London Question

[digicamman]

RE: Moderately Priced Hotels

 

Thanks for all the help--makes it a lot easier and is appreciated.

[BgMstr4u]

RE: Moderately Priced Hotels

 

Jason -- You have probably made your arrangements by now, and if you have, please let us know what you decided, and then when you return, your observations on your choices -- what worked, what could be improved.

 

Some of the discussion here has moved in the direction of taking a hotel outside the center of London. I would strongly recommend that you not do this. There are many reasons, beginning with the transit situation, and moving on to the inconvenience, finishing with the unlikelihood that clients will search you out very far from the center of things.

 

Your first inclination is the correct one. Go online and check out the various deals. An air-hotel combination might be your best deal, but try them separately as well. And remember location. It can be your friend and your enemy. There is no best location, but there are a couple of centers of gay life: Earls Court, Soho, Covent Garden spring to mind. The area around Marble Arch is good as it is the location of the most promininent older-gay bar, The City of Quebec. There is a pretty decent hotel in the same building -- Thistle Marble Arch -- and another across the street -- The Cumberland -- that I have seen recently on combo deals (sorry - I don't remember which). And one other suggestion -- get a larger hotel, where the comings and goings will not be as subject to curiosity as they will in a bed and breakfast or smaller hotel.

 

At any rate -- do not be disheartened by the prices. You are there to make some money as well as have some fun, and a decent and well-located hotel will be your best friend in that. Good luck, and report back.

[bootdad]

RE: Moderately Priced Hotels

 

Jason - I have traveled to London for more than two decades an average of 3 - 4 times a year. There are quite simply NO Bargains to be had in London. It would be foolish to stay anywhere but the heart of the city.

The Marble Arch recommendation is excellent - The Cumberland Hotel is quite contemporary - very 'edgy' lobby / usually throws in a buffet breakfast for a nominal charge. It has more than 800 rooms but actually feels quite intimate in some odd way.

Also - very easy for tricks or clients to find the hotel and no one will question their coming or going.

As well this area is the retail heart of the city. Selfridges - one of the greatest department stores in the world is not even a 3 block walk, Oxford Street has tons of great retail, you are only a couple of blocks away from the extremely toni Bond Street.

London is a great walking city and this is certainly one of the best areas from all perspectives, access, retail, great restaurants, architecture and history.

Also - I strongly advise against using the tube (not for safety reasons - that certainly is not an issue) but why would you want to miss out on the greatest cab experience on the planet - they are plentiful and really not that expensive, most cab drivers are a faunt of knowledge about the city as well . . . and further more you will see more of the city in several 10 or 15 minute cab rides that will just give you more reason to want to come back to London.

I also strongly recommend a double decker bus tour for half a day on your first visit as it is the ultimate way to get oriented to the city. London is one of the great cities of the world and I have made considerably more than 50 trips over the years (regretably never for more than 3-5 days) and am constantly amazed at finding delightful new discoveries and experiences around every corner on each trip I make

. . . a month in London would barely scratch the surface as the city offers so much . . . not to mention some of the most sexy and handsome escorts from around the globe. ENJOY ! ! !

I hope our paths cross in Toronto this week.

[BgMstr4u]

RE: Moderately Priced Hotels

 

I second the advice about taking transit aboveground for sightseeing. One good way to do this is to get an all day transit pass, or one for multiple days if your days fit the transit pass schedules. The passes are good for the tube and the buses, and most of the buses are doubledecker. The slower they go, the more you see. And think of the money you save!