London with child

[Keli]

I am thinking of going to London in December with my then 3 yr old. Any one have suggestions on budget places that are child friendly? I know a lot say they are but I don't want to get into the wrong environment and be uncomfortable. If I go it will only be for 4-5 days. Thanks.

[Eagle]

Keli, you might want to check "Travelling with Kids" on the Rick Steves web site. Here's a couple of links - www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti117.html or www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/kids.htm. From what I recall, there are also some tips in some of his Guidebooks (and possibly some lodgings suggestions as well).

Cheers!!!

[Keli]

Thanks Eagle!! I did not know about that site and it looks like some very good info. It also lists some books I have not seen at B&N.

[pointofnoreturn]

www.travelodge.co.uk --> I recommend them over the hotels in London. Many places are over-priced but this is the best budget and family-friendly hotel.

I can vouch for them - we stayed with them in two different locations (Bath and London) just recently and had a great time.

[MuvverRussia]

Yeah, travel lodge, premier travel inn and similar chains are a good choice. They're nothing spectacular, but they're normally clean and comfortable. I think there's a travel inn by Kings Cross that might be worth looking at - the area is pretty central, with good transport links. It does have a (unjustly) bad reputation though, although I'd argue it's a good thing - hotels are cheaper there.

[pointofnoreturn]

I stayed at Travelodge Farringdon and they were pretty good. It's a 2 minute bus ride to Kings Cross (stop right outside the hotel). I believe I got a family room for 26 pounds per night. Just go to the UK website, click on the 15-pound rate link, select "I don't prefer a date" and type in "London" and browse through the dates. The later the date, the better chance you'll get a room with that rate. It's a better way to find a deal.

I heard that Covent Garden is the best London Travelodge to book at followed by the ones in the Kings Cross and Marylebone areas. If you have considered staying at one, I'd book them months in advance to get the best deal. Sometimes they have 15-pound rates which is a huge bargain.

If you want to spend a bit more money, I'd check out www.hydeparkrooms.com which I also stayed at for 3 nights (as well as my other relatives). It's right by Paddington (2 minutes walk) and includes a full English Breakfast. Very clean and has a great location and the owner is super-nice. It's more pricier than Travelodge but they've been in business for over 25 years and comes well-recommended.

[WillTravel]

The only drawback with Travelodge is that you cannot check in early (but many hotels don't have an early check-in available anyway), and you cannot store your luggage there if you check out and want to come back for it later. So if you want to store your luggage on the last day, look into places where you can do that - I think Victoria Station has this - or just arrange to leave London after checking out.