Traveling to the UK next year! Need accomodation advice

[csziggy]

My husband and I will be there for over two months with a specialized tour in the middle of our time there. We will start in Glasgow, tour Scotland, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire before the tour. Then we will be in London for a week, and move on to Devon, Cornwall, Wales and other parts of southern England.

Originally I was looking at renting cottages for a week at a time in the middle of the areas we want to visit and had looked at Sykescottages.com and cottages.com. While the cottages they list look great the reviews of the companies are terrible. I thought about AirBnB but their reviews as a company are worse.

So now I am checking out combinations of bread and breakfast facilities and hotels. I am confused by the room designations.

When they say "double room" without listing the size of the bed, does that mean a double bed? My husband and I are large people and we're used to a king size bed. A queen or double would simply be too small!

Because of past health issues I need a shower and not shower above a bath tub. Can I reasonably expect any traditional B&B to have that?

Any suggestions for the best place to search for my needs and book rooms? I've looked at Hotels.com and TripAdvisor.com for reviews but never booked with them.

Thanks!

[elleng]

1. Have a great trip, and keep us informed!

It's been years since I visited the UK, but as I recall, plain old showers are NOT common.

Check Rick Steves?

[leftieNanner]

2. How Exciting!

We did a three week trip to Scotland with our daughters several years ago and stayed in "self-catering" cottages. We loved having the space and ability to cook our own meals. We have rented apartments/houses/cottages throughout Europe. I have had good luck with TripAdvisor. I have also used Homeaway.com which is affiliated with VRBO.

I believe a "double room" just means two people, not necessarily a double bed. For answers to that and shower issues, I think you can get the best information by emailing the property owner. The Homeaway properties generally have photographs of the rooms which would let you evaluate bathrooms and they will also indicate the size of the beds.

When we were in London for a week in 2016, I rented an apartment in Chelsea through onefinestay.com. They tend to have higher end properties and their customer service is exceptional.

Isn't DU a wonderful place! We can discuss politics AND vacation trips.

Good luck and have a fabulous time.

[csziggy]

6. Thanks for the suggestion of Homeaway.com

I've spent a couple of hours looking and have some possibilities marked. It's funny that Sykes Cottages offers theirs on Homeaway! But all the properties I have marked have the owners as the contacts.

I'll post later about my progress as I try to sort out the details of our trip.

[leftieNanner]

8. Homeaway charges a fee

The owners have to give 10% (I think) to Homeaway. They are always happier to have you book direct.

Good luck and have a marvelous time!

[Lint Head]

3. Thanks for asking this. My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe

very soon.

[kimbutgar]

4. I stayed at a great hotel that is in walking distance to the London bridge

BOutique hotel. We had a nice room and breakfast was included. Bedmondsey square hotel. It is a historical square that has a small antique flea market and there are restaurants, supermarket and entertainment. More of a locals area but I really loved going to the food stands under The London Bridge. I found this hotel on Trip advisor.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bermondsey-square-hotel-london?adjust_creative=dWJMtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuhtA&utm_campaign=yelp_api&utm_medium=api_v2_business&utm_source=dWJMtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuhtA

Also book directly with your hotels, easier to cancel and get refunds and most of the time better rates. I use trip advisor as my research but always book trips online. I picked some good hotels in Florence, Rome and Frankfurt that way. Never book third party.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Just a word of warning. It's been about 15 years since I was in London,

but back then the hotel rooms and beds were small by American standards. It may have all changed since then.

[csziggy]

7. Yeah - that's why I am looking at more American style/owned hotels

There is a Radisson and a Doubletree both near the British Museum that I am considering. The Radisson is closer to the entrance of the British Museum so it might be our choice, but we haven't booked anything yet.

I'm hesitant about the Doubletree since last year I had a horrific experience at one of IHG's properties and they own the Doubletree chain. But they also own Holiday Inn Express and I've never had a bad experience at any of those.

Just let me say, NEVER stay at the Crowne Plaza in Asheville, North Carolina! It will leave a bad taste forever. Here it is nearly a year later and I am still pissed off...

[leftieNanner]

9. In London, we stayed at the Penn Club

It's in the Bloomsbury area, not far from the British Museum. It's a Quaker house, but they don't care if you are a member. The rates are very reasonable and include a nice English Breakfast. Some of their rooms have the bathroom down the hall. My husband and I had a room with an en suite bath. It was small but adequate. The rooms are simple. No TV and no phone. You can look in to it.

https://pennclub.co.uk/

[csziggy]

10. The no lift thing at the Penn Club has me worried

Too many times in my life I have been unable to negotiate stairs and I don't want to leave all the heavy lifting to my husband on this trip.

I find out in about two-three weeks if they can fix my back. If they can't that will limit what I can do and where we can stay. I may have to refurbish the scooter that I bought before I got my knees replaced!