Hello my husband and I will be celebrating his 50th birthday in London this October. First time to London so a bit gobsmacked (as they say) at all the lodging options. We’ve booked at the Rubens in one of their Royal Mews view rooms and they have been so warm and welcoming in answering our emails etc but now I’m second guessing myself and wondering if we will be too cramped there for a 6 night stay…Does anyone have an opinion or advice on what is better for 6 nights- traditional hotel, Apart hotel or airbnb? Will we just be out sightseeing all day or will we want to hang out in the room ever? Our budget is £350/night and we would like a king sized bed. and since we are arriving by train and departing by train we’d like to be close to the tube and close to some action, or at least a museum or two. Sorry I feel like I just rattled on there, but any advice is helpful! Cheers!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1757 posts
Did you book the Royal Mews Double, or the Royal Mews King? Quite a difference in the size of the room.
Dimensions of King: Room size range: 17.5m² / 188 ft²
Bed size: 180cm x 200cm
The double room seems quite small at 135 Sq ft.
Only you can decide whether those dimensions are acceptable. Plot the hotel on a map to determine whether it's close enough to a Tube stop to suit the demands of your trip.
Posted by
Penzance
58 posts
In central London you are never far from a tube station and some action.
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1497 posts
My experience in London is that after a long day of sight seeing, we enjoy going back to our room, drop the shoes, make a cuppa (Tea or Coffee) and relax before going out in the evening. A pair of arm chairs and a kettle are essential for us. But we are about 20 years older than you. YMMV
Posted by
Surrey, UK
628 posts
The Rubens is a lovely hotel. I had a last minute/emergency stay there a few years back and they were so helpful and welcoming.
Some of the rooms are quite cosy - consider a superior king if it's in your budget.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35883 posts
that double converts to 12.5 m square
That's pretty compact. I always go for at least 18, especially for a few days
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1434 posts
I don't know you and your travel style, but if you think you might want to hang out in your room and sit on something other than the bed, you'll need a room that has somewhere to sit besides the bed. They do have a larger king room with a "sitting area," but even that looks pretty small. I'm assuming you picked a luxury hotel because you're celebrating this big birthday. If it were me, I'd splurge on a celebratory meal (and other experiences) and stay in a place where I felt comfortable in my sightseeing clothes at breakfast, in the bar, etc., and where I could comfortably hang out in my room with a bottle of wine and some snacks from Tesco. That's my travel style.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
@G3rryCee thank you! your description totally fits the way we normally travel- I think I just got pulled into the Rubens having a sale and being so nice to us and then it being London and wanting to stay somewhere "Londonish" haha if you have a place to reccomend that matches what you described I am all ears!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1434 posts
I don't have a hotel to recommend. You can do a search on booking or similar site and filter for king bed, price, etc. From there, when you click on an option, it will show you the room dimensions. I did this for 6 nights in October (not your dates, probably), and the first one I saw (Apex Temple Court) had a room size of 269sqft, which is bigger than the large room at Rubens. The same hotel had a 400sqft suite for $445/night, which is still below your stated budget. I only use booking to find hotels. I prefer to book directly with the hotel if it's a private one like Rubens. If it's a chain, I don't mind using booking (or lately, Trivago) to get the best price. Wherever you decide to stay, have a great trip! And happy birthday to your husband!
Posted by
283 posts
I think 6 nights in a small hotel room is a long time- I would feel cramped.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9719 posts
Is a hotel situation a “must have” for you? I would consider a flat for a 6 night stay. You could have a nice flat and still come in under your generous budget.
Posted by
Land of La
9890 posts
Frequent solo travels to London. Last Fall had a pleasant room at the Club Quarters across from Lincoln Inn Fields. Believe on the Club Quarters website it’s called the Club Quarters at Covent Garden Holborn. Room had Wifi, TV, setee area, fridge and elevators.
Good coffee area in the lobby area. Think you could also have breakfast in a seperate area. I never did.
Easy 5 minute stroll to the Holborn Underground station. Interesting Hunterian Museum a 5 minute walk. Good price, comfortable bed.
Peruse their website to see other London neighborhoods. Believe they are near St Paul’s, Trafalgar Square and London City. https://www.clubquartershotels.com/
Posted by
Nashville
4070 posts
Will we just be out sightseeing all day or will we want to hang out in the room ever?
what is better for 6 nights- traditional hotel, Apart hotel or airbnb?
I suggest looking at apartment-hotels. Citadines is one that is popular here.
They have several locations around London; all very fine quality. One or two bedrooms with a kitchen and separate living room.....nice for relaxing in the evening.
If you do a Google search, it will most likely bring up the website for Citadines Trafalgar Square....a great location.
This gives you more room than you would have in small hotel room.....plus a kitchenette in case you'd like to chill some champagne or keep some snacks or desserts handy.