Visiting London

The Fixer

Heading to Europe this fall for a wedding in Italy. Going to spend a few days in London on the way back to the US. Trying to figure out where in London we should stay. Ideally we will be close to restaurants/bars, shopping, and public transportation. Can anyone recommend any specific areas to stay? Thanks in advance.

Hub.

It depends on how much you're willing to pay.

Each time we go to London, we remain near Victoria Station (Warwick Way): really convenient since our coach (from the airport to London) stop here, it's quieter, it's quite "central" ans less expensive than The Dorchester.

Claireack

The Travellodge at Euston Station was pretty reasonable last time we stayed there, clean accomodation with your own bathroom.

Thoughts_Arrive

London Calling.....

chime

First thing is to pick up one of these http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/ ... will make your travel around London cheaper (possibly) and easier (this explains a bit about it) http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx ... for some journeys you can end up paying nearly 3x as much if you don't have one.

Public transportation is everywhere in London. You will probably be staying somewhere in Zone 1 on the tube (subway) map http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx ... and for most of Zone 1 that means being within easy walking distance of a station. With an Oyster card you will also be able to get on and off buses.

You can use this to plan your route around London and to any sites you want to see http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/X ... P_REQUEST2 ... and will also give you an idea of travelling time between places so you can decide if a hotel is close enough to the main things you want to see.

I would also suggest picking up a London A-Z if you want to wander the streets http://www.amazon.com/London-Street-Atl ... 658&sr=8-1

Or you could use this site which can plan walking routes between places http://walkit.com/

May be have a look here for some ideas of places you may want to visit
http://www.timeout.com/london/

This website is good for restaurant reviews and ideas and gives you an idea of cost http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/

Location advice ... if your hotel is near a station with more than one tube line will make travelling around quicker, if you can from the above help narrow down an area that has the things you want to see ... but know that should you need to go out of that area London's public transport system is pretty good so you can get most places in a reasonable time.

Tips: don't travel at rush hour!, at weekends they sometimes close part of the tube network for maintenace so check if you are travelling on those days.

Let me know if you have more questions on particular areas and let us know what kind of shopping etc you are looking for so can advise on areas for that

Can't recommend particular hotels as don't stay in London hotels sorry!

The Fixer

this is great info. Thanks!!

We don't mind spending some money on our vacations. We are partial to Marriott hotels here in the US. I will have to check it out and see where they are located in London.

Not sure what my wife is going to want to do. If it were up to me we would do some sightseeing and hit every pub along the way.