I am so conflicted! Our arrival in London is March 27.

The current British Air hotel sale ends Dec. 12, and is offering a two-bedroom apartment near the Gloucester Rd. station for $211 per night. I could also get two separate rooms elsewhere for around $100 per night. BA has a lousy cancellation policy--$100 per person charge even with 3 weeks notice. But priceline has no cancellation policy at all that I know.

Meanwhile, I'm seeing people on priceline getting the hotels I'd like for $75 plus taxes, which is around $90 per room. Their dates are different, but even if I had to pay $20 more, it's still a good deal. The Thistle Charing Cross would be perfect for me, as would the Dolphin Square, although it's not as well located as the Thistle.

I just don't know what to do! Ideas, anyone?

I should add that for around $109 per room per night I could book the Best Western Phoenix (in Bayswater) through an agency with a decent cancellation policy. It could be my backup reservation.

How long are you staying? There is nothing like getting an apt. versus a hotel room, or two if you're there for more than a couple days. You have a lounge area, kitchen and lots of extra comforts not provided in a hotel. That is a great price for a two-bedroom near Gloucester Road. I think that area is great. Gloucester Road is a good tube stop--two lines and goes almost everywhere, plus many, many good restaurants nearby and only a couple blocks from Kensington High Street and Kensington Gardens, lots of museums and walking distance to Harrods (kind of long walk, but not bad). I don't worry too much about cancellation policies. Barring catastrophes we always go, don't we? I'm going to Ireland in March and I just asked my lodgings to charge my credit card now so I don't suffer anymore from the devaluing of the dollar.

You cannot bid for a specific hotel on Priceline -- only for any hotel with the number of stars specified within a particular area. So while you say Thistle Charing Cross or Dolphin Square would be perfect for you, there is absolutely no way to be sure that is the hotel you get. I think on another message you mentioned that you had been on bidding for travel. Be sure to read their FAQs to fully understand the bidding process and if you decide to try priceline, use their advice. You can get good deals on priceline -- but if you are "picky", I would recommend that you stay away from Priceline and book through normal channels to ensure you know exactly what hotel you will get.

You've still got a fair amount of time to research and make a decision, even though you might miss out on the BA sale. Go ahead and book the hotel with a decent cancellation policy as a backup. And this far out -- a decent policy would be that you can cancel up to 24 to 48 hrs in advance with no penalty at all.

Pricelines cancellation policy is "use it or lose it". Air, hotel and cars are nonrefundable and non-transferable.

If you look carefully, you can find trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. I don't know if the product Priceline offers for $5/night is worth it or not. But other agencies and services provide this insurance and it might be worthwhile.

Holldoll, as great a deal and location that apartment is, after speaking with my sister (reality check!) I realize that with my adult son it's best if we have totally separate rooms and bathrooms. So I'm booking the Phoenix as a backup and will try priceline in Soho-Mayfair. The Phoenix gets all good reviews on tripadvisor, by the way.

Carrolldf, I know what you mean about priceline, but by watching what people post on biddingfortravel, I see that the Thistle Charing Cross is a likely win for a low bid on 4* hotels in Soho-Mayfair. Besides, all of the 4* hotels usually won in that area are acceptable to me.

BA also had hotels on Russell Square in Bloomsbury, which would be okay. as it's close to the British Museum and not too far from Covent Gardens and theatres. The best of the low-cost bunch is the Imperial Hotel (the flagship of the Imperial line). I'd book it in a heartbeat if it weren't for their crummy cancellation policy and my desire to try priceline!

So that's where I'm at today.

You're right--if people need their own digs that's the way to go. Actually, any part of central London is easily accessible to the rest and you can't go wrong. Having lived there when I was in my 20s I have great memories of the place. Have a wonderful time!

If by "Queens Gate Gardens" you mean the formerly "Chequers of Kensington", US$ 211 (if VAT and bkfst included) for a 2 rooms apt. looks like a fairly decent rate. We were there in 1999, it was brand new by the time. The 2 bedrooms apt we had was a duplex, with only one bathroom on the lower floor, and this was the only inconvenience. Otherwise, it was nicely set, with modern style decor, ample storage space as well as large rooms, besides the kitchenette with pantry and microwave, very convenient. Gloucester's tube station was practically across the street, as well as a supermarket.

It's not exactly an apartment, but an apart
hotel. Our rate included breakfast, which was quite good, the hotel staff was nice and helpful, and the location couldn't be better. There was a laundry on the basement, at a (cheap) charge.

Thanks, y'all.
What about the Montana? It's near the Gloucester tube and grocery store,etc., too; and it's available for an average of around $110 per room per night. It's supposed to be popular.

And, I see the Park International is available from Orbitz for the same price, around $110 per room, in the same neigborhood, Cromwell Rd. There are many positive reviews on tripadvisor, but some very negative ones, too. Refurbishment issues, I think.

That's a good location--literally kitty corner from Gloucester Road Tube station. I don't know what your price range is, but when I was there in spring of 2002 I was walking back from Hyde Park to 130 Queensgate Apts (where I stayed) and I had to use the loo so I stopped at the John Howard Hotel on Queensgate right near the top of the road. It is definitely on my list for next time I go. It was very well appointed, very quiet and clean, small, with a restaurant connected. They have a website which is johnhowardhotel.com. It may be a little pricey but it sure looked worth it. A stone's throw from the Albert Consort Memorial.

p.s. I just checked out the John Howard website--they have some pretty darn good rate specials right now till the end of March. Also, it's about 1/2 way between Gloucester Road and Ken High Street tubes--both good. Maybe 6 or 7 minute walk to each.

We're going to London mid-march so I checked the John Howard Hotel website as well, but I didn't find any specials extending beyond Feb. 29, 2004.
You might also try www.hotel-london.co.uk. They have lots of budget listings, and a very good cancellation policy.

You're right--I read it wrong. However, it could be worth inquiring anyway. If they aren't busy, they may offer the lower rate. Plus, when I stayed at 130 Queensgate I had already booked, and then found a lower rateat one of those discount hotel sites. When I emailed the hotel they gladly gave me that lower rate.

http://london-discount-hotel.com/

I believe the above site has a deal on with John Howard. They didn't have 2-BR apartments, or not at the right price. But I'm off apartments for this trip with my husband and my son. Glad to hear it looks good, though. The photos are gorgeous!

BA has some hotels on Russell Square--the Imperial being the better of their low-end hotels. I can't find any reviews, but I'm going to take another look at the BA site. I'm thinking Russell Square in Bloomsbury would be good for us as it's close to the British Museum and not too far from Covent Gardens and theatres. But it looks as though there are good prices near Gloucester Rd tube, which has plenty of museums and maybe a more interesting immediate neighborhood--ethnic restaurants, shops?

I've got that standby, the BW Phoenix in Bayswater. That's with the company at the top of this message and they've got a good cancellation policy.They also have a good rate on the Days Inn Westminster, but I'm not convinced that's where I want to be.

You know what Judy, that BW Phoenix in Bayswater will be fine. It's just across the park (which is very walkable if you wanted) from South Ken. I also lived in that area for a short time. There's a great old Pub on Bayswater Road there called The Swan. You'll be near the Central Line. You have to remember in London you're not in your accommodation all that much--with the tube you can be anywhere so quickly and easily. If the Phoenix has good rates and good cancel. policy, go for it. I'd certainly stay in that area. If you're there on a Sunday morning, they have artists displaying their things all along Bayswater Road on the north side of the park.

Just a word about the Bayswater area. I lived there for a summer, very close to the Phoenix (I'd pass it many times a day to and from the tube and getting groceries). I absolutely loved that area. I think it's a great area to stay in--easy access to the tube (3 tube stops within short walking distance from the Pheonix giving you access to the Central, Circle and District Lines). The area has a fun character about it. The Pheonix itself (I've been in the lobby and it looks nice) is on a quiet, pretty street, but just around the corner from several restaurants, drug stores, a mall (Whiteleys), several grocery stores, banks, a post office, many tourist shops, even a hardware store, etc. It's a really handy area. Plus the hotel is extremely close to the corner of Hyde Park (Kensington Palace/Gardens). Additionally it's also within walking distance to the wonderful Portobello Road antique markets. And it's also within close range to Paddington Station. If you end up with the Phoenix I think you'll be very pleased with the area and location. I can't think of anything I don't like about this area.

Eeek! You both make it sound so good--today I'm leaning toward grabbing the BA deal, the Imperial Hotel on Russell Square, Bloomsbury! But it's not a done deed yet.

Not trying to sway you (well, maybe)--but you're right--Phoenix does have lots of good reviews on Trip Advisor. That Imperial looks like a big American hotel (small rooms)--not much charm. And of course I far prefer the Bayswater area for charm too. Okay, I'll butt out now--not another word I promise!