# London Hotels **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518 "2003-07-10T17:47:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oreo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c57346/32.png) [@Oreo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oreo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/1 "2003-07-10T17:47:35Z")
Hubby & I are headed to London (eeek! So Excited!) at the end of September for our delayed honeymoon. I’m in the process of looking for a good place for us to stay and thought the Dopers might be able to recommend a cool hotel for us to try out. Here are the guidelines: Price: We want a place that’s not a dump, but not necessarily the Ritz, either. About $200–$250 a night range. We’re flexible on this a bit, but our own bathroom is a must-have. Location: Not too picky about location, just as long as it’s reasonably near a tube station for easy transport. While we’re in London we’ll probably be doing mostly the touristy stuff…Tower of London, Westminster, museums, etc. I’m a big history buff so any place that has that element would be great. Or maybe just something “different.” Something unique to London. I don’t know precisely what I’m looking for–that’s why I’m asking here! So how about it, guys? ---
**Author:** ![tirial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@tirial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tirial)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/2 "2003-07-10T20:26:20Z")
I don’t have any personal recommendations, but there’s a listing at: [http://www.london-hotels.com](http://www.london-hotels.com) which might have something suitable. The Hilton Metropole might be close to what you are looking for, ([http://www.hiltonlondonmet.com/index.shtml](http://www.hiltonlondonmet.com/index.shtml)) depending on price range. It doesn’t really have the history, but the transport links are good. Enjoy your honeymoon! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/3 "2003-07-10T20:55:43Z")
Durrant’s Hotel is often overlooked. It is my favorite pile of bricks on my annual commute through London. Near Oxford Street it is better situated for shopping than for sightseeing. There is no better place on the planet for having Sherlock Holmes fantasies. Pick the Lonely Planet guide to London for all the details or go to: [http://www.durrantshotel.co.uk/](http://www.durrantshotel.co.uk/) ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/4 "2003-07-10T21:20:21Z")
For reasonable prices, try [www.hotel-london.co.uk](http://www.hotel-london.co.uk) , [www.activehotels.com](http://www.activehotels.com) and [www.londontown.com](http://www.londontown.com) [www.hotel-london.co.uk](http://www.hotel-london.co.uk) is good for nice “boutique” hotels, and has some good prices on chain hotels.There are pictures for most of the hotels, so you can see what they’re like inside as well as out. My personal recommendation from there is Twenty Nevern Square, a 20 room hotel, beautifully done out, in Earl’s Court. The rooms are small, though, and it’s a little out of the way, although very close to Earl’s Court tube. You can stay there for less than $200 a night - nearer $150 at times. [www.londontown.com](http://www.londontown.com) has great rates from chain hotels. They feature Thistle, Millenium, Hilton, Copthorne and Radisson hotels. Prices on this site don’t include sales tax. They’re really good for single travellers, which obviously doesn’t apply to you, but I thought I’d mention it. Another recommendation is the Staunton hotel on Gower Street, for its breakfasts and its showers. You can fit two people in the shower, and it’s a good power shower. [http://www.stauntonhotel.com/](http://www.stauntonhotel.com/). It’s not as posh as it’s trying to be, though. The place that Paul in Saudi mentioned looks rather good. What kind of hotel are you after? Are you looking for American standards of service? ---
**Author:** ![Oreo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c57346/32.png) [@Oreo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oreo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/5 "2003-07-11T00:46:12Z")
Thanks for the replies and links, guys. Hotels like what Paul in Saudi recommended is what I’m looking for. Something with “atmosphere.” Not sure what you mean by “American standards of service,” **Tansu**. Does hotel service over there vary from what you’ll find here? How so? ---
**Author:** ![Oreo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c57346/32.png) [@Oreo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oreo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/6 "2003-07-11T00:49:41Z")
Arrgh. Sorry, **Paul in Saudi**. Didn’t mean to neglect your name there. Hey, that was 200! Cool! It only took me three years! ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/7 "2003-07-11T01:50:52Z")
When Rick and I were in London, we stayed at Nevern Square and liked it, but our favorite place to stay was this B and B: [http://www.ossianguesthouse.co.uk/](http://www.ossianguesthouse.co.uk/) We found it through: [http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/index.html](http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/index.html) I loved the B and Bs in England. Check for ensuite bathrooms, though. ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/8 "2003-07-11T02:10:31Z")
I recently stayed at the Westbury Kensington hotel, it’s very near the Earls Court tube station, it is not the greatest but it was acceptable, book through the website for a discount (a better deal than the “hotel discounters”). thats the Wesrbury hotel 22 - 24 Collingham place, London or [www.westburyhotel-kensington.co.uk](http://www.westburyhotel-kensington.co.uk), take your wallet, London is EXPENSIVE!!!, I suggest the bus tour (the Original bus co. or the Big bus co.). have fun! Unclviny ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/9 "2003-07-11T04:04:38Z")
I only stay at one hotel in London, but I like it – okay, that sounded snooty, what that really means is that my office only has a corporate account at one hotel in London, so that’s where I stay. [The Russell Hotel](http://www.lemeridien.com/england/london/photographs1_gb1256.shtml). It’s on the high end of your price range, but I’ve seen special “internet deals” advertised for this hotel that do take a chunk out of their rates. If you like their official website, do a google search on “Le Meridien Russell Square” and it hooks you up with all sorts of “special London hotel package” type things. It’s in walking distance from the British Museum, and it’s right next to a tube station (Russell Square). The whole Russell Square/Bedford Square area is neat in general. The rooms are a little on the small side, but have nice “extras” and the bathrooms are FABULOUS. Huge, with gigantic bathtubs. You could swim laps. The hotel bar is also very nice, it’s elegant but friendly. Very posh, you can pretend you’re Edwardian (if you’re into that sort of thing). ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/10 "2003-07-11T05:46:22Z")
Gee Le Meridien looks very nice indeed. My wife has cancelled out Seville vacation in favor of London/Paris. Suddenly I am in need of first-class dig in Europe’s largest city. Gosh I love London. (Although Seville is underestimated by many.) ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/11 "2003-07-11T06:06:52Z")
My ex and I stayed at the Westland Hotel ( [http://www.westlandhotel.activehotels.com/THE](http://www.westlandhotel.activehotels.com/THE) ) which is near Kensington Gardens. 'Twas a nice place - the staff was great and the prices weren’t too bad either: £137 a night, IIRC. It’s near a Tube station, yet is quiet. The breakfast is good too - unless you want to stop at the nearby Cafe Diana, where pictures of the Princess take up almost every available inch of wall space. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/12 "2003-07-11T14:54:40Z")
Another good site for finding London hotels is Superbreak [http://www.superbreak.com/](http://www.superbreak.com/) I have just used them to find a hotel near Heathrow Airport and they came up the best for range and price. They also have special offers which are very good. ---
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/13 "2003-07-11T15:21:14Z")
I’ll second what **Tansu** said about [http://www.londontown.com](http://www.londontown.com) I have just been on there myself this very morning and it is very easy. (Thanks for the info **Tansu**!) Also, just fyi, you make the reservation, but pay on departure AND if you cancel anything up to the day of your alleged arrival, there is no cancellation fee. Pretty good, I thought ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/14 "2003-07-11T21:36:13Z")
I’d recommend the Plaza at Hyde Park. It’s in a very peaceful and quite part of London, the prices aren’t too bad, and the staff is very polite and helpful. London can be a noisy town, but you’ll sleep well at this hotel. I can’t imagine staying anywhere else now. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/15 "2003-07-12T00:31:32Z")
I can recommend the Hilton on Half Moon Street. They have a web site. Good location. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/16 "2003-07-12T00:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > \*\*I’d recommend the Plaza at Hyde Park. It’s in a very peaceful and quite part of London, the prices aren’t too bad, and the staff is very polite and helpful. London can be a noisy town, but you’ll sleep well at this hotel. I can’t imagine staying anywhere else now. > > UnuMondo \*\* I stayed there a few months ago, I liked it. Our rooms were tiny, but that is the norm. They have a nice free breakfast too, and arranged our car to the airport and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![fierra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fierra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fierra)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/17 "2003-07-12T06:15:58Z")
Una & I stayed at the Swallow Hotel. It’s near Gloucester Road tube station & really near to loads of the museums (natural history, science museum, V&A etc) & then Knightsbridge/Harrods is just a bit further on, & has some great little restaurants just a stone’s throw away from the hotel itself (if you don’t want to eat at their restaurant all the time). It’s been renamed to the Marriott London Kensington but it may be more than you want to pay. Here’s a link: [http://www.traveltoday.net/hotelinfo/London/\_/United\_Kingdom/57710/](http://www.traveltoday.net/hotelinfo/London/_/United_Kingdom/57710/) ---
**Author:** ![bustmeanoreo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bustmeanoreo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bustmeanoreo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/18 "2003-07-12T12:47:39Z")
i’m from the UK myself, and regularly stay in hotels in London, and have to say my favourite is the Kensington Close. It’s really good for shopping, the rooms are beautiful, and it hasn’t gained and ‘Amercianised’ atmosphere that a lot of London hotels have, so if authentic is what you’re after, then it’s one of the best. [http://www.hotel-london.co.uk/midrange-hotels/kensington-close-hotel/](http://www.hotel-london.co.uk/midrange-hotels/kensington-close-hotel/) ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/19 "2003-07-12T14:36:36Z")
I have a hard time finding hotels in London, and everywhere in Europe with swimming pools. I swim every day, so this is important, how do I find lists of hotels in London and other European hotels with swimming pools? Why do so few hotels in Europe have swimming pools? ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hotels/187518/20 "2003-07-12T15:24:47Z")
[Google is your friend](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=hotel+london+%22swimming+pool%22&btnG=Google+Search).