I will be traveling with my adult daughter & daughter-in-law & will be in London September 7-10. I'm looking for lodging. First question: Hotel or VRBO? We need 3 separate beds due to sleep issues and 3 bedrooms would be great.
Second: What neighborhoods would be best? Proximity to bus/tube is an absolute must - I'm not as spry as I used to be and need to limit walking. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm sure Janis J has posted on this subject but I haven't had any luck searching the forum. Thanks!!

I'm not JanisJ, but I'd ask whether you've been to London before and what are your sightseeing priorities for this (very) short stay...? Budget? Just me, but for only 3 nights I'd rather stay in a hotel.

Hi, What is your budget? Three bedrooms would be pretty expensive, 3 beds not so much.. I tend to agree with Jean that for that short a visit -- and especially if it is a first trip for any of you -- I'd probably choose a hotel. OR an Aparthotel like Citadines or Fraser Suites which has the benefits of a hotel (front desk, etc) and of a flat (more space, kitchen/kitchenette, etc)

As for neighborhood -- there are 20+ good central neighborhoods that would be nice for a girl's trip. If you have mobility issues, using the Tube can be problematic. Many stations have lots of stairs or long walks underground. But the buses are great and for three sharing using taxis won't be hugely expensive. Hopefully you are all traveling light but in any case I'd probably prebook a car service in from LHR (assuming you are arriving at LHR). Schlepping even small suitcases through the airport to the Tube station and likely stairs at the other end and walk to your hotel, possibly in pouring rain. justairports is about the most economical. They would be door-to-door meeting you in the Arrivals hall and dropping at the door to your hotel.

Depending on your budget some areas to search would include South Kensington, Victoria,Sloane Square, Mayfair, Belgravia, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury/Russell Square, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia, and a few close in areas on the South Bank.

Thanks, Jean! Yes I've been to London several times, daughter-in-law has not. But this is part of a larger trip to Scotland, so we had to choose.

The Hoxton chain used to be pretty reasonable and I think you can get single rooms. The one located in Holborn is very central and lots of good stuff to walk to. They also used to deliver a free breakfast that came with your room rate. Haven’t stayed in one in London since 2019. Last visit we stayed in Convent Garden. Great hotel but kind of pricey.

Do you have a recommendation on a specifc car service to hire from Heathrow?

As I posted "justairports is about the most economical."

https://www.justairports.london Do note that during the day all car services will cost more than in the evenings because of the congestion charge

Thank you all! I like the idea of using buses if for no other reason because you can see. My mobility issues are not severe - just sore hip flexors with too much walking. We'll be taking the train from Edinburg to London (thanks for your help with that one, Janis). And of course taxis are always a good option in a pinch.

My budget - $400-$500 per night,

Maybe try Fraser Suites Queensgate https://www.frasershospitality.com/e...medium=organic. Similar concept to Citadines but a bit 'nicer'. Should fit in your budget. It is VERY popular so you'd want to book as soon as possible.

There are Citadines all over -- Holborn and Trafalgar Square are quite central.

I think finding 3 beds in one space for $500/night is going to be difficult for those September dates. That's such a popular month. If I were wanting to limit walking a bit, I think I'd want a hotel somewhere along the Strand, nearish Charing Cross, so I could use the #9 bus or the tubes at Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Charing Cross or Embankment. I think Charing Cross is the only step-free station; Leicester Sq. has escalators; the others have some steps. It is tourist central, but it's also very convenient. And if you have an evening at the theater, another bonus is not having far to go after a late night.

If you're not sharing a suitcase, would you consider (3) single rooms at the Hub by Premier Inn at Covent Garden? (You'd get a little privacy & a break from each other in the evening. The rooms are compact, but I've stayed at several hubs, and as a solo female, I like the security I feel in a room like that. Though I usually book a "bigger room." But I've done singles, and they are really fine. I've stayed at the Hub Covent Garden and I really enjoyed the location.) Or the Strand Palace Hotel. I've stayed there, and liked it very much. Very large; feels like a grander Manhattan hotel to me. The Resident Covent Garden has a kitchenette in each room--like this hotel chain--but the Covent Garden location would be over-budget for the dates you have. Good luck with your search!

Three single rooms at the HUB would more than likely cost more that a 2 bdrm flat at Fraser Suites and wouldn't have a kitchenette. But the HUB would have the advantage of three bathrooms and no one having to share a room so maybe better for sleep.

Thanks, @janisj. I've got that Fraser Suites QueensGate bookmarked for future. Looks fantastic for when I bring my family. That's a lovely location, too.

Y'all read my mind -- After a week or so together, I suspect we'll need a little space on our own These all sound like great suggestions - can't wait to check them out.
On a previous trip on my own I stayed at the Amba Charing Cross, and that was a great location.

The Amba is now the Clermont -- same great location, same owners/new brand name.

Just to follow up, I was able to get reservations for Fraser Suites @ Queensgate. Thanks for the suggestion, Janis.

That's great. Hope it works out for you -- I've stayed there twice but last time was several years ago. Its just a block from Gloucester Rd station with Circle/District and Piccadilly lines so you can get most anywhere, and the useful #74 bus goes east into Knightsbridge > Hyde Park Corner and eventually Selfridges > Marylebone. Its a couple minute walk to the Natural History Museum and about 5 minutes up the road to the V&A