Reply to: The train to London trip

[darmstadt]

We picked that particular hotel - Hilton because its only 5 minutes walk from St. Pancras and didn't want to faff around with tubes and luggage. Last time I stayed in London was at the Ibis in West Brompton, nice large room, car parking and just outside the congestion zone and easy to get into the center, price was better than the Hilton. Bet Paris doesn't stay there

[scooterscot]

Whenever I'm in London I head up to the Whisky society up in Greville St for lunch. It's like stepping into a Harry potter coffee shop - 5 minutes in the door and you don't know your in London anymore - magic

[MrMark]

went to Veeraswamy for a meal. Bit of a rip-off really. Firstly when booking the table they told us that if we cancelled before 17:30 then the credit card would be charged GBP30 but seeing as we were booking at 17:15 for a meal at 22:30

Whenever I'm in London I always head south of the river to eat, specifically around the Lambeth/Stockwell area where there are some great Portuguese cafe-bars. Great food, good prices and you avoid the tourist crowds.

[Mich the Tester]

£100-£150 hotel anywhere outside London will seem like paradise compared to what's on offer in the city.

Hotel's in this country (Scotland too) are generally so out of touch with modern requirements.

Was recently charged £135 for one night at the best western in Bedford, what a sh$£%@£T hole. I almost felt like calling the police for theft.

I have resorted to sleeping in the car when the Best Western’s the only place with any rooms left. It is possibly the worst hotel chain in the world, with no redeeming features whatsoever.

[Platypus]

True, people in London have to work hard to subsidise the "British" way of life as practiced oop north: claiming the social, drinking lagers and watching plasma TV all day.

[DS23]

what about the lowlights?

[sasguru]

London is ****ed. There is sod all British about the place anymore.

True, people in London have to work hard to subsidise the "British" way of life as practiced oop north: claiming the social, drinking lagers and watching plasma TV all day.

HTH

[norrahe]

I've stayed in the hotel du vin a few times whilst in Cambridge, got a good commercial rate of around £100 too, now that's a hotel. They know how to look after you, until I'd gone and spent £50 in the restaurant that is, gosh that's some tasty wine...

Hotel du vin, you can never go wrong with and they always have internet deals on their website.

[thunderlizard]

Veeraswamy

Before the first time I went I'd seen reviews at both ends of the spectrum, so I took some good mates and warned them that it would either be excellent or rude and disappointing but should be fun either way. Fortunately we found it brilliant, and then came back another time and it was brilliant again. Except for a mate who ordered the curry that comes topped with silver leaf and rose petals but if you're going to ignore the warning signs...

[scooterscot]

I've stayed in the hotel du vin a few times whilst in Cambridge, got a good commercial rate of around £100 too, now that's a hotel. They know how to look after you, until I'd gone and spent £50 in the restaurant that is, gosh that's some tasty wine...

[scooterscot]

Bath Hilton was pretty tulip last time I stayed there. 70's era decor and a bit of a damp smell

I agree. Used to visit this one a lot as the mother n law stays near by, some year ago, waffles for breakfast freshly made a nice ambience but now it's gone wayside, I avoid the hilton anytime I visit Bath now in favour of one of the small boutique properties.

I've noticed Hilton's around the UK have lost their appeal especially after a return visit from the continent. They just feel so old. Paris is probably not even aware of their existence.

[scooterscot]

How late did you leave the booking?
I generally use holiday inn, very rarely paid more than £80 per night inc. breakfast and thats booking on the same day
(And I know what I'm getting with Holiday Inn)

However, last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn express at Stansted, the rack rate was over £300! I'd booked less than 24 hours in advance online and got it for under £100 with breakfast

About the week before, was not even in the hotel but some outbuildings I'm sure they had specially constructed for the self employed.

[pzz76077]

This one

You are better off staying in the Paddington Hilton.
Newly decorated, large rooms, decent TV, and everything else you missed during your trip to London. Several real ale pubs just outside, Sainsburys open till midnight, the tube, trains and Heathrow Express downstairs etc

Around 120 p/n.

http://www.hilton.co.uk/paddington?WT.srch=1

PZZ

[Moscow Mule]

[*]tube costs 4 quid in one zone whether you go one zone or the whole stretch, surely they should do some kind of special rate depending upon amount of stops, particularly for zone 1. Unbelievable[/LIST][LIST]

That's how it works. You've been suckered into the tourist trap. Zone 1, 1 day travelcard costs £7.20.

If you get an oyster, you pay single fares up to the maximum of the travelcard for the zones you pass through.

[Pogle]

They've got a Hilton in Swindon
They also have some nice hotels too