Could anyone recommend a hotel in London?

Question

We are booked into the Thistle Victoria but have heard very bad reports.

Answer 1

I have been to london several times..once this past summer and planning again this summer.

The holiday inn express are wonderful. Free continental breakfast, clean, many ameaties. The prices are very good for london. Many locations around london, but prices vary depending on location. I think there is one near Victoria

Answer 2

Consider taking a air-hotel package with British Airways. If you do not like the hotel you are in, you can upgrade to a different one depending upon availability. Keep in mind hotels in Europe are of very different standards than North America. With that in mind a few recommendations. Basic, with 2 beds and pvt bath would be the Tavistock Hotel or the Royal National in Bloomsbury. Within walking distance to the WestEnd and the tube stop is Russell Square. Both Hotels are favourites with Canadians and the Russell Hotel is over 1600 rooms. Continental breakfast is usually served daily meaning coffee or tea and a bun of some type. The St. Giles Hotel is a moderate priced hotel and is near Tottenham Court Tube station. It is a favourite of mine. Public rooms are well appointed and there is a fabulous small pub in the hotel. You are with in easy walking distance of the westend and minutes from the British Museum. Convenience stores are near for late night snacking and many restaurants cater to tourists. Rooms are small, cruise line small but well appointed with inroom safes for documents and travellers cheques. Depending on the plan offered, continental breakfast or a full english breakfast is included in your stay. We always have the continental breakfast and if we want, pay the difference for the full english breakfast in the dining room. Research different tour brochures for hotel descriptions. Last year here in Canada, I found a $189 difference for the same hotel room depending on the tour operator! When in doubt, stick to brand names you are familiar with like Holiday Inn and Marriot and the rest. Imperial hotels are budget minded. Always keep in mind also, some hotels are advertised as one brand name, but it is only owned by the company and not operated by it so the service is not what you would expect. A tip few think about. Look for a hotel with air conditioning. London when it is 80F is incredible and the city does not cool off. You can always buy a fan and leave it behind as I have often done in the past. Also keep in mind and look for air conditioning in the Theatres if it is during a hot spell. Sitting in a theatre built in 1929 where your knees knock at the back of the person sitting infront of you without air conditioning is less than fun. Remember, theatres were built when people were shorter and when the comfort of the patrons was not paramount in the designers mind.

Answer 3

I can tell you where not to go...The Elizabeth Hotel: Too small and expensive ($200 a night!). My suitcase wouldn't fit through the hallway. The Lancaster Court Hotel: Charged us $60 for breakfasts they said were free. Other than that, just make sure that you have an ensuite bathroom, because I didn't like sharing a bathroom with 50 other people...
Anyway, have a great trip!

Answer 4

What's your budget?

Victoria is well located and Thistle hotels are generally good value for money.

Don't expect as much from UK hotels as you would from those in America. The cost of a square foot of space here is up to 1000x what it is in the US, because we don't have as much of it!