well I am changing my criteria for my upcoming stay in London and new possibilities have opened.
I am still possibly going to go through Booking.com but open to booking directly on P I.
However I am searching for Central London rather than a specific neighborhood and this has opened up so many more very good results.
I have discovered a YMCA Hotel with very good reviews although there are less than 40 reviews for now. It must be new on booking.
But there are hotels in Marylebone, Camden and Covenant Gardens along with other neighborhoods that I was not considering originally.
I am back to feeling excited about my trip and not so bogged down. I am feeling more freedom now that I am not limiting myself to a particular neighborhood.
I am not interested in the Paddington Station / Kensington areas only because I stayed in that area last time. I would certainly recommend the area but I want to stay in a different one.
Booking is offering a gift of sorts. If your booking at the hotel is over $1300, then Booking is going to give you a free one way taxi ride from the airport to your hotel. It is good for up to 6 people. It is only one way from the airport to your hotel. And the cost of your stay must be over $1300.00
Since I am staying 6 nights, my stay will almost certainly be over $1300.00. Not every hotel participates but many are and they are good hotels.
But based on reviews, Booking does its worst when it tries to offer anything else but hotels. That is where and when problems occur.
If I take this offer of a free taxi, I will have a Plan B.