Please help us find a decent place to stay central london w/ 1yo & 3yo (cheap) & advise about what to see/do with them?

[oregonianabroad]

Probably a big ask, but we need a family friendly, cheapish hotel or B&B that can accomodate 2 young children and dh & I in May. Have to take the kids to the US embassy (10 am appointment) to sort out their passports, so central is best; after the appointment would also like to see a few sights, so any words of wisdom about what the kids will enjoy/discounts etc... very much appreciated.

Thanks for any advice!

There are a couple of Travelodges in central London - you could try them to start.

here

I think the YHA have some family rooms in the Hostels these days, which are really lovely - so might be worth looking at that too

Ta, was thinking travel lodge.

any other tips?

will try that too, thanks

Just found out that there is a fabulous new hostel in the West End which would suit you well - ensuite rooms too

here you are

www.lancaster-hall-hotel.co.uk/

Friend stayed here recently with her DH and two teenage daughters. They stayed in the 'Youth Wing' where the bedrooms aren't en suite but only £80 for a night.

or www.scouts.org.uk/nationalcentres/bpaaccomodation.html

Not sure if this is only open to scouts and the booking system is crap (only offering beds in 12-bed dorms) for every date I tried so perhaps best to give them a ring.

We have stayed in Baden Powell House in a family room for three. We arent involved with the scouts.

travel lodge: 1 family room at City Road for £79, or Covent Gdn £105; the other branches don't seem to have any family rooms.

YHA has a family room, ensuite for £61. Just worried it might be noisy??

Anywhere can be noisy. I stayed in a travelodge or travel inn a couple of years ago. My room was near a fire door but I didn't realise until the next morning how much of a problem this could be - it banged shut every few minutes from 7am.

Of course I didn't need to be up and was looking forward to a lie-in, having been to a friend's 40th the night before and got in about 2am!

just a quick suggestion - I would book sooner rather than later as the Chelsea Flower Show makes any accomodation in London a nightmare in May!

Just want to second the Lancaster HAll Hotel. I have never stayed there, but regularly have meetings there. We are haing a conference there this summer and i have seen the rooms (in the main hotel, not the youth hostel bit). They aer ensuite and very nice and cheap for central London. Location is great too - 5 minutes walk from Hyde Park.

Thanks, all.

Anyone else? Still looking for advice on what to see & do with the kids after the appointment, and if anyone has any tips on discouts/free things I'd be grateful.

For such young children, I wouldn't try to see much to be honest. ANy of the Royal Parks would be free and easy. There are fabulous playgrounds in them all. If you are near to Hyde Park, then go to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Its huge with lots of different areas to play in.

If you really want to do a museum, then go to the Science Museum. They have a "garden" area in the basement for really young children to play in the water, climb, try out sounds etc.

I think anything more than that would probably be too much with such little ones.

If you want to pay for something, you could do the zoo of course. It is well worth it, would go down well with little ones, but is pricey. You have to pay from age 3 upwards too.

Thanks IlanaK. I'd like to do the zoo, how much we talkin'??

I had a look at the hotel you recommend and they don't have family rooms. Any other recommendations? Hyde park is near the embassy, so I'd love to find a hotel near there, then we could go for a nice afternoon stroll there.

Oregonian, thanks for this thread - dh and I were just discussing similar plans (only without the 3yo!) There was a coupon in the Grauniad today for a discout solar-system mobile thingy (I think, reading upside down whilst feeding ds ice-cream) from the science museum.

We thought we'd also see if we could visit the Tower of London. But the play area in the Science mus sounds like ds heaven!

when're you going?

Also natural history museum: free, near science museum and very impressive stuffed animals of all kinds that dd loves!

And the parks, definitely. And the river.

After Natrual History Museum, try dinner at Carluccio's: yum and very child friendly.

Hey, Oregonian: my PILs have just moved to Grant's Pass, so I'll be getting to know your state!

Hope American Embassy goes smoothly.

Just found a family room at King's Cross Royal Scot...

Buy a box of Kellogs cereal as there are free zoo tickets on there - for London Zoo too!

Thanks Guys!
I've only ever been to Grants Pass (apostrophe? no apostrophe?? can't remember) once with my dad when I was about 13. I sat in the car in protest about something silly the whole time.

not looking forward to embassy bit, last time I was there it was like trying to enter the next dimension; can't wait to see how the kids cope with the whole shebang.

couldn't find a room at that one, Phdlife... will try again.

thanks!

Was quite straightforward when I went with dd when she was a few months old (prob August 2006): queue not too long: had to drink her baby bottle to prove it wasn't explosive, but didn't have to wait too long inside.

maybe just our dates worked better, sorry.

I've been scouting around and find that the further out you're prepared to go, the cheaper - at Wembley we found a family room for £49!

I'd vote for taking a LOT of toys to the embassy...

that's good to hear, mrsb.

I've just found a looooovely posh hotel but dh says no way.

travellodge it probably is then.

OK, DH now wants to drive instead of take the train, so now I am looking for a place on the outskirts, family friendly, etc...

help??