granniesmith

No...really....we asked her to come! She is truly a delight! So, now to my question...what area of London is the best to stay if we want parks, sightseeing, shopping, and a few pubs in the evening. We are looking at renting a condo for the week and we trying to decide on a location. Appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks!

texasbookworm

To answer such questions people usually ask for general budget, time of year traveling, maybe some specific interests, etc. The more info you give now the more specific and "correct" suggestions will probably be. No one place in London is near all the "major" tourist sites so access to public transport is important. And I don't think the term "condo" is used in London so that won't help when you start your searches. And have you ever been there before? Are you interested in any day trips from London?

janisj

yes -- budget?

How many nights?

There are 20 neighborhoods that would work -- close to transport, convenient to sites/other parts of London, nearby parks/pubs/shops, etc. But we need more info from you.

granniesmith

My apologies for lack of info....we have been to london once before. We stayed at the Hilton in Mayfair. In fact, we are already booked at the same hotel once again but we think that staying in someone's "home" would offer more space and convenience...budget for lodging about $2000-2500 max for 5 nights. We are traveling at the end of July for my husband's 40th birthday. I am finding through my search that so many of the neighborhoods sound nice....i guess i just don't want to miss a great opportunity. The only day trip we have planned is a trip to stonehenge's inner circle with a private driver.

janisj

You have left it kind of late for a July rental. Since most are one-off's you'd have to contact many to find a property that is available for your specific dates.

I'd keep the Hilton booking and then get to work searching for your needle in a haystack. If you find something, then you can cancel the Hilton.

Some require a 7-day rental but will rent for shorter periods if it fits between other bookings. Also - some - w/ your generous budget, would pencil out if you rent for a week and eat the two unused nights.
Try vrbo.com
farnum-christ.com/flats
londonguestsuites.com/

Some good/central/posh areas would include Covent Garden, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Sloane Sq/Belgravia, South Kensington, Kensington (though a lot of owners sort of cheat and claim their Earl's Court flats are in "Kensington")

If you find something that fits your dates/budget you might want to pass it by here first (see comment about Earls Court/Kensington - the same kind of issue can apply to other areas)

specs

Try searching for "self catering" flats. That's the English terminology for condo or apt. rental.

I feel you may find something. Obviously the Gods are with you if you have a great MIL and the fortitude to travel with a 2 year old! Good luck in your search. Have a great trip!

di2315

Hi granniesmith
We travelled to UK & France earlier this year, and our family group included 2 year old grandson.
Our least successful accommodation was hotel based - at other times we stayed in self-contained places and this was just so much easier!
There was space to spread out, we weren't so concerned about noise, and we could eat in or out, whichever best suited the routines of the day.
We also took along a portable DVD player, and this was a godsend! Some familiar toys and a few new easily packet ones kept him well amused, and times when he was somewhat lacking in energy or enthusiasm for what we wanted to do, the DVDs were a great distraction.
I know this wasn't your original question, but thought these ideas may help make the trip one of enjoyable memories.
Cheers, Di

crellston

Check out https://www.the-ascott.com/en/uk/lon...ir_london.html They are part of Citadines aparthotels group.

THE most central hotel in London - http://www.thetrafalgar.com/index.shtml may be worth a look as an alternative to the Park Lane Hilton - great for sightseeing and transport around town

granniesmith

Any thoughts on a flat at Sloane Court East, Chelsea, SW3 5-6 minute walk to Sloane Square tube?

Janisj--Yes, our original plans changed, so we decided to look into "self catered" flat in order to accommodate these changes. We are planning on keeping the hotel reservation until unneeded.

specs--thank you! we usually have pretty karma. I have no doubt that wherever we end up will be exactly where we are meant to be! we did not want to leave our daughter for that length of time and we LOVE traveling overseas. gotta get our "fix".

di2315--thx for the suggestions, i am always open to those!

janisj

Sloane Court East is a WONDERFUL location. I doubt it would take 6mins to walk to Sloane Sq tube station. It is less than 350-400 yards from the station. Lovely neighborhood across the road from Chelsea Hospital (not a hospital). Short walk through the gardens to the river. Very close to Peter Jones which is a lovely department store w/ a nice top floor cafe. And the Royal Court Theatre is right there

gracejoan3

You might take a look at www.londonperfect.com apartments. They are all lovely and in excellent areas. It might be too late to find space, though.

Enjoy your planning.