Off Topic Holidays

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
Lots of cases reported recently about dodgy meet'n'greet operators. They take your car, park it in a muddy field, take it for joyrides, bash them up, etc. Beware, you get what you pay for!
Years ago but it looked like some ****er had been sleeping in the back of ours when we picked it up from an airport hotel that offered parking drop off. (Or doing something that required feather pillows…)
 
Anyone got any good tips for accommodation in London, a few days sightseeing and a concert at O2 arena coming up next month.
Not really but if it’s a chain make sure you sign up as a member first as you do genuinely get looked after and you’ll get points towards future trips.
I’ve used hotel credit cards for decades and rarely pay for one off hotels as I normally get them on points (bit late to do that for this trip but worth considering for the future)
 
  • Like
Reactions: balkan tiger
Thanks for your inputs..All sorted .T2 hotel with 16 days parking for less than £270..

'I call that a bargain
The best I ever had
The best I ever had'

Bonus point for anyone knowing the song, and the band.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NeverDullInUll
Well being a Yorkshire man. But having said that I know it's London so not going to be a bargain and it is a treat......
London = expensive. No surprise there.... I did a Premier Inn Hub in Paddington very recently for £160 a night....On Eastbourne Terrace right opposite Padd station. Pretty basic, but very clean and tidy...Plus there's a nice bar in the foyer and loads of decent restaurant's on Praed Street and London Street in about five mins walking distance.
 
Anyone got any good tips for accommodation in London, a few days sightseeing and a concert at O2 arena coming up next month.
Not sure if this helps, but when we went to O2 we were in Greenwich area beforehand for food and drink (not in a hotel as we were staying at my Daughter’s, but she’s moved so I can’t ask her to put you up!)
Lovely area, then we got a river taxi to the venue. Nice way to arrive I thought.

Hotel wise it massively depends on your budget, but for a cheaper option I don’t think you can go wrong with a Holiday Inn Express. Comfy beds and a breakfast buffet always included.

For an expensive blow out I actually like the Great Northern which is attached to Kings Cross so is great for bag dumping
 
  • Like
Reactions: balkan tiger
Well being a Yorkshire man. But having said that I know it's London so not going to be a bargain and it is a treat.
Not yet looked at booking or trivago so don't have any reference point.

EDIT daughter is into airb+b so she will be looking into that option.

My work used to put me in Leonardo Hotels St. Pauls (used to be the Jurys Inn chain) when I was over for meetings. Back in 2022, it was a touch over £200 for a double room including breakfast, which was a decent spread. Has a bar on the roof with a direct view of St Pauls and a decent swimming pool, sauna and gym. So a pretty good price for near central London, next to the tube etc. Nothing fancy though, if you're there for a romantic weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: balkan tiger
Well being a Yorkshire man. But having said that I know it's London so not going to be a bargain and it is a treat.
Not yet looked at booking or trivago so don't have any reference point.

EDIT daughter is into airb+b so she will be looking into that option.
Z hotels. Great locations and usually very good prices, especially old street and Holborn ones. Free cheese and wine in an afternoon for reaidents too.

Sign up as a member and you get a discount but even with that discount you can often get it cheaper through booking.com if you have a good genius status on there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: balkan tiger
My work used to put me in Leonardo Hotels St. Pauls (used to be the Jurys Inn chain) when I was over for meetings. Back in 2022, it was a touch over £200 for a double room including breakfast, which was a decent spread. Has a bar on the roof with a direct view of St Pauls and a decent swimming pool, sauna and gym. So a pretty good price for near central London, next to the tube etc. Nothing fancy though, if you're there for a romantic weekend.
Romantic?
Never crossed my mind anyone on here would be romantic
Please ignore everything I’ve said
 
  • Like
Reactions: TwoWrights
Just got back from 10 days in Portugal. A week in Vilamoura on the Algarve then 3 days in Lisbon. First time in Portugal and loved it. Even the 19 and 22 year old daughters enjoyed it so must have been good. Perfect weather, everyone friendly without exception, great food, good beer, decent sightseeing in Lisbon and great golf when I got out in Vilamoura. Two thumbs up and will definitely be going back at some stage.

London hotels - we're currently in a large hotel in the West End called the Cumberland, decent(ish) rates compared to the major chains but with good facilities, not one of the major chains though so was unsure when we first booked, it can get pretty pricey in central London especially in the summer so as we're here for 2 blocks of a week each and two rooms(!) either side of Portugal, we didn't go with the major chains. Pleasantly surprised with where we are. We prefer staying around here as you have everything around you: food, drink, shopping, entertainment. The girls went to a Billie Eilish concert at the O2 before we went to Portugal and we were staying at the same hotel. The O2 is easy to get to on the Jubilee Line so no need to be staying anywhere near it in Sarrf London. I also never stay at a hotel in the City (live overseas these days but in the UK pretty regularly for work and family) as it gets pretty quiet in the evenings and of course weekends so am always based in the West End.
 
Lots of cases reported recently about dodgy meet'n'greet operators. They take your car, park it in a muddy field, take it for joyrides, bash them up, etc. Beware, you get what you pay for!
100% true. Sure I heard a case, maybe a couple of years ago, were they parked cars on a residential street in an iffy part of Wyhenshawe (not right spelling, but close)...Local kids spray painted one a new colour for the owner..
 
Last edited: