What’s the longest initial run of any play in history? That would be Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which has been played over 25,000 shows since it first opened in 1952. You can still watch this memorable show in the West End of London.
London isn’t lacking for interesting places to see, and with the number of tourists constantly visiting the city — approximately 20 million every year — there’s no limit to the number of holiday deals on rooming you can get. Be careful, though: not all hotels are made equal. Based on my own experiences finding a place in London, here are three important tips you should keep in mind.
1. Look for Holiday Deals in a Good Location
The first time I went to London, I booked a room in Kennington. Although it’s an okay section of the city, it’s not exactly in the bustling heart of things to do and see. For this reason, I had to take the tube everyday if I wanted to see some of the city’s sights. Although I didn’t mind the ride, it might not be ideal if your time in the city is limited. “If you prefer to mosey and soak up the sights, cherry-pick a neighbourhood suited to cafe culture or shopping,” LonelyPlanet advises.
2. Check Hotel Reviews
My main mistake was not believing reviews that rated my place as less than stellar — the hassle wasn’t worth the money I saved, and the hassle included losing my reservation, police showing up in the lobby when someone refused to leave, and 0% internet availability. Based on the bad advice of the front-desk greeter, I almost missed my plane out of Gatwick when it turned out that Victoria train station was not, in fact, open at 5am. My recommendation would be to find an acceptable balance between budget and comfort. There are a lot of discount hotel rates available online, especially if you look ahead of time. Unfortunately, I had booked most of my trip at the last minute. If you don’t want to spend extra money on a taxi, book hotels near Heathrow express!
3. Keep Transportation in Mind
If you don’t plan on driving a car in London, then you’re probably going to want to keep the availability of public transportation in mind. London is a city with a well-optimized public transport system, with frequently running underground trains, and a large network of buses and trams. TripAdvisor recently voted it the best system in the world, and for its size, it’s one of the safest. Although the tube stops running at night, there are night buses running every hour that can take you back to your hotel after a late night at the pub. Taxis are also easy to get, though more pricey. If you want a location with great public access and a good local flavor, try hotels near Hyde Park, Edgeware Road, or Euston Square.
What type of holiday deals are you looking for? Let us know in the comments. For more about this, go here.
