Will need 3 nights in July for daughter and me. Have looked at Hotwire, and biddingfortravel, thinking I would try priceline. Also read about londontown on this forum, and looked at that. Egads, the rooms are expensive! We don't need anything fancy, but I would prefer to be in the Mayfair area (I know, I know- that's the priciest area!)

Wondered if any of you could suggest a nice modest place, or maybe a B&B. Just want to have something before I consider priceline later on. Thanks!

If you want modest, but good, and an excellent location, try Northumberland House, offered by the London School of Economics for summer stays.

http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/

Given how perfect its location is, this would probably be my choice, even over Priceline, because you also get kitchen facilities.

We stayed at LSE High Holborn last August, but that's not available in July.

can you tell us what is your idea of "expensive" and "modest"? A price range would be good.

well, I'd be happy with $100, but I doubt that's reasonable given the exchange rate! Probably up to $150 is more realistic.

I'll look into the LSE; thanks.

Any hotel ideas, let me know!

Your $100 - $150 is only £50-£75. Sorry, but those are not Mayfair rates. Even using Priceline it would be difficult to find rooms in that range. For £50 double you are more likely to get a down market B&B hotel in Paddington or Earls Court or Kings Cross.

You will either need to stay in other areas, or raise you budget. PL is great for London - but the $100 rooms are not in Mayfair.

The LSE site WillTravel gave you is a good compromise -- not as posh as a 4 star you could get w/ PL but much nicer than the typical £50/£75 room.

Rats, WillTravel, the only LSE for our dates is the Bankside House- what do you think of that location? And how about no A/C in July- was that a concern for you?

Nothing at all wrong w/ Bankside House. It is directly behind Tate Modern and about a 2 minute walk from The Globe theatre and the river and close to all the sites/arts/activities/restaurants/galleries along the South Bank.

Only slight downside - it is about a 8-10 minute walk to the nearest tube station

nvl:


We had rez in early April at the Parkwood near Hyde Park...79£...had to postpone our trip...they had no space and set us up in their sister hotel in Bloomsbury at the same rate..Hotel George...looks pretty good, and we'll be there May 17-22. Same rates as Parkwood...(en suite bathroom, and bkfst included)

stu T.

http://www.georgehotel.com/english/index.html

We liked this little hotel, which is walking distance to Hyde Park and Paddington. It is in a very cute little neighborhood, with some good restaurants.

The Hyde Park Radnor
http://www.hydeparkradnor.com/index.html

Prices are 85- 100 euro for a double. Full breakfast is included.
>-

Last October I paid USD 420 (total incl all taxes & fees) for the Hilton Islington for 4 nights through Priceline.

Marble Arch/Hyde Park, Bloomsbury- is there much difference in the feeling of the neighborhoods- or as long as you're near a tube station, is that what's important?

I much prefer Bloomsbury - walking distance to British Museum, SoHo, Covent Garden, Chinatown, West End theatres.

Use Priceline and bid for 4* hotels in the area you want to stay in. You should be good for 90-100US for a room.

jay: That is true - for several PL London zones. But not in the Mayfair zone the OP thought she preferred. Even PL will be twice that in Mayfair.