Last year I spent a whopping 18 hours in London to renew my visa and I stayed in the EasyHotel in Kensington. I loved the neighborhood and ate at a really great restaurant there, but the hotel was bad.

This year I'll be there for 2.5 days and I'll be with a friend, so I'm trying to find a decent hotel that isn't super expensive and has convenient metro transportation. Any recommendations?

I found a couple near the same area - Kensington Close Hotel and the Thistle Marble Arch. Any experience with these?

I'm going to take the National Express coach from Heathrow to Bristol on a Friday morning, September 6th. Do you think I can just purchase my ticket when I arrive or do I need to reserve in advance?

Thanks guys and girls!

We need to know what your budget is...and your definiton of a 'bad' hotel.

Travelodge / Premiers Inn... may be considered 'budget', but are well-maintained, immaculate with good service...

National Express coaches provide AMAZING discounts online, especially if you book in advance...like NOW.

Bristol!...I know a girl there...lots going on, you'll miss the Hot Air Balloon festival...by that date...

Just my '2 cents'...

If you are an American, you can purchase a rail pass that saves you a TON of money in comparison to what the British actually have to pay.

You recieve it in the mail quite quickly as well.


Also, if you're going to Bristal, why not just stay in Cardiff, which is very much nearby, and a much friendlier city. The Welsh are really wonderful pepole to be around, and Cardiff is a charming little city.

I would imagine that it's less expensive than Bristol to spend the night in as well.
I think I stayed at a decent place in Cardiff for about $100 a night.


As far as London goes, I'm not sure. I had family north of London, and mdiver and his wife were wonderful hosts during my stay in London as well.

If you want to save money, and want to be in the HEART of London (with Tube services a mere 2 minute walk away) then I highly recommend the YHA, just off Oxford Street (literally!)

Here's the link: http://www.yha.org.uk/hos...ord-street

It's right in the heart of Soho to, so you have amazing nightlife, good food and the Theatre district right on your doorstep within a very short walk. Walking thru a bustling and vibrant Soho on a balmy evening is one of those great pleasures that really takes some beating. (Be sure to check out Ed's Diner on Old Compton Street too!)

Sure, this isn't five star luxury, but I stayed there for a week last year (and at another in London - Earls Court, some months prior to that too) and it's safe, comfortable and affordable. Book a single room if you don't want to share (obviously, this will be slightly more expensive).

Good luck, and enjoy London!


Footnote:
YHA are also based in Bristol, (as they are in numerous other cities). I've no experience of this particular site, but here's the link if it helps: http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/bristol

funkyandy said:

We need to know what your budget is...and your definiton of a 'bad' hotel.

Travelodge / Premiers Inn... may be considered 'budget', but are well-maintained, immaculate with good service...

National Express coaches provide AMAZING discounts online, especially if you book in advance...like NOW.

Bristol!...I know a girl there...lots going on, you'll miss the Hot Air Balloon festival...by that date...

Just my '2 cents'...

Budget - is less than 100/night unrealistic?

Bad hotel - tiny room, not clean, unsafe neighborhood, bad service.

I look into Travelodge and Premiers. Thanks!

Will buy the coach tix ASAP. Thanks!

I know about the balloon festival. I was trying to coordinate my holiday with it or the Harbour festival this month, but it didn't work out.

I appreciate the advice!

imago said:

If you are an American, you can purchase a rail pass that saves you a TON of money in comparison to what the British actually have to pay.

You recieve it in the mail quite quickly as well.


Also, if you're going to Bristal, why not just stay in Cardiff, which is very much nearby, and a much friendlier city. The Welsh are really wonderful pepole to be around, and Cardiff is a charming little city.

I would imagine that it's less expensive than Bristol to spend the night in as well.
I think I stayed at a decent place in Cardiff for about $100 a night.


As far as London goes, I'm not sure. I had family north of London, and mdiver and his wife were wonderful hosts during my stay in London as well.

Are you talking about the Oyster Card for the rail pass? I found that info yesterday and looks like a great deal. I'm surprised that they will send it oversees, but yay!

I'm going to Bristol because I have a friend living there right now and I'll stay with him, but I'll see if we can visit Cardiff. It sounds great!

Is Mdiver still around? I haven't seen him
online in forever, it seems like!

Thanks for the info, Imago

Xibalba said:

If you want to save money, and want to be in the HEART of London (with Tube services a mere 2 minute walk away) then I highly recommend the YHA, just off Oxford Street (literally!)

Here's the link: http://www.yha.org.uk/hos...ord-street

It's right in the heart of Soho to, so you have amazing nightlife, good food and the Theatre district right on your doorstep within a very short walk. Walking thru a bustling and vibrant Soho on a balmy evening is one of those great pleasures that really takes some beating. (Be sure to check out Ed's Diner on Old Compton Street too!)

Sure, this isn't five star luxury, but I stayed there for a week last year (and at another in London - Earls Court, some months prior to that too) and it's safe, comfortable and affordable. Book a single room if you don't want to share (obviously, this will be slightly more expensive).

Good luck, and enjoy London!


Footnote:
YHA are also based in Bristol, (as they are in numerous other cities). I've no experience of this particular site, but here's the link if it helps: http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/bristol

Thanks, Xibalba!! I'll look into it

clubon36 said:

Thanks, Xibalba!! I'll look into it

You're welcome. I thooroughly recommend the Oxford Street YHA with absolutely no hesitation!

I really liked International house.

Clean, nice atmosphere and good bar.

Very central.

Also check out Lecool London

I highly recommend Butchery Bingo.

dJJ said:

I really liked International house.

Clean, nice atmosphere and good bar.

Very central.

Also check out Lecool London

I highly recommend Butchery Bingo.

Thanks, dJJ! I'll look into those

Jury's Inn, Angel, Islington. 100 quid a night in a great area. Loads of pubs, shops and restaurants from Italian bistros and fine dining to Jerk Chicken shacks and cockney pie and mash shops. and very diverse. It's close to the centre and right on a major Tube station and regular busses taking 15 minutes into Picadilly. You are closer to St Pauls than St Pauls is to Buck Palace but it's off the beaten track enough to be away from the tourist traps.

.

Seriously a great area to stay in.