What district in London is the best area to stay in regards to location, cafes, and allover access to the city?
 

I'm planning to visit London again last year, and stayed near the British Musuem near Russel Square. I found it convenient, and I'm thinking of staying in the area again, but 'm concerned there's even a better area to access all of the things I love about London, SOHO, Museums, eateries, etc. So my question is: which district/area do you stay in and why?

read above as "planning to visit London again next year and previously stayed "..Sorry!

Bloomsbury is IMHO the best place to stay for access to everything and for a good selection of reasonable hotels. I like the area right around the British Musuem, like Bloomsbury Street. Anywhere around the musuem gives you good access to the tube, and easy walks to Piccadilly,etc. I have also stayed in the Kensington area around Sloan Square but didn't like it as well.

Fodors <BR> <BR>I live in London, but can say that I think best access is found a little south of Bloomsbury, along the Strand. The hotels are these. <BR> <BR>http://www.royaladelphi.co.uk/index.htm <BR>http://www.demon.co.uk/hotel-uk/adelphi.html# <BR>Royal Adelphi Hotel. From £45 or 80 inc breakfast <BR> <BR>http://london.hotelguide.net/data/h100241.htm <BR>Strand Palace Hotel. £159 to 199 <BR>Also at discount £57 any date in August <BR>and £66 Fridays to Sundays all year <BR>on http://www.hotelsengland.com./ <BR>Discounts also on http://www.travelnow.com/hotels/ <BR>and on http://www.180096HOTEL.com <BR> <BR>http://london.hotelguide.net/data/h100316.htm <BR>Charing Cross Thistle Hotel. £190 to 255 <BR> <BR>http://london.hotelguide.net/data/h100486.htm <BR>Waldorf Meridien. £210 to 495 <BR>Also at discount £165 any date in August <BR>and £176 Frifdays to Saturdays all year <BR>on http://www.hotelsengland.com./ <BR> <BR>http://London.hotelguide.net/data/h100119.htm <BR>Savoy Hotel. £265 to 1190. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can comment further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

Rose <BR>the area near the South Kensington tube stop is very conveneient, and walking distance to several museums. I like it because it is "neighborhoody" and has easy and short transportation to many other locations on several tube lines. Not as great for a huge selection of cafes, although there are a number of them within a few blocks of the tube station, and many within a very short tube or taxi ride. <BR>The other advantage of being near the South Ken. tube stop is that it is a straight ride to Heathrow, no changing.

I agree with the previous thoughts. My message is where NOT to stay. This sounds silly, I know, but bear with me! Take a look at the Underground map for inner London (what you find in most guidebooks). There's the Circle line (I think that's the name) running around the city center, and the Piccadilly line, which runs diagonally from "lower left" to "upper right". There is no line that runs diagonally in the other direction! What it means is that it is very inconvenient to be based near Paddington, or generally in the "upper left" quadrant. Every trip requires multiple changes. Compare to the Kensington location, and you get the idea. It's petty, but you asked about access, and this was a small but real hassle on my last trip!

Er, Robin, what about the Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines? They follow the northwest to south east axis which you claim is missing....

I agree with Elaine, I think the South Kensington area is the best place to stay. I am saying this mostly because of the tube situation. I love the neighborhood feeling. Granted, there are not a lot of restaurants but with the tube right there, nothing is far for you. The last time I went to London I stayed in Knightsbridge and I think that is the farthest from South Kensington I will venture. I think if you are a typical tourist and use the tube a lot the south Kensington area is the way to go.

I agree with the last two posts. I stayed in South Kensington also and really liked the location. I felt very safe walking around at night. We were a 5-7 minute walk to the tube. There were good pubs and small grocery stores (with delicious pastries) close by. There was internet access right by the Kensington Tube. Which I liked because I e-mailed my husband just about everyday! <BR>We also stayed two nights in Knightbridge, right around the corner from Harrods. This was an excellent location for shopping and only a 2 minute walk to the tube. Even so, I think I like South Kensington better. <BR>Hope this helps a little.

" Mayfair " is by far the Best location in London.

Mayfair is great, S. Kensington is good, but for my money it's still Bloomsbury, not just for very easy access to the Tube and plenty of hotels, but because one can easily walk to Covent Garden and points beyond. And here are so many pubs in Bloomsbury, which is one of London's main attractions to me, anyway.

Yes - Mayfair is great...... if you can afford it :-)

For those posting suggestions, please help if you can. On my one and so far only trip to London, we stayed at Ebury near Victoria Station. The Hotel cost approx. 60 lbs, which was b/t US $100-120 a night at the time (with taxes, etc.). We thought the location was pretty good (close to Parliament, Buckingham and good transportation), but we don't know any better (not having stayed in some of the areas recommended here). For those of you w/ more experience/knowledge, how does the Victoria/belgravia area compare to some of the foregoing suggestions (in price, location, sightseeing, etc. ). <BR>Thanks. <BR>

Another very strong vote for Bloomsbury. If you want to get to the theaters easily, either late in the afternoon for rush tickets or for a performance, it's hard to beat. You can walk and not have to rely on the subway. <BR> <BR>In the spring I stayed in South Kensington for the first time and regretted it. Nice surroundings but too inaccessible. Getting back to the hotel to clean up before a show was too time-consuming.

The Strand is nearer the theatres than is Bloomsbury. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

Yes, the Strand/Charing Cross is really the best area to stay in London with regards to accessibility, but no good if you are on a budget as the hotels in this area tend to be a bit pricey.

I disagree with most of the previous post. In my opiniom it doesn't really matter. If you stay say near Russell Square you still have to take the tube, bus or taxi to see Harrod's, V&A. If in Kenningston you will ride to St. Pauls or the Tower. I have stayed in many areas and if you plan on exploring London you will be on the go anyway. Any place is OK as long as you are near a major bus line or tube station. One spot I have returned to on several occasions has been Nottinghill <BR>gate. What ever you choose have a good time and think of us when you have your first pint.

We will!! Many pints will be consumed. It's our first trip to London for my wife and I and we can't wait, still trying to figure where to stay and hope we don't have a problem finding a place for 3 nites the end of October. Hope the fuel protests clear up as well. Thanks for the information!!

Thanks for the information, guys! Judging by the responses, I think I'll stay with the Bloomsbury district. The Strand seems a bit out of my price range. I will be visiting many pubs and will have a pint for the "Fodor's Club".

PS - who is this "Pat", and why is he impersonating me??? :)