I just got a plea for help from my Mom in choosing a hotel in London for a few days. I preached Rick Steves to them as I have used his books for all our Spain, Italy and France travels. I applaud her for trying on her own without a travel agent but London is a little daunting. I do not have a copy of his London book with me nor any access to one on short notice so sorry in advance for asking with out the book research already done. It would be 3 weekend nights in Sept, Fri - Sun in a central area (looking at Hyde Park/Kensington Market area. Good value, clean, safe and central.
Thanks in advance.
The hotel....The London Elizabeth Hotel......is great across the street from Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park, 2 minute walk to the Lancaster Gate tube station and there is a great pub..The Swan a two minute walk around the corner. ~~~~ http://www.londonelizabethhotel.com This is a very safe, clean area.
We have stayed several times at the Green Park HIlton. The hotel is on Half Moon Street, just off Picadilly. The location is safe and very central-if your parents can walk a mile, they can get to Westminster Abbey, the Thames, theatres, British Museum and other museums without needing to use other forms of transportation. There's a Pret for breakfast on the corner or maybe it's down one block. Very close.
If your parents are military veterans (Canadian or American) they can stay at the Union Jack Club. It's reasonably priced, safe, clean, decently located and there's a good restaurant inside. Thought I'd offer it up just in case.
I like the Kensington House hotel which is a 4 story building converted into a hotel. Pricey but your Mom might be able to find a deal online. It's located one block from Kensington Road in a truly British neighborhood. Hyde Park is two blocks away. Starbucks nearby and a Pret a Manger close to the Kensington High Street tube station.