Where to stay in London?
 

Hi. My wife and I, along with another couple, are going to London for 4 days this summer and aren't sure where to stay. Any suggestions for four 30 year olds? We are interested in sight seeing during the day and checking out the local bar scene at night. Nothing luxurious, preferably cost efficient and laid back if possible. Thanks! TravelGuy.

I've stayed in the Bloomsbury area. Good selection of hotels and B&B's. Restaurants, pubs, British Museum, Oxford St for shopping, can walk to Covent Garden and St Paul's, good tube access to Heathrow, etc

What part of the summer are you going? What is your budget?

London is so spread out that you will find pockets of what you are looking for in several different places, but nowhere will be on top of every single thing you might want to see and do.

Bloomsbury would be my suggestion too, since it's central for public transport and contains a large number of university institutions and halls of residence (though the student population is likely to be reduced in the summer), and a surprisingly high collection of "local" rather than chain pubs, restaurants and hotels, and streets with a rather village-y/small town feel.

Other possibilities might be Gloucester Road/South Kensington
or around Victoria, though these are a little further out.

It's easier to counsel against areas like Knightsbridge, Mayfair or Marylebone that you might (judging by what you say about yourselves) find a bit staid, stuffy and expensive.

I am very fond of the B&B Belgravia. It is in a quiet section Belgravia yet very close to Victoria Station.(Go down about 100 yards turn right and walk one short block) You can book your room online via their website. There is a very good restaurant at the opposite end of the street where locals go..very good steaks..etc. atmosphere. Its proximity to Victoria Station makes it idea for the Tube or Train. There is a shopping mall at Victoria Station. You can join the Big Red Bus tour right outside the station also...along with many good restaurants in the area. You can Tube to the trendy bar haunts in Soho West End etc areas very easily from Victoria..
The breakfast at the B&B Belgravia is full English B-fast good!..helpful staff..and best of all..affordable.

My suggestion would be the premiere inn in Southwark, basic but comfortable and central. Close to tower bridge so good transport links, close to Shakespears globe, Tate modern, London Dungeons, st Pauls, nowhere in London is very far so a 10 minute tube ride to trafalgar square etc but a nice area for soaking up local life by the Thames good local pubs, markets etc

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/S...don-southwark?

We stayed at the Morgan Hotel in Bloomsbury (but we are in our 50's)! Very clean, great breakfast and in a perfect spot behind the British Museum. Easy 10 minute walk to the theatre district too, in fact an easy walk to anywhere.
http://www.morganhotel.co.uk/

To follow up on jo_annepink, I was wondering whether to suggest somewhere in and around the South Bank, as she does. It's only relatively recently started to develop as a place for tourists, but you might like the vibe, especially in and around Borough Market and some of the real ale pubs.

Just be careful not to go during the Olympics or just on either side of them.

Shoreditch area is fun, laid back and will have plenty of bars....not too touristy either. The Hoxton Hotel is very cool...but there are cheaper options....

Thanks everyone! I will be looking into each of your suggestions and I'll let you know what we decide. For now, the plan is to go in June, so I'm hoping we'll be safe from the Olympic crowds.
Cheers!

In early June you could run into the Queen's Jubilee so you might want to arrive after June 6.

I like staying in Bloomsbury for the architecture, British Museum, walking distance to Covent Garden and easy Underground access.

>>In early June you could run into the Queen's Jubilee so you might want to arrive after June 6.<<

I wouldn't imagine there's going to be much disruption to getting around or sightseeing apart from those sights specifically involved in particular events (St Pauls and Windsor), and there will be plenty of public spectacle. As for whether accommodation would be more difficult or expensive to find, well, it might be better to look rather than just take it for granted that it will be impossible.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsan...bileeweek.aspx

Travelguide 83, I would vote for the STRAND PALACE - a large, recently renovated 3 star minutes from TRAFALGAR SQUARE and CHARRING CROSS which has been recommended on this board before.

It is within reasonable walking distance to the River, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's, the City, Soho, and steps from NATIONAL GALLERY and the PORTRAIT GALLERY (both free).

Caveat - STRAND PALACE does not have AC in guest rooms, but when I was there last summer it was no problem because it was one of the the coolest summers on record. As far as charming pubs, they are everywhere in London. Good luck...