London Break Advice

[nilrac52]

My wife and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this year. One of our destinations is London in August. Neither of us have ever been to London - honestly. I would appreciate any advice on the best area to stay for a tourist and any recommendations for hotels. As always many thanks for your contributions.

[237SJ]

It depends how much you want to pay regards hotels. Do you want to go budget or do you want to splash out?

[nilrac52]

Thank you 237sj. Fair question. As it's our anniversary I wouldn't be keen on too cheap. I suppose it depends on value for money. I am happy enough to pay a bit more as long as its a good area and I am getting value for money.

[237SJ]

How many nights are you planning on staying?

[nilrac52]

Minimum 3 nights but probably 4. If it was good value and a deal to stay 5 then yes that is also in the equation.

[joggerjayne]

The Landmark has the loveliest atrium entrance in London.

It's just out of the "dead centre" which is nice.

You can get valet parking, if you need it.

And you can request an internal room, which has floor to ceiling windows, looking down into the atrium.

It's "a bit pricey" but not "insanely expensive".

You'd love it.

[mazie]

I'm sure loads of Abers will recommend nilrac...but here's a site to look at as well. Have a Brilliant time and Happy Ruby Wedding for August x

http://www.hoteldirect.co.uk/webapp/hoteldirect/servlet/HDSearchDate?purpose=findavailablehotels&currency=gbp&arrivemonth=7&arriveyear=2015&arriveday=Tuesday&departmonth=7&departyear=2015&departday=Sunday&doubleroom=1&twin=0&triple=0&quad=0&single=0&;family1=0&;family2=0&;family3=0&;children=0&adults=2&;web=yes&employee=admin&maxage=&showrequest=yes&;firstname=&surname=&;orderbyprice=yes&;city=London&kidsage=&location=&attraction=&item_type=&searchbox=London&arrivedate=11&arrivedate2=7%7C2015&nights=5&departdate=16&departdate2=7%7C2015&rooms=1&roomtype1=doubleroom&;r1kidsage1=&r1kidsage2=&r1kidsage3=&roomtype2=&;r2kidsage1=&r2kidsage2=&r2kidsage3=&roomtype3=&;r3kidsage1=&r3kidsage2=&r3kidsage3=&roomtype4=&;r4kidsage1=&r4kidsage2=&r4kidsage3=&roomtype5=&;r5kidsage1=&r5kidsage2=&r5kidsage3=&attraction_2=&rail=%25%25&tube=%25%25&;postcode=Postcode&location_2=&category=%25%25&rate=%25%25&hotelname=%25%25&facilities=&submit=%A0

[mazie]

Whoops... A long link but worth a look

[237SJ]

Well if I were you I would stay in somewhere like the Travelodge in Twickenham. I know that sounds stingy but what you save on accommodation, you can spend on enjoying yourselves. There is a fast train from Twickenham to Waterloo (20 mins) but you won`t be paying London prices

[Prudie]

I'd look at the Guoman Tower. I've stayed thee 3 times, right next to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London with fabulous views over the Thames to the Shard or St Katharine's dock and it's small harbour and restaurants out the back. Ask for a higher floor room. A real cosmopolitan feel and central to some iconic attractions.

[Buenchico]

London's excellent (even if still much criticised!) transport system means that you can stay anywhere with an Underground station nearby; it will never take very long to get any of the main tourist attractions.

The cheaper accommodation tends to be congregated around Kings Cross, Victoria and Stratford. Some of the hotels in those areas are quite good but many aren't; if you're considering one of them make sure that you check TripAdvisor (and other review sites) before booking!

It's generally best to avoid hotels which are towards the southern fringes of the city (unless they're close to mainline railway stations) as the Underground doesn't reach them.

Some of the better (but still affordable) hotels are to be found around Bloomsbury, Kensington and Bayswater. e.g. http://www.londonhousehotels.com/

At 4 star level (but still not mega-expensive), the Strand Palace Hotel (on the Strand, close to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, etc) has been recommended by quite a few AB members in the past:
http://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk

Remember though that many of London's smarter hotels typically charge £250 to £400 per person per night (with the really top hotels often charging 4 figure sums). So, while you obviously want something a bit special to celebrate your anniversary, you might need to spend some time researching the options to find something decent but affordable.

[nilrac52]

Thank you joggerjayne and prudie for your specific recommendations and good to have personal experiences. Maizie thankyou for the link. Plenty of options and now the real work begins. Comparing hotels and areas and value for money. I am so excited about all of this. Thank you all soso much for your feedback. I knew AB would sort me out!!!

[nilrac52]

Buenchico - my last reply overlapped with your input. Very informative and helpful. Thank you. You are off course 100% accurate. Research is so important. Whilst I am happy to pay a price I do not want to be ripped off. Plenty of options to investigate. Thankyou.

[mazie]

You'll have a Brilliant time, I'm sure x

[mastercraft]

The Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage (Regent's Park), King Henry's Road, London, NW3.
Primrose Hill - 5 mins walk away.
Regent's Park - 10 mins walk away.
Camden Town (perhaps not your thing?) - 10 mins walk away.

Swiss Cottage tube station - 2 mins walk away, and your gateway to anywhere in London. Buses to most places, if you prefer a scenic route!

I live across the road, and have spoken to many tourists - who recommend it.

[nilrac52]

Thanks Mazie. Looking forward to it and I know there will be so much to see and enjoy. Whatever the cost I am sure it will be worth it AND it's not every day that one gets the chance to celebrate their 40th. Again thanks for response and useful link.

[nilrac52]

Hello mastercraft. Thankyou for your input. More info to research. I will certainly look at it all and hopefully make the right choice.

[mastercraft]

You're welcome. Wherever you choose, I hope you enjoy your stay.
Happy anniversary!

[mazie]

Please come back afterwards and let us know what a brilliant time you both had x

[mosesg]

I am with Joggerjayne on the Landmark, it is quite expensive but you can get deal we went as a party of ladies and only paid about £200 a head for our 2 nights. I can also recommend the champagne brunch there on a Sunday afternoon it is £90 per person but you can eat and drink as much as you want for 3 hours and there is a large selection of different foods. If you are staying there you can get a late check out if you go to the brunch. You can book the brunch even if you don't stay. Also there is an M&S in Marylebone station across the road from the back door if you want cheaper nibbles for your room. Sorry the rest of our ladies weekend antics are not really suitable for an anniversary weekend apart from out theatre trip. Hope you have a lovely time.

[237SJ]

Try the London Marriott County Hall. I spent a birthday there a while ago. It`s not cheap but it is central.