janisj

It is usually difficult to get the £19 rate at the nicer Travelodges - like Covent Garden. Their rates can go up to nearly £100 a night. Sure -by playing w/ dates there are bargains -- but mostly at their less well located properties.

"<i> Also check Etap and Ibis hotels.</i>"

There is no Etap in central London. The only Ibis that is at all central is west of Euston Station- not where I'd want to stay. Plus it costs about £90-£100 a night and isn't what I'd call "budget" for that location.

SISer

I had no problem booking the City Rd Travelodge for 19 pounds for that price I would never complain. I didn't need to store luggage, but the op can store luggage at Victoria when she comes from Gatwick. Will save alot of money on a four night stay if the op gets a room for 19 pounds. There are some Travelodge locations that aren't too good, so be careful, or just post the location(s) that available so we can comment. Even with the left luggage cost, you're looking at 100 pounds for the whole stay of four nights.

Etaps are further from the centre but if the rates are good it maybe worthwhile, same for Ibis too. Really depends on rates/locations.

tds0212

SISer...i did look at the Travelodge in Covent. I read a lot of bad reviews and some really good reviews. I was "iffy" about it bc of so many bad reviews. I did like the location though. The rate wasnt much different. The rate was 360.70 GBP
for Travelodge Covent Garden and 368.00 GBP for the B&B.

At the Covent Garden location they are doing renovations, which may or may not be finished when we arrive...i emailed to ask....said they didnt know. Also many ppl warned that they were unable to sleep due to noise around and outside of hotel. This is also a warning on the website. They offer breakfast but it is not included, only cost 7.50 GBP but that is around 22 USD a day...give or take a little change--if we ate in hotel. Not a HUGE savings, I know...but hey, every little bit counts right?

Don't know if they had a/c or not...couldnt find anything saying yes or no...

Anyway, just thought that a private home, also in pretty good location for walking/tubing to places, full english or continental bkfst included, and the company of "Londoners" might be fun.

Either way, I'm sure that the Travelodge is great...but I didn't get an offer for 19 GBP or I would have probably already jumped on it!

tds0212

SISer....you are very right that 4 nights for 100 pounds is AWESOME!!! I havent made my final decision...really leaning toward the bandb but have til Monday to make my final decision. Thanks so much for the input and suggestions!!! I appreciate it!

janisj

SISer: "<i>Etaps are further from the centre but if the rates are good it maybe worthwhile, same for Ibis too. Really depends on rates/locations.</i>"

The time lost/wasted on a short visit makes outlying "budget" accommodations a false economy IM(ever so)HO. The OP has less than 5 full days in London so being as central as possible will <u>greatly</u> simplify seeing the sites.

The City Road TL is near Old Street and convenient for the Geffrye and nothing much else. (love, LOVE the Geffrye BTW.) It would require line changes or looooong bus rides to most anywhere else.

A bargain can sometimes be very expensive . . . .

SISer

Sorry, was just trying to help. It could be too early for the special prices at Travelodge, but that doesn't help you if you need to book the B&B now. The 19 pounds rooms are great if you get them, but I would not spend more than 60 pounds at any Travelodge.

Maudie

Hi again, it sounds just fine and if you are happy with the arrangements then book it. Otherwise you will go on looking forever, trust me, you will feel a huge sense of relief AND you can then get on with other plans. You have put a lot of work and thought into this, now its time to trust your instincts and go for it! Don't let this become too stressful - its a holiday after all. Book it and give yourself a pat on the back.

sam86

I agree with Maudie.

That said, there is something special to staying in someone's house who knows the city = )

tacyvc

You might want to look into a London Visitor travelcard. The first couple of days you will probably fade at three o'clock, so think about what you "must see" and what can be dropped if necessary. I've heard that it takes one day to recover for each time zone you've traveled through. I've done the western US to London flight 6 times so far this year, and it is always tougher to fly east than west for me. My favorite snack place is Patisserie(?)Valerie. Desserts were better than Paris. I just did Priceline for a weekend at The Grange St.Paul for $117/night. 4 star hotel near the financial district. Name your own price.

janisj

"<i>You might want to look into a London Visitor travelcard</i>"

OMG - NO!!!! That is part of the London Pass. The London Pass isn't usually a bargain (but it does pencil out in a few rare situations) -- however the visitor travelcard option is a guaranteed rip off for everyone.

tds0212

Thanks everyone for your comments and help! I always love to see what everyone has to offer when posting replies.

I think the London chapter is going to be closed for awhile. I am going to book our place to stay, mail our Ceremony of Keys request, go ahead and reserve at Claridges, figure out what we want to see at theatre (if it's a big show, I'll buy tickets asap--otherwise I guess I should just make a trip to Leicester and get the sale price), THEN move on to the next place.

Closer to time I will go to daysoutguide and print my two for one vouchers. As soon as possible I will get my Eurostar and Thalys passes to get me from London to Paris and from Paris to Amsterdam. From reading the web, it says they don't go on sale until like maybe 3 months ahead of time...i think.

Closer to time I will also reserve a tour at Westminster as some of you suggested. Everything else I will just show up for and buy my ticket then.

I know I will need to purchase a rail ticket to use the two for one...hoping that I can use a rail ticket to get from airport to b and b....Also guess I will need to get an Oyster Card and load it up at the train station. Is this the best choice for us only staying 4 nights?? I know I can ask the ppl at the station what they suggest I put on the card.

Trying to think if there is anything I'm leaving out.....

If I am....post a reply please Stay on the lookout for my screen name...i will have plenty more questions r/t Amsterdam and Paris....and probably more about London!!

Thanks again for everyone's help....it has been a HUGE help and life saver in my planning!!!

Maudie

Good for you tds0212, sounds like you now have things pretty well sorted. If you come across an Aussie couple in their 50's at the Ceremony of the Keys, the theatre or on the Eurostar, that's us, please stop and say hello!

Cholmondley_Warner

The only Ibis that is at all central is west of Euston Station>>>

Under no circumstances stay here. Ever ever.

I would only stay there if they gave me an SAS troop as protection.

tds0212

Maudie that would be great! Maybe we will run into each other while wondering around London

Cholmondley_Warner

The City Road TL is near Old Street and convenient for the Geffrye and nothing much else. (love, LOVE the Geffrye BTW.) >>>

Ahem...

To get from the Geffrye to the city is a 10 minute ride on the 149. (it's how I get to work).

You could walk it in 20 mins.

janisj

C_W: Ah - but you are talking about the City -- not Trafalgar Sq, or the Cabinet War Rooms or the Eye or places tourists mostly want to go.

tds0212: Looks like you have a plan!

Good luck w/ planning the rest of your trip.

tds0212

Thanks janisj! You have been so much help.

justshootme

Yay! You'll feel a sense of relief once you book the b and b, good to hear most of the Lodon planning is done. You've put in a lot of work into organizing your travel plans, and that will pay off once you are in London. Have fun in London, it's a great city.

tds0212

Thanks justshootme!! It is a lot more planning than one would think to take a trip like this! We have been into the "all-inclusive" trips that you just book and go!! This is def a first for me, but it is A LOT of fun and just a little stress... Most things that are worth while have a little stress involved. Nothing I can't handle.

Plus the "all-inclusive" trips are usually to tropical areas where all you do is eat,drink, and sleep...not much thought required! haha!

WWanderer

The Morgan looks great. In fact I'm bookmarking it myself for future. I've stayed in Bloomsbury several times and enjoyed the location very much.