closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 38 of 38

Thread: Recommend this Yank a hotel in London!

  1. #1
    Master pacifichrono's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    7,935

    Recommend this Yank a hotel in London!

    The wife and I, plus our two grown sons, are vacationing this June in London, Paris, and Rome. It'll be our first such trip. We'll be starting out in London for about 5-6 days in early June.

    Can anyone recommend a nice, modern hotel that is centrally-located to the normal tourist attractions? Above average but not "luxury." And while you're at it, tell me three things we MUST do or see in London.

    Thanks, mates!

  2. #2
    Grand Master Chris_in_the_UK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Norf Yorks
    Posts
    42,911
    3 things....

    Natural History Museum.

    West End Show - loads to chose from.

    Tower of London.
    When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........

  3. #3
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    28,933
    1) get a GTG organised
    2) Tower of London
    3) Cutty Sark (or not but it’s close) and Greenwich Observatory
    4) National Gallery or British Museum, but with a plan that depends on your tastes.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  4. #4
    Grand Master GraniteQuarry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen, UK
    Posts
    27,868
    1) Double decker bus tour
    2) London Eye
    3) Natural History Museum (go in the side door!)

  5. #5
    Craftsman T1ckT0ck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Norwich, Norfolk
    Posts
    824
    1) Tower of London - Definitely take a Beefeater tour, not same without.

    2) Afternoon tea - very British, Savoy is great but we really enjoyed Harrods in the Georgian Restaurant.

    3) Museum of London is great and close to St Pauls and the Tower.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Brum
    Posts
    2,219
    We usually stay at The Doubletree Hilton by the Tower of London, nice and modern and a great location.

  7. #7
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Wiltshire
    Posts
    1,068
    Have a look at the Apex Temple Court hotel.

    Sent from my SM-J530F using TZ-UK mobile app

  8. #8
    1. Tower of London
    2. Churchill War Rooms
    3. British Museum

    I’d also take a trip down the river from the Tower to Westminster.

  9. #9
    Natural history museum
    Tower of London
    Hyde park

    Night - Leicester Square +soho

    Stay -copthorne tara ,Kensington


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,447
    Intercontinental on Hyde Park Corner is nice.

  11. #11
    European cities are much more walkable than American cities so spend a bit of time just wandering.

    1. Don't over look retail especially in London, there'll be stuff around Carnaby Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Old Bond Street that you won't see in San Diego.

    2. The weather in June should be quite nice so a relaxed afternoon in one of the parks.

    3. See a show, your boys would probably like Hamilton.

  12. #12
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    28,933
    Also, the proms will have started so around lunch time you’ll get plenty of concerts in the parks
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  13. #13

    Recommend this Yank a hotel in London!

    If you get fed up of the city, take the tube out to Kew on a Sunday. The gardens, steam museum over the bridge in Brentford, old style tea in St Anne’s church whilst watching the cricket being played on the green.

    Tube out to Richmond, walk up the hill to see a great view of the river and along the river to Petersham Nurseries or Ham House and again have a cuppa!






    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Master robcuk's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Haarlem, NL
    Posts
    2,648
    Ceremony of the Keys

    Every night the Tower of London is locked up by the Chief Warder who makes his way to the gates from the Byward Tower at exactly 21:53. Once all the Tower gates are locked, the Last Post is sounded by a trumpeter and the ceremony is concluded. This ceremony represents a 700-year-old tradition and lasts no more than 10 minutes.

    The Chief Warder represents the Yeoman Warders (more commonly known as 'Beefeaters') who have looked after the Tower since the 14th century. Today they perform the role of tour guide in addition to their ceremonial duties.

    Tickets for this ceremony are free but you need to apply 6-8 weeks in advance. Write to: The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, London, England, EC3N 4AB, stating the names of the attendees and enclosing a self-addressed envelope, together with the requisite British Postage Stamps, or a minimum of two International Reply Coupons (American Postage Stamps are not valid in the UK).

    Visitors need to arrive at the West Gate by 21:30. Ceremony takes place at 21.53 throughout the year.

    Venue: Tower of London
    Address: Tower Hill, EC3
    Phone: 020 7709 0765
    Nearest Station: Tower Hill Tube

  15. #15
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Shropshire UK
    Posts
    1,384
    I always stay at the Premier Inn Hub in Covent Garden, won't be your bag but I spend so little time in my room I don't care as long as its clean.

    1. St Pauls
    2. Tower of London
    3. National Gallery - with a visit to the Cafe in the Crypt for lunch :)

  16. #16
    Craftsman Gestarp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Bonnie Scotland
    Posts
    354
    for the ceremony of the keys, you can book online

    https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-lond...y-of-the-keys/

    no need to write. but June is fully booked

  17. #17
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,387
    If you want to save money look at Travelodge London Finchley located in the suburbs at Finchley Central. The underground is the other side of the road and 25min. to Leicester Square. Much much cheaper than central London accommodation.

  18. #18
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    M25 J6 UK
    Posts
    18,254
    I can't recommend any particular hotel not having used any myself. So the only advice I can give is...unless you’re going to take taxis everywhere, arrange Visitor Oyster cards (https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-informatio...or-oyster-card) before you come and read up both on getting around and on the discounts you can get with the card. Be prepared to walk locally, put up with lots of people (including other tourists), try out the upper deck of a London bus, realise that the hotel rooms will seem small compared to what you’re used to…and, since your lads are grown, be prepared to bomb-burst…different things will please different folks. As for things to see:

    • A trip to Greenwich Observatory and the time exhibit for Harrison’s clocks (you can’t see them anywhere else) - there or back (or both) by river. Down the hill in Greenwich itself, depending upon time and interest, are the National Maritime Museum, a small indoor market where I nearly lost 3 American visitors and the Cutty Sark (not on my can’t miss list, but worth a visit).

    • One of: British Museum (antiquities…I was surprised how much my American niece found to look at), Museum of London (London’s past…well presented), Imperial War Museum (speaks for itself…if that’s your cup of tea, but maybe not for your wife?).

    • Westminster (the Abbey, Whitehall, changing the guard…Horse Guards parade, not Buck House, Cabinet War Rooms, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery and all that. Or else, one of: Tower of London, Buck House, Windsor Castle…depending upon how old you want your royal association.


    More importantly...what's your taste in beer? With the micro-brewery explosion in the US I expect you'll want to try out a London pub and it's best to decide if you're going for our warm beer tradition or want to stick to the chilled variety (lagers, beers and stouts). Pubs can get very busy at lunchtime and in the early evening, best get in early and grab a table if you want to eat or just get the weight off of your feet for a bit.
    Last edited by PickleB; 14th March 2019 at 09:05.

  19. #19
    Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    1,176
    Grange St Pauls is a nice hotel in a very convenient location.

  20. #20
    I stayed at The Athenaeum in Piccadilly this week, it may be the sort of place you’re looking for. On the edge of green Park and a short walk from Buckingham Palace.

    As above I would go for a walk around, there’s so much to see. Covent Garden and the South Bank are worth a look.

  21. #21
    Have you considered an Airbnb? Between myself and partner, we have three just off Oxford Street including a three bed apartment in a mansion block. Everything worth seeing and doing is walkable from there.

    Can't guarantee we'd have anything free for your trip but there are plenty around. Might offer a bit more flexibility (and be a bit cheaper) for your kind of party.

  22. #22
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    East Sussex
    Posts
    15,908
    Not mentioned yet, the clock and watch museum in the Science Museum.

  23. #23
    Master raptor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Sunstroke capital,Cyprus
    Posts
    3,202
    Holiday inn Bloosmbury

  24. #24
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Leicester
    Posts
    1,123
    If you are reasonably fit/active as a family, my advice is to stay as close to the city centre as possible, that way most key attractions are walking distance away.

    I had occasion to stay at The Thistle, just off Leicester Square, the other day and was very pleased with it and with the location, see here; https://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/lo..._website_click

    Using this as a base you can do the shows, Chinatown, lots of shopping including watch shops and most of the touristy-places really, really easily.

    As with all London hotels it is not inexpensive but the location is killer. The rooms are acceptable but not luxurious; it gets good all-round reviews. Breakfast is also good !

    For things to do, I am a fan of:

    The National Gallery;
    The British Museum, and;
    The Sherlock Holmes Pub (formerly the Northumberland Hotel as featured in The Hound of the Baskervilles, good fish and chips upstairs and a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' rooms)

    I would though recommend just walking around and seeing the sights.

    For example, if you walk from Trafalgar Square up The Mall to Buck Pal then down Victoria St to Westminster Abbey then on to the Houses of Parliament and back to Trafalgar Square via Whitehall you will have seen quite a lot of the famous sights. This will take a few hours if you stop and take in the places.

    Similarly, I can recommend a great walk from Trafalgar Square via St Paul's Cathedral to The Tower and back via the south bank of the Thames to Westminster Bridge and, again, back up Whitehall as a great way to spend a fair few hours as well.

    Anyway, I hope you and the family enjoy your trip !

    Best wishes

    Gary

  25. #25
    Master Templogin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Shetland
    Posts
    2,722
    London Dungeon

  26. #26
    Rather than attractions I think you need to gen up on the areas you need to visit.

    Palace, St James Park
    Trafalgar Square
    South Bank
    Tower
    St Pauls
    Museums (lots, all over the place!)
    Covent Garden
    Westminster
    Clipper ride on the Thames (absolute MUST) it is part of the integrated transport system so cheap, quick and easy to get about with an oyster card.

    In terms of places:
    Royal Observatory is great (read up about John Harrison and his clocks first)
    Cafe in the Crypt at St Martins in the Fields is indeed excellent but busy

    TBH a lot of the attractions above are in these areas. Take a look on the map.

    Finally, let us all know when you're going to be here for goodness sake!!

  27. #27
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Cumbria, UK
    Posts
    842
    Blog Entries
    1

    Recommend this Yank a hotel in London!

    An earlier poster suggested a Doubletree by Hilton and I think that’s a pretty good shout for what you’re after. The Doubletree Westminster is good and modern and very reasonably priced. If you’re out much of each day then I doubt you’d get the value from the more high end hotels starting around £300-400pn for a basic room.

    The Doubletree Westminster has fantastic views from some of the suites too, as well as being walking distance from Westminster Abbey, the river, Big Ben etc. Worth a look I’d say.

    As for 3 must do’s..

    I always walk in London and as other have said, it’s much nicer than the Tube which gives a false impression of how far apart things are- central London is quite small.

    I like a walk from Knightsbridge (see Harrods and many watch shops..) through Hyde Park and lunch at the Mayfair Chippy.

    Greenwich Park and observatory is also a nice spot for something a bit different as others have said. Natural History Museum is great too- and free (or a donation).

    Enjoy!


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  28. #28
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    We always stay here:

    https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...5-54ba596febe2


    I would take a suite and upgrade to the executive lounge for the free food and drinks when you want.

    Very central for shopping shopping and shoipping and other things that my wife likes sometimes.


    Since the American embassy has relocated there may well be better room availability.


    We just like it. Nice but not pretentious.

    Gordon Ramsey's restaurant is part of the hotel.

    There is a great italian restaurant about 40 - 50- yards up the road towards Bond Street. Cheap as anything and a shop oppostite the hotel that stocks good wines at reasonable prices - Voila !

    B
    Last edited by Brian; 14th March 2019 at 15:51.

  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,393
    Street Markets - covered and uncovered, the best days are usually from Friday to Sunday
    East London
    E8 - Broadway plus Schoolyard and Netil on Westgate Street (Saturdays only)
    E1 - Old Spitalfields plus Boxpark Shoreditch
    E2 - Brick Lane and Columbia Road (Sundays only)
    North London
    NW1 - Camden Lock plus a 20 mins canal walk to or from N1 - Kings Cross/York Way which has a Canopy market and Coal Drops Yard
    South London
    SE1 - Borough (full market Wednesday to Saturday)
    SE10 - Greenwich plus as already said Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum, Observatory, Park.
    West London
    W11 - Portobello Road (Friday & Saturday), Labroke Grove & Notting Hill Farmers market (Saturday only 9am-1/2pm)
    W12 - Shepherd Bush (closed on Sundays)

  30. #30
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,393
    If on a budget book early for these fairly central hotels.
    Hilton Angel Islington
    Hilton London Kensington/Shepherds Bush
    Blueprint Living Apartments Farringdon/Clerkenwell

  31. #31
    Master pacifichrono's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    7,935
    Incredible suggestions! I can't thank you enough. I will transcribe and summarize them for discussion with Mrs. PC!


  32. #32
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Isle of Ynys Mon, Wales
    Posts
    3,564
    Blog Entries
    1
    My daughter's constantly remind me not to sit down when travelling on the tube - bed bugs! - seriously
    If you need a taxi - download the 'Uber' app - apologies to hackney cabbies but I can only afford black cabs for short journeys

  33. #33
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    913
    Hilton London Bankside in Southwark would meet your requirements, loads of great things to do but 3 for me.
    Bus tour
    Churchill war rooms
    Imperial war museum


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  34. #34
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Harrow
    Posts
    4,399
    As another thought-if you are here for a Saturday, take part in one of the free 5k Parkruns that are held all over London (well and many other places) http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ so bring your running shoes. What you should be doing is putting the boys in the YHA in St. Pancrass at £20 a night each, then using the extra money for a real posh place for yourself and the wife.

  35. #35
    Grand Master gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    New Brighton
    Posts
    11,555
    Eat well at Londons oldest restaurant Rules (Avoid pre opera early evening rush)

    Serve time in the original Clink prison

    Walk with the infamous dead at Highgate Cemetery - informative tours can be booked
    Gray

  36. #36
    Master Incredible Sulk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    3 Degrees West
    Posts
    1,521
    If you are going to do the Tower, then HMS Belfast is a short hop over the other side of the river. A must for geeky blokes. Not so much for the ladies I suspect. Museum wise, the Natural History, Science and V&A are all in a convenient line next to South Ken. tube station. I've always liked visiting the Tate Modern, and the Tate itself. Have a look and see if there are any special exhibitions on.

    I was based in London for 40 years, and to be honest you could spend a month there and not see all that there is to see.

    But, enjoy. It's a great City.

  37. #37
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,447
    Another tip - when choosing a hotel make sure it’s not in an area where all the roads are closed off due to Brexit marches.

    An anniversary stay in London very nearly turned into a divorce one yesterday. :ambivalence

  38. #38
    I'd recommend a Novotel blackfriars - they have queen size bed rooms with sofabeds for two more
    no frills but a tad better than Premier inn.
    and that location is near the tower, tower bridge, southbank, boroug market, london bridge station (trains to gatwick) etc..

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information