Which area?Mayfair/Kensington
 

OK, I have finally decided to use Priceline for bidding. But which area of London for a 4* do you think would be fun for 3 young ladies, there for only a weekend and wanting to see everything.Mayfair or Kensington?
Thanks for any input.

I'd err towards Kensington but both are central and both pleasant areas. During the day either are perfectly accessible.

I'd say there's more late night in the Kensington area, although you're more likely to end up going out around Soho and the West End at night.

To be honest, go for price and quality and hotel and don't worry about location if these are the areas you're considering.

Mayfair is far more central, Kensington is slightly too out west for my liking. Mayfair has all the best clubs/bars which are open well into the small hours.

We used priceline for Mayfair/London and received the Millenium Mayfair. It was a nice hotel, staff was friendly, and we received a large room with a king bed (I requested the bed type at check-in). I really liked staying in Mayfair as it was easy to get just about anywhere in the city. But...there was not much going on at night. Just a handful of pubs open after dinner.

All the best bars and clubs are in Mayfair, evidently you have no idea what you're talking about.

m_kingdom2 - Yes there are some great clubs and bars in Mayfair but:

1) They are often private members affairs only

2) They tend to be hideously expensive and therefore prohibitive for most people (which, yes, blah blah, is the point... don't bother with that line)

3) They tend to have a rather older clientele than many other areas. This, I'm sure, suits you down to the ground, but for people my age or younger, is rather dreary

Hmmm...guess I shuold have asked you before we left. We were there in March and couldn't seem to find much (expect a great pub about three blocks from our hotel). Maybe next time!

Thanks, Tallulah...that makes a little more sense.

I would also have to say Kensington. We've stayed in Mayfair twice but after staying in Kensington this past spring I much preferred the neighborhood feel and the tube stop at Gloucester Rd. was much more convenient than the ones in Mayfair as far as not having to change to as many lines to get all over London.
I can't say much about clubs or posh bars as we usually go to the pubs. We did check out the bar at Claridges 4yrs. ago and although it gets great reviews I wasn't impressed.
Have you heard of Vertigo 42? It's a champagne bar in the City. That might be fun. I keep intending to go there but haven't yet. Perhaps m_kingdom2 can advise on this.

Chinawhite has a very varied clientele, with people as young as 14 going there, as do most of the Mayfair clubs on a Saturday night (which is always much better as a quiet night in or to see a film at The Curzon).

As for bars in The City, they're packed with City workers (as expected), and spending my time with people in pinstripes doesn't appeal to me. That said, the shops at The Royal Exchange are quite good, but always quiet.

Claridge's bar is luxurious whilst retaining minimalist chic, the service is usually good, as are the drinks. Some of the Mayfair staples are strictly for adults, such as Aspinalls, and Crockfords, but then they're casinos so that is expected.

Gee, I hate to agree with m kingdom, but I prefer Mayfair.

I like the neighborhood with the Edwardian houses - it always feels like I'm walking through the set of "My Fair Lady." I find it convenient to other places like Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, etc.

And I love Claridges - the history alone makes it well worth a visit or stay!

As I mentioned on another thread, if you are going to use Priceline with three women, you need to bid for two rooms, since Priceline provides double/twin hotel rooms in London and you can't typically add a rollaway.

I agree with Mayfair, as well. More centrally located, with Kensington being a bit tedious to get to if you're out late in Soho or something.

If you find Mayfair is too stuffy for you, or you want to go other places, you'll find it easier to get to those other places quickly there.

Also, it really is lovely there.

Tallulah is right about it being an expensive area (though most in central London are, this one is particularly so) but you can walk to other areas quite easily and quickly.

I know of one middleo of the road hotel in Mayfair that is a middle of the road hotel, called Flemyngs (or Flemings.) If memory serves, it is on Half Moon Street (I am sure M_Kingdom can verify this location.) In any case, I do know that they have very good rates this time of year and they do have rooms in which they will accomodate a third person reasonably.

I know you can book this hotel on expedia. And, try expedia.co.uk, which sometimes has lower prices but will now allow you to pay with a foreign credit card.

M_2Kingdom - You seem to know a lot about London and the surrounding areas, do you know anything about Stoke Park Club in Buckinghamshire? Is it a private club or can anyone visit? Thanks

m_kingdom, there are many clubs, true, but my impression having gone to a few is that Tallulah is spot on. members-only, a bit stodgy, think dark wood, Hyacinth-approved wallpaper, tall ceilings, fireplaces, a great place to have a snifter of brandy. very nice, very olde-English, I enjoyed being there - but for what she's asking - I'd rather spend my time in Covent Garden and Soho!

Stoke Park Club (where Goldfinger was filmed) is a golf club, so that part is members only, but you can stay at the hotel, however, the food is atrocious.

Thanks for the replies. Now it is about half for Mayfair and half for Kensington.
What to do? ummmm?
I will need two rooms. One girl wants to be in her own room, and the other girl and I will share.
I have till Monday to decide!

I feel I should explain Kensington to you. Kensington is a prime residential area which is divided by Kensington High Street. One side is full of large townhouses and villas which stretch all the way to Holland Park. On another side are smaller "cottage" style properties. The restaurants are concentrated on the High St and a road off of it, as are bars and shops. It's very residential though and is quiet at night, there are no clubs tucked away as in Mayfair.

I?m planning to bid on priceline for a Kensington hotel, 4* for next May. The holiday Inn Kensington Forum is my goal as it has been going for $70 to $80 per night plus taxes. Great price! This hotel is located on Cromwell Road. M_Kingdom2, can you tell us about this particular area as far as shops, restaurants, pubs? For me I?m looking for convenience to the tube and a short taxi ride to the Victoria Coach station the day we head to Dover for our cruise. My mom and I don?t plan to be out very late as we?ll be busy during the day, so it would be nice to find inexpensive dining near our hotel.

Lyban, have you researched hotels on biddingfortravel.com, the web site (wonderful!) that provide bidding assistance on priceline? If not, see this link http://p070.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...abiddingfrm215 where you can see what hotels have won in both areas and their prices. The homepage has a FAQ?s page, which you should read through before bidding.

Thanks,

Monica ((F))

my impression of Cromwell Road is that it isn't as nice-user friendly as Ken High Street, but I defer to the experts.