London Hotel before & after RS tour?

We're getting ready to take the 7 day London tour soon, and also found the tour hotel (myhotel Chelsea) way above our comfort zone - for spending, anyway. We're booked into one of the hotels from the RS London book; I'll pass on a recommendation after we've been there.

In general, I'd say to cast a wide net to find availability for your dates. Any place listed in Rick's book should be clean, safe, and convenient to public transportation, but if he uses descriptors like "dingy" or "musty" then you must take those into account. I have always found the listings to be reliable, but they use an economy of language that makes every word count.

Try the Premier Inn at Earl's Court.

I'd recommend checking the Premier Inn website and seeing what prices you get for various locations. We stayed at the PI County Hall and were pleased. They are very internet-oriented in booking and services, but they have plenty of staff on-site and were far more helpful and willing to help than other places we've stayed (Hilton Paddington to name one).

One place I can recommend is the Premier Inn London Blackfriars (close to good local transportation) and it is an award winning location as voted by travelers. It would cost around $200 American dollar in October. It is located at 1-2 Dorset Rise. The food is delicious and the staff are caring. Rooms are nice. www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONBLA/london-blackfriars-fleet-street?CID=TRA_COM_BL_HDP_LONBLA It is convenient to everything including St. Paul's, the Thames, sightseeing, restaurants, etc. The breakfast is excellent- get all you can eat prepared English breakfast then get the continental items free. You will leave stuffed! Also good food offerings the rest of the day. I would definitely spend the money here.

Another alternative is Hotel Xenia at 160 Cromwell Rd for $179 American dollars but I like the Premier better. The price is for a classic room which is their cheapest. www.hotelxenia.com.uk/index.html

We stayed at the Garden Court Hotel a couple of years ago and were very satisfied. Near the Bayswater tube station, and on a quiet side street. It's nothing fancy but is definitely in your price range and I'd stay there again as it's an excellent bargain for London. Nice staff, reasonable rooms, elevator. The included breakfast is a continental-type cold one but they'll cook a hot breakfast for an additional price.

Uh-oh. Laura's comment about "dingy" and "musty" is giving me pause. The hotel we've chosen for our before-and-after stays is described in the guidebook as having rooms that are "Pleasant, slightly scuffed." Hmmm. Well, I'll take pleasant, and we're only in the room to sleep anyway! I'll post a review when we get home. (Come to think of it, I'm also pleasant and slightly scuffed - so maybe it'll be a good fit.)

As I've previously stated, I'm of fan of the Cherry Court Hotel near Victoria Station. Small, inexpensive, but clean and safe (that word that so many people seem to hate on this forum). Yes, there are unsafe hotels in London.

I had a last minute cancellation from Airbnb last July and booked a room at the Holiday Inn Kensington through hotwire, while in Italy. It's a very large hotel, but clean, safe, easy to use. The room was wonderful and I believe I paid about $120 a night. And the elevator at the end of my vacation was great!

The hotel we booked for before and after our RS tour, the "pleasant and slightly scuffed" choice from Rick's guidebook, was the Kensington Gardens. I'm posting a separate review. We loved the hotel and the location, but there's no elevator. But it's only 89 GBP per night, breakfast included.

The hotel we booked for before and after our RS tour, the "pleasant and slightly scuffed" choice from Rick's guidebook, was the Kensington Gardens. I'm posting a separate review. We loved the hotel and the location, but there's no elevator. But it's only 89 GBP per night, breakfast included.

I join others in recommending Premier Inn. I just did what Patty recommended in her post and saw a calendar of dates and prices for several of their hotels centrally located. I have stayed at County Hall a number of times and once near the Tower of London. County Hall is a great location with Waterloo train station right behind it (including a supermarket), access to Tube and buses - including Night buses. It is lovely to stroll along the South Bank day or evening. A few of the Premier Inns are close to the Globe. Depending on when in October you are there, a play may still be on offer - not to be missed.

County Hall is relatively quiet as the street at the rear is blocked to traffic. There are numerous small restaurants in the area.

Debbie

Hi Janet,
I second Wray's suggestion for Cherry Court. I stayed there for three days before joining RS's tour Best of London in 2013. Liked the place so much that my niece and I will be staying there this June for nine days. Only once in 2013 did I miss not having a lift. Yes, no lift, only stairs. Victoria Station is a "long" block to the north of Cherry Court. Near the station there is a pub, I didn't go in, only walked past it. In the station there is a grocery store and a Boots. "CC" was clean and felt like home by the second day.

Have a great time in London.
Cathy