Charlie Paynter

Kings Cross 2008 is nothing like Kings Cross 1998! The area has seen millions pumped into it including St Pancras International (which now houses the Euro Star), Midland Hotel (alomost refurbished) and Kings X mainline itself. Excellent location.

Beaverquest

i stand corrected then, what became of all the hookers,winos,druggies, down and outs etc that used to frequent the area esp nr kings cross station ?

Charlie Paynter

Hi Beaverquest. Unless you have visited Kings X over the past couple of years, you will still think of the area as it was back in the eighties and beyond. The area is absolutely buzzing now - day and night - for the good. I am not sure where all of those hookers, winos etc have gone (not in my social circle), but they are not in the Kings X Euston Road area anymore. A bit like Waterloo Bridge, when that area was upgraded all of the down and outs went elsewhere.

I feel very safe in Kings X, which is more than I can say for Tower Bridge area.

Beaverquest

last visit to area was probably early 2000's, and yeah pretty much same as first visit back in eighties , was familiar with the bullring/cardboard city area at waterloo before they turned it into an imax (used to walk from station over hungerford bridge to covent garden etc) point being it seemed a lot more isolated there ie almost underground, surrounding streets seemed okay from memory - mid nineties

not really my personally safety i have an issue with, would be dragging young kids thru dodgy areas - all the ghouls come out a night...

Charlie Paynter

Totally agree. Unless you meant girls and not ghouls!!!

Londonuck

If you wanted cheaper places to stay you could go further out. I lived in Surbiton which is on the Thames in SW London. The train is non stop into Waterloo and takes about 15 mins. It would be much cheaper and its also a lovely area. There's a brand new hotel across from the station. http://www.hotelbosco.co.uk/ Dont know what its like but the bar was always busy. Once at Waterloo its a stroll over Waterloo Bridge into the Strand and 5 mins to Covent Garden etc...

penguinsix

I've spent a lot of time at various London hotels jumping around quite a bit here and there (trying to avoid B&B type setups). For awhile my default was the Royal Garden Hotel in Hyde Park, but it's been about 10 years since their last renovation (that I know about) and it's getting a bit older. Could usually get a room for around £150.

My default hotel now is the Parkcity, which is also around £140. It's a quiet boutique kind of place just behind the Sainsbury's on the Cromwell road, near Gloucester Road and Earls Court tube. Relatively close to the 'sites' you might want to see and rooms were very clean (haven't been in 4 months).

The Hoxton, in Hoxton, gets a lot of interesting reviews for being a trendy chic boutique hotel. Kind a quirky /artsy location north of the 'The City'. Rates from £59-£199, with occasional £1 rooms.

http://www.hoxtonhotels.com/

I know a few folks who stay at the Holiday Inn Kennsington Forum. Rates around £110 a night or so. They say it's about a 3.5 star place (I generally find the 'stars' advertised in London to be about 1 star less than you'd find comparably in other places around the world).

Raidsson Edwardians generally redefine 'small' rooms in ways I didn't know possible. Some of the ones I've stayed in had beds that could only fit the room if turned just the right way in the room. The Radisson SAS at Portman Square was a default hotel for a few months, until they started charging me some silly rates for telephones and whatnot. I think they've raised their rates lately and it's not worth it.

Have you checked http://lastminute.com/? I used to get lucky with them and stay at places like the Carlton Towers in Knightsbridge for £120 (regularly about £300). Of course a hamburger was £29 from room service, so I decided to eat out quite a bit.

As for getting in to town, the Tube does seem awkward with suitcases and kids, but to be honest, tons of other people do it. If you end up staying somewhere like Earls Court or on the Picadilly line, than it's really quite a cheaper option than say Heathrow Express & cab / or bus etc. Plus you can just buy a travel card for the day from the airport and use it the rest of the day around town (assuming you'll be sightseeing day one).

AudsFrmSA

Thanks everyone for your input, but all these names are just making me more confused Yesterday, I was almost ready to make a final decision on the Premier Inn at Tower Bridge, then changed it, after reading the reviews, to the Premier Inn at Kings Cross, but now I'm totally confused again!!

Fleaflyfloflum

Go with Kings Cross. I havent stayed at the Tower Bridge one as i just picked it from the website as central London. Someone has given you a good review for it and has stayed there and I agree it is well situated.
Still go for the cab option as it will be a fair bit cheaper if going to Kings Cross.

I promise you that the Premier Inn is a well respected national chain that offers clean, modern, well kept accomodation at very reasonable prices.
There is TV, tea/coffee making facilities in all rooms. Toiletries and towels in the bathrooms. You wont be disappointed and the prices are far better than most other London rip off hotels

AudsFrmSA

So from Heathrow (Terminal 1) to Kings Cross, you say take a Cab, do you mean a Taxi or the other option you mentioned yesterday, private owned cab companies?

Fleaflyfloflum

Definitely do the private minicab, just make sure they are a respectable company who can give you a firm price online before booking. They will normal meet you at the arrivals hall with your name on a board.

Fleaflyfloflum

Not sure I should do this, but I know this company personally as i used to pass work onto them.

www.checkercars.com

Havent had contact for a few years, but you can get online quotes

AudsFrmSA

Thanks Fleflyfloflum, you really have been a big help!

Fleaflyfloflum

No worries... have a great trip!

crystal23

I've just pmd you with some options. But go for the hotel. It's an ok location