The Arch London

Recommendations and reviews from 1 person

• Referral from May 14, 2013
  

  Lesley Y. asked:

  anyone like to recommend a family-friendly, budget friendly, convenient hotel in London?

  

  Jason L. replied:

  Oh dear, the typical tourist stuff is spread out all over the city. I'm assuming that it's your first time. Family-friendly is deceptive in London. In most London hotels, family means two adults and a small child. London hotel rooms are miniscule! You have two teens, so plan on the idea of getting two rooms, especially if you expect the rooms to be under $200/night. Budget-freindly also means something different. The average cost of a hotel room in greater London is £210/night. Convenient is another issue, it's just best to find a place close to a tube station. You can get anywhere on the Tube, but it's a little daunting for the beginner. I'd suggest studying a Tube map before you go, or getting a London Undergorund app for a smartphone. The best area for reasonable accomodations is Earl's Court in the Southwest, but it's not in walking distance of anything, though it's on the Picadilly Line. There are two good budget chains that you might want to look at, EasyHotel and Premier Inns. They are under £100/night, but they work like low cost airlines, you pay for "extras" (telephone, tv, etc) http://www.easyhotel.com/ and http://www.premierinn.com/. The rooms are tiny, but clean and secure. I've stayed at the Premier Inn at Southwark (http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONCOU/london-county-hall), which is in the old London County Hall. It's across Westminster Bridge from the Houses of Parliament and almost under the London Eye. I only stayed one night before taking Eurostar to Paris from Waterloo, so I can't say how comfortable it is for an extended stay. If I spend any time in the city, I usually stay near Paddington Station (it's the terminal for Heathrow Express from the airport). It's relatively close to Hyde Park, Marble Arch and Oxford Street, and Paddington Station is a major Tube and Train station (look for the statue of Paddington Bear). I usually stay at the Arch http://www.thearchlondon.com/, but that might not be family or budget friendly (it's okay on my budget). There are a ton of hotels int the area though (search Paddington, Marble Arch, Bayswater, Marlybone on the internet). Many are small family run places, that will be basic and small. I love London and go every couple of years or so, but a couple of warnings and tips. London is shockingly expensive... expect double the price for about half the food outside of the international fast food places. Get mulitday Oyster cards for the tube or it's £4 every time you take a ride. London is well policed and safe, but be wary of drunks and pickpockets (especially unfortunately in Earls Court). There are drunks on the Tube at night, every night, most are jovial, but very drunk. Tell your son not to bring hoodies. They're used by young troublemakers to hide from CCTV cameras and those are everywhere too. Expect to be under police surveillance all the time. Police in the UK do not need probable cause and they will stop and question young men wearing hoodies, especially if the hood is up. Even if it sounds boring, do not miss the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Albert and Victoria Museum and the National War Museum. Look up the free days, if they still have them. Also visit Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and take the trip to Camden Town and Locks. Picadilly Square, the Tower and Harrods are kind of overrated, expensive and touristy, but may be worth visiting on your first time. Feel free to ask any questions, love to talk about a great city.

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook