dac

Trying to help my daughter with a trip.
They are in their early 30's so can someone recommend the area which would have nightlife, restaurants etc. I've stayed 2 times in the Mayfair area and loved it but I don't know if it would be for 30 year olds. I'm thinking Kensington - found a good deal at the Marriott on Cromwell rd - is that near any restaurants etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've checked tripadvisor etc but for all of my trips rely on Fodorites opinions.
Dac

yk

I've stayed in that area a few times, and there are definitely restaurants in the immediate area, but none of them too fantastic. There are at least 4 or 5 hotels right in that neighborhood, so certainly there are restaurants for hotel guests who don't want to venture far.

It is a decent location to stay, near V&A and Nat Hist museum, and near Kensington Gardens. 2 very useful tube lines stop at Gloucester Rd Station.

If they're out sightseeing during the day, chances are they don't necessarily need to go back to their hotel to eat nearby. They can just eat wherever they are when they finish sightseeing. Or, they can go back to the hotel to freshen up, then hop back on the tube to go eat wherever they want.

There are also more restaurants along High St Kensington area or South Kensington tube station. Both are within walking distance (~10min) from the Marriott.

yk

BTW, with that budget, I think you probably can find some place near Trafalgar Square or Soho.

dac

yk - Thank you so much for your reply

Weekender

dac:

I particularly like the Harrington Hall Hotel which is located a block away from the Gloucester Road Tube Station. Easy access to all of London and the airport as well. I have stayed there 4 or 5 times and will go back. Website:
http://www.harringtonhallhotel.co.uk/

Also, a very good source is Laterooms. http://www.laterooms.com/ Laterooms rates includes all VAT taxes, too which are substantial.

laurie_ann

South Kensington is a good choice. When I travel I don't mind going out and about for sightseeing but in the evening I like to relax a bit in my room and then go out nearby for dinner. The South Kensington tube stop is right on Piccadilly line from Heathrow for easy access and also Circle line for sightseeing. The neighborhood around is good for browsing shops and restaurants. I like to use www.tablethotels.com for a nice selection of hotels. They show Number Sixteen right there for about 150 pounds. I have not stayed there. The hotel I stayed there is the Pelham right across from the tube station but it is a bit more about 200 pounds.

avalon

There are several good restaurants nearby, 68-86 On CromwellRd, Aubaine on Brompton Rd. Tom's Kitchen on Cale St, Brasserie St Quentin are all within walking distance of the Marriott. Also several chain type places like Pizza Express and Ask. An excellent pub with really good foor is The Anglesea Arms on Onslow Gardens. They have a nice dining room in addition to the pub part.

I see someone mentioned Number 16 , I've stayed there and it is a lovely place.Astor House is also excellent but might be a bit more . YOu might look at Londontown.com. I have Millenium Bailey's for less than 100 GBP a night for next month.

mohun

If the stay is 5, or better, 7 days or more, yopu should look into serviced flats. Not only are they competitive with hotel prices, they often include laundry facilites in the building or in the units and always include a kitchen, which can save on breakfasts (unless they were to stay at a B&B) and the occasional dinner in. We've had good luck with a flat in Kensington/Knightsbridge and a flat in Mayfair and can provide you web links if you'd like (I checked the last site we used and they had three flats for July at $175 to $195 US).

KayF

Sometimes particular tube lines are not working at weekends because of engineering/maintenance so it's a good idea to stay somewhere within walking distance of more than one tube line. We find the Circle line particularly unreliable. (You can check details on www.tfl.gov.uk.)

In the past, we've found quite a few good hotels on www.londontown.com but check them on Trip Advisor too. You book through LondonTown but pay direct to the hotel. There is a useful map feature which shows where the hotels are and the price.

Kay