Trying to decide on the best London neighborhood for our stay

Thanks so much. It will really help me to narrow down our search. There seem to be some great properties to choose from in that area.

Catherine, I stayed in the Victoria Station area on my last visit to London, and had a very enjoyable time. It's convenient to both the Tube and Coach lines, so not hard to get to any point in the city. It was also within walking distance to the Parliament buildings and the London Eye.

Happy travels!

I would suggest the South Kensington/Earls Court area. Only 10 minutes by tube to central London but its more of a residential area and might find a better selection of apartments.

I second the South Kensington/Kensington area. Walk to the Vand A and the Science Museum as well as Harrods. SoKen, as it is known, is my favorite neighborhood to stay in. Lots of small restaurants including a wonderful Polish one right by the tube station that has been there forever. You can get the ff. lines at the SoKen station..Piccadilly, DIsrict and Circle (my favorite). SoKen also has a number of French places due to a high percentage of French residents. My favorite is on Old Brompton Rd.
and offers great dinner specials if you dine early.

I second the South Kensington/Kensington area. Walk to the Vand A and the Science Museum as well as Harrods. SoKen, as it is known, is my favorite neighborhood to stay in. Lots of small restaurants including a wonderful Polish one right by the tube station that has been there forever. You can get the ff. lines at the SoKen station..Piccadilly, DIsrict and Circle (my favorite). SoKen also has a number of French places due to a high percentage of French residents. My favorite is on Old Brompton Rd.
and offers great dinner specials if you dine early.

Thank you so much for all the good info! I really appreciate the specifics!

I prefer the Victoria Station just for convenience. I believe the So K is a bit more upscale and tad more expensive.

We just got back from London and stayed in the Earl's Court/Knightbridge area as well.....remember if you want quiet...to stay of the major streets.....

Best of luck to you!

Victoria seems to have really improved over the past three years.

It' starting to get my vote. 10 years ago if I had to choose between Bloomsbury and Victoria I would have favoured Bloomsbury every time, now I'm not so sure.

I've also had two good lunches in Victoria pubs recently - The 'Shakespeare' and the 'Bag o' Nails' they served good food at fair prices with decent beer.

Beth,

Which hotel did you stay in?

I just got back from a trip that included a week in London, and stayed in the Victoria Station area. It was a great location for all the sightseeing I was doing; the Tube line is a short ride to pretty much all the major sights, there are plenty of food choices, including an M & S grocery store in Victoria Station, and at night I could walk to Buckingham Palace and the Kew Garden or Westminster. Fantastic location.

My husband and I just returned from England and in London we stayed two blocks from the Paddington Train Station. It was so convenient because that is where you can come into from the airport. The underground is also across the street from the train station. We stayed at the Falcon Hotel and it was great!!!! VERY CONVENIENT to the transportation. A few blocks from Hyde Park. A few blocks from the Swan Pub! If this is your first trip you will LOVE IT! We spent 3 weeks in England and Wales. We had a very lovely experience everywhere we went. Happy Travels.

Just spent a week at the Lime Tree hotel near Victoria stations. Liked the neighborhood very much. Clean. Quiet. Eateries close by. Short walk to catch bus or tube. Only a block from C1 bus stop.

Would agree - South Kensingon. Not sure if you have children with you, but the museums are terrific (and free), and this area is the perfect location. Also, it's slightly more residential yet just a few short hops on the tube into London proper.