Hotel recommendation for mid-20s - Rick Steves Travel Forum
Please sign in to post.

Hotel recommendation for mid-20s

My sister and I are visiting London for 3 nights in June and want to stay somewhere centrally located, walking distance to shopping, fun restaurants and bars, but accessible to tourist attractions. Aiming to stay under 200 USD/night. Any suggestions? Or even neighborhood suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!
Lauren

Posted by
9283 posts

Few suggestions:

Get the RS GUIDEBOOK and read it. Will truly make your first trip there much easier. Practical information about sites, accommodations, London Underground,etc.

Make a list of what’s important for you and your sister to see. Selfriges and/or Tower of London? Theatre?
St Paul’s and/or Carnaby Street? Museum of London and/or Portobello Market?

Take a look at the London Underground tube map and understand what you have expressed seeing and doing are all in Zones 1&2.

Use Google Maps satellite view and type in Big Ben.
Then type in Buckingham Palace. See how close they are. Very walkable city.

Lastly it’s an expensive city. Very important for you
to understand that when you start looking for accommodations. You will also need to understand hotel rooms are small. Otherwise you’ll be totally surprised.

Personally I’d go for the Premiere Inn near the London Eye. Remember you are traveling at the height of tourist season so crowds will be huge and you need to book accommodations now.

Have an enjoyable first trip. Great city!

Posted by
4091 posts

Once you are on a Google Maps location, go to the Nearby menu, which will show a list of hotels in the area, with links. Pubs, too.
London has many neighbourhoods and many advocates of one over another. "Convenience" depends on tastes. Do you want museums? Shopping? History? Theatre or concerts or clubs? Only you can judge those options. More important, in my view, is accommodation with easy access to mass transport, particularly the Tube. Here is the rapid transit planner: https://tfl.gov.uk/
Google Maps makes similar plans under its Directions section. It is useful to compare the two.
This advice has nothing to do with your age. At least I don't think so. I've been visiting London for a half-century and my habits haven't changed very much. Just a lot slower.

Posted by
4 posts

I am between the Strand Palace Hotel and Z Soho. Does anyone have strong opinions about either?
Also it may be worth noting I live in NYC and am accustomed to walking a lot, small spaces and being out and about, not relaxing in a hotel.

Thanks!
Lauren

Posted by
1221 posts

I suspect what you're looking for is more Lonely Planet than Rick Steves- LP tends to be better at entertainment districts for under-30s.