mermaid2020

I am considering the NH Kensington Hotel - reasonable room rates and good reviews. However, I've read some comments on how "tacky" the Earl's Court area is (that is the nearest tube station) which has me concerned. Can anyone weigh in on this area? We will be venturing out each day but it would be nice to have an area that has some nice cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Thanks in advance.

janisj

Isn't really tacky as such (used to be years ago - but no place in very central London is all that tacky except for a bit aroundPaddington but even there has improved. )

Go to google street view -- you'll see it is a perfectly nice looking part of Cromwell Road. I personally wouldn't stay there simply because I like to be farther east, more in the middle of things or in more scenic areas, but not because it is 'tacky'.

There really aren't that many restaurants in the immediate area.

mermaid2020

Thanks janisj; what areas are more centrally located and in more scenic areas? Both sound like good criteria as long as I can find reasonable room rate ($200 or under).

Rubicund

Try checking out these sites for rooms and rates. You can choose your area and the standard of hotel that you'd prefer:

www.londontown.com
www.lastminute.com
www.laterooms.com

Try the Tower Bridge area, one of my preferred areas.

ChgoGal

Hi, mermaid2020. I've stayed at the Nadler Hotel Kensington several times now. EArls Court Road between the tube stop and your hotel has lots of fast-food sorts of places and groceries and drugstores. A KFC, a Pret a Manger, Starbucks... those sorts of places. This is a bustling road, but not tacky in terms of souvenir shops. It's a bit out-of-the-way for that.

I found the area convenient in terms of buying a quick b'fast or groceries for snacks. However, the location is a bit further out. This didn't bother me as I enjoy walking and acclimated to the bus routes quickly, and the rates I could get at the Nadler were really low for a single traveller. And I'm the type of traveller who doesn't need to drop off packages, or want to return to my hotel in the middle of my day.

I have the Strand Palace hotel booked for a September trip and have been curious about this hotel. The location is much more "central," so that might be of interest to you. One of the posters here has stayed there, and reviews are good.

http://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/?...FYM9aQodKVgArg

Jamiekins (a poster who lives in London) posted some lower-priced hotels once. I'll try to find that link and post.

Have fun planning!

ChgoGal

Sorry... couldn't find that great listing of more wallet-friendly hotels. Good luck with your planning. London is such a wonderful city, the hotel matters little so long as the room is clean and quiet.

mermaid2020

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions and comments.

Scotia

I stayed at the Best Western The Boltons about a year ago. It is within walking distance of the Earls Court Tube Station but on the opposite side of Earls Court Road than the NR Kensington. I think the location of the NH Kensington is better than The Boltons, but found the restaurants and cafes on Earls Court Road not quite to my standards. Looking for a nice place to have dinner in that area was difficult but did not mind the location to the tube station. However, next time I would stay closer to the Gloucester Station on Piccadilly Line.

dweislaw

We stayed twice in years past at the K+K Hotel which is about a block and a half from Earl's Court Road and another 1/2 block to the Tube. We went ot Nando's, local pubs and slightly posher places for meals and all were in easy walking distance from the hotel. The area is bustling and to my eye, not tacky. Can't say everyone would agree, but the fact we stayed there more than once ought to tell you something. Have a great time.

Taltul

We only stay in the Earl's Court area (at Premier Inn) and the area is not tacky but also not posh. The transportation links are the best - you can get everywhere on the Tube and it's only about a 30 minute ride to Heathrow, there are plenty of restaurants (not posh - chains like Wagamama etc....) and you are a very short tube ride away from areas with lots of posher restaurants (like South Kensington/ museum area). There are pharmacies, pubs, supermarkets etc....
If the hotel you chose is good and the price is right, go for it. London has the most amazing transport links and you can get anywhere with no problem.

lincasanova

you should take a look at priceline EXPRESS hotels and maybe try a bid on priceline? It really works wonderfully in London, as far as may experience has been.