Thanks for the replies, they have all been helpful - keep em coming
DA - We are leaning toward sticking with a chain, so far the Hilton Hotels are winning.
I have no idea what area we are wanting to stay in. Since we've never been there I have a short list of what I want to do... Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London, Harrods, High Tea somewhere, see a Show, my husband wants to go to the history museum and see Churchill's war room (not sure if it's the same place)... I'm sure these are all spread out, but if their not let me know.