London suburbs

I agree, London hotels can be disappointing. What is your budget for a room? We stayed in a B & B that was in a nice townhouse near Paddington. It was a nice room with a big double bed; bath right next door..all decorated in high Laura Ashley. It was $100 a day. Prices have probably gone up; especially after the wedding. You'd have to check the prices on the London Bed & Breakfast Association or similar listings. I don't think you can get out of London Metropolis in 30 minutes. But you might look at Richmond...it has a bike route that goes to London by the Thames.

Thanks for the fast response, $100 is very reasonable for what you describe. I guess I'm just used to looking at hotels and not B&Bs. I need to adjust my thinking.

Hey Douglas: Just out of curiosity looked up a B & B in Richmond on Thames and found one that looked nice with a double for 49 pounds. Richmond is near Kew Gardens and is 35 minutes on the tube to Westminster.
The name of the place was Shirleys Royal B & B.

Do take into account that sometimes what you may save on choosing lodging far outside of the city, you end up paying the same or more by shelling out more money for transportation into the city via the Tube or train. You lose valuable time you could be sightseeing on the commute and no one can ever seem to predict Tube strikes or temporary shut-downs to do track repairs (especially on weekends). I've seen people complain on this very board how they encountered these types of problems and wished they had stayed in a more central location. And there is something to be said for being able to go back to your hotel and get cleaned up/changed and relax a little before dinner (something you are unlikely to want to do if it now requires a 30 minute train ride back to the suburbs). The B&B's in central London will all have parlours where you can relax, even if your bedroom is on the small side. Or consider renting an apartment through VRBO. Even some of the local universities offer studio apartments that give you some extra space without completely destroying your budget but keeping you in a much more central location. Private rooms in a hostel could also be another option as you will still have a room to yourself but also access to many large lounge areas, plus kitchen, internet and laundry facilities. Hostels are no longer just for 20-something backpackers partying their way through Europe.

I endorse Ceidleh's comments. It is great to be able to walk back to your Central London hotel when you are tired, and yet able 9and easy) to go back ouut exploring later in the day or evening. Even if it costs extra, the convenience is worth it. Failing that if you must be out of town: Look toward the end of Tube lines (North or West of London) for the prettier suburbs/towns. Richmond, Hampstead, Wimbledon, Kew,. harrow Train journeys I would consider would be windsor or even Hampton Court area. Problem ias once you are back from your days travels, its a struggle (mentally) to slog back into London for the theater or whatever at night

I don't think of Hampstead as a suburb, but it's a pretty (and pricey) section with plenty of places to eat. Not only is it not exactly cheap, it's not over-provided with places to stay. This place is nice: http://www.lagaffe.co.uk/ and I think there are a couple of B&Bs. I agree that you're much better off staying IN London with easy access to your hotel/B&B/whatever, but Hampstead is close enough, with enough places to eat and drink, not to be a problem. However, I'd be inclined to explain to your wife that in a small room she'd be living like a local...

Seconding Ceidleh. It costs money to commute in from the suburbs. And weekend downtimes on the Tube are very real. (Remember, parts of it are very old.) If you are staying at a place that's near only a single Tube stop that closes, you have a problem. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, the size isn't that important.