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Greetings my magical comrades...

I'm planning a trip to London for next year (probably in late May), and was hoping I could get some "inside" information, on what would be some preferred locations for hotels. I'm assuming something smack dab in the middle of London is probably best for a first-timer, but I just wanted to know if any of the surrounding areas were better considerations (I found what looks to be a nice place in Paddington, for instance).

Thanks in advance.

Most hotels in London are a bloody disgrace. You either have to pay through the nose or stay in a fleapit. Sometimes a combination of both.
However a few weeks ago I stayed in London at the Melia White House Hotel (at least I think that was the name).
It was a very good hotel indeed. Right outside Great Portland Street Tube Station. However, I expect it costs a fortune. I have no idea since I wasn't the one who paid for it.

Do you want 'cheap' or 'good'?

strand palace hotel is in covent garden, so thats pretty central, its a little late 70s in appearance...

but fairly cheap for its location...

I'd lean towards "good" Kolm - but not TOO good...

You have to remember, my third-world-esque American money isn't quite as good as it used to be!

Demitri wrote:my third-world-esque American money isn't quite as good as it used to be!

Three years ago it was $2 to £1, now it's closer to $1.60 so you guys are still getting good value! The Howard Winchester Hotel is quite reasonable, close to King's Cross/St Pancras main line and tube stations so travel on the Underground is very convenient. Breakfasts are included, the rooms are adequate but certainly not luxurious by any means. it depends on how much time you think you'll spend in a hotel room, really!

Avoid the City, I made the mistake of getting a hotel there once. The hotel itself was lovely but the area is as dead as a door nail at the weekends and evenings.

Tower is nice, I had a lovely hotel there last year but can't remember the name of it at the moment. Another that really sticks in my mind is MyHotel at Bloomsbury, a good area, plenty of tube links so you can get just about anywhere.

London's got a very good transport system, it's pretty easy to get to anywhere from anywhere.

Lady of Mystery wrote:London's got a very good transport system.

As long as you don't expect anything to arrive on time and don't mind overcrowding

Kevin Cann wrote:

Lady of Mystery wrote:London's got a very good transport system.

As long as you don't expect anything to arrive on time and don't mind overcrowding

When you're used to living in the middle of nowhere with one bus an hour if you're lucky then London's system is very good.

On my last visit there I found the tube to be extremely good. OK, trains may have been a little late, often overcrowded and on one occasion the doors had to be opened manually with a spanner (!) but if you're just visiting it's not so much of a problem as it would be for commuters.

Small tip, if you're buying a day ticket, make sure you buy after 9.30am as the lower rate kicks in at that point. Ask me how I found out. OK, since you ask I'll tell you - like an idiot I bought a ticket at 9.27am without realising that waiting those extra three minutes would have saved a couple of quid or so !

Kevin Cann wrote:

Lady of Mystery wrote:London's got a very good transport system.

As long as you don't expect anything to arrive on time and don't mind overcrowding

Not such a problem for trains to be late when they are so frequent that most people don't even run for trains.

You want to try Manchester on for size... if you even THINK a tram might be coming you RUN for it... if you miss it you're looking at a 15 minute wait.

http://www.visitlondon.com/travel/getting_around/

if you buy an off peak travel card, you can't use it during the rush-hour, so be careful...

but if you're staying in central london, basically the 11 and 24 buses will get you pretty much anywhere...

Since we're talking about travel in London - if you're going to be using much public transport, get an Oyster card. It'll save you a few bob, avoid standing in line for tickets and if you're not going to be back in London any time soon I believe you can give the card back and have the deposit refunded. (I'm not sure if they will reimburse any balance on the card, but I keep mine for when I go back anyway).


EDIT
It occurs to me that "Casual Use" of the rent-a-bike scheme starts soon (possibly even today) and at free up to 30 mins, if you've got a clue how to ride a bike on the roads it could be by far and away the cheapest and easiest way around. I was annoyed I couldn't use them on my last visit to Londinium, but next time... I'll be all over the place on them.

BigShot wrote:if you're going to be using much public transport, get an Oyster card. It'll save you a few bob, avoid standing in line for tickets and if you're not going to be back in London any time soon I believe you can give the card back and have the deposit refunded

... or you could use it to perform Going Underground - http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic26986.php

I stay at the Strand Palace a fair bit and it does look a little dated but the rooms are a reasonable size for London (Still teeny I believe compared to what the Americans are used to) IB?

I believe somewhere like the Hoxton Hotel (east London) is a nice hotel that is cheaper the further you book in advance. Kind of like an easyjet flight.

Other hotels I really like in London are the Goumans Charing Cross above the station and Raddison Holburn way but that will be pricey.

Try www.londontown.com for cheaper deals or risk it completely at a secret room hotel but you won't get breakfast included