Where to Stay in London

AOIIBrandi · #1 03-09-2005, 03:03 PM

My husband and I are going to London next month. It will be the first time either of us has been to Europe, so I am looking for advice on where to stay, as well as things to do, places to eat...

Sister Havana · #2 03-09-2005, 03:51 PM

When I was there a couple years ago, we stayed at the Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth hotel. (link goes to the Radisson Edwardian general site, there are several in London) I liked it. The room wasn't gigantic but three of us fit in it, it was in a great location next to the British Museum and a block away from the Tottenham Court Road tube station.

I would advise that if you can, take the tube from the airport into the city rather than a taxi. It's very convenient and you'll save a bunch of money.

I love London.

AChiOAlumna · #3 03-09-2005, 05:09 PM

My parents used to live in London proper and I visited them. I've also been there twice since then with a third time this summer....there's so much to see and do!! I love this city!!! You can go to www.londonpass.com, which will give you an opportunity to see what you can do and the costs. Depending on how long you'll be there, the pass may be beneficial for you...

If you want more specific information, PM me!

AKA_Monet · #4 03-09-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AChiOAlumna
go to www.londonpass.com, which will give you an opportunity to see what you can do and the costs. Depending on how long you'll be there, the pass may be beneficial for you...

Co-sign!!!

Depending on what part of the city you'd like to stay, then that could be ideal too...

There is an exquisite hotel in Kensington, but they charge an arm and a leg--because they are royalty!!!

However, I would suggest staying where you will think you will be the most--like Piccadilly Circus/Trafalgar [sp?] Square? All the doubledeckers right around there...

And MAKE SURE you purchase the TUBE pass--a definite to be in London as a visitor...

The London's Visitor's Bureau is also helpful...

ZTAngel · #5 03-09-2005, 07:33 PM

We stayed in Euston when my family and me went back in December. I think the name of the hotel was called Thistle Euston. It's pretty nice although the rooms are tiny compared to American hotel rooms; you only get a twin bed or a double bed! It's within walking distance from the tube/train station which was really convenient.

When you're there, you'll want to see the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Harrod's (the store is AMAZING!), Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London and Madam Tussuad's (which is a lot of fun).

I can't remember the names of the restaurants we went to but if you walk around Piccadilly Circus/Trafalgar, you'll find a bunch of restaurants. The English certainly aren't known for their food but there a bunch of great Indian restaurants there if you like that type of food.

ETA: Be prepared to spend a lot of money. The dollar isn't doing so hot right now so it's really expensive there. For a family of 4 to go to a casual restaurant, it cost us about $80!

DeltAlum · #6 03-09-2005, 07:38 PM

All of the major -- and some of the minor chains have properties in London as well. Check their websites.

I stayed at the London Hilton once on business in Knightbridge -- but it was VERY expensive.

We're going to be there in May and are staying at a Comfort Inn because Mrs. DA won some free nights there.

The trick is to find a hotel close to a tube station and you'll be able to get just about anywhere.

Tom Earp · #7 03-09-2005, 07:52 PM

First off, who is paying for this trip?

If you, then check Bed and Breakfast, make sure it is next to a Underground. The Tube. You will learn it quick, it is simple!

What ZTAngle said. Those are really great sites to see and walk to!

Take a Red Bus Tour to get an idea of where everything is. Get an easy Map of the Underground is Free. Get a Pass, is a lot cheaper than getting daily ride rates.

Take the Tube/Undergraound from the Airport, Taxis or expensive.

PUBs, Sherlock Holmes, on N. Umberland a favorite, British Museum, Pub across the street from it.

Watch Breakfast, fried eggs over pork and beans, gag. Try the Plowman Speciell, bland as hell! Dont do the fish and chips diners, sucks. Yes, wrapped in newspaper!

Read The Times, the best Newspaper.

Do not go to regular Resturants, expensive. Go to Pubs, all have a deli type bar. Locals eat at them. The rest are for Tourists.

Men drink Full Pints, women drink Alf Pints until they find out your are Americans. Get Lagar, lighter beer.

With bitters is a touch of lemon.? Dont ask me.

Take a Tube and a short bus to Windsor Castle, great pub there also!

God, can go on and on!!! Good times!!!! Take a lot of Pictures!

Check with navane, she lived there for a while!!!!!

RedRoseSAI · #8 03-09-2005, 10:01 PM

I've stayed at the Lime Tree in Belgravia, which was alright. It was a little more of a hike to the nearest tube station (Victoria Station) than we would have liked. Overpriced for the size and amenities

The Thistle near Hyde Park was much better, and a good value for the money. It's not as cosy as the Lime Tree, and our room didn't come with breakfast. I think next time we go, we'll try to stay somewhere near Picadilly - these two hotels were slightly off the beaten path.

RedRoseSAI · #9 03-09-2005, 10:04 PM

By the way, there have been several London threads that have some good suggesions:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/se...der=descending

AOIIBrandi · #10 03-10-2005, 10:48 AM

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.

RedRoseSAI · #11 03-10-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AOIIBrandi
I have a short list of what I want to do... Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London, Harrods, High Tea somewhere

I believe you're actually thinking of "Afternoon Tea" which is fancier than "High Tea". Here's an article which explains the difference:

http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/culture/a/aftervshigh.htm

AChiOAlumna · #12 03-10-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AOIIBrandi
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.

Most of what you want to do is in London proper. Taking a tube ride away can zip you from one place to another with only a few stops in between. When you see a show, unless it's one of their newer ones, you can go to there TIX booth and see shows for VERY cheap prices! The seats are normally phenomenal as well and they're tickets for that day/evening's show!

cashmoney · #13 03-10-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZTAngel
ETA: Be prepared to spend a lot of money. The dollar isn't doing so hot right now so it's really expensive there. For a family of 4 to go to a casual restaurant, it cost us about $80!

Thats not expensive.....thats kind of normal here after you leave a tip.

ZTAngel · #14 03-10-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashmoney
Thats not expensive.....thats kind of normal here after you leave a tip.

Um, where do you eat?

If you go to a casual, small mom-and-pop type restaurant, you'll pay about $10 per person. Add tip and you walk out paying $50. Sometimes $40 if you go to one of the chain restaurants like Friday's or Chili's

DeltAlum · #15 03-10-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AOIIBrandi
DA - We are leaning toward sticking with a chain, so far the Hilton Hotels are winning.

The London Hilton is a very nice (quick) walk across Green Park to Buckingham Palace -- but there are probably Hilton's closer to some of the other sites.

The Hilton's are all fairly pricey, though, I think.

The comments about being close to a tube station are exactly right, though. It's great.

We're staying a lot farther out with our free rooms than I would have liked. There's a Comfort Inn about .5 miles from Buckingham Palace and one at Victoria Station (the one I really wanted), but I guess they weren't available the weekend we'll be there.

ETA

Some people think this is lame, but I took the double decker red bus sightseeing tour and it was just great. There's one where you can get off at the Tower, do that tour, grab a boat ride on the Thames and catch another bus farther along -- like at Parliament if I recall.

I had tickets to a show that evening, and the bus happened to pass the theatre -- so after a day of touring (the tickets are good for 24 hours, I think), I just jumped back on that route and got off at the theatre. You can always get off the bus at any stop and catch a later bus with no charge. Being a child of the 60's I had to get off at Carnaby Street and buy Mrs. DA something from where the Beatles used to hang out.

Our tour guide was a stitch. Really funny.