Rethinking the hotels

I haven't been down that way recently enough to say if it's still ongoing, but there certainly was construction right next door to Park Plaza Victoria. There's a large building that forms a tunnel that leads to Wilton Street and Victoria Station and it's been under refurbishment for some time. I looked at Google Maps and it's evident in the last streetview shot from December 2022. Maybe get in touch with the management there directly to find out the status of works next door.

Be aware that it's a very noisy area. It's a major junction for vehicle traffic. Vauxhall Bridge Road is a major thoroughfare from Westminster to south London. If noise bothers you but you want to stay in that area, there's lots of small hotels (and chains) further into Pimlico, away from the main road.

Park Plaza by Westminster Bridge is another fairly busy area. It's not Vauxhall really, I'd refer to that area as simply Lambeth. Vauxhall proper is two bridges west. The other way I'd identify that area it is by its proximity to St Thomas' Hospital. It includes one of largest A&E departments in London (emergency room) so I'd expect there to a fair bit of traffic around there all night.

Both are great central locations though, an easy walk to many of the sights.

Whatever happened to the Bedford?

Thank you Gerry, wise info!

Claudia, As the trip activities became finalized, the idea of staying "closer" to where the days begin started making more sense, while still trying to stay located somewhere he can "step out" for a pub visit at the end of the day w/o me fretting all night. I also read reviews about "thin walls" at the Bedford, which reinforced that idea to look at lodging again....

I'm going in circles a bit and am sure you will see me back here. And if anyone is interested, here is how our short, first time visit to London looks:

Arrival Day (Thursday):
noon LHR > Tube
3pmish Hotel Checkin
6-8pmish Solid meal with a nice pint near hotel TBD

Day 1 (Friday):

8am Breakfast at WMA / 9:30 Westminster Abbey Tickets
12-4 Better part of the day at London Tower, including lunch. (Open time entrance)
430/5-6pm Last entrance window Tower Bridge tickets
7-9pm Mayflower reservations
Back to hotel area

Day 2 (Saturday):
10am Breakfast reservations at Dishoom
Open afternoon for exploring London solo or together, (British Museum, War Rooms, Thames River Cruise Hop On-Off, London Walks or Pub Tour are things that all come to my mind)
Late Dinner Together TBD - Maybe Laughing Halibut, Poppies, Golden Union, Thomas Cubbit
Back to hotel area

Day 3 (Sunday):
8-9am Changing of the Guard
12-2 Tea at The Goring
3:15-4:45 Tour at Buckingham Palace (arrive by 2:45)
Early Dinner TBD - Maybe Punjab (does not take RSVPs) or other spicy Indian

Departure Day (Monday):
Check out of Hotel
7am Tube > LHR
10am Depart London

I’ve stayed at the Bedford a number of times and not found it to be any noisier then any other hotels. I think you are going to have to compromise somewhere or you will never find somewhere.

Mae, you are totally correct. It just seems more difficult due to our short duration and first time traveling together as "adults", but recognize I need to make some allowences / choices and let some things go. Thank you for calling that out on me. It is helpful.

The Park Plaza on the other side of the Westminster Bridge is a good location, very convenient for walking or taking the tube or bus. Just a few minutes walk to either Westminster Station or Waterloo. I have stayed in that area twice now and have not noticed a great deal of noise related to the hospital. I enjoy this area quite a bit.

Two options within 2 blocks of the Park Plaza are Premier Inn County Hall or Premier Inn Waterloo if budget is an issue. The charm of London is what you see when you are out and about. The hotel is really just a place to sleep or rest, it is not the experience. I wouldn't feel bad at all about choosing a hotel for availability, location and price.

Get some earplugs! :P

Seriously though, London is a big noisy city.

Both those hotels mentioned in the first post are good locations for walking. If the Bedford Hotel referred to is the one in Southampton Row, that is very central. All would be options for the itinerary you posted.

I know next to nothing about specific hotels in London, save for what I've read on here. I live here so don't book hotel rooms. As well as Pimlico, which I already mentioned, Bloomsbury may be a neighbourhood you could investigate further. It's relatively quiet at night in comparison to the locations you mentioned earlier.

There was a good thread recently where folks discussed hotels, with a focus on South Kensington. Some of the information contained there may be of use to you. Other contributors may be able to recommend hotels in that area with a view to finding somewhere on a quiet street off the main drag - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/london-hotel-neighborhood-decisions

Hi again Gerry, it's too long of a story for this post but I hate earplugs.

Carol. Thanks for your post. Both you and Gerry are right that there are some great hotel suggestions, unfortunatly a number are not available during our travel dates. Not sure why that is... shoulder season between English Guy Faulkes and US Thanksgiving... didn't expect so many "Not availables". That included the Premier Country Hall, which was actually the #1 starting choice but was not available during our dates, and spawned looking elsewhere.

Everyone is probably right re: Bedford having been fine, and I recognize my "over thinking". That said, my son has just noted interest in getting am tickets to the War Rooms for our "open day" (in lieu of breakfast at Dishoom), so that makes all three mornings starting over by WMA / BP.

As such I'm now looking at two individual rooms at Premier Inn Westminster Abbey Tothill Street (not the St James Park location). Although not the usual type of stay I look for, it is located right were our days begin and am sure my son will appreciate the privacy of his own room. And as you noted, it is just a place to stay (I appreciate the reminder),

My main choices are flexible / refundable, and as previously noted, I'm going around in circles so am going to put it to rest and revisit again tomorrow..... I appreciate the forum as a place to spitball and those who engage. It may not always seem like it but talking (typing) things through is helpful.

So two singles at The Hub PI? Or did you go with the Sanctuary House? Or the Park Plaza in Vauxhall.

I stayed at the Park Plaza in Lambeth area (8-10 min walk from Vauxhall transit stations) in August 2023.. I didn't notice the noise, I had a room on the sixth floor. The best item for me was the fact that it had outlets for UK, European(?) and US appliances all above the desk working surface. My adapter wasn't working well, and I was able to recharge my laptop after being in the UK for >10 days. Maybe all business travel oriented hotels in London have multi-outlets, however this was my first experience with it. I've not been an overseas traveler for quite a while before this Aug 2023 trip though.