Another where in London

[karinad]

We'll be staying pre and post-cruise in London. For pre-cruise we'll be using points at an SPG hotel, Park Lane at Piccadilly. Post-cruise we have some Hilton points, not enough yet for 3 nights, but maybe 2 and we'll pay for 1 or 2 more. Hilton has quite a few properties from what I'm seeing. Is there an area that we don't want to be or is more inconvenient to avoid?

We've never been there and are very excited to be going, yet a little apprehensive about navigating a big city. I don't know how I managed to plan things when I wasn't a member of CC! I do have a library of travel books, but some are very outdated.

Thanks! Your help and time is very much appreciated!

[Twickenham]

My first reaction would be to look at staying at the Hilton Paddington, which is directly connected to the train station, due to the ease of using to Heathrow Express, however looking at the Hilton website, I'd have a hard time passing up on the Waldorf and its increadible location. If you want to save points, the 2 Doubletrees - Westminster and Victoria - are also in quite good locations.

[karinad]

Originally Posted by Twickenham

My first reaction would be to look at staying at the Hilton Paddington, which is directly connected to the train station, due to the ease of using to Heathrow Express, however looking at the Hilton website, I'd have a hard time passing up on the Waldorf and its increadible location. If you want to save points, the 2 Doubletrees - Westminster and Victoria - are also in quite good locations.

Thanks for you very helpful information! It's funny how Hilton puts the amt. of points on the hotels. The Waldorf is 50,000 and Double Tree is 50,000 and another one is 40,000. I don't know if it changes like the rates do. Right now there's a rate of 279.gbp, and Hilton and DT are around the same. I'm thinking I'll have to go with a 40,000pts. one so I can get 2 free nites and pay for one.

How is Piccadilly for the Sheraton/Park Lane location?

[Giantfan13]

We also did a pre and a post stay in London for our Baltic Cruise. We stayed pre cruise at the Hilton Tower Bridge which is very close to said Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
We did an extremely nice day by visiting the Tower of London early, then walking to the Tower Bridge, going to the top. Then We took a leisurely stroll along the Thames to Big Ben and Parliament. It is maybe a mile or two, but you pass by the Globe Theater, St Paul's Cathedral, the Millenium Bridge, The London Eye until you get to Big Ben. We stopped for lunch and dinner along the way and then took a Boat ride back to the Tower Bridge and back to the hotel. It was a long day, but not a big rush and we stopped, sat, ate and saw what we wanted to see.

A few Pixs of our 'day'

Start out at the Tower of London
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...ropept2127.jpg

Walking along the Thames, to the Globe theater
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...aster060-1.jpg

On to St Paul's Cathedral
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe065.jpg

Keep strolling till you arrive at the London Eye
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe080.jpg

Big Ben and Parliament
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe139.jpg
And finally a wonderful boat ride back to the Tower Bridge
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe151.jpg



Anyway, just a suggestion.

Cheers

Len

[karinad]

Originally Posted by Giantfan13

We also did a pre and a post stay in London for our Baltic Cruise. We stayed pre cruise at the Hilton Tower Bridge which is very close to said Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
We did an extremely nice day by visiting the Tower of London early, then walking to the Tower Bridge, going to the top. Then We took a leisurely stroll along the Thames to Big Ben and Parliament. It is maybe a mile or two, but you pass by the Globe Theater, St Paul's Cathedral, the Millenium Bridge, The London Eye until you get to Big Ben. We stopped for lunch and dinner along the way and then took a Boat ride back to the Tower Bridge and back to the hotel. It was a long day, but not a big rush and we stopped, sat, ate and saw what we wanted to see.

A few Pixs of our 'day'

Start out at the Tower of London
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...ropept2127.jpg

Walking along the Thames, to the Globe theater
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...aster060-1.jpg

On to St Paul's Cathedral
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe065.jpg

Keep strolling till you arrive at the London Eye
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe080.jpg

Big Ben and Parliament
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe139.jpg
And finally a wonderful boat ride back to the Tower Bridge
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z.../europe151.jpg



Anyway, just a suggestion.

Cheers

Len

Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the suggestion. It's good to have another hotel that I know is convenient. We definitely want to go to all the sites you have pictured! It looks like you had nice weather, too!

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by Giantfan13

We also did a pre and a post stay in London for our Baltic Cruise. We stayed pre cruise at the Hilton Tower Bridge which is very close to said Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.


Len

Tower Bridge is the easternmost point that you'll want to visit.
So usually it'd be a bit of a lop-sided location for seeing London - but since you'll be staying in the West End pre-cruise, it's the perfect foil for a couple or three days post-cruise
But don't choose a hotel further east, into the modern commercial centre of Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf. Or to Riverside, where each journey starts with a taxi or hotel shuttle to the nearest tube station. Doubtless all fine properties, and Riverside is a lovely location, but not ideal for seeing London.

The Bentley is handy for the various South Kensington museums.
But that's about as far west as you should go.

JB

[karinad]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Tower Bridge is the easternmost point that you'll want to visit.
So usually it'd be a bit of a lop-sided location for seeing London - but since you'll be staying in the West End pre-cruise, it's the perfect foil for a couple or three days post-cruise
But don't choose a hotel further east, into the modern commercial centre of Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf. Or to Riverside, where each journey starts with a taxi or hotel shuttle to the nearest tube station. Doubtless all fine properties, and Riverside is a lovely location, but not ideal for seeing London.

The Bentley is handy for the various South Kensington museums.
But that's about as far west as you should go.

JB

Thanks! I'll keep your advice in mind! We don't want to make getting to transportation more complicated and time consuming!

[karinad]

I think I'm leaning towards the Double Tree in Westminster for post-cruise. It's 40,000 points compared to 50,000, and the AARP rate for the day we'd have to pay for is the most reasonable. I'll have to wait until my points are deposited, so things could change.

I would love the Bentley! The rate is close to what the other properties are, but they're not offering a point option.

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by karinad

I think I'm leaning towards the Double Tree in Westminster for post-cruise. .

Often seen it recommended by past guests.
Not the most convenient, it's a 15 min walk to the nearest ho-ho, tube station & sights (Parliament Square/Big Ben/Westmister Abbey). But once there, lots at hand.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=...sz=16&t=m&z=16

JB

[karinad]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Often seen it recommended by past guests.
Not the most convenient, it's a 15 min walk to the nearest ho-ho, tube station & sights (Parliament Square/Big Ben/Westmister Abbey). But once there, lots at hand.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=...sz=16&t=m&z=16

JB

John, would the Double Tree Victoria be more convenient for transportations? Where we're from in Pa., we need a car for everything! There is some public buses, but where our home is, nothing! It'll be a new experience!

[Twickenham]

Originally Posted by karinad

I'll have to wait until my points are deposited, so things could change.

See, this is why I like being with Marriott Rewards - they allow you to make the points reservation before you have the actual points.

The Doubletree Westminster is a 2-minute walk to the Tate Gallery, which would put it at 'awesome location' in my books. There will be plenty of buses about I imagine. Really, public transport in London is miles better than anything we have this side of the pond.

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by karinad

John, would the Double Tree Victoria be more convenient for transportations? Where we're from in Pa., we need a car for everything! There is some public buses, but where our home is, nothing! It'll be a new experience!

Right by Victoria rail station (trains to Southampton, Dover, Gatwick airport), coach station (buses to Southampton, Dover, Heathrow airport), tube station (without luggage, the fastest & easiest way to get around the city), ho-ho route. Victoria hotels are popular because of its transport links. 10 min walk to Buck House, about 20 min walk (or 3 minutes on the tube) to Parliament Square/Westminster Bridge.

As long as you're happy with public transport, it's ideal. Yes, vastly different to public transport in the US of A.
In or from London in particular it's frequent, reliable, cheap, easy-to-use. Tolerably comfortable except at rush hour when it's sardine-like, but hey it's only short journeys. Used by the full spectrum of society, from politicians & civil servants to workmen & students, and tourists from all over the world.
No worries

Can't comment on the other merits of the two properties, but Victoria is the more-convenient.

Mind the gap

JB

[RJHNorthyorks]

We've stayed in doubletree by Hilton Westminster recently and it really is very central for sight seeing. About 10 mins walk to parliament, 20 mins to Trafalgar Square. Bus from outside the hotel also goes up to Trafalgar Square. We like tower bridge area but on our last stay at a hotel out there the tube wasn't running because of work which was a real pain.

[Giantfan13]

Originally Posted by karinad

Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the suggestion. It's good to have another hotel that I know is convenient. We definitely want to go to all the sites you have pictured! It looks like you had nice weather, too!

thank you so much for the kind words. I speak from one experience, but people like John and the others, who live in the area, can give you the best advice.

Chhers

Len

[DebbieMacG]

I can also recommend Hilton Tower Bridge

[karinad]

I'm so glad that Hilton has many choices in different areas! I'm sure if we weren't using points for our stay, I would be asking what's a good, clean, well located budget hotel.

This is our first time across the pond, and I don't want to say our last, but my dh is getting harder to get him to fly. We're in our late 50's, and have been lucky with all the places we've been to. I always made travel the main thing we do just for us. I had a dear aunt that used to always tell me to travel while we were young. We'll never be wealthy, as far as money goes, but we do have memories.

[tom_uk]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Tower Bridge is the easternmost point that you'll want to visit.
.....

There's maritime Greenwich, which is further east still. A trip on the Docklands Light Railway from Tower Gateway through Canary Wharf and on to Greenwich might be an interesting prelude.

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by tom_uk

There's maritime Greenwich, which is further east still. A trip on the Docklands Light Railway from Tower Gateway through Canary Wharf and on to Greenwich might be an interesting prelude.

Agreed Tom, or to Greenwich by ferry, from adjacent The Tower
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1131.aspx

JB

[karinad]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Agreed Tom, or to Greenwich by ferry, from adjacent The Tower
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1131.aspx

JB

Thanks for this link! It's great to have all this info before a trip!