My daughter and I will visit London for a few days next summer. Our previous visit we stayed in the Victoria station area which was great; this time we'd like to stay much closer to the theatre district as we plan to see shows at night and would like to walk back to the hotel. The Rick Steves guidebook doesn't recommend hotels in that area; do you? I would appreciate any suggestions before I dig on the usual sites.
It really depends on what shows you are going to see. There are two or three theaters in the Victoria station area. Personally I would pick a good hotel and use a cab at night to too far to walk.
South Bank is within a 15 minute walk of many of the theatres. The Premier Inn County Hall is there.
What’s your budget? Th Covent Garden Hotel is very pricey but convenient. Close to one of my favorite London restaurants Punjab. Excellent Indian food!
Also close to Neal’s Yard where you can load up on delectable cheeses!!!
I’d investigate the Piccadilly West End Hotel. Believe it’s a Le Meriden Hotel. Small rooms but ideally situated for theatre. A friend stayed there over a weekend. No complaints.
Merely suggestions. I stay near Hyde Park and tube to and from my theatre evenings.
BTW Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre is an enjoyable night of theatre.
Keep in mind that there are several theatres, notably those in the National Theatre complex, located on the South Bank. If you stay near the West End you may still have a bridge to cross, depending on which plays you want to see.
Shakespeare's Globe is also on the South Bank while the Royal Shakespeare uses the Barbican, well to the east of the West End. It's probably a better tactic to look for a hotel with convenient public transit to many areas.
There is a Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire right at Leicester Square. It has been recently been remodeled. While I haven’t stayed there, we have visited the common areas on multiple occasions. We were there in November and they are building another Radisson hotel directly next to it.
Under "Elsewhere in Central London," (p. 159 in England book) Rick lists two hotels near Covent Garden Tube station, both fairly plain and simple. I stayed at the Seven Dials Hotel, in one of their annex rooms, around the corner from the main property. It was fine for me. Breakfast is at the main building and is nothing special (small steam table buffet). Also right by Neal's Yard.
Check out Citadines Trafalgar Square.
A much-belated thank you to everyone for the helpful replies! I went away for the holidays and didn't have my password with me!
I'm especially intrigued by the recommendation that includes close-by Indian and cheese, my two favorites.
Thank you all!