can't decide- help me pick a hotel in london!

[Anonymous]

I am booking lodging last minute for my family trip to London (we'll be there within the next 2 weeks). We will be in London for a week. I originally booked "London Abbey student accommodation" for $1,700 for myself and 2 kids, which had a nice game area inside, a nice big garden outside, and I thought was pretty close to the Princess Diana playground.

My husband is joining us last minute now and I could have gotten us a bigger room for $2,600 but I realized it is actually quite a bit farther from the playground and to get places than I thought.

Our priority is easy/quick access to wonderful playgrounds/parks, British Museum, Transportation Museum/covent gardens, we'd like to go to the postal museum, then being able to check out some big site like Big Ben,Buckingham Palace, probably the Tower of London (we went once before - without my husband), and we'd like to try some delicious food. I love little boutique/local shops that sell art, jewelry, used things, great bakeries, but also we plan to visit Hamley's again.

My youngest is 7 and loves Paddington Bear soo being near the paddington stuff is fun but at the crowne plaza he also would absolutely love being near the postal museum (4 min away) and Coram's fields 11 min walk. It's a 20 min walk or tube ride to get to the playground from the paddington spot.

Premier Inn Paddington Basin (could also do Paddington station for a bit more money) includes breakfast for everyone and would be about $1,700 for the week. Crowne Plaza London-King's Cross would be $2,350 which includes breakfast for adults but not for kids (an extra $10 each maybe).

[Anonymous]

Not a fan of that Crowne Plaza "King's Cross" location- it's not really that close to King's Cross and kind of in a transit dead zone for being in central London. I'd avoid the PI Paddington Basin because it's right next to a freeway and you have a 10 minute walk every time you want to go anywhere just to get back to the station- stick with the PI next to Paddington.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I picked Premier Inn Paddington Station! It was about $160 more total but is right there at the tube and only a 9-minute walk to Hyde Park. It includes breakfast, I paid a bit extra for early check-in so we can go straight there from the hotel and freshen up. It ended up being $1,900 after conversion.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a rec but want to say that I always recommend Coram’s Fields and the Postal museum to families of young children, so I’m happy to see you planning to do both. Go on mail rail! It’s a must.

[Anonymous]

If your *youngest* is 7, do you really need so much access to playgrounds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your *youngest* is 7, do you really need so much access to playgrounds?

+1. Prioritize location, especially Tube access and nearby restaurants, over playgrounds.

And honestly, I wasn't that impressed with the Princess Diana playground. Very crowded and too much sand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your *youngest* is 7, do you really need so much access to playgrounds?

Yes. My kids have ADHD. It helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

Kimpton it is right near the British Museum
You will thank me later it’s amazing

Behind the hotel is a fantastic bakery great for the kids and you. It’s inexpensive

Tube stop right there. Walking distance to a tin of things across from
A park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kimpton it is right near the British Museum
You will thank me later it’s amazing

Behind the hotel is a fantastic bakery great for the kids and you. It’s inexpensive

Tube stop right there. Walking distance to a tin of things across from
A park

I don’t think Kimpton is in the same budget range as the other hotels OP listed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I picked Premier Inn Paddington Station! It was about $160 more total but is right there at the tube and only a 9-minute walk to Hyde Park. It includes breakfast, I paid a bit extra for early check-in so we can go straight there from the hotel and freshen up. It ended up being $1,900 after conversion.

Congrats! It's not easy to find a decent hotel for a good price in London. Looks like you did it.

[Anonymous]

I recommend Pret a Manger for healthy fast casual with kids in London.

It's like Panera. But more walk-in and grab from cold case. And tastier.

Cheaper and faster than waiter service and many locations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend Pret a Manger for healthy fast casual with kids in London.

It's like Panera. But more walk-in and grab from cold case. And tastier.

Cheaper and faster than waiter service and many locations.

Including in dc…

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about Lee Abbey, on LExham Gardens? I lived there for a few months as a student. It was fun as a student, but I doubt you'd get much out of staying there unless it's just really inexpensive. It's very basic dorm rooms with shared bathrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your *youngest* is 7, do you really need so much access to playgrounds?

Yes. My kids have ADHD. It helps a lot.

Holland Park adventure playground. Mine liked it way better than Princess Diana. It’s a little more neighborhood-y so it’s busy on weekend mornings, but it’s slightly less sandy and has more to do. Stop at Barbara’s for coffee and treats beforehand- it’s right by the gate closest to the playground at that end of the park. The bathrooms are nice, too.

[Anonymous]

Residence Inn Kensington