I am a mom traveling to London in June with two college girls. Which area of London would be best for us to stay? We are on a budget (!) and I have reservations at Henley House in Earl's Court and New Linden by Notting Hill. Is it better to be in a place like Bloomsbury? Help, it is so hard to know what to do.

I think you'll be find in Earls Court. It's a simple sort of neighborhood, not high class, but well populated by students. Notting Hill is also a charmer.

Just about any neighborhood in London is accessible to/by the tube. As long as you can get yourself on the Underground, you can find your way around London. Buy a copy of "Time Out". Each attraction will mention the closest tube stop.

Study the maps, plan some take out meals and eat them in the park, enjoy the free museums, and take in some theatre by using the half-price ticket booth. You can even pay a small fee to sit on a deck chair in the park, and watch the world go by.

You will love London! Any other London specialists care to add anything?

How tight is your budget and how late in June will you be travelling? Another budget option might be to see if the Women's Residence at Imperial College in London is taking bookings. I stayed there a long time ago when I was travelling alone and it was great. It's very central - in quite a posh neighbourhood (South Kensington) - and very secure. Bathrooms are down the hall from the dorm rooms, but the rooms were quite nice; simply decorated, but nice.

I lived in London for a year (2001-02). While there is nothing wrong with your choice of locations, I preferred staying somewhere a little more central. I lived in Bloomsbury for a while (near Tavistock Sq) in faculty housing and later in the year I lived near Harley St. In both locations, I liked the fact that I could walk to many places within 20 or 30 minutes and that I felt safe walking around alone late into the evening. There was also a concentration of tube stops from various lines, so it was very easy to get around.

Fifteen years ago, I stayed in Notting Hill with a friend and was told that it's a bit dodgy on the fringes, because Notting Hill has some very well-off sections nearly adjacent to some much less well-off sections (and that often translates into property crime). But my experience is rather out of date.

What IS your budget?

I have been looking in the low $200 per night - which is hard for 3. But we are also going to Paris so we are spread thin.

In response to your help I now have a reservation at Regency House on Gower in Bloomsbury. Anyone know about that place? It has a good rating on Trip Advisor.