Questions and Answers

My wife and I are planning to stay in London for three nights next September and looking for advice on either hotel suggestions and areas in which to stay. I don’t know the zones or the neighborhoods very well and would like to be convenient to tourist sights and restaurants, etc.

@Henner13 — Are you using points or paying? What types of things do you generally like to do, or where do you typically like to stay?

If you can give us some examples of hotels you’ve loved/hated in other cities we can probably give you better advice. London has a [I]massive[/I] hotel market.

[QUOTE=”Tiffany, post: 8584, member: 7″]@Henner13 — Are you using points or paying? What types of things do you generally like to do, or where do you typically like to stay?

If you can give us some examples of hotels you’ve loved/hated in other cities we can probably give you better advice. London has a [I]massive[/I] hotel market.[/QUOTE]

@ Tiffany… I think many people (me included) have new trips to London now booked after the BA business class sale.

I bet it would be really valuable and many readers would enjoy a post on the London hotel market. Maybe list the properties for the major chains and any well-known independents And then provide a recommendation for each neighborhood.

I’m sure this would be a long, detailed post, but I would definitely love it and appreciate the info a lot.

[QUOTE=”Debo, post: 8589, member: 390″]@ Tiffany… I think many people (me included) have new trips to London now booked after the BA business class sale.

I bet it would be really valuable and many readers would enjoy a post on the London hotel market. Maybe list the properties for the major chains and any well-known independents And then provide a recommendation for each neighborhood.

I’m sure this would be a long, detailed post, but I would definitely love it and appreciate the info a lot.[/QUOTE]
Agree with Debo. It would be also great if you can cover lodging options for a family (e.g. 2 adults + 1 kid etc) as well.
Thanks.

That’s a tall order – Hilton [I]alone[/I] has over two dozen properties in London – but I will try and put something together!

[USER=971]@Overland[/USER] — you probably want to start with this post, which was about our struggle to find something for three people at the last minute: [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/10/02/when-using-points-doesnt-make-sense/[/URL]

[QUOTE=”Tiffany, post: 8584, member: 7″]@Henner13 — Are you using points or paying? What types of things do you generally like to do, or where do you typically like to stay?

If you can give us some examples of hotels you’ve loved/hated in other cities we can probably give you better advice. London has a [I]massive[/I] hotel market.[/QUOTE]

I’d prefer to use points at Marriott or Hyatt, but, would consider AirBnb if possible. We want to do all the touristy things and be convenient to public transportation. I’m just not familiar with neighborhoods or zones. Thanks.

Here ya go, hope it helps!
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/10/22/london-hotels-on-points/[/URL]

Hi Tiffany, just wanted to thank you for writing the piece in the link above. My wife and I are traveling with our 2 young kids to London this summer and it was a challenge finding a hotel that allow me us to stay in 1 room (without exceeding occupancy limits) AND redeem points. We’re choosing the Intercontintental for 3 nights – really looking forward to it!! (Btw, just recently purchased IHG points with the 100% bonus, which I’m combining with a Chase rewards transfer – overall savings of over 50% vs. the cash price of $2400)

Also, thanks to you and Lucky for posting about the BA biz class award sale, which we took advantage of. My children, 5 yrs and 1 yr, will be spoiled to be riding in biz…

Tiffany, forgot to ask: you’re savvy about London, other than the Picadilly line what’s the best way for a family of 4 (with 2 small kids) to get from LHR to central London?

Thanks!

[USER=159]@firstworldproblems[/USER] — Is the idea that you don’t want to take the Tube with the kiddos? If so, your only other real option is to arrange for a car service. We did UberXL when we were there with my niece because we were going all the way to Greenwich, but I would generally probably take the Tube, even with kids.

You [I]can[/I] do Heathrow Connect/Express to Paddington Station, and then a taxi from there, but in my experience it hasn’t saved that much time in the grand scheme of things.

I certainly don’t mind taking the kiddos on the tube, but I wonder how feasible this will be on the lhr- central London leg. We will have just arrived after a 11+ hour trip from the west coast and will have suitcases for our 2 week trip…my guess is that I’ll have to pay for an uber, no?

[QUOTE=”Tiffany, post: 9867, member: 7″][USER=159]@firstworldproblems[/USER] — Is the idea that you don’t want to take the Tube with the kiddos? If so, your only other real option is to arrange for a car service. We did UberXL when we were there with my niece because we were going all the way to Greenwich, but I would generally probably take the Tube, even with kids.

You [I]can[/I] do Heathrow Connect/Express to Paddington Station, and then a taxi from there, but in my experience it hasn’t saved that much time in the grand scheme of things.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=”firstworldproblems, post: 9868, member: 159″]I certainly don’t mind taking the kiddos on the tube, but I wonder how feasible this will be on the lhr- central London leg. We will have just arrived after a 11+ hour trip from the west coast and will have suitcases for our 2 week trip…my guess is that I’ll have to pay for an uber, no?[/QUOTE]

Where are you staying? I don’t think it’s unmanageable if you can easily manage your luggage (i.e. if everyone can handle their own bag).

[USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] don’t think that [USER=159]@firstworldproblems[/USER] ‘s 1-year-old can manage his own bags 😉 I’m thinking about the number of stations that did not have lifts and how as 4 middle-aged women we struggled getting our very large bags up/down those stairs. I think with small children I’d splurge on the car.

Also check out fellow Boarding Area bloggers Mommy Points and Pizza in Motion for more info on family travel. While their kids are now older (though MP just had a baby) there may be some info in their archives that’s helpful.

Oh, I totally missed the age of the kids! You [I]can[/I] go to tfl.gov.uk and use the journey planner to find transfers at stations that have elevators — I usually try and change at Green Park, for example — but with an infant a car may indeed be easier.

That being said, you have options other than UberXL (which is the size you’d need for four). Just google for Heathrow car service, or ask your hotel for recommendations. Pretty much anything should be cheaper than a black cab.