OK, I've overthought my trip accommodations and need some counseling. I found a very good deal at the Millennium Bailey's, which is across the street from the Gloucester Road tube station in London. This is going in a very different direction than the other types of accommodations I've been looking at, such as the Luna Simone near Victoria Station. Any thoughts on the chain hotel in Kensington vs the small guesthouse near Victoria Station? We are two women in our twenties who can rough it, but will be staying a week so want some relative comfort and a fun area to explore. Thanks!
Posted by
Freedonia
15614 posts
The Bailey's is far from rouging it!!!! It's a very nice hotel in my favorite area to stay in when in London.
Within one block are the tube station, numerous restaurants, a couple of pubs, a couple of smaller grocers, a pharmacy and some more hotels. Yet, it is a residential neighborhood only about 15-20 minutes from the major sites by tube.
There are a lot of people here who recommend the Victoria Station area for its convenience and because it's recommended by RS.
I, personally, prefer a more residential area when staying in London.
The South Kensington area has a few small "colleges" so you will run into lots of people in their early 20's on the pubs and restaurants.
If you're staying a week, you might want to look into getting an apartment. Lots available in that same area.
But if trying to choose between the two types of lodging you mentioned, the question you need to ask yourself is what kind of amenities are you looking for?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5670 posts
The Millenium Baileys is my "standby" hotel in London. I've stayed there at least a half dozen times. It is an older hotel ... every room is slightly different. Love the neighborhood. Much prefer this area to the area around Victoria Station that Rick always recommends. The Baileys hotel is directly across from the Gloucester Road tube station (Piccadilly and Circle lines) and an easy walk to the South Kensington museums (V&A, Science, Natural History). Easy access to Heathrow by tube. This is another plus compared to the Victoria hotels. Circle and Piccadilly lines are in my opinion the best tube lines to stay on. The downside to the Baileys (for some people) is that breakfast may not be included (check your rate). If you have to pay extra, the breakfast is not worth the extra charge. There are several coffee places within a block. There is a 24 hour mini-grocery across the street. Waitrose (an excellent grocery store) is within a block. Nandos (one of my favorite "fast" food places in London) is just down the street. There is also a Pret across the street. I think Baileys is a great choice, even though it is a chain.
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
We stayed near Gloucester Road tube station and loved the neighborhood. Be sure to stop in the pub just across the road from the hotel, a great place for sure. Waitrose was our grocery store as well as the Tesco across the street. I would rather stay in this area than Victoria any day for you can easily catch numerous busses and the Picadilly tube line is a godsend. Not to mention walking to Hyde Park! EDIT: It was called the Hereford Arms, we tried to go to the one Rick recommended in South Kensington, but at 6pm it was absolutely packed, so we walked back to Gloucester Road to go to the grocery store (it was our last night in London before going home) and were happy to find this place, which was a little quieter, more adult, and had great beer and food.