Thanks to all your wonderful insight we've now fully committed to the aparthotel idea. The Rubens, while lovely, seems a tad too small and pricey for 6 nights. SO we've narrowed it down to either Ember Locke in Kensington or Locke Broken Wharf on the the Thames, or Citadines Trafalgar Square or Holborn-Covent Garden. Any one stayed at them recently and have any tips to share? I know it is getting down to the wire as our trip is rapidly approaching on October 24th but my decision paralysis has been in overdrive and I could really use your guys's wise insight here. Back story on us is that it is our first time to London, we are celebrating my husbands 50th birthday. To give you an idea of what we want to accomplish while we are there-to help chose a location- we want to do the major sites like the National Gallery, Churchill War Rooms, V&A, Thames river cruise, Tate Modern, See things like Big Ben and the Tower of London, have a Sunday Roast, drink in a classic British pub, just soak in the general London ambiance, maybe the Borough Market or another vintage/market. As someone said on a previous thread I posted, spend less on the hotel and more on experiences. So we've booked to see two concerts while we are there-One at RAH and one at AllyPally. Our budget would be around 275 pounds per night, flexible if warranted. It feels like to me the Ember Locke in Kensington is too far from most sites other than the V&A and the Royal Albert Hall, but it does look like a cool property in a nice quiet neighborhood. And the Citadines look nice, I just can't figure out which would better suit a first timer like us, and also their website is a little funky to deal with, being in German. Anyway, thank you once again for letting me ramble, I'd really like to get this bit over and done with so I can move on to mapping out the days adventures!
Posted by
Freedonia
17895 posts
Don't know why you are getting the Citadines website in German. Here is the English link:
https://www.discoverasr.com/en
If it still comes up in German, click on the three lines in the top left. A menu will drop down and near the top you can choose your language and currency.
Posted by
ATL, USA
642 posts
I stayed at Locke Broken Wharf last November. The thing about London is, public transport is so plentiful that unless you are staying way, way out of the city, everything is relatively easy to get to.
I have been to London several times but had never stayed in that area before. I enjoyed it. I got to see St. Paul's in my comings and goings. I walked but I also used the bus multiple times and used the tube via the Blackfriar's station.
I have stayed at Locke in Dublin as well and can recommend them - I like having a kitchenette but there's also a coffee shop/cafe on the ground floor which I utilized.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1371 posts
Several years ago, we stayed at the Wilde Aparthotel in Covent Garden. It was a great location. The room was very nice and there was a small kitchenette. Read the descriptions of the rooms, there are some with no windows. I'd stay there again.
Posted by
Nashville
4069 posts
Citadines Trafalgar Square would be a good location for you since you don't know your way around London, having never been there before.
It's central to everything. You can walk from there to many of the places on your "must see" list.
You don't have to choose a location right by the sights, as you can get just about anywhere by using the tube and buses.
Locke at Broken Wharf, mentioned by Kayla, would be my second choice. It's near St. Paul's. Good transportation all around there. Or Wilde Aparthotel in Covent Garden as mentioned by Celeste.
You'll need to get going on making a reservation, as some places in London are already booked up for your dates, I'm sure. I hope there's still room for you at the places mentioned on this thread.
Posted by
Virginia
1115 posts
Locke is my go to brand, I've stayed at their properties in Edinburgh, Manchester & London. And Locke at Broken Wharf is my go to for London. I'll be back there again in October.
First join their membership list for the at least 10% off. Membership also includes early check-in and late check-out.
For my liking Locke-at-Broken-Wharf is in the shadow of St Paul's, on a nice pedestrian walkway along the river, 5 tube stations within a half mile walk. Theres Millennium Bridge right there for a stroll to Southwark & Borough Market is a .7 mile walk. There's a Sainsbury Local, Co-Op and Tesco Express also within a half mile. I'm a solo traveler and I've always booked their City Studio with river view, which I find perfect for my needs. Kitchenette is great and well stocked with plates, cups, utensils, cookware, toaster and kettle. The area is lively during the day and then quiet from the evening into the night.
Posted by
WestCentral MN
423 posts
In June we stayed at the Marlin Apartments London Queen Street location. The area shuts down at night, so it was very quiet. We were able to sleep with the windows open with no noise bothering us. It does not have AC, but in October you shouldn't need it. We had a one-bedroom apartment for the three of us. It was clean and had everything we needed. What I really liked was that there was a door closing off the kitchen/living room area from the hallway, so we could really separate the area and when we needed to access the bathroom from the bedroom, we didn't disturb the person sleeping in the living room. It is steps away from the Mansion House tube stop, and the Circle and District lines will get you pretty much anywhere you need to to. Other sights such as St. Pauls are walkable. Good luck, and have a wonderful trip!