Yes, I do mean Final in May and not semi-final. It would be well worth booking them now, before the semis have been played. It may sound arrogant but it's not, if we lose to Sheff U you'll be able to cancel without paying, but it could cost a lot more if you wait. As an example, for the Championship Playoff Final when we got there, I booked the Ibis right next to Wembley between the two legs of the semi-final (we were 2-0 up and I wanted to get things organised). It cost me the standard £40/night. When I looked back for someone else after it was confirmed it was us vs Bristol C the rate had gone up to the event rate of £90/night. (as though it hadn't recorded as an event until that point). I've just tried it again, and they're wanting £110 for the Friday night, and £160 for the Saturday night at that same hotel due to the "special events" rates. There's also however a Novotel somewhere near the end of Wembley Way that's still got the 2 nights combined for less than £160 (I need 2 nights, you might only need one). Obviously it's not some swanky hotel, it's just something basic and close to the ground, but it's not some rundown place either so those rates could go up pretty quickly if someone realises there system is letting them through at half the price of the Ibis. This has possibly occurred because it's a new hotel (only opens next month) and they've not set things like that up on the booking system. (There's probably a few other hotels you can take advantage of this way at the moment as well, but they'll soon start disappearing)
Would it be easier to stay somewhere else in London and tube across? Just asking... I'm thinking of staying over too.
It might be, it depends what your plan is for the weekend as a whole. For the PO Final I arrived the day before. Main benefit for me was that I could get up on match day, have my breakfast, go get the programme/souvenir scarf/etc and drop it back to my hotel before lunch. Then I just went down the pub and met people as they arrived and it was like a normal martchday. Then after the game I could drop my camera back at the hotel and go straight to the pub without missing anything. End of the night as well I could just stagger back to the hotel, I didn't have to worry about getting elsewhere. But then for me living in Scotland it had to be a 3 day trip as the train times were way too tight to try anything else, so I figured I'd have the match day as a totally casual day.
I'm thinking of travelling down on the morning by train/tiger travel (whichever is easiest) then doing the match bits and bobs before heading off to my hotel. Dropping everything off then spending the night in London. Head back the following day by train.
The only snag with that is, if you travel on the day and don't go to the hotel til after the game, you've got your bags with you all day at the game.
I clearly haven't thought of the logic side of things. I may extend to two nights or travel by train and hit the hotel before the game to drop everything off.
this is why it's awkward, if we KNEW which exact date we were playing it'd be a tad easier, but i think i'm staying over a night.. be that the friday or saturday night.. will see tomorrow
I'd always prefer to stay in a hotel in central London for a London weekend away rather than somewhere near Wembley. Seeing as I live in London that's not an issue.
Just seen it's the London marathon on the Sunday. So I'm guessing most of London will be putting up hotel prices and cashing in.
There is absolutely **** all to do in Wembley, it's a ****-hole and unless you want a curry, all the restaurants are ****. If you want to go out and celebrate our historic win, or drown your sorrows after our catastrophic loss, then definitely don't do it in Wembley.
Not entirely true any more OLM - there's a new retail outlet centre just opened next to the ground with a range of ok restaurants. You're right about pubs though - Harrow is a better bet for that. I hope you all enjoy your trip down here regardless.
I flogged my place there two years ago and I've not been since the new centre opened, but I hate the place and wouldn't stay there if I could avoid it.
