Planning a trip for the 2012 London Olympics

[Captain Hank]

Seeing as this board is based in the U.K., I thought I might ask for some advice on here. I'm planning a trip to London for the 2012 Olympics. I figure now is probably a good time to do some serious planning and to start making reservations and such. I know it'll be expensive, but right now I'm looking to minimize costs as much as possible. This is proving to be a bit difficult, as I'm completely unfamiliar with London. So right now, I'm looking for any and all tips and suggestions.

In particular, right now I'm looking for suggestions on lodging. I'm not looking for anything fancy--it just needs to be clean. I'm okay with being on the outskirts of London as long as it has access to public transportation--I probably won't have a rental car.

So...any tips?

 

[wdwmagic]

Have you got a rough idea of how much you can spend per night for the hotel?

 

[Captain Hank]

Right now, I'm looking in the $100-$150/night range.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

Say hello to The Doctor for me while you're there! :wave:

 

[sueuk]

We were booking a weekend in London last week and the TA said that lots of the hotels are getting booked up already for the Olympics - she was surprised as you can't normally book them even a year in advance! When you're choosing a hotel check if it says there is a tube / rail station within walking distance - if so you have easy access to anywhere in London.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Isn't the crowded (and cheap) hostel part of the romance and charm of staying in Europe? :lol:

 

[Tink90]

Try a "Premire inn" They are about £70- £80 a night. They arent the best hotels in the world, but they are clean and comfortable. They are usually bed and breakfast too. Im from England, so if you need any more help, just ask

 

[Captain Hank]

Thanks for all the tips so far. And, Mr. Epcot, I'm afraid I'm not a Dr. Who fan, but fully intend on getting into it after LOST is finished.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Choose a hotel well away from "inner London" as you'll pay top notch prices for even a basic hotel. Try a site like tripadvisor.co.uk and search. As has been mentioned, find somewhere close ro rail and/or underground stations - you can purchase your daily/weekly travel tickets from there and DON'T EVEN THINK about taking a car into central London or to the Olympic sites - the car parking alone will cost more than your return flights to the USA !!!!

 

[E P C O T]

Void.

 

[Ghall]

When we stay in London we stay in a Holiday Inn Express. The rooms are clean and can accommodate 4 people, a double bed and a sleeper sofa and prices include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. The are no too expensive (around £90.00) and once you are near a tube station it easy enough to get around London. The web site is www.hiexpress.com. Here is some information:

The Holiday Inn Express London Chingford hotel is situated just off the North Circular Road near the sites for the 2012 Olympics (A406), at the Crooked Billet roundabout in Chingford, within easy reach of Walthamstow, Woodford, Ilford, Enfield & Edmonton.
Holiday Inn Express London Chingford hotel is in easy access to the M11, M25 & M1, with easy connections to Walthamstow Central station (Victoria Line) you can be in central London in 30 minutes.
The Holiday Inn Express London Chingford is a modern building with well equipped bedrooms & Wireless internet access. Each bedroom features air conditioning, an en-suite with power shower, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, tea/coffee facilities, colour satellite TV & pay movie channels. Room rates include complimentary hot breakfast buffet

 

[rsoxguy]

Can't some of our British forum-friends host their American counterparts in their homes? I wouldn't take up too much space.