Hotel close to Paddington or Apt near Shepherds Bush Market

Assuming the apartment rental is above board and reliable, I'd choose the apartment. It helps you pretend that you're a resident. You'll save money on as many meals as you choose to prepare yourself (breakfasts are obviously easy). I've stayed near Shepherd's Bush (a bit east of there) for a week and it's convenient enough since you'd be riding the tube to most of the London sights from either location.

The Shepherd's Bush Market stop may be less convenient than the Shepherd's Bush stop - study a map to see how much walking would be involved for each. The Central line from Shepherd's Bush might run closer to major sights. Just my opinion.

Have a lookat the Falcon Hotel(www.falcon-hotel.com), it's a short walk from Paddington Station.

Peter: can you elaborate more regarding Shepherds Bush Central Line versus Shepherds Bush Market? My husband and I are novices at train/tube stations in London but are willing to tackle all modes of transportation. Also, any advice you can provide to determine if apartment deal is reliable is very much appreciated. Actually, any advice you can provide for a first time visit to London is welcome. We plan to purchase 7 day Oyster Card, and will buy a one day 2for1 card (pass) to use on Saturday or Sunday when visiting museums that have entrance fee. We thought we would use this pass on Saturday or Sunday when the free museums might be more crowded. Also, thinking about London Walks tour to Bath and taking train on another day to York and using their volunteer walks tour. We are open to suggestions and recommendations from anyone regarding visit to London.

rather than buy an Oystercard and load it with an electronic 7 day travel card, it might make more sense to buy a paper 7 day travel card from a national rail station if you want take advantage of the 2for1 offers. That would cover you for all your travel in London.

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/faq#1

Would the 7 day travel card from Nationa Rail provide discounted fare to Bath and to York? Thank you for or your suggestion.

No significant discount at all using the zones 1-2 travelcard towards a long distance train service.

Shepherds Bush Market station is on the Hammersmith & City Line which doesn't head directly to that many places. Still you would probably be changing anyway.

If you'd care to share which rental agency you are considering to rent the apartment maybe some of us have experience with the agency. I'm a huge fan of Airbnb but I don't rent from them unless the following is in place. 1. The owners face, not their dogs, children or an iconic London location appears on the listing. 2. that there are at minimum of 15 positive reviews. 3. The owner responds within 24 hours to answer my questions about the property and those questions are: the exact address, the closest tube station, ATM and grocer. I ask about the address so I can do a GOOGLE map street view of the neighborhood. I've used Airbnb for over 6 years and am very pleased with every place I've stayed in London and remain friends with each host. I'm returning in the fall with friends and we are sharing a 2 bedroom flat thru Airbnb in Notting Hill. Already established a great dialogue with the owner. Been given pub, restaurant, and grocer recommendations and contact names and numbers for emergencies. We've also chatted about our jobs, etc. That personal touch is a plus for me.

Having an apartment is a great option. Shepard's Bush is a diverse neighborhood. Don't miss the huge Westfield Mall, nor the actual Shepard's Bush market and Portobello market is close as well.

To me the London Underground provides the best public transport in the world. Once you get the hang of it you'll have London at your finger tips. Use this website to help you plan your routes; https://tfl.gov.uk/.

Lastly, a hotel near Paddington is also a convenient option for the first time traveler. Simply understand rooms will be small. A room at a Best Western in the states would be palatial compared to the majority of hotel rooms in London. But who cares? It's a place to rest your head and if breakfast is included a pleasant way to meet follow travelers.

The final choice should be based on your sense of comfort and security. It's a great city. So much to see and do. Have a fabulous first time visit.

Agency is Avonmorelettings. Thank you for your suggestions.

If I were going for the first time, I'd stay nearer in at Paddington.

In may we stayed a block from Paddington. Very convenient, true. Hotel was cheap, true. And we got what we paid for. We would have loved to drop into a king bed at the end of the day and left the window open to quiet cool air flow. No, old hotel with old twin beds and raucous laughing Pub goers outside in the park at all hours of the night. Yes they had a great breakfast included in the price, but it was the only good thing about the place. Opt for the nice place!