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London - Location, Location, Location

We (hubby and myself) will be going to London for the third time for 9 nights at the beginning of February 2020. Our first visit we stayed at a hotel near the High Street Kensington tube stop. The second trip we rented a studio apartment on the Southbank between the Waterloo station and the Blackfriars station. We enjoyed both areas. For this next trip we would like an apartment with the ability to do laundry, though we would consider a shared Airbnb place if we would have adequate room and laundry/kitchen privileges. Unfortunately our Southbank apartment is already booked and doesn't have laundry.

I've been looking on Airbnb and found a shared place, though the rented area is actually self contained with its own kitchen, etc. It's considered a shared space because we would have to pass through the owner's hallway to reach it. I'm not sure about the location though. With Airbnb you don't get an address until after you book, but reading reviews it was mentioned that it is very close to London Olympia and the Kensington Olympia tube station. My favorite place is located between the Pimlico and Victoria tube stations. I found two others that are both located near the Gloucester tube station. What are your opinions of those areas? There is over a $400 price difference between the 'shared' but private space and the place in Pimlico. I'm not sure if it's worth spending the extra money. The two others are less than, but closer in price to the Pimlico place.

If anyone has any other suggestions for clean apartment in a safe and convenient area with a washer, I would love to hear about it.

We will be arriving from Heathrow and departing via Eurostar to Paris.

Thanks for any help and advice you can provide.

Posted by
1943 posts

How much are you willing to spend per night in London? I stayed in a flat near Russell Square with a washer/dryer and close to Kings Cross station. https://www.vrbo.com/103088

I loved the location and the flat and that it's on the Piccadilly Line.

Posted by
10221 posts

Thank you Emma and Heather. Emma, thanks for the reminder to use entire names for tube stations. I got the name from one of the reviews on the apartment. I don't want to confuse anyone, so I'll be more careful. Heather, that apartment is really nice. I am hoping to spend less money. From London we will be going to Paris. We will have a 7-8 week trip to Europe in September/October 2020, so I'm trying to find a decent place for this winter trip without spending more than necessary on lodging. Good point about the convenience of being on the Piccadilly line.

Emma, when we stayed at the studio on the Southbank I wanted to do some laundry and couldn't find anything. Apparently I needed to know the term launderette. Good to know. Maybe I should consider places without laundry facilities if there are laundrettes in the area.

Posted by
93 posts

Hi Andrea
These are great flats in Fitzrovia - close to tube and Tottenham Court Road . Lots of restaurants, shopping nearby. St Pancras
( Eurostar station is a short walk)
We love the 1 bedroom with the huge terrace - not sure how useful it would be in February. But there are several flats to choose from. Liz is fabulous , really takes care of her clients.

http://www.lizardproperty.co.uk/holiday%20lets.html

Posted by
5516 posts

I would choose Gloucester Road over the place near Kensington Olympia.

I worked near Kensington Olympia for a while. The tube doesn’t run regularly to that station which means you usually need to take the bus or walk to one of the nearby stations (Baron’s Court or Hammersmith or High Street Kensington).

Gloucester Road is on the Piccadilly, District, and Circle line. I’ve stayed in this area many times and I think it is a pretty convenient place to stay as a tourist.

Posted by
138 posts

CDP Apartments Knightsbridge on Ovington Square - This is where we are staying next month for 4 nights. It is our first trip to London, but this appears to be a good location, near the S. Kensington tube. One of my priorities, in addition to location and price, was a washer/dryer - which this unit has. I can't give any personal recommendations yet, but this checked all of our boxes.

Posted by
10221 posts

Thanks everyone. What is your opinion of the Fulham and Chelsea neighborhoods (Fulham Broadway Tube)?

Posted by
432 posts

I've just booked an apartment for early November near the Fulham Broadway tubestop (District line) in Fulham area. I really like the look and sound of the neighbourhood. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulham ) Near the Thames for great river walks and a number of tube stops throughout the area.

We've stayed in the Pimlico and Bloomsbury areas before so we were looking for a new area to explore. Market on North End Road, near restaurants, pubs, grocery stores, and banks. Safe neighbourhood. It's a one bedroom w washer/dryer. There were a number of apartments to choose from in my search. I used both VRBO and Homeaway as search sites. For us it was price ($CAN) and both a washer and dryer that drove our final decision. Here's a couple of locations to wet your appetite.

https://www.vrbo.com/838192ha
https://www.homeaway.ca/cottage-rental/p8269885
https://www.vrbo.com/8103284ha?adultsCount=2&arrival=2019-10-30&departure=2019-11-07&petIncluded=false

Good luck!

Posted by
10221 posts

Susan E., which apartment did you book?

It looks like Fulham is in Zone 2. I'm guessing the tube will cost more from there. Is that correct?

Posted by
5516 posts

It looks like Fulham is in Zone 2. I'm guessing the tube will cost more from there. Is that correct?

Probably not. The daily cap for travel within zone 1 and 2 is 7 GBP.

Posted by
432 posts

Hi Andrea. We booked the last one - the one with the garden. Owner has been great to work with. There were a number of other ones, as well, but they were more $'s then we were prepared to pay. We've stayed in many apartments in France, Vienna and Salzburg, so we have learned what works for us. We don't care if things are fancy and brand new. We're looking for comfort, location, quiet, clean, safe, and near amenities. We also read a lot, so places to sit comfortably are preferred. Lots of good reviews are also a plus. We do many of our own meals, so a good roomy kitchen is nice. Washer and dryer are preferred as clothes can take a while to dry otherwise. Being in a residential neighbourhood is also nice.

Posted by
10221 posts

That's good to know about Zone 2. I won't be surprised if we use more public transportation and do less walking in February. I'm a native Californian and I get cold easily.

Susan E., the place you booked isn't available for our time period. I had saved the second place you linked on Airbnb. It's actually less expensive with Airbnb. One thing I'm finding between Homeaway/VRBO and Airbnb is that some places on Airbnb give a discount for staying for a week.

Posted by
8667 posts

I’m a CA native and never get cold in London. Was there in January. Dressed in layers. Wasn’t freezing.

Love walking in London Neighborhoods. Since you’ll be in Fulham take the tube to Hammersmith and head towards the Hammersmith Bridge and the Thames Path. Nice walk along it to a fun pub called The Dove. I’m sure it’s seasonal but their pumpkin and sage soup was fantastic!

Posted by
1325 posts

I’m a Chicagoan and I was cold in London in December. Admittedly I brought clothes more suited for fall than winter. I wouldn’t go by just looking at the temperature, the cold damp air can cut right through you. If I ever go in winter again. I’ll bring warmer clothes.

Posted by
10221 posts

Dale, I know exactly what you mean. That damp cold is bone chilling. We spent two weeks over the holidays in mostly Paris 10 years ago. I've never in my entire life been so cold. I did what everyone recommends and wore layers. Every time we went into a museum, restaurant or metro I ended up being overheated. How many layers can a person take off in a public place? For me, a warmer coat and less layers is the answer. That method worked out better when we went to NYC in December a couple of years ago. I will hopefully be better prepared for London and Paris in February.

I haven't chosen a place yet and am considering different neighborhoods. Choosing a place in Paris will be so much easier for me. It will be my 7th trip there and after spending over 45 nights in Paris I know the city much better than I do London. I've only spent 11 nights in London so far.

Posted by
9567 posts

I went on a London Walks in Fulham a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. the Bishop's Palace is very nice, and I really loved the area around Parson's Green.

Posted by
10221 posts

Does anyone have an opinion regarding the area around Paddington Station?

Posted by
2507 posts

I think the area around Paddington is a tad boring - there are better areas.

Posted by
8667 posts

Area around Paddington isn’t lively unless you hit Praed street in front of Paddington Station.

That said I often stay in the area because I like walking in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens at sunrise and I love the Tudkin Malaysian restaurant. Personal preference.

Area is safe and I prefer the quiet. Great transport options, I use Lancaster Gate tube cuz it’s the Central line.

You want hip and happening Paddington isn’t it.

Posted by
10221 posts

Okay, Paddington is out of consideration. I think I'll also scratch the place by the Kensington Olympia tube station. The place I found located between the Pimlico and Victoria tube stations is really nice, but I don't think it's worth $567 more than a totally fine place near the Fulham Broadway tube station. I've actually found two places near that station, one in Fulham and one in Chelsea, that would work. Then there are the two places that are near the Gloucester Road tube station that split the difference between the most expensive and less expensive. Decisions, decisions... We will be there for 9 nights and it will be our 3rd time in London. It might be worth it to save a bit of money and have to travel slightly further to places. I'll have to think about this.

Thanks to all for your excellent advice.

Posted by
8667 posts

Given you most recent posted options I’d go with one of the properties near Gloucester Road station.

Don’t miss the goodies at the Hummingbird Bakery on Old Brompton Road. Nor Bosphorus Keebabs. Cash only at the latter.

Enjoy you 3rd visit to London.!

Cheers.

Posted by
5326 posts

The area around Fulham Broadway station is known more accurately as Walham Green, although its former village days are only represented really now by the tower of All Saints Church (and maybe the somewhat incongruous street name of Farm Lane). Fulham, Chelsea, Sands End and North End (these days called West Kensington) were the adjacent villages in various directions.

As well as the underground station it is the terminus of one of the best London bus routes for what it passes - the 11. The 14 and 414 are useful too.

Posted by
267 posts

Gloucester Road tube station area is a good area,convenient to things we like (15 min walk or less) such as the V and A , the Natural History Museum, etc. and Kensington Park. We have stayed and frequented the area many times . Also it is a often good value compared to some other districts. But we also prefer not being in the bulls eye of the tourist zone so it depends on what you value most.

Posted by
10221 posts

Nigel, we hope we can see you and Carol when we are there!

Posted by
10221 posts

Nigel, we are looking forward to seeing you both. And it can happen without you crossing the Channel this time. Unless you prefer to meet up in Paris again. Yeah, I didn't think so.

Posted by
32746 posts

well, we're leaving Stresa (Bevano) today on the way to Switzerland to meet a friend.

Wanna meet up at the north Italian lakes?

Actually, maybe London..... Any excuse to go to Paris is a good excuse though....

Posted by
10221 posts

Okay, I'm looking at another rental site (Flipkey - I've never used them, are they okay?) and I found a well reviewed place a couple of blocks from the Covent Garden station. What is the consensus of that area? It looks like it's close to a lot of museums, etc.

Posted by
2299 posts

hey andrea
another site to check put is cross-pollinate.com
they started the beehive in rome and have ventured out. you can read up about them. used them once, no problems. hope you find something
aloha

Posted by
10221 posts

I looked at the street where the Covent Garden apartment is located on google earth. It seems to be a small street with small businesses on the ground floor and apartments above. The apartment I'm looking at is on the first floor. In reviews a few people mentioned that the fish & chips place on the ground was really good. There are 37 trip advisor reviews on this place and noise wasn't mentioned as an issue. I found this place on Flipkey. I don't know anything about this company, so that does make me hesitate. The other apartments I'm looking at are on Airbnb.

I like the idea of being in such a central location, especially that time of year when it could be cold. It would be nice to be able to pop in and warm up for a few minutes if necessary.

Posted by
10221 posts

Thanks for the suggestion princess pupale.

Posted by
432 posts

I believe Flipkey is part of the TA empire. I've heard nothing bad about them.

Posted by
1097 posts

We stayed in the West End, right off the Strand at Wilde ApartHotel. I haven't looked at your links to compare costs to the other options, but it could not have been in a better location. Very close to two tube stations, surrounded by the venues of the West End, restaurants, walking distance to so many things. And even though it was right in the middle of it all, the apartment was quiet.

We used a laundry service which I also highly recommend if you don't have time to do laundry, The Empress of Smooth (great name, right?). We left our suitcase of laundry at the desk at bedtime and by the next morning, picked up a suitcase of clean, neatly folded clothes in a plastic wrap.

Posted by
10221 posts

I made a reservation yesterday, through Airbnb, for a one bedroom apartment located at 4 Victoria Grove. It is a short walk from the Gloucester Road station and it's not too much further to the High Street Kensington station. The transportation options seem good and we will be able to walk to some of the places we plan to visit. Now I just need to decide on a place in Paris. I know that city well (this will be my 7th trip and have spent over 7 weeks there) so I'm familiar with where I would like to be and where I don't want to be. Thanks again for all the advice.