Where would you stay in London in December?

[Dollartuckedinsidemyshoe]

I’m looking to book a weekend in London for a weekend in December for myself, DH, DD 18, DS 16.

Budget is about £600 max for the accommodation for 2 nights and I’m just overwhelmed trying to pick somewhere.

What are your plans?

I’d be tempted to go very central for the lights etc - the markets on the South Bank are always lovely and there’s a decent Premier Inn nearby.

Are you thinking hotel or AirBnb?

Where
Do you want to go / what do you want to do?

Personally I don’t go for expensive hotels in London because you spend so little time them. I prefer to spend the money on eating out and seeing shows etc. We can’t afford this as well as expensive hotels. Most recently we stayed at the Premier Inn near the Tate and it was quiet, clean and comfortable which is exactly what we wanted.

Last year I booked the premier inn near Richmond park as it’s walking distance from Kew Gardens. We did the Christmas lights at Kew and it was lovely but because of covid rules we had our hotel booking cancelled.

We want to be central really, tend to do southbank, Covent Garden, wander about looking at the xmas lights and will probably go to Camden for DD.

We tend to stay in one of the premier inns Kensington way but it’s for DD’s 18th so happy to splash out a bit for either Airbnb or a hotel.

Kensington as it's so nice

Bumping for the morning, wondering if anyone has any specific hotel / Airbnb recommendations?

£150 per room per night won’t get you anything very fancy on a December weekend, annoyingly.

Two I’ve stayed in recently:

The MyBloomsbury Deluxe rooms are a bit basic, fine, and the location is brilliant. Can be between £90-£140 depending on time of year/week.

The Clermont Victoria is really nice, not such a good location, but an easy walk thru Green Park to Oxford St etc. I stayed in a deluxe king last weekend for £132, was an absolutely gorgeous room.

I'd go for the cheapest thing most centrally. I hardly spend any time in the hotel, so don't feel the need to splurge.

The Paddington Hilton used to be nice, right at the station too.

www.blueorchid.com/
We've stayed in both their hotels with teens - comfortable, great location, can walk to most locations, nice local restaurants, nice breakfasts, small gym if that's important, felt safe and quiet at night. The suites might suit you too but haven't stayed there

I wouldn’t bother with an air b&b for two nights, by the time you’ve bought breakfast things coffees etc it’s a bit pointless and you won’t get the guarantees like you would in a hotel (overbooking, dodgy place etc). Citizen M hotels are small but central and nicely decorated. Loads of independent hotels near kings cross which is great for eating out in the new development.

Premier inn. We stay in KX as our train comes in there.

Sea Containers on the South Bank is fab, highly recommend!

I like south bank or the City (near St. Paul’s/London bridge area because it is quiet at the weekend but you can easily walk or tube to places like borough market, Covent Garden etc. There are some good deals at the Leonardo chain but I have not stayed in them so can’t personally recommend. Look on trivago for price comparison

Have stayed at the Amba Charing Cross which is another good location

We stayed at the Ampersand in Kensington for £180 per room per night and it was a beautiful hotel

Holiday Inn at Camden is easy

I agree with pp I think you'll struggle for anything decent centrally for £150 per room per night (caveat, I haven't checked!). I would consider looking towards the City as you can often get good deals at weekends. Friends once got a bargain very close to Tower Bridge. I've stayed in what seems to be now called the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City just by St Paul's and it was great. It's not as buzzy in that end of town but there are plenty of restaurants for evenings and it's easy enough to get about.

If I were you, I'd be checking prices at Premier Inns e.g. the one on the Southbank to give you a feel for the kind of prices you're looking at and then also use Trivago which is a good site for price comparisons if you know your dates and destination.

If its only 2 nights would you consider staying in the same room together? You can get decent family rooms with ensuite for £120ish per night.

Thanks all decided to stick with our usual premier inn in the end, as doubling the budget didn’t get anything extra nice.

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge - location is great and it has studios with separate sleeping areas so you could share a room. Vancouver Studios in Bayswater - close to Notting Hill, Hyde Park, very quirky and cute. Universityrooms is always worth a look.

I occasionally stay here for work and I would imagine it would be lovely in December, as Covent Garden is so central.

Strand Palace. They often have deals on. Very central, close to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square

The Z hotels are very cheap - small rooms. But if it's just a base, it might work for you.