STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Irene · Dooney & Bourke

5 days/4 nights in London - Next Fall

Hermes

I have stayed at the Grafton and found it to be a good value

http://www.radissonedwardian.com/hoteldirectory/hotelbio.jsp?hotelCode=GBGRAFTO&key=hoteldirectory.info.&origin=Hotel%20Directory&backURI=http:%2F%2Fwww.radisson.com%2Freservation%2FhotelPreference.do%3FlocationUni%3D638%26dno%3D12200412210410

it's right across from Houston Station - so you have easy accessibilty to one of the main underground stations. I always get a week pass when I arrive (this can be purchased at Houston Station) - best deal and unlimited rides within the zones you choose (take some photo booth shots for the passes with you so you don't have to pay for them there.)

Whenever I am planning a trip I visit frommers.com for hotel research - there's web and email adresses to easily check out the place ask for price quotes http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/55_indacc.html

when I have whittled down my choices, I go to fodors.com to read reviews, if they have them for the given hotel

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=london@91&cur_section=lod

For my recent trip to Prague, we sent an email to approx. 50 hotels telling them to give us a quote on the following: the dates we needed, for 2 adults, one large bed, private bath (you never know) and if breakfast is included. We ended up getting a 5 star hotel in the most sought after location for around $110/night (don't think you'll get that kind of deal in London, especially with the exchange rate (you do know it's around $2 to the the pound right now?)) Anyway - the technique has really worked for us... Good luck - let us know what you find!

Irene · Dooney & Bourke

I was just looking at the Radisson Sussex. Have you been there. I will check out the Edwardian.

Hermes

haven't stayed at the Sussex - but that's a fabulous location by the arch and Hyde Park... Looks contemporarily cool too... Hotels will definitely run higher in that location...

Irene · Dooney & Bourke

Yeah, it's about $245 per night. But it's a prime spot.

Irene · Dooney & Bourke

I am also considering the Citadines London Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. They run about $190-200 per night.

Hermes

The Tottingham Court location was actually really good - what you couldn't walk to you just hop on the underground. One thing good about the Sussex location is speaker's corner in Hyde Park on Sunday morning - always fun to check out... Hyde Park in itself is beautiful...

Oh - and don't forget the half-price day-of ticket kiosk in Leicester Square...(yeah, I'm a die-hard bargain hunter!)

Escrime · Kate Spade

also check out tripadvisor.com to get some other real life reviews (non guidebook) on hotels. I usually check them out before I book an uknown hotel.

Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: Escrime
"also check out tripadvisor.com to get some other real life reviews (non guidebook) on hotels. I usually check them out before I book an uknown hotel."

I should have clarified that the Fodors reviews are also real life reviews - not guidebook reviews (although they have those too) - you should check it out - it's been really helpful to me in planning lodging.