London Hotel

Brookie, "traditional London hotel" is likely to mean old, cramped, too cold or too hot, no restaurant, and too costly. Evaluate prospective London hotels by the same standards you would California hotels.

I stayed in a room at the Lime Tree Hotel (Victoria area) that had three twin beds.

We have stayed at the Crowne Plaza (South Kensington) three times. We were very happy there. I don't know if they offer three beds in one room though. This past year we were happy at the Doubletree (Westminister). We could walk to Parliament, the Tower Bridge, Westminister Pier, Westminister Abbey, etc. You get Hilton hotel points at the Doubletree. You earn Priority Club points at the Crowne Plaza. They operate Holiday Inns, Intercontinental Hotels, etc.

If your going on a budget the London House Hotel and the London Lodge Hotel are the two highest rated budget hotels in London. Nothing fancy but much better run than others in their class.

We have enjoyed staying at 'station hotels'. Most were built during Queen Victoria's time. The Grosvenor in Victoria Staiton is a good example. While not cheap, it is money well spent. It is very well located. You can get to the tube without ever leaving cover (nice on rainy/drizzly/windy mornings); there are plenty of shops- including 3 Boots the Chemists, a Sinsburry's grocery, a Whistlestop grocery, a Marks and Spencer Just Food, A WHS bookstore and others; and multiple food kiosks and a food court upstairs. It's also convient for trains heading towards Caterburry and Dover. There are some good pubs and restaurants in the area and at least one theatre. You can walk to Buckingham Palace. And the lobby is fabulous- truly 'traditional' Victorian era splendor.