London hotels - precruise

We are sailing on the Jewel of the Seas out of Harwich this August and plan to arrive in London a day early and are looking for a nice hotel for one night. We would like a hotel within walking distance of downtown attractions.

We have looked at the Trafalger Hilton and Waldorf Hilton and the London Green Park Hilton.

Any comments on these and any other recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dennis

We are sailing on the Jewel of the Seas out of Harwich this August and plan to arrive in London a day early and are looking for a nice hotel for one night. We would like a hotel within walking distance of downtown attractions.

We have looked at the Trafalger Hilton and Waldorf Hilton and the London Green Park Hilton.

 

Any comments on these and any other recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dennis

The Green Park Hilton is in a great location.. I lived in London in the 90's and had visited the hotel. Great location, can walk to Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Square, Theatre district, Chinatown and close to the underground. Have fun in London, its a great city.

I stayed at the Waldorf Hilton for a week in August. It was a great hotel and great location. We walked to the theater and to Covent Garden (very nearby)and took several London Walks walking tours. We had an upgraded room that gave us food and beverages and internet in the executive lounge. It was a huge money saver.

We are sailing from Harwich on the Jewel of the Seas on August 21 and will be ariving in London on the morning of the 20th. We are looking for a hotel downtown with good access to major sights. Have checked out the Trafalger Hilton, Waldorf Hilton and London Green Park Hilton.

 

Would appreciate any info on these hotels or any other hotel recommendations within walking distance of Harrods, Buckingham palace and other downtown sights. Does London have a good hoho (hop on hop off) bus service?

 

Thanks,

Dennis

First of all the 'downtown' concept doesn't really apply to London. Sights are spread out so no single district is central. The area you are looking at is the West End theatre and restaurant district where accommodation is largely restricted to 4 and 5 star chains and where you pay a premium.

To get around you need to use public transport, for visitors the Underground is simplest and fastest. There are 2 HOHO bus lines, the Original London Tour was the 'original' HOHO bus that started the phenonmenum worldwide. There main use is on your first day to get a good orientation of London, not as a transport mechanism in itself.

Most visitors who make the 'mistake' of paying out for a hotel around Trafalgar Square usually gravitate out a bit on their second visit.

If you want a quality 4 star hotel I'd suggest the Renaissance Chancery Court in Bloomsbury or the Marriott County Hall or Park Plaza County Hall.

Is the Renaissance Chancery Court well located? What sites are within walking distance if any? Thanks

Can anyone give me advise on getting from Heathrow to hotels in London for pre cruise? Is their shuttle service....small van or bus? Do you know the approx. tax fare from Heathrow to London? We are staying at the Crown Plaza for a few days than getting on a Princess cruise.

Thanks

Dave

Is the Renaissance Chancery Court well located? What sites are within walking distance if any?

Can anyone give me advise on getting from Heathrow to hotels in London for pre cruise? Is their shuttle service....small van or bus? Do you know the approx. tax fare from Heathrow to London? We are staying at the Crown Plaza for a few days than getting on a Princess cruise.

Thanks

Dave

You can take the underground. The price is right, 4 GBP and it's convenient.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5ETo+and+from+Heathrow%5EUnderground+and+trains/759c9b25f9599110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

Locals often schlep luggage on the tube. If you have too much luggage, take the train.

A taxi will cost between 40 and 70 pounds, depending on traffic.

sorry, repeat

Can anyone give me advise on getting from Heathrow to hotels in London for pre cruise? Is their shuttle service....small van or bus? Do you know the approx. tax fare from Heathrow to London? We are staying at the Crown Plaza for a few days than getting on a Princess cruise.

Which Crowne Plaza are you referring to? There are six in London, and it would help to know where you're heading to.

As Globaliser says airport shuttle vans don't really exist in the UK, the exception to the rule is the Dot 2 Dot shuttle bus that is poor value unless there is one of you. (If there are 2 or more of you its often cheaper to take a private taxi from someone like Simply Airports than use this service).

A full list of the mainstream ways of getting from Heathrow to Central London, both public and private transport are compared at the link below:

Heathrow to London Transfers

Hi Handfordr,

Thanks so much for the wonderful link "Transport from Heathrow to London". I will certainly use it for our stay in London in June.

Sheila