Please HELP re: Wireless (HOT SPOTS) in London !!
Aug 10th, 2009, 09:33 AM
#21
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>>Purchasing an oyster card @ LHR just to get to the hotel for the two of us, the cost is probably close to GBP 30<<
No, it isn't. There's a deposit of £3 on all cards, but you can put whatever value you like on it, either for pay-as-you-go (minimum £5, and you can reclaim any unused sum when you leave, if you wish) or a 7-day travelcard (which would indeed push the cost up). If you're going to buy paper travelcards, then I'd go for getting an Oyster PAYG card with £5 on it at Heathrow - that'll save you a bit. Never, never, pay cash per ride on public transport in London - the prices are set to discourage this (handling cash is a high-cost operation!).
No, it isn't. There's a deposit of £3 on all cards, but you can put whatever value you like on it, either for pay-as-you-go (minimum £5, and you can reclaim any unused sum when you leave, if you wish) or a 7-day travelcard (which would indeed push the cost up). If you're going to buy paper travelcards, then I'd go for getting an Oyster PAYG card with £5 on it at Heathrow - that'll save you a bit. Never, never, pay cash per ride on public transport in London - the prices are set to discourage this (handling cash is a high-cost operation!).
Aug 10th, 2009, 11:34 AM
#22
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I've never looked for converters in the UK. I got mine at Best Buy for under $20. (You can get adapters at Target, Best Buy... lots of places.) That said, my converter is a large, heavy piece of equipment. If you can avoid taking whatever it is that makes you need it, I would do so.
(If you are planning to use a converter with a US hair dryer, curling iron, etc., my best advice is to get an inexpensive curling iron [or whatever] at Boots or somewhere when you arrive. It won't cost much more and will work, whereas using a US hair appliance with a converter has been known to have less than ideal results. Plus you can keep whatever you get for future trips. Your hotel probably has hair dryers.)
(If you are planning to use a converter with a US hair dryer, curling iron, etc., my best advice is to get an inexpensive curling iron [or whatever] at Boots or somewhere when you arrive. It won't cost much more and will work, whereas using a US hair appliance with a converter has been known to have less than ideal results. Plus you can keep whatever you get for future trips. Your hotel probably has hair dryers.)
Aug 10th, 2009, 12:06 PM
#23
blade2007: Do you mean converter (I assume so since you added for 120 v only) or adapter?
What are you taking that requires a converter? In general 120-only appliances will not work well on a converter and you run the risk of ruining whatever it is.
If it is dual voltage, then you just need a plug adapter. Less than $5 most everywhere.
The grosvenor House might actually have 110 sockets in the bathroom <u>for razors only</u>. You should not plug anything else into that socket.
What are you taking that requires a converter? In general 120-only appliances will not work well on a converter and you run the risk of ruining whatever it is.
If it is dual voltage, then you just need a plug adapter. Less than $5 most everywhere.
The grosvenor House might actually have 110 sockets in the bathroom <u>for razors only</u>. You should not plug anything else into that socket.
Aug 10th, 2009, 07:28 PM
#24
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I got another reply from the Grosvenor House and gave me the direction from tube station to the hotel. Now, I'm confused and would anyone help please.
The nearest tube station from the hotel is MARBLE ARCH station which is on the Central line (the red line on the map) only 6 minutes walking distance, exit where it says Park Lane then, walk down until you get to Grosvenor House Park Lane entrance and use the 1st door to the left.
The second one is HYDE PARK CORNER station which is on the Piccadilly line (dark blue line on the map) exit where it says Park Lane, then cross the road (There is a subway that can be helpful, safer and quicker) 10 minutes walking distance. Just walk towards Marble arch, pass by the Hilton Hotel until you get to Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane entrance.
janisj and jen103 - I will purchase in UK instead of using converter. Thanks.
The nearest tube station from the hotel is MARBLE ARCH station which is on the Central line (the red line on the map) only 6 minutes walking distance, exit where it says Park Lane then, walk down until you get to Grosvenor House Park Lane entrance and use the 1st door to the left.
The second one is HYDE PARK CORNER station which is on the Piccadilly line (dark blue line on the map) exit where it says Park Lane, then cross the road (There is a subway that can be helpful, safer and quicker) 10 minutes walking distance. Just walk towards Marble arch, pass by the Hilton Hotel until you get to Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane entrance.
janisj and jen103 - I will purchase in UK instead of using converter. Thanks.
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:37 PM
#25
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blade, sorry but i can't recall if the outlets took my North American plugs or not. I know for sure at another hotel I stay at in London (Rembrandt) SOME of the rooms have North American plugs and voltage, and some don't. I really can't recall what the Grosvenor House had. Ask them!
There are hair dryers in the hotel rooms so you don't need to take one from home.
The hotel has given you good directions on getting there from both tube stops - they are on different lines. You need to look up the tube map on here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1106.aspx
Marble Arch tube stop is indeed closer to the hotel (about 3 blocks north of it) than is the Hyde Park Corner stop (about 8 blocks south of the hotel). However, Marble Arch is on the Central Line so if you are taking the tube from Heathrow and want to get off at Marble Arch you will need to do some transfering at some point.
As far as probably not staying there again goes... the hotel was nice and I don't have any complaints (other than the giant internet charge). I just don't find the neighbourhood as convenient for my needs as S. Kensington/Knightsbridge which, for me, have more restaurant and pub choices, more shops I like... I've stayed near Marble Arch before too, and I just don't find it as convenient as being on the Picadilly Line. But that's just me.
There are hair dryers in the hotel rooms so you don't need to take one from home.
The hotel has given you good directions on getting there from both tube stops - they are on different lines. You need to look up the tube map on here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1106.aspx
Marble Arch tube stop is indeed closer to the hotel (about 3 blocks north of it) than is the Hyde Park Corner stop (about 8 blocks south of the hotel). However, Marble Arch is on the Central Line so if you are taking the tube from Heathrow and want to get off at Marble Arch you will need to do some transfering at some point.
As far as probably not staying there again goes... the hotel was nice and I don't have any complaints (other than the giant internet charge). I just don't find the neighbourhood as convenient for my needs as S. Kensington/Knightsbridge which, for me, have more restaurant and pub choices, more shops I like... I've stayed near Marble Arch before too, and I just don't find it as convenient as being on the Picadilly Line. But that's just me.
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:45 PM
#26
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I should reiterate that the reason I would sometimes use the Green Park stop as opposed to Hyde Park Corner is that
1. Hyde Park Corner station is big, confusing, and you have to walk a lot in it
2. Walking up Park Lane from the Hyde Park Corner station is (despite being beside Hyde Park) not very pleasant - it's busy, loud and there's lots of concrete.
Getting off at Green Park and wandering north through Mayfair via back streets was much more pleasant.
BUT - I would not recommend you try this upon arrival. you need to get the lay of the land first.
Easiest for your arrival there would be to take the Picadilly line from Heathrow and get out at Hyde Park Corner and just walk the 8 or so blocks north to the hotel. You'll figure out the other ways once you have your bearings.
1. Hyde Park Corner station is big, confusing, and you have to walk a lot in it
2. Walking up Park Lane from the Hyde Park Corner station is (despite being beside Hyde Park) not very pleasant - it's busy, loud and there's lots of concrete.
Getting off at Green Park and wandering north through Mayfair via back streets was much more pleasant.
BUT - I would not recommend you try this upon arrival. you need to get the lay of the land first.
Easiest for your arrival there would be to take the Picadilly line from Heathrow and get out at Hyde Park Corner and just walk the 8 or so blocks north to the hotel. You'll figure out the other ways once you have your bearings.
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:57 PM
#27
You don't want Marble Arch station -- absolutely for sure. Yes, you will use Marble Arch during your stay to go other places. But NOT going to the hotel from Heathrow. You want Hyde Park corner. They are on different lines.
Take a look at this map (I think it shows better on line than tfl's map) http://www.afn.org/~alplatt/tube.html
To Hyde Park Corner you get on the tube at LHR (see the dark blue Piccadilly line) and get off at HPC. Easy - except for the walk to the tube station at LHR and the walk to the hotel.
Now look at Marble Arch -- it is on the Red Central line. To get from the Piccadilly line to the Central line would mean changing lines <u>twice</u> or riding all the way to Holborn and then back tracking to Marble Arch.
You can only change lines at the stations w/ the white circles.
BTW - the tube map is not geographic - many of the stations are closer or farther apart then they may appear on the map.
Take a look at this map (I think it shows better on line than tfl's map) http://www.afn.org/~alplatt/tube.html
To Hyde Park Corner you get on the tube at LHR (see the dark blue Piccadilly line) and get off at HPC. Easy - except for the walk to the tube station at LHR and the walk to the hotel.
Now look at Marble Arch -- it is on the Red Central line. To get from the Piccadilly line to the Central line would mean changing lines <u>twice</u> or riding all the way to Holborn and then back tracking to Marble Arch.
You can only change lines at the stations w/ the white circles.
BTW - the tube map is not geographic - many of the stations are closer or farther apart then they may appear on the map.
Aug 12th, 2009, 07:12 PM
#28
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taggie - thanks so much for your info again. We'll try S. Kensington/Knightbridge next time.
janisj - BIG THANKS to you. Always there to help. BTW - my current plan is to go to LHR on the night of the the 5th, get the rental car(prebooked), stay @ LHR hotel for one night and drive out to your suggested routes(stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath..) the next couple of days, return back to LHR on the night of 8th, return the rental car, stay @ LHR hotel for our flight home the next morning. I'm hoping to leave our luggages at Grosvenor after we check out in the morning and still do London city for the entire day till we ready to say good-bye to London
janisj - BIG THANKS to you. Always there to help. BTW - my current plan is to go to LHR on the night of the the 5th, get the rental car(prebooked), stay @ LHR hotel for one night and drive out to your suggested routes(stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath..) the next couple of days, return back to LHR on the night of 8th, return the rental car, stay @ LHR hotel for our flight home the next morning. I'm hoping to leave our luggages at Grosvenor after we check out in the morning and still do London city for the entire day till we ready to say good-bye to London
