<p>Often you can get pretty good deals combining airfare and hotel; this is especially true if you need a room for four, which is (as someone already noted) really hard in London. We have used the American Airlines package several times; you don’t get fancy hotels, but you do get a goodish deal. I will add that, although I know many travellers will tell you that given the excellence of the tube system, you can save big bucks staying outside of the center, I like being close in and not wasting time and energy travelling, and I don’t mind the tiny (really tiny) rooms you tend to get in the center. The fact that you’re travelling in July will, of course, really narrow your choices. Good luck!</p>
<p>And I know you didn’t ask for it, but if your group is interested in history, you might enjoy this book: The Amateur Historian’s Guide to Medieval and Tudor London, by Kettler and Trimble. It’s a very readable, fun guide to the city and will steer you to some attractions you might not otherwise see.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of your thoughtful suggestions. We can’t do a package with airfare, as this is a stop on a bigger trip for my husband and son, but good idea. Unfortunately the Mentone’s summer rates are substantially higher than those in the link. Dang. Though I like the dorm idea, the guys have nixed it. I’m now stepping back to let the other dad (well, I’m a mom, but I mean the dad of the other kid) handle the lodging dilemma. I fear that by continuing to send him links and suggestions I may be making his task more complicated. I have sent him a link to this thread, though, along with several of the specific suggestions you all have made, and I know that he has followed up on some of them. Thanks again, and Cheerio!</p>
<p>We stayed recently at The Regency in South Kensington - it’s the largest independent hotel in London. It’s lovely and we didn’t pay a lot when booked through hotels.com. Perfect location: short walk to the Kensington Tube stop, walking distance to Victoria & Albert Museum, a little further to Harrod’s. We got everywhere in London via the Tube (a couple of changes were necessary sometimes) with no problems. We had a lovely room with twin beds (traveling with a friend), clean and neat. </p>
<p>I highly recommend the hotel.</p>
<p>zipyourlips,
please come back and tell us where you stayed and how it worked out!</p>
<p>i’m going to london this winter. the apartment rental website was so helpful, mafool! i looked up some other apartment websites, and they weren’t nearly as good. thanks!</p>
<p>happy to help, searching!</p>