Hi - I have been looking through other threads, and haven't found an answer to my question, so I hope you can all put up with yet another thread about London hotels!

My husband and I will have two nights in London at the start of our Europe holiday, and then another two or three at the end. We arrive in late September, and after our first two nights are off to Paris on the Eurostar. When we come back (mid Oct) we will be coming via train from Edinburgh.

While we are in London, we would like to see places such as Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, London Eye and the Tower of London, plus a few of the parks/gardens and perhaps a museum or two.

I am just having trouble narrowing down which area to stay in. Should we stay near St Pancras for the first stay (for an early-morning Eurostar), or somewhere a bit closer to the sites and sights we're interested in seeing? Should we stay in a different area for our second stay? Do some areas have better tube connections than others? Also, I am hoping to stick to a budget of around 100GBP/night (private bathroom).

I'd love to hear your thoughts, thanks in advance.

Here is what I would do, although others' advice may differ.
Go to betterbidding.com and look up how to bid for hotels on Priceline and Hotwire.

Given your stated requirements, I would bid for 4* hotels in the Bloomsbury and Mayfair zones only. For the first stay, I would probably stick to the Bloomsbury zone only. You might end up in walking distance of St. Pancras, or a very short tube or taxi ride away.

In most cases, Priceline will allow you to come in way under your budget.

If you don't want to use Priceline or Hotwire, look at the Ibis Euston, and other hotels at www.accorhotels.com .

Depending when you arrive in September, you may be able to book accommodation at the London School of Economics facilities. www.lsevacations.co.uk

I would suggest Bloomsbury, it is next door to Kings Cross and St Pancras, so either a short taxi ride or doable by tube or bus. Check the address against a streetmap because the use of the word Bloomsbury or Kensington (if you decide on this) is quite liberal in hotel land. Whichever you choose Bloomsbury or Kensington is near some sights and a journey to the others so it really depends on which ones are more important to you.

If you have a private bathroom the english expression is en suite. If it matters to you then you will need to check if there is a bath tub or just a shower.

Check addresses on www.streetmap.co.uk

Try Londontown.com for good rates.I don't like the area around St Pancras. We prefer Knightsbridge or South Kensington, both have good tube and bus connections.

In May I stayed in Bloomsbury, which is my default area to stay at when visiting.
Easy access to Heathrow, good Tube lines. Train station and British Museum nearby. From my hotel I walked to City, St Paul's, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square,etc..

There is a good selection of hotels and B&Bs in the area. Lots of rstaurants, Oxford street for shopping,etc..
And some nice parks for decompressing.

Another vote for Bloomsbury, although I wouldn't stay right next to St Pancras (I don't feel like it's dangerous, it's just really busy, and it's further from touristy things). So I wouldn't do Priceline for that reason, as you could very well end up right at King's Cross/St Pancras. The rest of Bloomsbury, though, is my favorite area to stay in. You're in walking distance to a lot (Covent Garden, British Museum, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square if you're good walkers), and tube and bus service is quite good, I think. I stayed at the Morgan Hotel this summer (morganhotel.co.uk), and I think that would be around your budget. I've also stayed in the Holiday Inn at Russell Square, which was great as well (different experience, of course - bigger hotel vs. more of a b&b with the Morgan). I got that room on londontown.com, which I agree is a great option, for £90. Either would be a very quick cab ride to St Pancras, and there are lots of other hotels in the area.

I like the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury at Russell Square as well, which I was lucky enough to get with Priceline. If you know you are a picky person, then Priceline is probably not for you. If you are willing to pay half the price (more or less) in exchange for not picking the exact hotel, then Priceline is a good deal.

Believe me Mmemarmalade, you cant go wrong with the Ibis Euston! We stay there everytime we are in London merely because it is within an easy walk to St.Pancras, has the Euston Station Underground tube stop right across the road virtually (we duck into the station at the back entrance) and has numerous pubs and restaurants within walking distance.
Even if you don't feel like eating in a restaurant you have the cafe`s and coffee bars on Euston station to help you out.
We love the area & small parks and often walk up Marchmont street to do laundry at the Laundromat across the street from the pub so are able to have a pint! Brilliant!

Do make a pilgramage to the North Sea Fish & Chips Restaurant in Leigh street - they say the best fish 'n chips in London!??

Have a look at The Academy. VERY nice hotel. I got a steal of a deal on Expedia for them

Realy like the Joly hotel near Scotland Yard. Felt safe and underground just around the corner

JOLLY

Thanks all for the advice! I'll center my search on the Bloomsbury area.

I've found the Ibis Euston for about 99pounds/night, which seems to be about the best I can get for my budget in that area so far. I may have to increase the budget a tad (eg. Morgan Hotel is 110pounds/night for a double).

I'll keep an eye on londontown.com and expedia to see what I can get. I don't think I'm brave enough yet to go with Priceline/Hotwire, but thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks all!

In the Bloomsbury area, I've also had the Arosfa and the Ridgemount recommended to me as small hotels/b&b type places (haven't stayed in them, though). Worth checking into.