230 posts
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Post by hal9000 on Aug 29, 2018 15:34:55 GMT
I was wondering if we could pool our knowledge about where we stay when viewing theatre away from home? (Besides crashing with friends/family!)
This could be Stratford or Bath or Cardiff or Manchester or Edinburgh or London or anywhere else. Hell. Why not Paris and New York?
So what is your favourite hotel/B&B/apartment/hostel/night bus route?
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3,310 posts
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Post by david on Aug 29, 2018 15:40:37 GMT
If I’m in Manchester, I generally stay at the Mitre Hotel near Manc Victoria station or the Easy hotel just by Piccadilly Gardens. Both provide great access to the Manchester tram system
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 15:43:56 GMT
Premier Inn. Always. Especially in Stratford on Avon. You can keep your charming, characterful B&Bs with weird noises and lumpy beds and showers that don't work - I'll go for bland and comfortable every time!
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on Aug 29, 2018 15:53:49 GMT
I'm unsure if there is one in any of those cities but I really like Hub by Premier Inn as they are often reasonably priced and with great modern amenities. As long as you don't mind a small room they are a great bargain.
In Edinburgh there is a new(ish) Motel One across the street from the Balmoral Hotel and Waverley station. I've had a few good deals there when spending the night at the theatre from Glasgow.
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on Aug 29, 2018 15:58:20 GMT
Sorry just noticed your post includes London! There is a very handy Hub by Premier Inn beside the Duke of York's theatre on St Martin's Lane. It's obviously handy for theatres in the West End and is in the middle of a lot of restaurants and tourist attractions!
Could cost you a bit more but I also really like Citizen M. There's one South of the river and another beside the Tower of London. Again, very modern and great for the price. Nice informal bar/cafe too!
If you have a bit of extra cash or want something really nice...my favourite London hotel at the moment is the new Bankside Hilton. As you'll likely know Hiltons are not created equal. The Bankside one is a real 5 star Hilton. It can be expensive but when I last stayed we had a brilliant deal. Hilton Honours helps too!
Happy booking!
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3,574 posts
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Post by showgirl on Aug 29, 2018 16:02:24 GMT
Premier Inn. Always. Especially in Stratford on Avon. You can keep your charming, characterful B&Bs with weird noises and lumpy beds and showers that don't work - I'll go for bland and comfortable every time! PI is my default chain whether alone, with OH or sister. I like the fact that I don't have to pay for a breakfast I may not have time to eat if I want to have a decent walk first thing; it's always a rush to get out, back, showered and down to breakfast - not relaxing. That said, at least PI serve it late enough if I do want it, unlike some B & Bs where it's one or the other. I recall one in Stratford where I had to be out by 9 am so no chance. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 16:15:33 GMT
I booked the Olympia Hotel for my next trip, as I found a great price (202 pounds for 4 nights) and I like the Earl's Court area. But after reading Tripadvisor I'm worried, so might cancel and book somewhere else.
I do love PI but their prices just get higher and higher.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 16:29:54 GMT
For Stratford-Upon-Avon I tend to go for one of the two Premier Inn's - you can just about see the RSC from the Central one, the other (Waterside) is about 10 minutes walk from the centre of town. If you're lucky you can get a cheap non-flexible rate (paid £45 this week) Had a great view from my bedroom window at the Premier Inn Stratford Central!  I've also stayed at the Mercure Shakespeare which is nice if you can get a good deal (or use club Accor credit). I noticed this week that one of the central Stratford hotels has turned into a Doubletree by Hilton. Sadly the days of dirt-cheap London hotels thanks to Accor's "Happy Mondays" deal are now over. But you can still sometimes get a good deal on some of their hotels particularly the Ibis ones which are similar standard to Premier Inns - there's a decent one at Blackfriars (just round the corner from the Young Vic). |
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2,693 posts
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Post by viserys on Aug 29, 2018 16:30:18 GMT
I prefer Premier Inn to Travelodge outside London, but find them much more expensive in Central London, so it's usually Travelodge for me. The brand-new one next to Aldgate station has wonderful beds and offers luggage storage, which was a lifesaver two weeks ago. Will be there again this Saturday.
When it's decently priced, the Hub by Premier Inn beside King's Cross is lovely indeed, though last time I ended up in a window-less basement room. The one in St.Martin's Lane has been way out of my budget whenever I checked.
Would only book chains in London these days, as I've had too many disappointments with cruddy little hotels, especially around Kings Cross (which is my preferred area, close to the Eurostar).
Might take a look at Citizen M prices in London - I stayed in the one at Amsterdam airport a few years and it was fabulous indeed. Window view to the runways, but no noise at all.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 16:35:52 GMT
Another observation - Premier Inn and Travelodge prices almost always go up the closer you are to the date you're staying, but Accor and Hilton often discount at the last minute to fill unbooked rooms. So often you can find they are considerably cheaper than Premier Inn or Travelodge in central London.
Big fan of Citizen M too - stayed there at Amsterdam and Paris CDG for work trips. Not tried the London ones as they seem a bit pricey unfortunately.
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4,155 posts
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Post by kathryn on Aug 29, 2018 16:54:20 GMT
I stayed at the Crowne Plaza at Stratford-upon-Avon this week - lovely location just over the river from the RSC. It gets very pricey at weekends but was £80 Monday night, which seemed cheap. I used points for the second night.
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Post by ruby on Aug 29, 2018 17:29:26 GMT
As I mentioned on the travel thread, I'm a fan of the Travelodge next to Marylebone Station. Basic but comfortable and there's an excellent cafe opposite the station, although sadly that's closed on Sundays.
Also a fan of the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum. Just round the corner from Gloucester Road tube and about 10 min walk from the National Express bus stop by Tesco. The breakfast buffet was really good.
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230 posts
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Post by hal9000 on Aug 29, 2018 17:51:58 GMT
Great responses, everyone.
And Steve, it is not just the cities I mentioned in my post, it could be anywhere with a theatre you like to visit!
One thing I like anywhere I stay is a mini-bar fridge. Makes it easier to store milk/cheese/salad/a portion of takeaway leftovers because I’m poor.
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3,574 posts
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Post by showgirl on Aug 29, 2018 17:58:41 GMT
I was interested to read about Hub by Premier Inn as I'd never heard of this brand but so far they seem to be in London and Edinburgh only. However, I shall keep an eye out in case they open other sites though the critical factor for me is price: I find c £50 pn more than I want to pay when it's just for me, though that's about what it cost for both my Stratford PI stays this year. I'm so used to splitting the cost with OH or my sister but PI can still be cheaper than most independent hotels and even B & Bs.
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1,133 posts
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Post by Stephen on Aug 29, 2018 19:27:47 GMT
If you are in Glasgow for theatre (We have two ATG venues) along with the Tron, Tramway and Citizens Theatre. The Tron and Citizens have a great programme each year with new productions of classic plays and some other one-off events. Definitely worth a visit when there's something good on!
In Glasgow you have a good choice right in the city centre with new budget versions of the big chains opening up. There's a Hampton Inn by Hilton and a Park Inn by Radisson.
I recommend the recently refurbished Doubletree Hilton in the centre near to the main theatres. It's an old Thistle hotel and has a lovely swimming pool with all the trimmings!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 19:41:46 GMT
In London, I recommend the Holiday Inns at Kensington High Street and Bloomsbury. They're fairly close to the main theatre district and are comfortable. If you're a member of IHG's rewards scheme you can use loyalty points to get a free night's stay.
One annoying thing about the KHS one is it is on the Circle line which has trains serving High Street Kensington at weird intervals.
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Aug 29, 2018 19:49:56 GMT
Useful thread - thanks!
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Post by 49thand8th on Aug 29, 2018 19:52:36 GMT
One thing I like anywhere I stay is a mini-bar fridge. Makes it easier to store milk/cheese/salad/a portion of takeaway leftovers because I’m poor. I still have the $1 bowl I bought at Walgreens on the Las Vegas Strip when my friends and I went there to get cereal and milk to store in our mini fridge. So much better than eating out every morning. |
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Post by Rory on Aug 29, 2018 20:00:53 GMT
I'm also a big fan of the London Hubs by Premier Inn and often can get a room for around £76 per night. The St Martin's Lane one is the best location ever but obviously is more expensive. They are spotlessly clean. A couple of times I've managed to get a decent rate at the Strand Palace but it can be pricey.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 20:25:12 GMT
I once booked at the Strand Palace at a really nice price, but I got there and they had overbooked so they asked me if I would volunteer to move to a different hotel... As I work in a hotel and I know these things happen and it sucks for them, I volunteered... And suddenly I found myself in the most beautiful hotel room I've ever seen, at the Amba Hotel at Charing Cross.
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Post by sophizoey on Aug 29, 2018 20:47:57 GMT
I'm a hostel person and without fail if I'm staying a strange city for the first time I will always try to say in a Safestay hostel. I've stayed in Edinburgh and Elphant & Castle and have felt secure and safe. They have same-sex room options amd the rooms are always discounted at the last minute. Only bad experiences I've ever had at their hostels have been due to snorers, however that is nothing to do with the hostel and with the guests - which is the risk you run unfortunately.
If traveling as a pair in London there is a hostel called London Backpackers in Hendon (around 20/30 on the northern line in to central) and their twin bunk rooms are lovely and really cheap 😁
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3,310 posts
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Post by david on Aug 29, 2018 20:56:30 GMT
For London, if I’m not staying with family then its either the YHA hostel at St Pauls or the one on Oxford St. Cheap and chearful, but maybe not much sleep due to snorers!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 21:17:21 GMT
For London, if I’m not staying with family then its either the YHA hostel at St Pauls or the one on Oxford St. Cheap and chearful, but maybe not much sleep due to snorers! The YHA on Euston Road is also fine and very convenient, though there is a bit of traffic noise. I never stay in a hostel without an eye mask and earplugs though! |
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3,310 posts
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Post by david on Aug 29, 2018 21:24:49 GMT
For London, if I’m not staying with family then its either the YHA hostel at St Pauls or the one on Oxford St. Cheap and chearful, but maybe not much sleep due to snorers! The YHA on Euston Road is also fine and very convenient, though there is a bit of traffic noise. I never stay in a hostel without an eye mask and earplugs though! Earplugs are definitely something I need to invest in ASAP! |
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Post by 49thand8th on Aug 29, 2018 21:25:49 GMT
For London, if I’m not staying with family then its either the YHA hostel at St Pauls or the one on Oxford St. Cheap and chearful, but maybe not much sleep due to snorers! I've stayed at the one on Oxford St., but in one of the private rooms (bunking with a friend). Cozy but manageable, and super nice staff! |
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