Hi--I reposted this with "hotel help" in the topic title on the suggestion of another forum member. Sorry if it's confusing and thanks in advance for any advice or help!

A friend and I are planning to take our children (my boys will be 12 and 16, her girls will be 15 and 17) to London and Paris in May of 2011. We're looking at flying into London, spending 5 days, taking the eurostar to Paris, spending another 5 days, and then flying home from Paris.

With four kids going, our budgets are a little tight--I'm hoping we can save big on hotel and airfare by planning now and jumping on bargains as we find them. For the London portion, I'm looking in the $80.00 to $125.00/night range for triple rooms--is that realistic? I'm also very open to finding an apartment for 6 in the same price range. Are better deals possible if I start now, am I about right, or do I need to look in a higher price range? I could really use some advice. Since we'll be traveling alone (no husbands) with kids, we want to make sure that we stay in a safe, very clean place that's easy to get to and from the airport and eurostar station, and that's very close to the subway/train for getting around the city. The kids are old enough that they'll want to be out in the evenings--it needs to be safe to walk back to the hotel as a group (with parents!) after dark. If at all possible, it would be nice if the neighborhood had a little local color--interesting restaurants, shops etc. I'd really appreciate any and all advice on what neighborhoods to stay in or avoid, and recommendations for hotels. Our kids are adventurous travelers, they love experiencing new cultures, and we want to make this a special trip for them! Any places or restaurants that teens might like would also be great! Thanks so much!

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Responded on your other thread. That budget isn;t enough for a decent (even simple) hotel for 3 people. It would barely pay for a shared room in a hostel. (And I would tell you the same if you asked about New York - unless you were coming in January.)

Suggest you look at an apartment - which might give you more for your money - and save something by letting you have snacks - and some meals - in at supermarket rather than restaurant prices.

Thanks--I actually did get a great deal in NYC last year--a little over $100.00 night just south of Central Park. Based on the feedback here, I realize now I was way out of line for London. I'm upping my budget to $200.00 a night and looking for an apartment as well. Thanks for the info--you have no idea if you don't ask.

you have much more response on your original thread. W/ the two threads going many folks won't see what others have posted . . . .

There are a few problems -- You are waaaay too far out to know rental rates or £/$ exchange 2 years from now. Today $200 = approx £120. Even that doesn't go that far for a triple in London, except on Hotwire -- but it is far to early to be looking at HW.

A 2 bedroom apartment is doable for about £150 so would be much more economical for the 6 of you. But most landlords won't have set their 2011 rates for another 13/14 months.

Also - many nice flats only book for full weeks. They sometimes book shorter periods if it fits between other bookings. But most landlords won't commit to a short break rental more than a few months out.

So -- I'd just hold off getting any detailed suggestions until about next May/June . . . . .

Thanks--sorry about the second thread. I added it on the suggestion of another poster, but I probably should have just stuck with the first.

At this point all I really want to know is how realistic my budget is (and I found the hotel route is my best option and I need to go up in price) and which neighborhood we should stay in. I'm really interested in out of the way places to eat, etc. that teens might really like. I know most places aren't booking now, and that the exchange rate will make a huge difference down the road. I just like to get my info together so I can do a very targeted search when the time comes and so I can grab deals--we're also trying to come up with a preliminary budget for this trip.

Thanks so much for your help--it really is appreciated.

"<i>I found the hotel route is my best option</i>"

Why do you say that? For a family w/ kids, an apartment is almost always better/cheaper than hotels.

Because I'm braindead--I meant apartment. I was up a good part of the night with a sick kid...sorry!

Brain dead happens

Hope he's better.

Brain dead happens> LOL!

Might I suggest YHA London Central? Now I haven't stayed there myself, but it is in a central location, it gets good reviews on Tripadvisor and you can get a great bargain of 1 Family en-suite room with 4 beds at £83.95 per room per day in May 2010. It's cheaper during other months. I don't honestly think you'll find better value in London.

www.tripadvisor.com has lots of reviews on London apartments. Search London hotels and under the tab of "Vacation Rentals". The reviews should give you a good idea of prices, amenities, neighborhoods, etc. Then when you narrow it down to what appeals to you all you can ask again here for comments on those more specific options.

Thanks! Great advice from everyone--this has really helped me direct my search.