We’ll be visiting London in early March and don’t know exactly what sights we’ll be visiting, but I’m guessing we will include theater, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, and just strolling (unless the weather is miserable). We’ve been to London before so we will probably skip the Tower and Buckingham Palace.

We’re considering using Hotwire or Priceline and have to select either Mayfair-Soho-Picadilly Circus OR Westminster-Victoria-Big Ben area (which includes hotels we’re considering at Lincoln’s Inn Field, Whitehall, Lamberts and Vauxhall).

I’m sure we’ll take the Tube at times, but we prefer to walk and soak in the sights and sounds of the city whenever possible. So we would like to be walking distance to lots of attractions.

Would one area be preferable to the other?

Thanks!

there are minor problems with both zones but if it it was me I'd choose Mayfair-Soho-Picadilly Circus. The other zone sounds good but it is drawn so one almost always 'wins' inconvenient properties near and west of Vauxhall Bridge.

I would choose Mayfair-Soho-Piccadilly Circus zone.

Thanks so much!

I'd be interested if the hotel you end up with is better and at a rate which is also better than the Amba Charing Cross which is convenient to everything you want to see and two different Tube stops.

I am NOT saying you HAVE to stay there but I would be interested in comparing it with what you get.

OK, so it isn't as close to the British as it is to the National but still.

Dukey1, thanks for that recommendation. I saved it for myself.

Dukey1: The Amba Charing Cross hotel looks fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation. I very well might book it. The total cost for 5 nights is $1270 (not including breakfast).

I can get the Citadine Trafalgar for $990. It's not fancy, but it has a kitchenette, and I like that, although I won't eat many meals in.

I could get a 4.5 star "mystery" hotel in the Mayfair/Soho area for $859; a 5 star "mystery hotel with a 90% recommendation (also in the Mayfair/Soho area) for $1059. (actually $60 less if I use an app to book it)

It's a tough decision. I like to get a good deal, but spending a couple hundred dollars more for someplace special might be worth it. But then again, $400 buys some theater tix and meals ... hmmm....

I make myself nuts with this stuff!

I feel your pain! Tough choices. Have stayed at the Citadines but in a 2 bedroom. Great location. Kitchen nice for breakfast. Good to have a washer/dryer in building. Studios with good space for European hotel room. IKEA like furnishings.

pjs: thanks for that input!

Mayfair/Soho for sure.

Gotta put in a plug for Amba Charring Cross. We stayed there in October and found the location, room and staff to be wonderful! We had booked a regular room but were offered an upgrade at check in for $25/night which included a better room, breakfast and access to the club room with free drinks till 6 or 7pm daily. Highly recommend this hotel.

Thanks! If we don't go for an apartment it'll be the Amba Charing Cross.

I love London, we were there 11 months and are returning there again next week. We have consistently stayed in the Earl's Court area. I prefer that location as it seems central to getting around and not feeling too far tucked away from things, yet still has a neighborhood feel (along Old Brompton Road, etc). You can easily walk to Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, etc. This time we will be in the Kensington/Notting Hill area at the Portobello Hotel, but still on the West End of town. I've booked our hotels with Hotels.com for years and have never had any problems. Have a great trip!

I did it! I booked the Amba Charing Cross. Thank you, Dukey1 and Tracilee!!!

I compared prices on Trivago and found a good deal with "flexible" cancellation at Amoma.com. The price was lower than any other website (including the hotel's website) AND included breakfast, which the others did not at anywhere that rate.

I was almost through booking and had already entered most of my info when I backed up to read the "flexible" cancellation policy. While I was considering it, I received a phone call from an agent at Amoma.com. He offered me free cancellation until ten days prior to arrival AND a $125 discount because I was a first-time user of the website.

I am a happy camper! Thanks again for everyone for your input--and especially, thanks to Dukey1 & Tracilee.

Huitres: I have used Hotels.com many times and have never had a problem. But...I have never had a problem booking through ANY website so I just look for the one with the best rate. Trivago shows the rates and offers for a wide variety of websites. It's amazing to me to see the differences for the exact same rooms--and the craziest thing is how much more expensive it typically is to book directly through the hotel.

In this instance I saved $200 over the "special offer" at the Amba Charing Cross website.