London Advice

[Michael Whitaker]

I'm trying to make a decision on accomodations for a vacation to London in July. I've never visited London and don't have a feel for location. My wife is traveling with me and we will be doing all the typical tourist things. She has a particular interest in theatre, so I'm sure we will be attending a couple of shows in "theatreland." One of the hotels recommended on the British Airways website, The Waverly Mayfair, looks good... but, I could use some local knowledge.

Any help would be appreciated!!

[stovepipe]

O.Kay Mike my knowledge of London is pretty good, but when it comes to hotels Im a bit lost, my advice is to try a search engine, Google, i will try this end to find you more info. later.

ps. Some more advice evacuate the place and Blow the blo**y place up!

[JLahrman]

All I can tell you is, London is a cool city but it is the most expensive place I've ever been in my life.  There are tons of great things to see though.

[John_Cullum]

3 years ago my wife and I stayed at a Best Western on Sussex Gardens, near Paddington Station. It was fine and ran about 90 pounds/night. It is a little bit of a ride to the theater districy, but the cab rides are part of the London experience. We took in 2 shows and toured around a good bit without feeling we were in a bad location.
Paddington Station was just around the corner, and the buses came by regularly as well. You can get around in London without breaking the bank if you spend a little time planning and use the public transportation.

There are plenty of areas that would work equally as well, and I might try elsewhere on my next trip. But I would not hesitate to go back to that area. Beware that some of the hotels on Sussex Gardens were nicer than others, and I think if you try to get a bargain basement rate, you might be disappointed.

Try Londontown.com for a hotel search engine.

Good luck,
Sarge

[Steve Lapper]

Michael,

    Most importantly:

#1) Make sure you get A/C...you may well need it

#2) There are hundreds of places to stay all over London, but if theatre and culture are your goals...try to stay near Soho, Trafalger Sq. or Leichester Sq. areas...they are all within walking distance of most theatre and short tube rides to everywhere else. Use the web or even the airlines for a package deal.

#3) London is MONDO expensive these days with the $$ at new lows to the pound. I just came back and spent more on food and drink than ever before. Be sure to take the tube from Heathrow or Gatwick...cheaper and faster at all times other than off peak.

#4) Start saving $$ now...Good luck and have fun.

[Mike A.]

Mike,

London is a great city to visit.  It is extremely expensive due in part to the current exchange rate between the dollar and the pound. Currently, hotels, dining and services are approximately 50-70% higher than New York City prices.  What price range in dollars would you find acceptable?

[John_Cullum]

The hotel I mentioned above was the Delmere

[lesueur]

You don't mention golf but I presume you will be playing. If so, I can recommend a stay at The Grove in Hertfordshire, about 20 mins from Heathrow. The hotel is stunning (only open a few months with spa etc if your wife isn't a golfer) and they have a newly opened Kyle Philips course which is defintley one of the best new courses I've played in recent years.

Richard.

[Michael Whitaker]

RLS - My wife and I will be traveling with three other couples and we were not planning to play golf while in London. We're taking the train to Scotland on our third night in the UK and will be playing six rounds there before returning home. But... your Kyle Phillips course sounds interesting!

Mike A - I would guess we are in the $200/night range. I made a mistake on my original post. The hotel we are considering is the The Westbury Mayfair (not The Waverly). It is $188 if booked through the British Airways site.

[Mike A.]

Mike,

I will be in London next week. I will see if I can swing by and check the place out for you.  Usually hotels booked thru BA or Virgin Air are the best deals for us colonists.

[Michael Whitaker]

Mike A - Fantastic! Thanks for your help. I look forward to your review!!

[stovepipe]

Right, sorted   Mike check these links.
www.travelodge.co.uk  www.travelinn.co.uk  www.premierlodge.co.uk

Basicly you are looking to pay from £49.95 to £75.00 per night in Central London, these are inclusive of a continental brekie.

I hope this is of some use Mike

If you have any problems with the link, go into Google and put in any of the 3, good luck, Im of soon to put some cucumber on my eyes, as they are bothering me

Good luck with London, I cant stand the place

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Travel Lodges are cheap, clean and relatively inexpensive, but very impersonal and rather bleak if you intend to spebd any waking hours there.  But if you want a few creature comforts without breaking the bank try:

www.guestaccom.co.uk
www.wolsey-lodges.co.uk

There are some very comfortable private homes within Wolsey Lodges.  

[Mike A.]

Michael,

Here is the scoop on the Westbury Mayfair located on Bond Street.  It is in a very good central location.  The common areas of the hotels are very nicely appointed.  The rooms appear to have been updated very recently and were well done for London.  The Superior room is small.  You could really only use it to sleep; couple of chairs with no room.  The Deluxe room should provide a little more space.  If the package is the small room, should be ok if you are not going to hang out in the room. Again, the common areas and the Polo Bar are quite nice and comfortable.  Check if the price you have been quoted is dollars or pounds. The rack rate is 240 pounds excluding vat.  Any other questions, let me know.  You can check out their website, www.westburymayfair.com.  Cheers.

[Michael Whitaker]

Mike - Thank you for looking into The Westbury. I owe you one!! The rate quoted by British Airways Travel was $188 dollars per night, about £108 at the current exchange rate. With your positive feedback I think we will go ahead and make the booking. Again, thanks for your help!

[Paul_Turner]

Michael

THE hotel to stay in, if you are willing to blow a lot of cash,  is The Sanderson on Berners Street (just off Oxford Street).  It's the coolest hotel on the planet and the Mrs will never forget it.  At the very least, grab a cocktail there!

If you want reasonable eating value in London, stick to the Soho area.

Much as I love NYC, London will always be #1 to me, it has so much depth (and the museums are free).

[Bob_Huntley]

Michael,

Things I love about London.

Scrambled eggs for breakfast at The Connaught.

Getting fitted for a shirt at Turnbull and Asser on Jermyn Street.

Visiting the John Soane museum.

Watching Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge.

Viewing the Wallace Collection at Hertford House.

Getting a haircut and shave at Trumpers.

Visiting the War Rooms where Churchill slept during the Blitz.

Listening to a debate in the House of Lords. Sometimes this can be as nutty as a Monty Python Show.

I could think of a few dozen more.



 

[Michael Whitaker]

Paul - "The Hippest Hotel In The World!" This is our first trip to London... if the sensual reputation of the rooms at The Sanderson is true I don't think I would ever leave the hotel!!!

Bob - Good stuff... don't stop now!