Recommendations for London
May 7th, 2008 | 10:41 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
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Recommendations for London
My fiance, son and I will be traveling for 8 days need hotel recommendations. We are not looking for luxurious but we don't want dirt cheap either. We arrive @ Heathrow I need recommendations on:
A) What hotel should we reserve if we need something nice, clean and safe with no frills.
B) Would prefer the hotel to be close to Westminster Abbey area
C) What is the best way to get from Heathrow to this area?
D) How would you recommend we get to the Chunnel from here since we depart two days later and leave for Brussels.
E) 8 days and 3 countries so what type of luggage should we take?
F)Any and all recommendations will be appreciated!
A) What hotel should we reserve if we need something nice, clean and safe with no frills.
B) Would prefer the hotel to be close to Westminster Abbey area
C) What is the best way to get from Heathrow to this area?
D) How would you recommend we get to the Chunnel from here since we depart two days later and leave for Brussels.
E) 8 days and 3 countries so what type of luggage should we take?
F)Any and all recommendations will be appreciated!
May 7th, 2008 | 11:07 AM
#3
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
C: the Tube - Picadilly line leaves 6 times/hr; Bus into Victoria Station; Heathrow Connect train to Paddington Station, or the super-quick Heathrow Express, also to Paddington; cab; and finally by Shuttle Bus.
D: don't ask for the "Chunnel" there - ask about the Eurostar. London end is at St Pancras Station.
E: Husband and I are doing 4 countries, 3 weeks, strictly out of carryon bags, convertible to backpack carrying.
F: Recommendations... check out Rick Steves guidebooks (I quoted the C responses directly from the London book) - they are updated annually and when you get to Europe you will see a LOT of people carrying/referring to these excellent guides. No, I don't work for RS, I used the guides for my first trip in 2004, and am working out of them for the trip this fall (Italy, France, Belgium, UK to sightsee and visit relatives). His website - ricksteves.com - has a ton of information as well as a travel helpline and forums similar to the Fodors' site. Even if you don't use the RS books/site, spend the time to do your own research, so that you'll be better able to sort out what fits YOUR needs/desires best....
D: don't ask for the "Chunnel" there - ask about the Eurostar. London end is at St Pancras Station.
E: Husband and I are doing 4 countries, 3 weeks, strictly out of carryon bags, convertible to backpack carrying.
F: Recommendations... check out Rick Steves guidebooks (I quoted the C responses directly from the London book) - they are updated annually and when you get to Europe you will see a LOT of people carrying/referring to these excellent guides. No, I don't work for RS, I used the guides for my first trip in 2004, and am working out of them for the trip this fall (Italy, France, Belgium, UK to sightsee and visit relatives). His website - ricksteves.com - has a ton of information as well as a travel helpline and forums similar to the Fodors' site. Even if you don't use the RS books/site, spend the time to do your own research, so that you'll be better able to sort out what fits YOUR needs/desires best....
May 7th, 2008 | 11:20 AM
#4
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,031
Likes: 50
London Guest suites won't help you much since they book flats by the week and you only have 2 days.
"<i>. We are not looking for luxurious but we don't want dirt cheap either.</i>" Well - now that does narrow things down a bit
. Give us an actual budget or any suggestions can be useless.
There are hundreds of hotels in central London - almost all w/i easy access of Westminster Abbey. Is there a reason you specifically want to stay there? That is on the edge of "official/governmental London" and there are lots of other great neighborhoods.
Once you select a hotel (after we get your budget) - then we can advise on the best way to get there from LHR. One size does not fit all in this case.
How best to get to St Pancras Station will also depend on your hotel selection.
"<i>. We are not looking for luxurious but we don't want dirt cheap either.</i>" Well - now that does narrow things down a bit
. Give us an actual budget or any suggestions can be useless.There are hundreds of hotels in central London - almost all w/i easy access of Westminster Abbey. Is there a reason you specifically want to stay there? That is on the edge of "official/governmental London" and there are lots of other great neighborhoods.
Once you select a hotel (after we get your budget) - then we can advise on the best way to get there from LHR. One size does not fit all in this case.
How best to get to St Pancras Station will also depend on your hotel selection.
May 7th, 2008 | 01:29 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,036
Likes: 0
A) We need a budget from you. Also, how old is your son? Is he an 8 month-old baby or is he a 18 yr-old 6 ft 2 grown man? It makes a difference whether you need a double room w/a cot or a triple room.
B) The area around Westminster Abbey is not very happening. That would not be my first choice.
C) Come back and ask us after you book your hotel.
d) You need to go to St Pancras station to catch the Eurostar.
E) 8 days + 3 countries is a lot of ground to cover. Do you really want to move around that much? Anyway, a 21" carryon plus a day bag is the most you want to bring with you.
B) The area around Westminster Abbey is not very happening. That would not be my first choice.
C) Come back and ask us after you book your hotel.
d) You need to go to St Pancras station to catch the Eurostar.
E) 8 days + 3 countries is a lot of ground to cover. Do you really want to move around that much? Anyway, a 21" carryon plus a day bag is the most you want to bring with you.
May 7th, 2008 | 03:24 PM
#6
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
tdwarren,
Re: londonguestsuites.com--I was recently told that they will sometimes fill in the odd days between longer visitors stays at some of their properties so it might be worth a phone call to see if that is the case for your dates.
Re: londonguestsuites.com--I was recently told that they will sometimes fill in the odd days between longer visitors stays at some of their properties so it might be worth a phone call to see if that is the case for your dates.
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May 8th, 2008 | 12:21 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 357
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There is plenty of life around this area, including the South Bank and some good restaurants and pubs. Hotel options include:
Citadines Aparthotel Trafalgar Square - at least a 10 minute walk along Whitehall and across Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey
Premier Inn County Hall - on the South Bank just over the river from Westminster Abbey
Sanctuary House Hotel - round the corner from Westminster Abbey, above a pub that I occasionally frequent.
Hotel Jolly St Ermins - about 5 minutes walk from Westminster Abbey.
Citadines Aparthotel Trafalgar Square - at least a 10 minute walk along Whitehall and across Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey
Premier Inn County Hall - on the South Bank just over the river from Westminster Abbey
Sanctuary House Hotel - round the corner from Westminster Abbey, above a pub that I occasionally frequent.
Hotel Jolly St Ermins - about 5 minutes walk from Westminster Abbey.
May 8th, 2008 | 06:35 AM
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
more hotels near Westminster Abbey:
Sofitel St. James's--just north of St.James's Park; expensive and nice.
County Hall Marriott--just across the river from Parliament and the Abbey; upscale and great location.
Novotel Waterloo--near County Hall; "budget".
Sofitel St. James's--just north of St.James's Park; expensive and nice.
County Hall Marriott--just across the river from Parliament and the Abbey; upscale and great location.
Novotel Waterloo--near County Hall; "budget".
