Weekend in London

[WhitePhantom]

DH and I are going to London the weekend of 25th November, flying into Heathrow, and my head is wrecked trying to figure out accommodation. We're going to the theatre in the St. James's area, either Sat afternoon or evening, and looking for hotels / airbnb within about 3 or 4 km of there, but they're all SO EXPENSIVE!!

I just want someone to give me great advice and make it all easy peasy! (Or else hold my hand and mop my brow and say "There there!" 😅)

Have you tried the premier inn hubs? There are a few very close to St James. Usually very reasonably priced and great places to stay

What’s your budget? London is expensive!!

you could try the Premier Inn by Putney Bridge- easy tube journey from St James and lots of bus routes- not pretty but serviceable!

You’ll get much more for your money if you’re willing to head out a few stops on the Victoria or Jubilee line (both really fast and will have you into the area you’re looking at in about the same time as it would take you to walk a couple of km more centrally.) Highbury area is nice, or out into Canary Wharf which is quieter and accommodation tends to be cheaper at weekends as it quietens down once office workers leave for the week.

Another recommendation for Premier Inn Putney Bridge. Agree not pretty but we'll run.

The Z Hotels are good I'm told.

Just back from London, I live in the UK but had never been to London in my 30 years of existence weirdly 🙈 we stayed in a premier inn and it was fine. The underground and train situation was so completely fine, actually feel like I know how to get about now! I just searched where we wanted to go on my phone maps and it told us the platform the train was coming to and everything. We did the bus tour and the boat tour that goes along with it, one ticket that cost only a few pounds more to go on the boat too so we did both. Would recommend it! Westminster pier was where the boat was, really funny commentary on it too

@Restlessinthenorth thank you so much - as soon as I saw your reply I checked the Premier Inn hub (never heard of them before!) and it's all booked now!! You made it so easy peasy 🤗

Thanks everyone else too for your input. MN has saved (what's left of) my sanity!

@WhitePhantom ah I'm so pleased this has helped you out! I'm sure you will be pleased with it! The rooms are compact but very well designed. Always spotlessly clean and in good locations. I've stayed in hotels right across all price brackets in London and these are honestly my "go to" choice now. Let us know how you go on!

@Restlessinthenorth I will indeed 😊

Now for my next question - can anyone recommend a really good Indian near Westminster/ Picadilly? I don't really trust reviews anymore, having read articles about how they can be bought - and also receiving emails to my own business offering to buy loads of 5 star reviews on Google, Facebook and TripAdvisor 🙄

Thank you so much MN - a great resource when you're clueless 😅

Dishoom is lovely and there’s one not far from Piccadilly.

@Houseplantmad thank you so much, that looks absolutely amazing! I'll reserve a table there. Can't wait! 😊

Just coming back to let you know how we got on - thanks so much everyone for your recommendations!

The hotel was perfect - tiny rooms, but big comfortable bed, great shower, and room was spotless. Perfect for what we needed. Thanks @Restlessinthenorth! And the location was absolutely perfect - everything we had planned was within a 20ish minute walk, which was just as well considering the train strikes!

Dishoom was amazing - will definitely be going back next time I'm in London. They gave me two £10 vouchers, valid Mon to Thurs from 5th Jan to 28th Feb, but I'm not going to be able to use them so if anyone (@Houseplantmad first dibs - thanks for the recommendation!) would like them just let me know and I'll scan them and PM them to you.

Also did the cruise from Westminster pier - the commentary was very amusing at times alright - thanks @Sparklythings1 for recommending that.

MN rocks!!

Glad you had a fab time @WhitePhantom
Yes, I’d love the vouchers but only if you’re sure you won’t use them. Thank you!

@Houseplantmad no worries, I definitely won't be able to use them. It won't let me attach images in the PM though - how can I send them to you?

@WhitePhantom I've just PM'd you.

@Houseplantmad cheers, and likewise.

So pleased you had a lovely time

Ah I'm so chuffed my hotel recommendation worked out for you! I sing the praises of the hub brand to everyone because I genuinely think it's the best "bang for your buck" accommodation in London, having stayed in loads of hotels across all budgets. They need to pay me commission!