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Chrysalis123 (original poster member #27148) posted at 3:58 AM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
I am going to be traveling through London on my way to Kenya this July. I am considering a few days in London before flying to Nairobi. But, my budget is a consideration. 
If I choose to spend 2 days in London where should I stay (considering I need to get to and from the airport without too much expense) and what should I see?
Thanks so much!!
Someone I once loved gave me/ a box full of darkness/ It took me years to understand/ That this, too, was a gift. - Mary Oliver
Just for the record darling, not all positive changes feel positive in the beginning -S C Lourie
FaithFool ( member #20150) posted at 5:43 PM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Which airport are you flying out of? Gatwick or Heathrow?
That's a consideration.
That said, there is an excellent Heathrow express train from Paddington Station that takes about half an hour.
Paddington is right in/beside Kensington, which is my favourite place to stay in London. It's not cheap, though. I've heard that if you go a little further east, look for the area around Russell Square Tube station and you'll find better prices.
Anyway, in Kensington I found lots of hotel choices, quite a few that are in little squares facing private gardens. Surprisingly quiet at night despite being right next to major roads.
Walking distance to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, transit to anywhere you want to go. Tons of great restaurants and things to see.
Tip: if you don't want to pay through the nose for transpo to the station, take the Tube or flag down a taxi from the street if you can. The "private car" they'll order from a hotel will cost big bucks at a set rate... Learned that the hard way and it pissed me off!
[This message edited by FaithFool at 11:46 AM, April 6th (Sunday)]
DDay: June 15, 2008
Mistakenly married Mr. Superfreak
20 years of OWs, WTF?
Divorced Dec 26, 2011
"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget
to sing in the lifeboats". -- Voltaire
Chrysalis123 (original poster member #27148) posted at 8:48 PM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
I will be flying in and out of Heathrow. Thanks for any and all advice.
Someone I once loved gave me/ a box full of darkness/ It took me years to understand/ That this, too, was a gift. - Mary Oliver
Just for the record darling, not all positive changes feel positive in the beginning -S C Lourie
timeforchange ( member #27454) posted at 10:14 PM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
If you need to spend a night at Heathrow I can recommend the Premier Inn on Bath Road. It has a restaurant on site and does great deals... I was there last week and paid GBP 29 for the night. Premier Inn is a chain and the Heathrow one is it's flagship hotel. There is a shuttle to and from the hotel for GBP 8 for a return.
They also have hotels in central London but prices are considerably higher. If you really wanted to save money you could stay out at Heathrow and catch the train/tube in each day. If you travel after 9:30 a one day travel card for all tubes and buses is around Gbp 9.
Me = BS aged 43
2 boys, 13 and 9
DDay 1/19/10
Confronted him 2/16/10
Finally Divorced 8/29/12
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
Chrysalis123 (original poster member #27148) posted at 10:18 PM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Well, staying near the airport is a thought. How long is the train ride into central London from Heathrow?
However, since I have never been to London, I would love the experience of actually staying in the area. I looked at photos of Kensington and would love to stay in an area like that.
Have any of your tried Airbnb? Is it reliable?
Or, do any of you have names of lodging that you recommend?
[This message edited by Chrysalis123 at 4:25 PM, April 6th (Sunday)]
Someone I once loved gave me/ a box full of darkness/ It took me years to understand/ That this, too, was a gift. - Mary Oliver
Just for the record darling, not all positive changes feel positive in the beginning -S C Lourie
FaithFool ( member #20150) posted at 11:36 PM on Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Best Western Phoenix is in that area. Have not stayed there, I stayed in the neighbourhood at a different property last time.
I like to go with a chain usually because I know I'll get a good bed - had a bad experience with a private condo in Hawaii once, the beds were like rocks and we were booked for two weeks.... 
BW are not outrageously pricey and it can include breakfast.
Rooms are tiny though, not what we are used to in North America, but you don't spend any time there except to sleep.
[This message edited by FaithFool at 5:37 PM, April 6th (Sunday)]
DDay: June 15, 2008
Mistakenly married Mr. Superfreak
20 years of OWs, WTF?
Divorced Dec 26, 2011
"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget
to sing in the lifeboats". -- Voltaire
timeforchange ( member #27454) posted at 5:54 AM on Monday, April 7th, 2014
The Premier Inn chain have 2 hotels in Kensington...
We have stayed at the one called Kensington Olympia.
The tube from Heathrow takes about 50 mins to central London. The fast train - Heathrow Express to Paddington takes around 15 mins.
Www.premierinn.com
[This message edited by timeforchange at 11:56 PM, April 6th (Sunday)]
Me = BS aged 43
2 boys, 13 and 9
DDay 1/19/10
Confronted him 2/16/10
Finally Divorced 8/29/12
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
Chrysalis123 (original poster member #27148) posted at 2:06 PM on Monday, April 7th, 2014
Someone I once loved gave me/ a box full of darkness/ It took me years to understand/ That this, too, was a gift. - Mary Oliver
Just for the record darling, not all positive changes feel positive in the beginning -S C Lourie
UKgirl ( member #17062) posted at 6:41 PM on Monday, April 7th, 2014
The airports are a fair way outside London, but there is the Heathrow express which will take you into London. It's a good link, so don't bother with a taxi.
Yes, the Premier Inns are good. So is the Ibis chain. And the Holiday Inn Express. You will find the East End cheaper. Somewhere like Aldgate/Aldgate East (Ibis hotel, Commercial Rd, is quite new, we stay there when visiting DS25) is just a few tube stops to most places in central London and you can walk to the Tower and stuff round there.
You can get some good deals with Best Western, but try emailing direct for a better deal.
Have a great time!!!
Affair1: Dday 30/07/06 LTA: 5yrs ex-fiancee Affair2: Dday 04/09/20 9mths another XHSgf.Me/BS, still young. Him/WS, old. 4 grown boysHaving an affair because you are unhappy is like eating Ex-lax because you are hungry - unfound's mom
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