Good places to stay in London?

[Macgyver]

Bryan, feel free to move this where you see fit ...

I'm 95% decided that I'm going to take a last-minute vacation and go to London is just over a week. I can really only stay 5 nights and plan on being out there from March 12th until the 17th. Yeah, I know, not nearly enough time to be out there, but that's all I got right now ...

I am now faced with the daunting task of finding a relatively inexpensive hotel to stay at. I've heard horror stories and what-not and am trying to find a 4-star place that's close to a Tube station and isn't gonna kill my wallet too much.

I've gone to a bunch of websites (bookings.net being the most recent), but I just don't know enough about the city itself to limit my options.

Anyways ... essentially, I'm looking for a 4-star hotel at around 100 a night (or less ) that's not run-down. Any specific hotel suggestions or specific areas of London I should stay in would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[jetset]

Hi, Mac - you're sure to enjoy London. Take a lookie here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

This is a very large hotel chain, and their Premier range hotels are pretty good and in reasonable central locations like Earl's Court close to tube stations - no frills but comfortable and usually with bars and restaurants that you can take or leave as you wish. They have vending machines, too. If you are travelling with your partner it works out around GBP 40 each (they charge you by the room)

Here's another useful link you may want to look at:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

 

[Macgyver]

Thank you, sir. :notworthy

I've actually changed my plans and I'm now going in May and staying for 7 nights. However, I welcome all other comments/suggestions that people may have as to where I might stay.

Right now, I simply have the plane reservations set to Gatwick Airport and I'm working on where I want to stay.

Again, thank you, jetset.

 

[amandajm]

Gatwick - Victoria Express(train) - 40 return (1st class), 25 (2nd).

For 100 a night, you could get away with the Hilton somewhere. 16 in London I think if I recall.

Dress warm.

 

[gfkostas]

Do you want a casino near by?

 

[Macgyver]

Haha ...

No, that really doesn't matter. From what I hear, the Tube will do me just fine getting me where I want to go.

I just really want some place with decent rooms (good beds, air conditioning in the room, a private shower) where I can lay my tired head down for a good sleep at the end of the night.

Besides, I'm spending enough money on the trip ... don't know if it's too wise to tack on gambling expenses as well.

P.S. Jetset's recommendation of Premier Travel Inns may be exactly what I'm looking for, I'm just waiting to hear something back from another contact in London.

 

[jetset]

Haha ...

No, that really doesn't matter. From what I hear, the Tube will do me just fine getting me where I want to go.

I just really want some place with decent rooms (good beds, air conditioning in the room, a private shower) where I can lay my tired head down for a good sleep at the end of the night.

Besides, I'm spending enough money on the trip ... don't know if it's too wise to tack on gambling expenses as well.

P.S. Jetset's recommendation of Premier Travel Inns may be exactly what I'm looking for, I'm just waiting to hear something back from another contact in London.

BTW, Mac - if you're planning on using the Tube a lot, ask about the Oyster Card. It could save you some pounds over the week.

 

[The Dude]

...I am now faced with the daunting task of finding a relatively inexpensive hotel to stay at. I've heard horror stories and what-not and am trying to find a 4-star place that's close to a Tube station and isn't gonna kill my wallet too much..

I usually go to London alone, so I don't care for the high end stuff, plus I'm not allowed to have too good of a time.

So most of the time I go, I stay at the St.Giles

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

It's relatively cheap - it's a three star, and lives up to the three star rep. The breakfast buffet is over priced and sucks, and the rooms are dingy small - you need to order a double.

But the hell with the room, you're in London - you should not be spending any time in the hotel. The St. Giles is in the northern tip of Soho and is in walking distance of many theaters, cinemas, tons of shops (Virgin records is across the street - and a huge Internet cafe). The tube station is 50 meters away (Tottenham Ct.). Leicester Square is a 15 minute walk away (or the next tube station) - the night life can't be beat there.

People laugh when I tell them where I usually stay, but to me the location is second to none.

 

[Macgyver]

Thanks, Bryan. I, too, am going alone ... aren't there two St. Giles hotels, though ... one in Central London and one in Heathrow?

I was given a contact from a co-worker and that person initially mentioned the St. Giles hotel actually when I was looking at going next week.

I'm waiting to hear from the contact now that my dates have changed. If she offers the St. Giles again, I'll be torn between jetset's recommendation and yours.

 

[The Dude]

Thanks, Bryan. I, too, am going alone ... aren't there two St. Giles hotels, though ... one in Central London and one in Heathrow?

I was given a contact from a co-worker and that person initially mentioned the St. Giles hotel actually when I was looking at going next week.

I'm waiting to hear from the contact now that my dates have changed. If she offers the St. Giles again, I'll be torn between jetset's recommendation and yours.

Yeah, you want the Central London one. Being close to Heathrow would be an absolute drag.

 

[jetset]

I think the St Giles will work out cheaper for a single guest, Mac.

Premier Travel Inn charges per room (GBP 80) rather than per person, so if there are two of you it's only GBP 40 each a night, but if you're single occupation it's GBP 80....I think the St Giles might be cheaper than that for a single person.

 

[Webzcas]

I think the St Giles might be cheaper than that for a single person.

Yep, it cost me 75 a night including breakfast back in January. The rooms are small but hey, you only sleep in them.

 

[Macgyver]

Actually, they're pretty comparable when booking through their websites:

St. Giles double room for the 7 nights I'll be there = £506 (including VAT)

London Kensington Premier Travel Inn double room for those same 7 nights = £553.

I listed single occupancy at both sites, but was given a double at either hotel. I'm just not sure if the VAT is included in the £553 price in Kensington.

I've also looked at general reviews on both hotels (tripadvisor.com), and I want to say the Premier Travel Inn fared just a little bit better in that respect.

 

[The Dude]

...I've also looked at general reviews on both hotels (tripadvisor.com), and I want to say the Premier Travel Inn fared just a little bit better in that respect.

Yeah but, at the St. Giles you're across the street from Virgin records, the Odeon theaters, and Sushi is right around the corner one block away

 

[Macgyver]

Hmmm, anyone know about the Westminster hotel? (

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

)

My contact through work just emailed me and said I could get a room there for £50 a night, which is about £20-30 less than the other two mentioned.

I hate not knowing enough about hotels ...

 

[The Dude]

Yeah but, at the St. Giles you're across the street from Virgin records, the Odeon theaters, and Sushi is right around the corner one block away

Oh wait a minute, you're in the states so you don't need that stuff.

 

[Macgyver]

Oh wait a minute, you're in the states so you don't need that stuff.

Ha ... the theaters definitely, but I'll pass on the sushi.

And any comments on the Westminster would be appreciated ... see post above.

 

[amandajm]

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

15 walk minutes or so from Oxford St (the other end of Tottenham Crt Road where ~B stays) (7 bus)

10 minutes walk to the top end of Portobello Road market.
10 minutes or so to Kensington High St.
5 to Notting Hill Gate.

Close enough to a train station and buses to go anywhere really. Back to the US asap if I were you

The whole gaff is grim as far as I'm concerned. Location-wise good enough for a tourist who wants to see London yes.

 

[spearmaster]

The St. Giles is in an excellent location, and the rooms are clean and relatively new.

The downside is that their service sucks shit - two years running they lost my reservation, so I stopped going there even though Meister still likes it. If you do stay there, make doubly sure you have a copy of the reservation with you when you arrive. Price is okay, but there are plenty of other hotels - including the Hilton Kensington - which have similar prices.

 

[spearmaster]

Oh wait a minute, you're in the states so you don't need that stuff.

LMFAO... if you didn't live in some remote village in Germany, you wouldn't need this stuff either

You also forgot to mention that there is a Gala Casino right around the corner - literally! But make sure you register 24 hours in advance... and don't expect it to be anything like a Vegas casino...

 

[GrandMaster]

You also forgot to mention that there is a Gala Casino right around the corner - literally! But make sure you register 24 hours in advance... and don't expect it to be anything like a Vegas casino...

You don't need to wait 24 hours any more if you get the urge to gamble, but you are right, it is definitely not Vegas.

 

[Macgyver]

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

The whole gaff is grim as far as I'm concerned. Location-wise good enough for a tourist who wants to see London yes.

Yeah, I'd looked up the Westminster here as well and wasn't too impressed with the reviews. Though I'm not sure what "The whole gaff is grim" means.

Judging from the responses, it looks like I've got St. Giles, Premier Travel Inn and the Westminster in that order. Thanks much ... still haven't decided, though.

 

[The Dude]

...Though I'm not sure what "The whole gaff is grim" means.

Looked it up here - didn't find it either.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

This is a good reference - you learn not to say "excuse me" when you bump into people on the street.

 

[Webzcas]

Great link. I particulary liked this:

Zed - The last letter of the alphabet. The English hate saying zee and only relent with names such as ZZ Top (Zed Zed Top does sound a bit stupid!).

It's true as well

 

[spearmaster]

You don't need to wait 24 hours any more if you get the urge to gamble, but you are right, it is definitely not Vegas.

My bad - thanks for catching that, I forgot that restriction was recently removed.

 

[amandajm]

Looked it up here - didn't find it either.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

This is a good reference - you learn not to say "excuse me" when you bump into people on the street.

Nice link, never looked online for our slang.

Gaff is a place, building - anywhere.

Don't say excuse me after you bump into somebody. That means like - "what, am I invisible, or are you blind, it must be one or the other mate".

If you want to say excuse me after bumping into someone - you can say it twice very quickly - that is okay, it also means you acknowledge you were at fault and caused the collision and you are sorry.

 

[Macgyver]

I just want to take this short opportunity to thank everyone for their suggestions, offers, etc.

I've even had someone (who I'll keep nameless for now) give me their personal phone number in case I run into any serious trouble while I'm in London. That totally and pleasantly surprised me and means a great deal to me ... it amazes me sometimes how good people can be when you don't even know them.

Anyway, my personal kudos to that particular person and everyone else ... I still welcome any and all suggestions.

 

[Pinababy69]

it amazes me sometimes how good people can be when you don't even know them.

It's the darndest thing isn't it Macgyver? Sometimes better than the people we know in "real-life".

 

[gfkostas]

You have all got it wrong .The most important thing when you go to an other country isn't the location of the hotel or how good is it but is it near a CASINO?

St.Giles is the best in that case.They have renovated the gala under the hotel and its pretty good now.Though service is objectionable.

 

[Macgyver]

Last post to thank everyone for their thoughts/posts/opinions on the subject ...

I've gone with the St. Giles and have booked it at what I think is a pretty good rate. I've kept all the paperwork (obviousl) just in case their service problem is as bad as some have mentioned.

Now, I'm just looking forward to the trip!

 

[gfkostas]

Last post to thank everyone for their thoughts/posts/opinions on the subject ...

I've gone with the St. Giles and have booked it at what I think is a pretty good rate. I've kept all the paperwork (obviousl) just in case their service problem is as bad as some have mentioned.

Now, I'm just looking forward to the trip!

Good choice dude.The casino is right under the hotel.As i recall spearmaster cleaned them up for couple of grands.

 

[The Dude]

Good choice dude.The casino is right under the hotel.As i recall spearmaster cleaned them up for couple of grands.

The last place you want to go in London is to some stuffy British casino. Save that for Vegas.

What you want to do is to check out some of the "London Walks". I've done the Dickens tour, Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare, and the Jack the Ripper tour. Each one was fantastic. There is a schedule here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

 

[Macgyver]

Thanks, Bryan ... I've got Rick Steves' London 2006 book and I think he mentions those walks, if not some that he has personally done.

I'm looking the most forward to the theater aspect, I think ... it'll be awesome to see the Old Globe and maybe even be a groundling. I think I'm also looking forward to seeing "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (researched it thoroughly for my Masters degree) and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with Christian Slater (first play I ever acted in in high school).

Oh, and seeing good olde Sherlock Holmes address, too.

 

[The Dude]

Make sure you check this out:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

You're within walking distance to anything in Soho. As for the Old Globe, you better make reservations now

 

[gfkostas]

You're within walking distance to anything in Soho. As for the Old Globe, you better make reservations now

I don't think it would be advisable to be hanging around in soho if you don't know the area so you can avoid shady alleys.Especially on saturdays its just nasty to be anywhere near it and i have been there many times so am in a possition to know.Parts of soho are dodgy with a fair amount of conciliatrixes,homos,peddlers,striptease shops etc. well.....it can be nice too.Depence what sort of 'energy' you want around you. By the way do visit one of the royal parks.You won't regret it trust me and you will feel better as well afterwards.