Yes Monica, I have been reading that site for days now. I like the idea of bidding on # 4 in Kensington, but there are a few hotels there that I would rather not get. The biggest thing to us is the closeness of the tube, and again because we will be out so much all day, I think dinner and then bedtime is all were after.

How important is a cheaper price?
You will likely succeed on Priceline for about $30 or $40 less per night in Kensington than in Mayfair.

South Kensington is a completely different area, and if we simply look at property prices - South Ken, SW7 is considerably cheaper than the much smarter Kensington, W8.

I rarely venture there, it's not dumpy, just no need to be there for me. I occasionally go to Kensington, if not for The Roof Gdns. then I go for a walk on a Sunday afternoon to make a change from Mayfair. You couldn't live in Kensington without a car, whereas in Mayfair you could get by very easily with no car - I'm neglecting public transport here.

The difference of 30 or 40 dollars is not the big issue. I really want to be in very close proximity to a tube station. And then easy access to getting to Heathrow on Sunday for a 5pm flight. I will be going on the weekend of Oct 1/2. and will probably do the hop on hop off bus thing. Would love to be able to see St.Pauls, Big Ben,Changing of guards,Oxford street, etc etc.

I don't know what the odds are of getting a hotel far from a tube station in either location so can't offer a vote on which is better.

But:

1) If you are more concerned about some of the hotels in Kensington, assume you will get one of the ones you're not thrilled with. Does this make you not want to bid on that region? If so, don't. You very well might get one of them. If you'd rather not be there, but it would be OK, go for it.

2) You could flip a coin and start with one area, or choose the one you're leaning toward. Both are nice, you probably will be happy in either. Then, if your bid is not accepted, you can up the bid and consider adding the other zone (but be careful of price differences in the zones as WillTravel mentioned and act appropriately). It's essentially a free re-bid if you're willing to stay in either area.

<<The biggest thing to us is the closeness of the tube, and again because we will be out so much all day, I think dinner and then bedtime is all were after.>>

Given this, I would suggest Mayfair. If I remember correctly, there were three tube stops within a short walt to the hotel. And, you can also walk to several of the big attractions. Plus, it really is a beautiful neighborhood.

The one Kensington zone 4* hotel I wouldn't like as well is Kensington Hilton Olympia, because it's a little less convenient, and not directly on the Piccadilly Line. It doesn't come up that often, but it's a possibility.

The Mayfair/Soho might be the slightly "safer" choice.

Olympia has come in between $87 and $100, so my guess is that it wouldn't be selected by Priceline....but one never knows.

How about the location of the Waldorf Hilton? That's supposed to be a very nice hotel and has been going for about $100 on priceline, which would be my
top limit.

Is it best to say that Kensington might be good for hotel stay but most sights, shopping, dining, etc. are elsewhere?

Lyban, can you tell me about the hop on bus?

Monica ((F))

The Waldorf Hilton which for 100USD is cheap, is located on the Strand, too touristy, no quality restaurants, not a place frequented by locals. I don't like Covent Gdn. it's a little seedy in a way that isn't sexy - Soho is seedy sexy.

You can't go wrong with Mayfair.

I'd avoid any hotels on Cromwell Road. Not because they're horrible or anything, just a blah part of London that is just street after street of hotels and very few things inbetween, in some part of Cromwell. Also, still not in the thick of things, really.

I'm with the person who suggested Covent Garden/Soho.

There is Mountbatten, which is a Radisson now, and Covent Garden hotel nextdoor, which is pricier, and I believe there is a pretty good Best Western near Seven Dials, too.

Much more fun, but I previously only commented on Mayfair since that's where you said you wanted to choose. :-)

m_2kingdom - thank you for you response.

Monica,
Here is the site for the Big Bus hop on and off, that I was talking about. A great way to see any city.
http://london-tour.conciergedesk.co.uk/big-bus-main.htm

Everyone here has been so helpful, maybe I can ask someone if they have any site for a good London street map.I have been to a few but am still having a hard time to figure out the whole picture.

I'm going to have to vote for Kensington again as it's on the Piccadilly line that runs straight from Heathrow. If you stay at a hotel on Cromwell Rd. you are on three major lines. Piccadilly,District and Circle.
I agree that the area isn't as beautiful or fashionable as Mayfair but the tube stops in the SW7 can't be beat.
m_kingdom2- Do you have any comments on Vertigo 42 besides a lot of pinstripes frequent The City bars? I'd like to know if it's a waste of money as I'm hoping to get there in February.

Monica:

The Holiday Inn Kensington Forum is a large, tourist hotel barely a stone's throw from the Gloucester Road tube station, which offers you the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line trains. The area abounds in restaurants and there is a good sized Waitrose Supermarket in the next block to the hotel and a huge Sainsbury's, my favorite, a couple of blocks further west. Both have great takeout sandwiches; Waitrose has better pastry and small cheese selections, Sainsbury's is better for delicatessin. The Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert, Hyde Park, and Royal Albert Hall are all within walking distance of the hotel. There's also a handy Internet Cafe on Cromwell Road and a Barclay's Bank with 24 hour ATMs on Gloucester Road.
We've been going to London for 30 years and have stayed in that neighborhood every trip except one, in 1976, when we landed at the Waldorf Hotel on Aldwych. It's a fine location, too, but on the whole I prefer Kensington.

Sounds like Mayfair is the better out of the other areas; however, when bidding on priceline, the Mayfair hotels are grouped with the Soho areas. However, I think I will stick with the Kensington area and hope to get the Holiday Inn.

Thanks VCL for your comments. It's always good to get comments from others because everyone has their idea of a ideal location.

Thanks Lyban for the web link.

Monica ((F))

Re Tudorprincess:

Vertigo 42 you go to for the views, it will be filled with City types, so don't expect a fashionable clientele. You can't really go wrong with a few champagnes and enjoy the view. It's just somewhere I'd never go to, The City people only go to for work reasons, there's nothing else there (or perhaps financial tourism) to be honest. I'd like to see you try Milk & Honey (pre 11pm for non-members) for an absolutely unique atmosphere, and spectacular surroundings.

Milk & Honey? Sounds like some place in a strip-mall where a woman would go for a facial or a wax job!

Obviously you have no idea what you are talking about.

m_kingdom2- Tell me about Milk and Honey.