I've heard that the Travel Inn Country hall is just across from Westminister Hall, in London, but for the life of me I can't find it anywhere on the net. Does anyone have any information about this hotel, address, or web site?<BR>Thank you!

I believe it's called the Travel Inn COUNTY Hall, that may be why you can't locate anything (?)

Here is the url:<BR><BR>http://www.travelinn.co.uk/flashintro.html

Does anybody know if of good decent restaurants around this hotel. What about a grocery? We are planning to travel very light and just buy toiletries when we arrive in London. Thanks.

County hall is just over Westminster Bridge from Parliament. It is very central. There are restaurants in the building itself (can't comment, never been). Somerset house directly opposite has the Admiralty Restaurant in it which is one of London's finest. <BR><BR>You are well placed for all the major touristy bits of London.<BR><BR>Groceries are available on Waterloo station, or go through the Station and out the other side into the Cut where there are local shops, and a fine bar/restaurant called the Fire Station (Highly recommended).

Claire,<BR><BR>There's not much in the way of shops or restaurants in the immediate vicintity (the MacDonalds and the few other places on the ground floor of the County Hall complex hardly count...). There are a number of restaurants across the river in north of Parliament, most of which cater to lunchtime office workers.<BR><BR>But I wouldn't let this discourage you from staying at the Travel Inn--the hotel has a superior location for touring central London--walking distance to Parliament, Westminter Abbey, etc.<BR><BR>Dave White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

I stayed in the Marriott County Hall (at the other side of the building) and right after you cross Westminster Bridge there is a small grocery store. It carries mostly snacks, drinks, sandwiches, etc. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Claire - Theres are several newer restaurants directly across the street from The County Hall Travel Inn. There is a branch of the Fish! restaurant, a Yo! Sushi, Ned's Noodle Box, Bagel St. Deli (good for breakfast and lunch) and a Pizza Express. As mentioned, there is a restaurant in the hotel, and Shino's (Italian) and McDonalds on the ground level facing the Thames.

claire - you mention toiletries/grocery stores. Don't buy your toiletries from a grocer/mini mart. Go to a Boots - all over London and in all the main line train stations. They are a drug/cosmetic/etc chain that will have everything you need. Anything like that would be VERY expensive in a small grocery and they won't have much except convenience things.

Thank you very much for the info! You guys are the best! A few more questions please. If I want to go to Harrod's and Buckingham Palace, are they covered by Zone 1, if not, what do I take to go there? I am flying to Gatwick, if I commute as agains car transfer, what are the alternatives? Thanks again.

I have stayed at Travel Inn County Hall. If you cross the bridge, directly across from Big Ben there are a few shops. One is a mini-mart where you can get food that stays open a bit later, and there's also a drugstore (Boots?). But I think the drugstore closes fairly early in the evening.

claire: Both places and 95% of the other sites you will visit are in Zone 1. Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Hampstead Heath and a few other place you might want to visit are in outer zones.<BR><BR>If you travel outside of zone 1 simply go to the ticket window and tell them you want to buy a supplement for your Zone 1 pass to whatever zone you need. it will not be much. You can also do this from the ticket machines but I find most first time visitors prefer to actaull talk to someone (maybe they just need reassurance they have it right)<BR><BR>As for getting in from Gatwick. if it is just you solo take the gatwick Express to Victoria and then the tube to Westminster or Waterloo. Either is just a short walk from you hotel. Westminster is a little farther but an easier tube ride. Plus you get to walk past Big Ben, across the bridge and by the London Eye. Waterloo is a slightly closer walk, but you need to change tube lines so it is actually a little slower.<BR><BR>If there are two or more it is cost effective to get a Car service. It will take longer than the train but a big advantage is they will drop you right at your hotel.

topping for claire