London/Paris part 2 - London hotels
November 23, 2023 6:23 AM Subscribe
Previous question with requirements and outcome over here
Same details and requirements therein, I don't really know what our must-sees are in London. I am interested in the National Gallery, the Victorian and Albert museum, and the Thames. A not-obnoxious tour would be nice. (If you don't know what I mean by obnoxious: a guide is fine but somebody barking out every piece of information over a loud fizzy speaker is less chill.) Bonus points if they have booze. (Am I focusing overly on access to wine? It's because the whole thing makes me nervous and everytime I muscle through confronting it I'm thinking, wow, a glass of wine would be great right now. So, I assume I'll feel the same on the ground.)
Other than that, we might be happy just dorking around.
It's three adjacent days in April, followed by one standalone night after we come back from Paris, before we fly out of Heathrow.
Interested in what others have to say about what to see (art, science, nerding out on the internet, books, bars although weird with kid.)
But mainly hotels. I would like to spend less than we wound up paying in Paris, but for the right place, and especially for a terrace with a view to hang out on while we drink wine and dork out on the internet and recharge before dinner...well, turns out that's worth quite a bit.
Same details and requirements therein, I don't really know what our must-sees are in London. I am interested in the National Gallery, the Victorian and Albert museum, and the Thames. A not-obnoxious tour would be nice. (If you don't know what I mean by obnoxious: a guide is fine but somebody barking out every piece of information over a loud fizzy speaker is less chill.) Bonus points if they have booze. (Am I focusing overly on access to wine? It's because the whole thing makes me nervous and everytime I muscle through confronting it I'm thinking, wow, a glass of wine would be great right now. So, I assume I'll feel the same on the ground.)
Other than that, we might be happy just dorking around.
It's three adjacent days in April, followed by one standalone night after we come back from Paris, before we fly out of Heathrow.
Interested in what others have to say about what to see (art, science, nerding out on the internet, books, bars although weird with kid.)
But mainly hotels. I would like to spend less than we wound up paying in Paris, but for the right place, and especially for a terrace with a view to hang out on while we drink wine and dork out on the internet and recharge before dinner...well, turns out that's worth quite a bit.
Depending on when in April you are coming I would recommend the Holbein exhibition at Buckingham Palace - the drawings don't go on display all that often and you get to go inside the palace
posted by crocomancer at 7:57 AM on November 23, 2023
posted by crocomancer at 7:57 AM on November 23, 2023
Also, British Museum, problematic vs awesome: I am definitely Team Give That Stuff You Stole Back, but also my understanding is that the Museum staff pretty much is too, it's Westminster blocking it. And getting to see the Rosetta Stone is quite a thing.
posted by Rhedyn at 7:58 AM on November 23, 2023
posted by Rhedyn at 7:58 AM on November 23, 2023
The National Gallery is great, with huge numbers of incredible paintings, and it's free!. Too many I would say to take in one sitting. Consider looking through the catalogue and figuring out what sections (or rooms) you would prefer before you go.
posted by biffa at 11:22 AM on November 23, 2023
posted by biffa at 11:22 AM on November 23, 2023
Also, British Museum, problematic vs awesome: I am definitely Team Give That Stuff You Stole Back, but also my understanding is that the Museum staff pretty much is too, it's Westminster blocking it. And getting to see the Rosetta Stone is quite a thing.
I was actually shocked at how patronizing and diminishing the British Museum audioguide was in its descriptions of African and Oceanic art. Whatever the feeling the staff has hasn't trickled down to the presentation. Still worth visiting the museum, though.
My favorite London attractions are Westminster Abbey (the description above, "filing cabinet full of famous dead people", is 100% accurate), the Tate Modern, and the Tower of London. Taking a tour of the Tower with a Beefeater was great, and not cheesy as I expected. I'd also recommend the Museum of the City of London, which, I mean, you're only getting that in London, and was dead quiet compared to other places. Nearby the City museum are some Roman ruins too, which you'd probably walk right past if you didn't know what they were.
As for hotels, YMMV but I really like staying in Westminster. Good tube access, quiet at night since it's mainly offices, walkable to Westminster Abbey, National Gallery, Tate Britain, and Buckingham Palace. I like the Conrad St. James and St. Ermin's (which is in the Marriott/Bonvoy family). It's definitely not the most glamorous or hip neighborhood, but that's why I like it. If you want more fun, stay in the SoHo/Theater District area. It'll be much more happening.
On the other hand, I'd recommend NOT staying near Marble Arch or Paddington (except maybe near Paddington for that last night would be good to give proximity to the Heathrow Express).
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:42 AM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
I was actually shocked at how patronizing and diminishing the British Museum audioguide was in its descriptions of African and Oceanic art. Whatever the feeling the staff has hasn't trickled down to the presentation. Still worth visiting the museum, though.
My favorite London attractions are Westminster Abbey (the description above, "filing cabinet full of famous dead people", is 100% accurate), the Tate Modern, and the Tower of London. Taking a tour of the Tower with a Beefeater was great, and not cheesy as I expected. I'd also recommend the Museum of the City of London, which, I mean, you're only getting that in London, and was dead quiet compared to other places. Nearby the City museum are some Roman ruins too, which you'd probably walk right past if you didn't know what they were.
As for hotels, YMMV but I really like staying in Westminster. Good tube access, quiet at night since it's mainly offices, walkable to Westminster Abbey, National Gallery, Tate Britain, and Buckingham Palace. I like the Conrad St. James and St. Ermin's (which is in the Marriott/Bonvoy family). It's definitely not the most glamorous or hip neighborhood, but that's why I like it. If you want more fun, stay in the SoHo/Theater District area. It'll be much more happening.
On the other hand, I'd recommend NOT staying near Marble Arch or Paddington (except maybe near Paddington for that last night would be good to give proximity to the Heathrow Express).
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:42 AM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's going to be hard to do Westminster at under $500/night, I think. The Threadneedle tip is sound if a weekend is involved.
If you want to see the Thames, two possibilities are doing a mudlarking tour with a guide or taking the ferry down to Greenwich or to Hampton Court.
posted by praemunire at 12:22 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you want to see the Thames, two possibilities are doing a mudlarking tour with a guide or taking the ferry down to Greenwich or to Hampton Court.
posted by praemunire at 12:22 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
the main branch of the museum of London is moving to a new location in 2026 but the docklands branch is open
posted by brujita at 12:55 PM on November 23, 2023
posted by brujita at 12:55 PM on November 23, 2023
okay not exactly a terrace kinda place but i will make the case for the Holiday Inn Kensington High Street-
small-ish rooms (you could probably pay extra for a larger one), but lovely views of the street, INCREDIBLE location for the price, and a very serviceable, low-key hopping lobby bar+restaurant that seemed mostly populated by airline crews from American, Emirates, and JAL. very cute thai restaurant on the block, moments away from a dishoom & the bookstores, shops & restaurants of kensington high street & the tube station.
We also got a swim & a hot tub in with their basement pool literally every day. Honestly, can't speak nightly enough about that hotel. Also had a true bathtub.
Check out walks.com for great london walking tours, and i know there have been a few other london ask.me threads in the last 6-12 months that I found very helpful in planning our trip.
posted by wowenthusiast at 1:30 PM on November 23, 2023 [3 favorites]
small-ish rooms (you could probably pay extra for a larger one), but lovely views of the street, INCREDIBLE location for the price, and a very serviceable, low-key hopping lobby bar+restaurant that seemed mostly populated by airline crews from American, Emirates, and JAL. very cute thai restaurant on the block, moments away from a dishoom & the bookstores, shops & restaurants of kensington high street & the tube station.
We also got a swim & a hot tub in with their basement pool literally every day. Honestly, can't speak nightly enough about that hotel. Also had a true bathtub.
Check out walks.com for great london walking tours, and i know there have been a few other london ask.me threads in the last 6-12 months that I found very helpful in planning our trip.
posted by wowenthusiast at 1:30 PM on November 23, 2023 [3 favorites]
YMMV, but i think a teenager might enjoy walking through the harrods- i especially loved the escalators, the food hall, & the bookshop. it's maybe 10 mins walk from the V&A, which also has some nice charity shops to shop on the way TO the V&A.
posted by wowenthusiast at 1:40 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by wowenthusiast at 1:40 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
I took a 15 year old to London. Here are her sights, ranked:
Wimbledon A+
Walking around Bray A
Self driven boat ride on Thames from Waterside Inn A
National Gallery A (she’s an artist)
Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea A
Curry takeaway from Uber Eats A-
High street shopping A- to C+
Tower of London B+
Movies and walking tour Leicester Square B (she isn’t a theatre person)
Tasting menu at the three Michelin star Waterside Inn B-
Change the guard at Buckingham Palace C+
Harrods C
Westminster Abbey C- (she doesn’t like crowds and schedules)
Based on my teens review - I highly recommend that you take your one standalone night and stay in the countryside in Bray. Tour Windsor castle, escape the busy-ness of the city, look at really old villages, boat on the quiet part of the Thames. I felt that the Thames was actually surprisingly small and somewhat underwhelming, going to the countryside adds charm.
posted by shock muppet at 2:15 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Wimbledon A+
Walking around Bray A
Self driven boat ride on Thames from Waterside Inn A
National Gallery A (she’s an artist)
Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea A
Curry takeaway from Uber Eats A-
High street shopping A- to C+
Tower of London B+
Movies and walking tour Leicester Square B (she isn’t a theatre person)
Tasting menu at the three Michelin star Waterside Inn B-
Change the guard at Buckingham Palace C+
Harrods C
Westminster Abbey C- (she doesn’t like crowds and schedules)
Based on my teens review - I highly recommend that you take your one standalone night and stay in the countryside in Bray. Tour Windsor castle, escape the busy-ness of the city, look at really old villages, boat on the quiet part of the Thames. I felt that the Thames was actually surprisingly small and somewhat underwhelming, going to the countryside adds charm.
posted by shock muppet at 2:15 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
The British Museum are prevented by law from giving things away in general. Stuff that is less problematic there includes all of the Anglo-Saxon treasures (which are amazing) and the copy of the Rosetta stone. I understand that the Egyptians are not particularly looking for things back - Cairo does have a better collection and ancient Egyptians buried a lot of grave goods.
Other good museums include the Science and Natural History Museums (world class IMO) which are right next to the V&A, the Museum of London (personal favourite) in the City, and Young V&A for toy/childhood in Bethnal Green (bit of a trek).
If you want London-y stuff, then it's worth seeing the guards (buck palace / horseguards parade) but I wouldn't bother with the changing the guard particularly. Otherwise a nice place to be by the Thames is near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The Tower of London is excellent but pricy. The Eye is alright if you like that sort of thing. My favourite fancy department store is Liberty London. Hamleys is good if you like toys. Fortnum & Mason has a good food hall. I've never been in Westminster Abbey but St Paul's Cathedral in the City is good if you're over that way anyway. That's also a short stroll from the Tower and Tower Bridge.
Given your wishlist I would probably stay in Victoria or Kensington. The other really good place to stay is Bloomsbury but it's slightly further from any of your must-see destinations. I'm not wild about the City out of hours (deserted) or during the week (v. busy). Westminster is expensive. For the last night, I think anywhere on the circle line will be fine and easy to get to Paddington.
posted by plonkee at 5:19 AM on November 24, 2023
Other good museums include the Science and Natural History Museums (world class IMO) which are right next to the V&A, the Museum of London (personal favourite) in the City, and Young V&A for toy/childhood in Bethnal Green (bit of a trek).
If you want London-y stuff, then it's worth seeing the guards (buck palace / horseguards parade) but I wouldn't bother with the changing the guard particularly. Otherwise a nice place to be by the Thames is near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The Tower of London is excellent but pricy. The Eye is alright if you like that sort of thing. My favourite fancy department store is Liberty London. Hamleys is good if you like toys. Fortnum & Mason has a good food hall. I've never been in Westminster Abbey but St Paul's Cathedral in the City is good if you're over that way anyway. That's also a short stroll from the Tower and Tower Bridge.
Given your wishlist I would probably stay in Victoria or Kensington. The other really good place to stay is Bloomsbury but it's slightly further from any of your must-see destinations. I'm not wild about the City out of hours (deserted) or during the week (v. busy). Westminster is expensive. For the last night, I think anywhere on the circle line will be fine and easy to get to Paddington.
posted by plonkee at 5:19 AM on November 24, 2023
(Pedants' corner:
Museum of the City of London
There isn't one, but there is a Museum of London (the "City of London" being a different thing to "London") but, as alluded to above, the Museum of London's main branch (in the City) is currently closed while its new location is built, after which it will be "The London Museum".
The Museum of London Docklands is still open.)
posted by fabius at 6:27 AM on November 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Museum of the City of London
There isn't one, but there is a Museum of London (the "City of London" being a different thing to "London") but, as alluded to above, the Museum of London's main branch (in the City) is currently closed while its new location is built, after which it will be "The London Museum".
The Museum of London Docklands is still open.)
posted by fabius at 6:27 AM on November 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
We stayed at Templeton Place in Earls Court, right next to Kensington. It's a surprisingly affordable (for London) apartment-style hotel with great Tube access, which would make it easy to get to your priorities, and is on a street with cafes and a small supermarket. It doesn't have any of the extras you mentioned, but may be a good choice if you mostly want something a bit cheaper than Paris.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 7:41 AM on November 24, 2023
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 7:41 AM on November 24, 2023
Battersea Power Station is now a spectacular high-end shopping mall, with some very pleasant restaurants and bars overlooking the Thames. It has become one of my 13yo and 16yo's favourite places to hang out. The River Bus stops literally outside.
posted by Hogshead at 10:04 AM on November 24, 2023
posted by Hogshead at 10:04 AM on November 24, 2023
I'm not sure if it's close enough to enough things you'd like to see for the three day visit, but if you happen to be coming back from Paris on the Eurostar, The Standard is right by King's Cross* (they will pick you up if you want), and some of their rooms have terraces. Pricy but maybe fine for a final night with a terrace.
*this also means you can get to Heathrow fairly straightforwardly on the Piccadilly line, or take the Circle or Hammersmith and City line to Paddington to catch the Heathrow Express.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:51 PM on November 25, 2023
*this also means you can get to Heathrow fairly straightforwardly on the Piccadilly line, or take the Circle or Hammersmith and City line to Paddington to catch the Heathrow Express.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:51 PM on November 25, 2023
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My recommended must sees would be the V&A (already on your list), the British Library (Shakespeare's mortage! Queen Elizabeth I's death warrant for her ex-boyfriend!), and Westminster Abbey (a giant elaborate filing cabinet full of famous dead people).
posted by Rhedyn at 7:31 AM on November 23, 2023 [2 favorites]