London Accommodation advice urgently needed

Sorry, guess the links don't work here. : (

Julie
I do not know that area- Shad Thames on Google is SE1 "next to Tower Bridge". SE16 is further out, looks to be out of the typical tourist area to me. need help from someone who lives in London rather than just looking at a map

Thanks Brian. Yes, Shad Thames is about a 3 minute walk (according to the property owner) from the flat we're considering. I LOVE the Shad Thames area, it reminds me of "Oliver" by Charles Dickens. But, I don't know that we'd be happy being so far out. I hope I get some feedback from London experts who live in the area. Thanks for your help, I think you've replied to my other posts as well...I appreciate your time!

Check out London School of Economics they rent rooms and apartments to tourists. Their website is http://www.lsevacations.co.uk They have several locations around London- including one or more in Covent Garden, Victoria station area and one right off Trafalgar Square. All apartments have ensuite, include kitchens and you have access to student facilities like laundry rooms and the "lounge" or game room. In the past we have rented from Citadines. They also have several locations. We used the Covent Garden/High Holborn location- very nice. The website is
http://www.citadines.com/uk/london/holborn_covent_garden.html

Julie, that location is well east of the West End and most of the usual tourist spots. I've stayed in Southwark, which is just west of that location. The practical difference is that it adds a bit of Tube time to the beginning and end of each day. One thing to be wary of if there is only one Tube station within easy walking distance: A number of Tube stations, as well as segments of lines or entire lines, typically go offline on weekends for maintenance and repairs. That's inconvenient if the one station that's near you is included. Given you don't have much time left, I'd certainly expand my search to include hotels, etc. I stayed at the City Inn Westminster last October, which came in well under your $300 limit. It's a nice modern hotel just off the Thames about 15 minutes south of Parliament and the Westminster Tube stop. I believe they can do rollaways, etc. Also, check out what the terms "single" and "double" mean in UK hotel parlance, to avoid surprises.

I would second Toni's suggestion to book at the London School of Economics. Go to the link she furnished, and check out all the great locations they have. These are all close to London's top sites, and the rooms are clean and safe. My personal thought is that I'd prefer these London School of Economics apartments/flats/rooms to the Shad Thames location you mentioned.

Julie, while it isn't the most central location, it is within walking distance to many sights including the Tower of London, and the South Bank. You can hop on the tube at London Bridge station just a short walk away as well.

Hello Julie, We live in Mission Viejo. Kind of funny. We have been very happy staying at the Crowne Plaza Kensington (100 Cromwell) in May 2009 and 2010. We will be returning there in September. It is directly across the street from the Glouster tube station. The hotel is in a great area. We could be picked up right across the street at the Holiiay Inn for our Gray Line day tours. Have a great trip. We also recommend you go to Harrods' for either their food court (downstairs) or upstairs for the tea or their lunch buffet. The teas are held right next to where their lunch buffet is. Fabulous. Elaine

Julie, some second thoughts: I have stayed in Southwark and used the London Bridge Tube station. Yes, it is not within walking distance of the big West End attractions. No, with a bit if planning and common sense, the location is not a problem. The London Bridge station is a major rail and tube stop, so it is unlikely to be completely shut down by weekend maintenance. And, Southwark is pronounced something like, "South-uk", borrowing the pronunciation of "South" in "Southern."

We have also recently stayed in Southwark (Premier Inn) and quite liked the location. We had 3 "family roooms" for 6 adults and 7 children. A very wee bit cramped but all we did was sleep there and the price was right. Very near the Clink and a Pret a Manger with excellent chocolate croissant. And it's pronounced Suth-uk.

Thanks everyone! I am so blessed to have this forum as a resource. We have still been struggling with getting London booked. We have finally given up on a flat completely. Seems we would've needed to book months ago in order to get something right for us. I'm now focusing on hotels. We're not into the LSE option too much. Checked it out, not really our thing. Lots of hotels are out of our $300.00 US price range. I will start focusing on The Premier Inns now. Thanks for all the continuous advice and tips. You are all a huge help!

Try the Premier Inn London County Hall. I stayed with 4 there several years ago. It is right downtown with the London Eye just around the corner and an easy walk across the Thames to Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Ned's Noodle House, Yo Sushi, and Starbucks are very close, as is a tube station. Another option is www.holiday-rentals.co.uk. I rented a flat in Camden for 7 and was happy with the location.

Chad is right. We usually stay at County Hall but this year we left it too long and people from the London Marathon got the rooms before us. Second Choice wa Southwark and quite liked it because of it's "neighborhood" feeling.

Julie, take a look at this apartment, might work for your family, it's located in Fulham Broadway (5 minutes from the tube station by foot), which is one stop away from Earl's Court: http://www.homefromhome.co.uk/properties/20096

Dave, have you stayed there, or with Home From Home? Their flats look interesting, but there's no mention of costs...

Julie, we've had good luck with two B&B networks - London Home to Home, and At Home in London. You send your request in to the system and get an email back what they have available. When I have done this, I usually say "numbers 413, 416, and 419 look great" and have gotten one of the spots I was hoping for. I just took a look at Home to Home and saw a couple of spots in Central London that could meet your needs at about 135 GBP per night - and a bit farther out, in Chiswick, places with several double rooms at 60-75 GBP per night. Chiswick is not "central to sightseeing" but the tube was very close by and buses also convenient. Good luck and have a great trip!

Julie, we've had good luck with two B&B networks - London Home to Home, and At Home in London. You send your request in to the system and get an email back what they have available. When I have done this, I usually say "numbers 413, 416, and 419 look great" and have gotten one of the spots I was hoping for. I just took a look at Home to Home and saw a couple of spots in Central London that could meet your needs at about 135 GBP per night - and a bit farther out, in Chiswick, places with several double rooms at 60-75 GBP per night. Chiswick is not "central to sightseeing" but the tube was very close by and buses also convenient. Good luck and have a great trip!