Would really appreciate some suggestions from the experts....
We are looking at family accom in London from Xmas day to 3 Jan 2011. Two adults and 2 kids (M15, F12).
We've been looking at Premier Inns and the Holidays Inn at Camden Lock but if anyone knows of any other decent hotels we'd love to hear from you.
Many thanks, Leslee

For that long and a family of 4 I'd definitely prefer an apartment. A quad hotel room will feel VERY crowded after 2 or 3 days. A one bedroom flat w/ sofa sleepers or a two bedroom will have tons more space, a washer dryer, and a kitchen. Even if you don't want to 'cook cook', a kitchen is still very handy for breakfasts, snacks, late night noshing, or picky eaters.

For a couple of days a hotel is fine - for 10 days not so much. What is your budget?

I agree with Janis. We were in London, and got a quad room for two adults and two kids. It was teensy tinsy. Good thing it was only three nights!

Thanks Janis and Peace for your replies so far....originally we were looking at apartments - I don't know what happend there lol. Re budget: nothing too flash - 3 stars or so.
Am certainly open to looking into apartments now too if anyone has had any good experiences please reply. Thanking you.

"<i> . . . 3 stars or so.</i>" doesn't tell us much. How much do you want to pay?

around €150 but a little flexible around that

we nearly went with camden lock but now sold out - considering premier inn kings cross which is a lot cheaper

want near london but niceish - room service in camden was a bonus

The Marriot Regent's Park had large rooms. Not sure if they have even a larger family one.Great neighborhood and amenities across the street with excellent transportation.

APARTMENTS, not hotel. We have two foals and I'm not jamming them and us into anything less than a suite.

Star ratings are useless because American star ratings are more about hotel quality but UK star ratings are based upon available hotel amenities.

That said, if you can get an Oakwood Apartment for your stay and in your budget, that would probably be best. Oakwood is an international chain of business apartments and can do short term rentals depending upon availability. It has about 10-12 properties in London. Some London rental agencies are dicey, others are reputedly good.

We used Oakwood in Japan with very good success.

Hi Craig and Leslee,
I just stayed at the Base2Stay in London which was ideally situated right by the Earl's Court station. I booked a bunkbed room -- which would be good for the kids, and you should be able to book a room next door. Each room has a small kitchenette which saved me a lot of money. There's a Marks and Spencer about 3/4 block away - very near the tube station. You may want to check out the reviews on TripAdvisor.com. I thought it was a great little budget hotel. Very clean. good luck with your search!

And here's the link for the base2stay hotel. This is the location I spoke of - in Kensington.
http://www.base2stay.com/

"Some London rental agencies are dicey, others are reputedly good." Care to share the good agencies versus the dicey agencies?

Anyone ever tried the Craigs List London vacation rentals listings?

I'd not be caught dead trusting a Craigslist advert for rental. And this site has a LOT of discussion of rental agencies in London. A Place Like Home has had good results, but I didn't use them.

we nearly went with camden lock but now sold out - considering premier inn kings cross which is a lot cheaper

Stayed there a couple of weeks ago...was absolutely fine, nice big bed, very quiet, good location, easy transport. Hopefully you might get 2 rooms for your money.

I mean, we stayed in the Kings Cross one!

"<i>ideally situated right by the Earl's Court station.</i>" . . . Which for most folks would not be a good thing

Mikej: I wouldn't touch craigslist w/ a barge pole. EVER.

craigandleslee: To give you an idea what you could get for inside your budget - not that this particular place will necessarily suit you but they are amazing value for money. 1 bedrooms comfortably sleeping 4 for £87 a night and large 2 bedrooms for £114 a night during the winter. They even have a toll free # from the States. http://www.hamletuk.com/

Have you tried Londontown.com?

thanks very much to everyone - really appreciate all your advice


Leslee

we are now thinking of staying more in the suburbs of London - thinking we will get a better quality hotel and don't mind tubing it in to the city