We only have 1 night in London (22 hour layover) in January - This means we won't have time to see sights so we are just looking for a great hotel to stay in where we can get the feel of London's atmosphere (please don't read this as expensive - we have kids in their late 20's traveling with us so we will have 2 rooms)...maybe close to a good restaurant for dinner - any suggestions?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
If you are coming into Gatwick, I'd recommend the Victoria Thistle (Grosovnor). It is right inside Victoria Station. It has the look of "old" England- the lobby is amazing with a huge, glorius staricase! In addition, you could walk down to see Buckingham Palace (about 10 min)and Pall Mall- it is well lite even at night. There are several good resturants- I'd suggest The Shakespere- a pub/resturant across the street from the station. It has good fish and chips, English "pies" like Shephard's pie and Streak and Ale pie, etc.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
First, London is expensive. So if you want to stay in or near the city core, you are looking at 150 to 200/night/room. I think Victoria Station area is a good location as is around Paddington Station. Both areas have a lot of non-descript, relatively inexpensive hotels.
Posted by
Vancouver
29 posts
I agree that if you are coming via Gatwick [Gatwick Express comes into Victoria station) the Victoria Thistle (Grosvenor) is the ideal place to stay, you can enter the hotel directly from the train station, there is a door directly across the way from HMV and WH Smith, so you don't have to go out into the cold and around the corner to get inside. I stayed at this hotel last year and thought it was nice, central and had historic charm as it was/is a Victorian railway hotel. It is very close to Buckingham Palace so you could take a look at that; also, depending on what time you are there Wicked is playing about a block or two down from the hotel. However, I will advise you that it is not cheap £468.00 (US$744.49) for one double and one twin [2 single beds] rooms.
If it is Heathrow [Heathrow Express comes into Paddington Station) that you are coming into then the two hotels that are the most convenient are the Hilton Paddington (like the Grosvenor )it is located at the train station. However, it is very expensive £344($557 USD). The Quality Crown Paddington, across the street from Paddington Station is slightly less expensive at £223.21 ($361.60 USD); for the two rooms you require, not sure if you are a AAA member but if you are there are discounts that can be had. Also, since I am not sure what night you need I put in Jan 3rd -4th to obtain my figures.
Cheers
Elaine
Posted by
Reston, VA, USA
809 posts
I've heard good things about the Premier Inn County Hall [but never stayed there myself]. It's very near the London Eye, across the river from the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and has reasonable rates.
Another thought - with a layover, would you be better off staying near your airport and just taking the Tube in to see a few sights? Which airport are you using?