Help - need a base for the day in N.London THIS FRIDAY!

[londondilemma]

My dad is having a minor operation on Friday (still going ahead apparently) as a day patient at St Johns Wood & Elizabeth Hospital.

Their original plan was my mum would accompany him in a taxi and wait at the hospital or local cafe/restaurant but neither of which will be an option in lockdown. It's an 1.5 hour drive so coming back in between is neither time wise or financially viable but at nearly 80 so won't be up for walking the streets and will invariably need the toilet! Any ideas where she could base herself for the day? She'd happily book a hotel room but they've rung 3 that are walking distance to the hospital and they are either completely closed or only open for key workers.

@Clymene When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I think the chapel was closed too.

Not a great idea but if all else fails there's the 1st class lounge at Kings X; she'd need to buy a ticket but that might be cheaper than a hotel. (And could maybe return the ticket and get a refund minus the admin fee?) They won't be doing refreshments but the loos should be open.

Hi Op,
I know you called but I've just checked online for the Danubius hotel (10 min walk from the hospital) and they are taking bookings, see screenshot www.danubiushotels.com/en/our-hotels-london/danubius-hotel-regents-park#

If you sign up there's a 10% discount, hope that helps.

The library on Circus Road might be open, it's not far if you go out the back door (not sure if that is currently open).

Can he not go alone and your mum just comes to collect him?

Anyone with a car able to form a support bubble with your parents?

I’d definitely send him in his own by taxi and she can just follow later and collect him! Wait at home

Only other thing I can think is get an air bnb - maybe go there the night before even so they are nearby and then stay there for the night after his op? Then he doesn’t have to travel right away!?

I think libraries are staying open, that might be an option, or a waiting room in a station? God how stressful for them (and you).

Libraries are shut. I hope the hotel works.

University library. You can get a visitor's pass for kings, LSE, UCL or Senate house library. Because they're universities they'll still be open

Churches are allowed to open for private prayer (ie sitting by yourself, no service) so it might be worth checking to see if there are any that are remaining open nearby. She'd have to be very quiet (read a book or summat - no phone) but I can't imagine from your post that this would be a problem.

St Johns Wood Church Gardens?

Weather looks reasonable but might be a bit chilly - take away coffee/cake and a sit down here? Toilets were open all of last lockdown so I’m sure they will be this time.

Best plans seem to be

• book an air b n b; go up night before, stay over and then she stay the day whilst he goes in.

• he gets taxi in, she waits at home and then gets taxi in to meet him and travels back with him.

Suggestions such as uni libraries and sorting in the cold for the whole day are well meaning but rubbish in practice! I wouldn't want my elderly parents doing either.

What a nightmare OP. I am fairly local and know Panzer’s Deli on the high street nearby will be open for their food and coffee but I think they will have to close their seating area. It’s been freezing here today too :(

Oh thanks @mynameiscalypso that's pretty much what my mum said (should have given her more credit!). I honestly think if we can't find some sort of accommodation then him going up on his own in a private taxi and her following up later In the day to collect him is the only option. Poor things are worried enough without this extra hassle! Airbnb is a good shout and I've booked a room at the hotel but will follow up in the morning to check they aren't going to then cancel it (as happened when they tried to book somewhere previously!)

So many options I'm sure one of them will workout and thank you for sharing the burden and lightening the load. It's times like this I really bloody miss my big sister (d.2014)

Thank you all - hotel booked (& confirmed) a short walk away. My mum can use it as a base in the daytime then if my dad isn't up to the return journey, they can both stay there and get the train home the next day. So grateful to you all and one less thing to worry about Mumsnet rocks

Good news, it must be a relief for you OP? I hope your Dad's op goes well.

Great news op 👍🏻

Oh that is good news!

Good stuff. Hope the op goes smoothly. They do v good after op snacks at John and Lizzie's

Premier inns in the area have been nearly empty we went to Leicester Square and it was 40 pound for the night, toilet, tea and coffee stuff, TV and didn't have to be a keyworker

Ghosts yes but that was before the start of today’s lockdown.

PI are now cancelling all their bookings unless they are in categories allowed by the Gvt, and closing most hotels and concentrating the ‘allowed’ guests into fewer open ones.

@rainingbatsandfrogs tbh most police won't check here or will just simply ask and you say waitrose ect. I never had an issue with Premier Inn on the previous lockdown with them, when moving south stayed with them twice no issues

Hope all goes ok today OP :)