SpaceCowboy

Wife and I are vacationing London in late July and need some advice on London hotels. My travel package gives me several options and I've not been to London before so don't know which hotels should be avoided or what areas are best for a standard tourist visit.
1) Novotel London West in Hammersmith
2) Craven Gardens in Bayswater
3) Thistle Kensington Gardens in Bayswater
4) Comfort Inn Kensington in Earl's Court

Any comments on which would be the best choice are appreciated. My wife will be upset if I screw this up!

kaudrey

Hi,

I don't know the rooms at specific hotels, but IMO Bayswater is a better location than Hammersmith or Earl's Court. It is closer to central London and the areas you are mostly likely going to be touring around. I also know that many people on this board stay at the Thistle chain and are happy with them.

If I remember correctly, although I haven't been inside, the Thistle Kensington in located right on Bayswater Road, which is directly across the street from Kensington Gardens, a very nice park. Further, on Sundays, Bayswater Rd. has an outdoor artists' market, which is why I was there and why I saw the hotel. It's also only a few blocks from the tube.

Happy travels,
Karen

AllyPally

Hi, I live in Hammersmith and while very nice (most parts!), I would agree with Karen and would recommend Bayswater. Bayswater Road runs along the top of Hyde Park and is therefore much more central. Hammersmith would involve a 20-30 minute bus ride or a 20 minute tube ride away from Piccadilly Circus

ron

I stayed at Thistle Kensington Gardens in October 2002. No negative comments.

mclaurie

There's a decent review of your #3 choice at this URL on tripadvisor.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...n_England.html

Bootman4U

Earl's Court is a bit funky and although I like the area I wouldn;t stay there on a first-time visit..easy enough to get anywhhere from there on the Tube..but avoid it this time.
Then again, perhaps you could send your wife there...

richardab

I would skip all of these. Bayswater is real touristy and only so-so, Hammersmith and Earls Court are a bit out there. Look for something more central. I have seen a lot of good hotel bargains listed on the websight www.londontown.com . Tell me what is your budget???

richardab

Opppps, I see you have a package. I think I would stay with the Thistle Kensington Gardens. Its a good British Chain but I don't hink this area is actually Bayswater.

Here is a link

http://www.thistlehotels.com/main/ho...dens/index.xml

lscott

We have stayed at Comfort Inn Kensington near the Earls Court tube station. It is a pretty good tourist hotel and close to transportation, but the area is charmless and busy. Prefer Kensington area closer to Gloucester Rd or South Ken tube stops.