London& Dover hotels

[Dancing Gal]

Hello

Hoping recent Baltic cruisers can assist with our plans for May 2007! We plan to do two nights pre-cruise in London and would like to be somewhat central to sites to see, near tube, but on a budget...any suggestions? Places any of you have stayed that you recommend (or don't recommend)?

 

Also, we may consider one night London, one night Dover, so if you have ideas for Dover those thoughts are welcome also.

 

We will have one night post-cruise in London, but we think staying near the airport is best bet there, since we depart aroound 8 am.

THANKS for any tips/hints.

Nancy

[boom_boom]

I can't help with London, but we stayed in the Churchill House Hotel in Dover, clean, comfortable, reasonable price. About 2 blocks from shopping area, 6-7 blocks from the waterfront and at the bottom of the hill leading to Dover Castle, which is worth a visit. Note, this is NOT The Churchill Hotel on the waterfront. Cab to the dock cost us about 6 British Pounds. The inn keeper, Alistir, is very personable.

[RHayes8793]

We stayed at Copthorne-Tara 3 years ago in Kensington. A little bit out but nice neighborhood and close to High Street Tube Station. So you can get to central London quickly. Was about $150 a night on Priceline. Desk rate was $350. Near Hyde Park, Albert Hall and Harrods. Good value.

[Dancing Gal]

I appreciate the information about your hotels. I forgot about the Dover castle; we may rethink and go three nights early (2 for London and one for Dover)!

[dileep]

I can't help with London, but we stayed in the Churchill House Hotel in Dover, clean, comfortable, reasonable price. About 2 blocks from shopping area, 6-7 blocks from the waterfront and at the bottom of the hill leading to Dover Castle, which is worth a visit. Note, this is NOT The Churchill Hotel on the waterfront. Cab to the dock cost us about 6 British Pounds. The inn keeper, Alistir, is very personable.

 

The Churchill Hotel which is part of the Best Western chain is nice too. Book it at the Best western site and get the best internet rate. Try the Thistle Hotels in London.

[mauicruiser]

Avoid the Churchhill Hotel (Best Western)in Dover. We stayed one night booking non smoking room. They gave us smoking room with a dramatically slanted floor and dirty sheets. We objected and they made us wait for two hours in the lobby for a different crummy room. Snarly front desk personnel. High prices. We didn't expect the Ritz but this place was really bad.

[mauicruiser]

The Churchill Hotel which is part of the Best Western chain is nice too. Book it at the Best western site and get the best internet rate. Try the Thistle Hotels in London.

 

Avoid if possible. A real dump that should be torn down. Snarly front desk. Dirty sheets. Anyplace but this dump!

[dileep]

Avoid if possible. A real dump that should be torn down. Snarly front desk. Dirty sheets. Anyplace but this dump!

 

It is old and has slanted floors, but was not dirty in May 2005. Not a fancy place but we found it to be adequate esp after a long flight and drive from Heathrow!

 

It sounds like it has deteriorated since last year.

[DELFIN]

Can't help with London either, but stayed at the Hubert House this summer. Rooms were small, but very very nice... there's a restaurant run by the owners downstairs with a nice small outside sitting area... and it's right down the hill from the Castle and up the hill from the center of town... we were able to walk all over Dover including waterfront without effort.

 

Enjoy your trip - wish I were going again!

 

SR

[Boo's Mom]

We stayed @ the Penny Farthing in Dover.

I would recommend this place.

[spearmint]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road for our 3-day pre-cruise stay a few weeks ago. I checked up through various web sites, and most people were positive in their reviews. It is very accessible to The Big Bus Tour, the tube and a Waitrose supermarket on Gloucester Road. Not too far from Kensington Palace. Large modern hotel, very busy, rooms rather small. We liked it a lot. Booked through Celebrity, but it was very expensive. We did the first day, but the continental was just fine for the other days. You can probably book for less through some other venue. P.S. Get the continental breakfast included. You can upgrade to full breakfast for 3.5 Br. Pounds if you desire. We did the first day, but the continental was just fine for the other days. Hope this helps.:)

[JodiBB]

We did a pre-cruise in London in 2005 and the hotel was the City Inn Westminster. It was a short walking distance to a Tube station (2-3 blocks maybe?) and 2-3 blocks from the Thames opposite from the London Eye, but a few blocks from Westminster Abbey. The hotel was ultra-modern in decor (kinda like Ikea in my mind), but very clean and we enjoyed the location.