130 Queensgate London Apartments, London

Advantages: Close to the Royal Abert Hall, modern, bright, minimalist style
Disadvantages: Too small, rooms lacking essentials, narrow staircase, unreliable lift

...would have been wonderful, especially as the lift wasn't operational and getting back and forth between bar and room was a drag (although they didn't say that the lift was out of order, so maybe it only goes as far as the third floor - it is an old town house, after all). So I have mixed feelings. The Queensgate is one of the five Niche hotels. Niche has a reputation for being intimate, minimalist, cool and contemporary. I would agree with this and I do love their philosophy. I would like to visit their other hotels to compare it to the Queensgate (the others are in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cardiff and Newcastle). I have twice stayed at their Cardiff hotel, The Royal Hotel (or theroyalhotel as they prefer to put it, being so hip and all) within the last month. This is far, far better than London's poky offering. Cheaper, too. I appreciate... Read review

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Advantages: Convenient method of transport, frequent trains, Easy to get around
Disadvantages: Signal Failures, Broken Trains and Heat!

...to operate a generally poor service and the trains are in desperate need of upgrading. Many of the stations are falling apart and the general atmosphere on this line is glum. The control centre for the District Line is located at Earls Court, and all trains on the line pass through here. Earls Court also provides a link to the Piccadilly Line. Perhaps surprisingly, the District Line operates two different types of train. The main line services run D stock trains. The branches that run to Edgware Road and Olympia run C type trains. Don’t ask me what the difference is because I don’t know, but I thought it was quite remarkable that one line is capable of running two different types of rolling stock. ○ Fact: The District Line covers a distance of 40 miles! ♣ The East London Line ♣... Read review

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Advantages: One of the world's great cosmopolitan centers
Disadvantages: So much city . . . so little time

...with perfect strangers. For visitors more inclined toward the comforts of home, self-catering apartments are available and can often be had for a nightly rate that is less than that of most hotels. In this case, the catch is generally a requirement for a 7-night minimum stay. Staying in an apartment is hands-down the best way for a family to visit London, as it allows family members more "personal" space, and it makes meal preparation an option. •••Getting Around••• When staying in London, by all means, use public transportation--and whenever possible, walk. Walking in this ancient city can be an absolute joy, and all visitors should include time in their itineraries for leisurely ambulatory sightseeing. In general, public transportation by cab is expensive but comfortable, whereas travel by bus... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful