london: where to stay?
 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Hi Geo. It depends on your budget. You can get bed and breakfasts at places like Sussex Gardens; Travelodge (around £70 per room) in Earls Court, County Hall (always full) or Tower Bridge (I don't recommend this one as it is quite a walk from the tube); or the chain hotels for over £100 per night.

If you want to stay at a good 4* I would suggest the Jolly St. Ermins. It's about a 2 minute walk to the St James tube. About a 10 minute walk to Buckingham Palace in one direction and a 10 minute walk to Parliament (Big Ben) in the other direction. <BR><BR>This is a lovely old hotel. It was built in the 1860's as a monastery. Large rooms (for England), price included full buffet breakfast. Wouldn't hesitate at all to stay there on our next vist.

The Ritz, of course!

First trip I stayed near Victoria Station and 2nd trip in Chelsea/So.Ken. If you can find a nice place near Victoria that would be my choice - more activity and so much travel runs thru Victoria Station.

I like to stay with my boyfriend.

If you plan to go to the theatre in the evening, then I would suggest staying in Bloomsbury, as it is within walking distance to the West End, Covent Garden and Picadilly Circus. <BR><BR>I recently stayed at the Thistle Bloomsbury, which is an Edwardian style hotel. The hotel is located around the corner from the British Museum, and there is a bus stop in front of the hotel. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, and take away restaurants in the neighborhood.

One Aldwych! I always stay there when in London. It is a perfect match of great sleek design in a historic building, impressing artworks everywhere, absolute comfort (the best hotel beds I ever saw) and caring efficient staff. The basement indoor swimming pool and both F&amp;B outlets are just amazing and the location within the theatre district is great. (www.onealdwych.co.uk)

If I have to pay for a room I stay at the Mayfair. It is reliable, close to the Green Park tube. they understand service. I tried newer hotels, they jangled my nerves, I tried B&amp;B's in an effort to save money but I despise cold clammy sheets and rooms that don't seem quite clean.<BR><BR>However, there are good, small hotels that cater to small businessmen that are a bargain on the weekends. &Icirc; remember staying in one long ago and it was clean and neat and comfy. The only thing I disliked about it was that it was too far north for me to feel like I could walk around at night by myself.<BR><BR>London is expensive. But you don't have to get suckered by nasty bed bugs in Earl's Court unless you are very young and very limited in budget. A really good bet is Laterooms.com. I use it all the time and have had very good luck with it. Since you call the hotel and book it yourself you are assured that the confirmation is good.<BR><BR>Stay away from the Savoy, the moldering ancients in the lobby haven't moved since the end of the blitz.<BR><BR>Best of luck.<BR><BR>Buzzee

Harrington Hall. Great rooms, and great location nr Gloucester Road Tube station (lots of the Underground train lines stop there) but with a neighborhood feel of small cafes, etc. Try www.hoteldiscounts.com for reduced prices.