After our flights were booked for London (April), the next step was to find accommodation. And as always, travelling in groups of three are difficult.
Our criteria
- Close to Tube/Train (5 minute walk)
- Bed for 3 (Real bed, prefer them not to be bunks, not sofa beds)
- Ensuite
- Private room
- No more than $50/person/night. so A$150/per night (excluding breakfast, extra $5 each if breakfast included, so $165/night) for locations if 10 minutes to transport
- No more than $65/person/night if 5 minutes to transport. So $195/per night
- Zone 1-2
- Decent reviews, Murphy's law you know.
So the hunt was on.
Usual suspects, google search, tripadvisor, blog search. And here is the list of top contenders
Clink78
http://www.clinkhostels.com/london/backpacker-hostels/clink78/rooms-prices
The attraction. Historical and quirky, If charles dickens got his inspiration here, why not. And staying in a prison cell, legendary. Locations aren't half bad. Close to public transport.
The problems, 4 months out from my trip, most rooms have already been booked for a couple of nights, making it a juggle to change rooms. Only offered bunk bed options for 3 people. Book in advance if you can.
The price.
Approximately A$140/night prison cell for 2 or private room for 3, shared bathrooms.
Approximately A$150/night for private room for 3 with ensuite.
KNOCKED OUT: because there was no availability during out stay. And because it was bunk beds.
Princess Hotel
http://www.princesshotel.co.uk/
The attraction. The name is pretty cool. Something royal in a city of royals. They have three beds, real beds with private ensuite. Ideally located in the B&B central near Kings cross. Includes a full breakfast daily. Has all linens, and even a kettle. Reviews were decent on tripadvisor and some blogs. Direct tube from Heathrow AND close enough to the train station for our onward trip.
The problems, a bit scary to send your credit card details via email. Stairs! Complaints about small breakfast room and rude staff. Extra surcharge for credit card. One night nonrefundable deposit.
The price.
£90.00 for a triple room with ensuite. works out to be approximately A$170 including breakfast.
£75.00 for a triple room without ensuite.
Celtic Hotel
http://www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk/W_e_l_c_o_m_e.html
The attraction. Extremely good reviews on tripadvisor and blogs. Claims of being friendly and having good breakfasts. Great location. Great for tube from Heathrow. Good communication via email (takes a while if they are working out room availability).
The problems, lack of availabilty with ensuite during our stay. Stairs. If it was available, I would have booked it. having to provide credit card details via email.
The price. £120 for triple room with breakfast and ensuite.
Tune Hotel (Kings Cross)
http://www.tunehotels.com/my/en/our-hotels/kings-cross-london/
The attraction. Pretty good reviews on tripadvisor
The problems, No triple room. No breakfast. No windows
The price. £150 for 2 rooms, with basic toiletries + towel, wifi, housekeeping.
Other Knocked Out Options
- City Inn Express (http://www.cityinnexpresshotel.com/hotel-overview.html). A$161/night. Budget triple. REASONS: Far away from City/attractions. Mixed reviews on Trip Advisor
- Antigallican Hotel. (http://www.antigallicanhotel.com/). £ 74.95/ night. REASONS: Location not ideal for attractions we were interested in. Mixed reviews on Trip Advisor
- London365 REASONS: property has 6 night minimum stay.
- YHAs. None had availability for all 4 days.
- The gallery hyde park (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/The-Gallery-Hyde-Park/London/73177). REASONS: Only had doubles and twins in the nights we wanted to stay.
- Equity point. REASONS: terrible reviews on trip advisor
- St Christopher's Shepherds bush (http://www.st-christophers.co.uk/london-hostels/shepherds-bush) 4 bed private £95.60/ night. REASONS: worried about drunken teens.
- New Cross Inn. REASONS: poor tripadvisor reviews about noise and violence in the area
- Keystone House Kings Cross (http://www.keystone-house.com/) . REASONS: paying for wifi, bunk beds for 3.
-247 London Hostel and Studio apartments (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/247-London-Hostels-and-Studio-Apartments/London/64523).REASON: no availability during our stay.
- Mapesbury Hostel (http://www.mapesburyhostel.co.uk/home/summary/) REASON: 7 night minimum.
- Smart Hyde Park Inn. (http://www.hostelsofuk.co.uk/en/property/SMART-HYDE-PARK-INN-HOSTEL.aspx) REASON: poor tripadvisor reviews.
- The Royal Bayswater Hostel (http://www.royalbayswater.com/). REASON: poor tripadvisor reviews
-Anwar House Hotel (http://anwarhousehotel.appspot.com/) REASON: poor tripadvisor reviews.
- 37 Collingham Place (http://www.37collinghamplace.co.uk/) REASON: poor tripadvisor reviews
- umi (http://umihotellondon.co.uk/) REASON: tripadvisor reviews of uncomfortable bed.No availability during my stay.
We also had a look at Priceline, Travelodge and Hotwire. Unfortunately, none had three physical beds. The third would have been a sofa bed.
We ended up booking: The Princess Hotel, Kings Cross, London.
Why?
Ideal location
Breakfast inclusion
Real beds
Fair price for central London
And the other choices were booked out.
Looking forward to reviewing the B&B on our return!
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