Best place to stay London
Replies: 33 - Last Post: Sep 30, 2012 3:25 PM Last Post By: wayoutback
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Smithfield/Brick Lane/Clerkenwell/Vauxhall/Brixton/Camden/Primrose Hill/Chelsea (I suppose, I hate Chelsea), Hackney, Stoke Newington, IslingtonHonestly it depends on your age and preferences and what you are like as a person. For instance a stereotypical Chelsea person wouldnt really care for going to Brixton I doubt.
Edited by: wapsy because of previously mentioned hangover, obtained in Camden.
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Talking of safe, I don't think I would put Brick Lane, Brixton or Islington into this category (if they are going to be there at night).17
The great thing about spending time in London is being able to sample various neighborhoods because of their individual character. I am a local but go out for dinner/drinks all over the place (most often Dalston/Shoreditch/Clerkenwell/Soho/Chelsea... the latter only cuz I work there!). Or closer to where I live (in the wilds of SE London). The comprehensive travel network means you can get most places pretty easily no matter where you're staying. Just find someplace in zone 1, and you'll be ok (and safe).18
Talking of safe, I don't think I would put Brick Lane, Brixton or Islington into this category (if they are going to be there at night).Ridiculous. OP, don't pay any attention to this misinformation.
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How rude, Eurotrash - not ridiculous at all. The OP, like me is female and has particularly asked for recommendations of places that are "safe overnight". I am a Londoner (for 58 years so far) and I find parts of Islington distinctly dodgy even during the day - likewise Brick Lane and environs (I used to work round there) - I wouldn't like walking around there at night.20
I've done Brick Lane, Islington and Brixton late at night. Never any probs for me.Then again, I guess incidents can happen anywhere really.
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The chances of a couple getting into a bad situation after dark in Brick Lane, which is a very popular nightlife area last I checked, is about on par with Chelsea, that being extremely low. Same for Upper St. (no reason for a tourist to venture to the dodgier parts of Islington). The point is moot however since there are few hotels in either place for the OP to stay in.23
Clerkenwell is brilliant. Lots of expensive restaurants but some great bargains too - Pho is safely packaged Vietnamese at real value, Comptoir Gascon properly French bistro food (their cassoulet is sublime) and almost as cheap as pub food. Vinoteca is a fantastic wine bar that does reasonably priced quality meals and there are loads of old school pubs (including the ones that open at 6am for the meat market workers). The area is quiet at weekends and Monday evenings but 5 minutes to St Pauls, 15 minutes walk from the Tate Modern and the Central Line from St Pauls will take about 10 minutes to get you to the West End. Going the other way, Shoreditch and Brick Lane are about 20 minutes walk for when you want to get even more earthy. Accommodation isn't very cheap, but probably more reasonable than Chelsea would be.29
Foody londoners will travel all over the city to go to various restaurants - check urbanspoon to see what are currently the hottest places (most of these are reasonably priced)http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/52/London-restaurants.html
Most of these places are in safe and busy areas, and the tube is safe and convenient at night (well, a few rowdy drunks is normally the worst you'll get - if they are bothering you, just move to another carriage)
It's a good idea to do your research on restaurants as there are a lot of tourist trap restaurants in London serving pretty mediocre food. Usually I'd book a restaurant then use http://www.fancyapint.com/ to find a nice pub nearby for a pre or post meal drink.
In terms of a hotel, I'd just try to find the best deal for your budget in zone 1
