Looking ahead to our May, 2007, visit to London, I've been reading with interest the posts re hotels. Priceline seems to be the recommendation of choice. Like so many of you, I've used Priceline with good success in the past--not for London, though-- and it appears that comfortable, clean, and well located London accommodations can be obtained for around $100 (US). My friend and I will be in the city for at least 7 nights, and I am tempted to bid. My concern, however, is that we will require twin (2 bed) accommodations rather than a double (1 bed). Since Priceline doesn't make provision for the number of beds, only for the number of persons, I'm wondering if anyone has had a problem getting twin accommodations at any of the hotels that have come through on a bid.

Try:


http://www.travellerspoint.com/hotel...ited%20Kingdom


which is better than Priceline and you can book what you want now.

Kaneda, I'm not sure you'll get better rates on that website. I stayed at Jolly St. Ermin's last March and got it for $80/night on Priceline. Your site lists it at $257/night in March.

Bo2642, unfortunately, that will depend on the hotel you get. Here is what I would recommend:

1) Go to biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com and see which hotels Priceline will hand out for the star rating and zone you are looking at.

2) Go to those hotel websites and make sure they offer 2 twins for the same price as a double.

3) Make the Priceline bid. Once you get it, immediately contact the hotel and request 2 beds.

Good luck.

Kevin

I think using londontown.com and holidaycity can get you what you want so long as you cross-check the offering against reviews on tripadvisor (and holidaycity also has reviews). Many other publications review London hotels, even cheap ones, so a Google search also can turn up professional reviews.

Also, googling "bed and breakfast London" sometimes turns up a lot of very pleasant accommodations that aren't hotels but are actually nicer than hotels and certainly cheaper.

PS: For a 7-night stay, you should be considering renting a flat, which would also cut your costs.

Many thanks to all of you for your helpful input. I appreciate it. I'll follow the leads and then post what we've found. Thanks again. Barbara

alyssamma. What if you get the Priceline bid and the hotel says; "Sorry! No Twins?"

That site I gave has cheaper hotels, like the: London House Hotel which is near an Underground Station (which covers much of London), Hyde Park Corner and Oxford Street. A twin is a whole $65 a night, bookable on request.

Kaneda, that is obviously a chance you take

But my response was to your assertion that the link you provied was "better than Priceline". If all you meant was that you can pick exactly what you want...then there are a zillion links to do that.

But that isn't what Priceline is about. You roll the dice with Priceline, but in return you pay a much lower rate. If $ isn't a factor you shouldn't use Priceline. But if it is...

Also, note that you can book any type of room with any hotel and when you get there the room type might not be available. It is all a gamble

But I believe that Bo2642 will be able to get twin beds if she goes thru PL.

Anyway it is possible to use any hotel booking engine and get rooms in London for <$80/night...but the location and quality will vary. I picked that specific hotel because I knew what PL would give it to you for.

Bottom line by going with PL you can get a great hotel in a great location for a very cheap rate. I just got two rooms in Paris at the Novotel Les Halles for $115/night.

Kevin

I've gotten twins every time I requested it in London, which has been at least five or six times. This seems to be the default style of room at the 3* or 4* level. Of course there is no guarantee that this will happen to you, but I think the odds are very good, particularly if you do not check in very late at night.