Hello,
We are planning a Christmas trip to Europe and will be in London from December 23-28, 2021. We are looking for a reputable agency for an apartment rental for a famiy of 5 (2 adults, 3 adult children). Had hoped to use London Connection, but I've learned they went out of business during the pandemic.
Any suggestions of companies, or even specific Air B n B that worked well for you?
Thank you.
JMV
Not a fan of Airbnb.
Try Booking.com. You'll be 5 adults. You can look for apartments specifically and refine by all kinds of criteria. Ignore the stars which aren't applicable to apartments.
Pay attention to the ratings provided by people who have actually stayed in the places they review. I use 8+.
Make sure there are separate bedrooms, not just sofas that make into beds. Don't be surprised if the listings show 2 apartments priced together for 5 adults. It's not going to be cheap.
Look closely at the pictures to be sure it's a place of interest. Some things aren't searchable, like what the shower is like.
London has lots of "aparthotels." Some of those are more flexible with providing twin beds, but they might not have a space appropriate for all of you to cook together, to sit down to eat together or to sit in a living room area together. Again pay close attention to the pictures.
If you haven't used Booking.com before, you will have a bit of a learning curve. Enjoy the research.
I agree with all: try Booking.com. I just found an apartment through them for September. So far, after 10 years of using them, I am very happy with Booking.com.
While I have not stayed at any of their London properties, I have stayed with them in other cities.
If you are looking for apartments that are run like hotels, they are called "serviced aparments" in the UK.
We rented a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment from this company a few years ago. Great customer service and a really nice apartment. Next time, I hope to stay a little closer in but lots of people on this site thought this was a good location - and it was - I just want to be closer in next time. It’s quite close to a Tube stop and we got around quite easily. http://www.castletownhouse.co.uk/
I have stopped using Airbnb and prefer Booking.com or Trip Advisor. Go for places that have plenty of reviews going back some time. Many places at that time of year may want a 7 night booking.
On Christmas Day, there is no public transport in London, so pick somewhere either near a park or the river and within a reasonable distance of a supermarket.
This a second recommendation for Castletown House Apts. This is what I wrote a few months ago when a similar question was asked.
" It's been a couple of years now. We stayed in in the Castletown House Apartments in West Kensington. Very convenient to West Kensington and Barons Court Tube Stations, (Picadilly, District and Circle Lines). Straight shot to King' Cross or Westminster. Some decent restaurants nearby. They seem to have many properties under contract. The four of us were comfortable. Reasonably priced versus hotel options."
hey hey jvoyzey
read up about closures on christmas and boxing day (dec 25 & 26), plus places closing up early on christmas eve, even public transportation. some taxis may be available but charging more.
some places are for four people. that was rules are in london. look for grocery stores to buy things to cook in apartment for holiday.
walks.com
b-bakery.com has a christmas lights tea party tour on the bus. you can email them for more info\
tickets.london theatre tickets if you and your gang want to attend
gpsmycity.com has self guided walking tours
streetsensations.co.uk
londonblacktaxitours.com
timeout.com/london
m.manze.co.uk or eel and pie house. in east end london for the famous street food pies and mash
maureenspieandmash.co.uk
cockneyspieandmash.com west end of london
tonyspieandmashshop.co.uk
this is like a shepard's pie. ask the fellow londoner's here for something different and london, you probably will get more info and where to get.
i hear they have great indian food too.
cross-pollinate.com has apartments for rent in london. look and see what is available for your family
wowcher.co.uk is like groupon. register for free and see what they offer under london, travel, more: restaurants, afternoon teas, stop at a pub: some sundays they have a "roast" meal, designmynight.com for different activities.
good luck and hope you find something and enjoy your vacation with the gang
aloha
We spent Christmas 2019 in London with family members. London Petfect was wonderful to rent from, our second time using this agency.
We rented a Mews house in South Kensington last time.
