Hi All I need help on Planning this trip.
I alreday bookd the air Leaving from IAD to London. Arriving Lond Heathrow on 7/11 at 6:40AM. Leaving London to Hamburg on 7/18 7:50AM Heathrow. I am confused & frustrated on all the cheap hostels & hotels.. most hostels didnt seem appropriate for my 11yo ( or me). Some hotels in london & paris are too expensive.
I need help on fidning the place to stay from 7/11 -7/18. I need to be in London on 7/17 some what close to Heathrow since I need to catch a early fight 7:50am to Hamburg.
Help.... 7/11 - 7/17 ( Enough to cover London & Paris??)
Thx
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
We were in London with children that age and younger in 2007. We stayed at;
and found it to be pleasant and well-located, near Hyde Park and Marble Arch (and a tube station). It was a good value, but London is crazy expensive. (we also arrived early and they held our bags for us until check-in)
We also had an 8:00 flight home and the receptionist at the desk called in a cab reservation for us the night before for a 5:30 pick-up. We were at the airport at 6:00. No problems. I would avoid the added layer of hassle involved with changing hotels just to be near the airport. Stay in London the night before - go for a a nice walk & soak in the city, then go to bed early to catch the morning cab.
I would not worry about hostels at all. They are not the hedonistic party houses of their reputations a generation ago. If you can book a "double" and not have to share the room, it would be a perfectly appropriate (and for children, more enjoyable, really) place to stay. We use them frequently.
Don't stress. Just ask questions - the more specific, the better.
Good for you for taking the child with you!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
One more thing;
The latest trend in "budget" accomodations are hotels with tiny rooms - as in the bed takes up 90% of the floor. These are modern, plasticky places that scream "I can't really afford to be here" and we never choose these places despite the fact that we are on a tight budget. The hotel I mentioned is in an authentic building c.1800 or so. I think it's important to actually feel like you are in London when you come home for the night.
Posted by
OP
N Potomac, MD, 20878
2 posts
Hi Randy
Thank you so much!!! I am trying very hard not to stress out... I will check out the hotels you mentioned in London :)
Posted by
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
we 'couldn't afford' london; or, more accurately, we couldn't afford to stay there for very long with middle of the road hotels costing upwards of $250/night. we extended our stay to five nights by settling for a bare basics, pod-style hotel--easyHotel, and paid $75/night for a 'larger' room (the term should likely be 'less tiny'). there are several locations around london. yes, it has no character, but we wanted more time in the city and plan to spend 95% of the time we are in our room sleeping--the other 5% would be showering, so we wanted something clean and basic with a private bath, and this fit the bill. have a great time--we'll be in london the same time you will, so i'll also wish you great weather (if that's possible in london!)