We plan to stay in London with our 3 older kids ( 15, 20, 23) for almost a week and I'd love housing advice. I've read many of the housing posts for families but really struggle in finding housing for 5 where one person isn't on a sofa bed. We've had some success with Airbnb... A few of the Rick Steves recommended hotels do have family rooms but we'd prefer an apartment as we will want to prepare simple breakfasts and have places to spread out as we have different sleeping schedules. It doesn't have to be big, but we need at least 2 doubles and a twin. What do you think of Airbnb....are there other ways to find apartments for 5?
Posted by
11367 posts
We have rented from London Perfect two times, excellent properties and experiences with this company.
Posted by
Land of La
8842 posts
Posted by
Washington DC
27396 posts
I'd also try booking.com, specifying 5 adults and an apartment with two rooms (though you'll probably need three). I wish they had a no-sofa-beds filter, but they don't. But at least they show the types of beds in the summary listing, so you don't have dig deep to discard the obviously-unsuitable places. I did see quite a few apartments on the first selection screen that didn't depend on sofa beds to be able to accommodate five.
Posted by
203 posts
Try coach house rentals. The contact information is in Rick’s London/England books
Posted by
5 posts
We stayed in a flat in London (Pimlico) for a week using https://www.ivylettings.com/ .
Posted by
Los Angeles
963 posts
Here is another one from Rick’s book:
Posted by
OP
MN
25 posts
Thank you so much! I really like a place like home....
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9434 posts
I’ve always liked AirBnB, and even more so now…
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/airbnb-thank-you
Posted by
OP
MN
25 posts
We've only had good experiences with Airbnb. I started my thread because I was having trouble finding airbnb places that are close to the City. Right now it looks like we will be staying in Zone 2 as others either don't have a good cancellation policy or are way out of our price range. We had to cancel everything in Dec when Omicron restrictions were implemented so have booked all of our housing with free cancellation up to 5 days before.
Thanks for all of the ideas
Posted by
London
237 posts
Where in Zone 2?
This might just be confusion on terminology, but staying in/near the City wouldn’t be my first choice as a tourist. I’d rather be in central London. The City, also known as the Square Mile, is the business district where many of the banks and law firms have their offices. It is very historic (it’s the site of the original Roman settlement) and convenient to certain sights (St Paul’s, Tower of London), but it’s not an area where many people live and definitely has a business-y vibe. Also the main transportation hub, Bank station, is a nightmare.
I raise this in case you have been focusing your Airbnb search on the City, not realising that it is only a small segment of London.
Posted by
OP
MN
25 posts
I meant closer to zone 1. We were looking at Battersea or Bermondsey, etc. but right now are further west, near Turnham Green tube station.
Posted by
London
237 posts
Got it. Have you tried the area around Marble Arch? I’ve had groups of friends come to visit who stayed in multi bedroom AirBnBs in that area.
Battersea is nice, but the transportation links aren’t optimal - I would not bother looking further there.
Posted by
Land of La
8842 posts
The area by Turnham Green is fine.
Stayed in the Chiswick Premiere Inn and would tube to and from The Turnham Green station. I’d get my to go cup of Coffee at Tamp on Devonshire.
Ate at Nando’s, Ngon, and Torthai. Never a bad meal.
About 30 minute tube ride say from Turnham Green to Westminster station.
Posted by
OP
MN
25 posts
saving all of those restaurants and the coffee place! thanks so much
Posted by
Land of La
8842 posts
Hopefully all of the places I mentioned were able to survive the lockdown. The Turnham Green High Street is very nice.
Happy travels.