever had to stay in a hotel in London again I would get a last minute hotel like I did on some of these ones.

Quality Hotel Westminster.

We got staff rates so it was very worthwhile. Not the best 3* I?ve stayed in, but not bad at all. They are busy redoing the rooms so should all be nice a bright and shiny soon. Great location, just 2 minutes walk from Victoria coach and Victoria train stations. Huge supermarket next door. Great fish restaurant on Walton St, around the corner.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits in the room.
TV in room.
Basic buffet style breakfast.
http://www.hotels-westminster.com/


Berjaya Eden Park Hotel

http://www.berjayaedenparkhotel.co.uk/

I loved this hotel. I was alone when I stayed here and was given a very nice single room. Very clean.
New bathroom with lovely toiletries.
TV in room.
Very good buffet style breakfast. Lovely breakfast room.
The hotel was built in 1860 but is actually a string of terrace houses joined together, so expect lots of steps because everything is on different levels. There is a lift but you may have to also walk up and down a couple of steps- lots of character.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits in the room.
Great Location, 2 minutes from Bayswater AND Queenspark tube stations. Just around the corner from Kensington Palace. Lots of shops and restaurants just around the corner too.
I got a great Rate on this one on
http://last-minute.hotels-london.co.uk/


Comfort Inn Nottinghill
http://www.londonby.com/comfortnottinghill/

Not bad for the price. I had a single room here and got a very small room. Very clean. Nice modern small bathroom. Tea andCoffee in the room. TV in room.
I didn?t like the breakfast room in the basement, and there was not much variety.
Good location, just a minute from Nottinghill tube station.
I would stay here again if I couldn?t get a room where I really wanted elsewhere.


22 York Street.
http://www.myrtle-cottage.co.uk/callis.htm

My husband stayed here and loved it.


The Sherlock Holmes Hotel
http://www.londonby.com/sholmes/index.html

A friend stayed here for one night, then transferred to the Copthorne Tara where we were staying, because he was given a single room that looked more like servants quarters than a guest room. Awful, I saw it!


the Copthorne Tara Hotel
http://www.millenniumhotels.com/MCIL.nsf/lu_hoteldoc/43$$hotelDescription?opendocument

Great hotel, great location around the corner from High Street Kensington tube.
Great breakfast. Great restaurants. I can?t fault this hotel except that the back rooms face the train line, but they do have double glazing on the windows. I would insist on a front room.
This is a wonderful location to stay.


President Hotel
http://www.londonhotels.ndirect.co.uk/presiden.htm

We stayed here many years ago and didn?t really like it. Things may have changed by now, but it was rather run down then.


April is a great time in London, hope you have a wonderful trip :-)

Here is another strong vote for the Radisson Hotel in the Kensington neighborhood-I believe it was the Radisson Vanderbilt. Check it out on their website. The people there were very friendly, our room was very nice and a breakfast buffet was included. It was an older building that had been refurbished-so a lot of the charm still existed. We had a room that overlooked the street it was located near
a tube stop was just across the street from us plus a grocery store and a couple wonderful pubs. I think you would be very happy here.

Another vote for Priceline which I have used many times in London and always paid under $100 per night for a nice room in a 4* hotel. As someone has noted a regular London price will start at 100 GBP, which is like $200.

I also second the observation that small cheap hotels in London can be disgusting, I would only use one that was highly recommended by someone I knew.

April is great for Priceline as you do not have the air conditioning problem. I would not use it in a hot month, and I would not use it if travelling with someone I did not wish to share a bed with, as you can't be sure requests will be met.

(That said - I have had requests met at hotels booked on Priceline - for early check-in, and for room changes when I didn't like noise, view, small, whatever.)

..In the 150 price range I will be the umpteenth person to recommend priceline. There are 2 other alternatives-1. look at the airfare hotel packages. some are excellent value but be sure you cross check the hotel on trip advisor. 2. book something that you can cancel with no or minimal penalty and then try laterooms.com or ratestogo (laterooms probably better for london). You can sometimes luck out with a great bargain but be sure to have a back up plan...As others have said, when you budget for the trip figure out what you'd pay in dollars for adinner or hotel in a us city. Then assume it will be that cost in pounds (and I am not talking converting into pounds!) ie the 50 dinner will be 50 pounds.

We went to London over Thanksgiving with 2 kids and booked a room through British Airways at what I though was a very good price. $150 American dollars including tax (which is 17% on top of the pounds price you are sometimes quoted) Whe did a lot of research on all of the BA prices/choices and ended up with the Rembrandt which was fabulous especially for the 150 rate which included breakfast. Great location across from the V &amp; A museum, Science Museum, History Museum and 2 blocks from the South Kensington Tube station and about 3 blocks down from Harrods and all the fancy shopping. Perfect in every way.

Here's another vote for Priceline in London. In June 2002 we stayed for 4 nights at the Dolphin Square hotel. We had an adorable 3-room (living/bedroom, kitchen, bathroom) apartment. RT airfare and the 4 nights hotel for 2=$976. Unfortunately, you can no longer bid on vacation packages, but you're sure to find a good deal. I also second the suggestion to visit biddingfortravel.com before bidding.

Sorry for butting in, but I am reading posters' comments that small hotels can be really dives in London. I've currently booked the Hyde Park Radnor-- a &quot;luxury B&amp;B&quot; , with four-stars, across from Hyde Park, near Paddington Station-- for our family this May. Anyone have any personal experience with it? Several good reviews on tripadvisor.com. I've never used priceline, and am reluctant to give it a try.