Accommodation for London Marathon in April
Discussion
As someone who has only been to London once before, I'd appreciate any guidance or tips on finding somewhere to stay. I guess anywhere in Greenwich is already booked up or super expensive. I wish I started my search months ago. Criteria is:
- 2 adults x 2 kids (12 & 13)
- Sat 26th of April & Sun 27th
- Somewhere close to the transport network. I'd like to be able to get to the start line using just one train or bus. Going to be stressful enough
- Hotel is preferable, not particularly comfortable with the AirBNB concept (especially when it's in a block of residential apartments etc)
- We are flying in and out of Luton if that helps, which I suspect it doesn't as it's the "wrong side" of town.
- Budget - £500 for two nights
Is around Canary Warf or Docklands a good option? There's a pedestrian bridge linking to Greenwich I think. Some Hilton options there, even though kids would be on sofa beds.
Looking at the DLR map, what about something in Lewisham?
- 2 adults x 2 kids (12 & 13)
- Sat 26th of April & Sun 27th
- Somewhere close to the transport network. I'd like to be able to get to the start line using just one train or bus. Going to be stressful enough
- Hotel is preferable, not particularly comfortable with the AirBNB concept (especially when it's in a block of residential apartments etc)
- We are flying in and out of Luton if that helps, which I suspect it doesn't as it's the "wrong side" of town.
- Budget - £500 for two nights
Is around Canary Warf or Docklands a good option? There's a pedestrian bridge linking to Greenwich I think. Some Hilton options there, even though kids would be on sofa beds.
Looking at the DLR map, what about something in Lewisham?
Edited by scz4 on Thursday 19th December 16:00
Lewisham is a dump with nothing to do, so I wouldn't stay there.
We usually get the train (not DLR) on the morning from London Bridge to Blackheath - takes 25 min.
The below is in a good location - close to station for the morning and also close by for some fun stuff with the kids (e.g. Borough Market, London Dungeon, blah blah).
https://www.londonbridgehotel.com/ - though not sure it will fit budget.
This Ibis cheaper and still good location: https://all.accor.com/hotel/7465/index.en.shtml
There's a Novotel next door as well: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3269/index.en.shtml
We usually get the train (not DLR) on the morning from London Bridge to Blackheath - takes 25 min.
The below is in a good location - close to station for the morning and also close by for some fun stuff with the kids (e.g. Borough Market, London Dungeon, blah blah).
https://www.londonbridgehotel.com/ - though not sure it will fit budget.
This Ibis cheaper and still good location: https://all.accor.com/hotel/7465/index.en.shtml
There's a Novotel next door as well: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3269/index.en.shtml
I've stayed in the Docklands a couple of times for big athletics events at the London Stadium. DLR is super easy. Not sure how many stops to Greenwich, but hotel prices weren't bad, quite quiet and lower stress staying there. Easy to get back after doing things in the city, but there's not a lot to do out there.
When I ran in 2018, I stayed in a serviced apartment - it was in either Blackheath or Lewisham, I can't remember which - literally 1 or 2 Tube stops from the start.
I booked it on VRBO IIRC.
Proximity to the start is important - there's a lot of people going to the same place and when you're about to run 26 miles, you don't want to be doing a load of walking to actually get to the start of the marathon.
The serviced apartment was small but it was perfect for what we needed - small kitchen to prepare pasta and porridge - you don't want to be relying on hotel food IMO or, even worse, fast food.
I didn't book my accommodation until late January I think, but a different strategy on that front may be needed now!
I booked it on VRBO IIRC.
Proximity to the start is important - there's a lot of people going to the same place and when you're about to run 26 miles, you don't want to be doing a load of walking to actually get to the start of the marathon.
The serviced apartment was small but it was perfect for what we needed - small kitchen to prepare pasta and porridge - you don't want to be relying on hotel food IMO or, even worse, fast food.
I didn't book my accommodation until late January I think, but a different strategy on that front may be needed now!
I did it this year.
We, a family of 3 with a dog too, stayed at Ibis near Dartford crossing. Hotel was about £100, but I do like to do stuff on a budget ha ha!
Drove in Sunday morning and parked around Lewisham for free, no issues at all parking on a nice quiet, residential side road. So I was about a 10 minute walk to the start, whilst the Mrs, kid and dog were right on the DLR station at Lewisham.
Parking was free as it was Sunday and there were no residential restrictions and as it was before 12pm driving in and we left just after 6pm, I didn't have to pay congestion either.
At the finish, I made my way back to the DLR at Tower Gateway Station, met the family there and an easy trip on the DLR back to the car.
So, somewhere around Lewisham or on the trainline heading out towards Dartford would be my suggestion.
We, a family of 3 with a dog too, stayed at Ibis near Dartford crossing. Hotel was about £100, but I do like to do stuff on a budget ha ha!
Drove in Sunday morning and parked around Lewisham for free, no issues at all parking on a nice quiet, residential side road. So I was about a 10 minute walk to the start, whilst the Mrs, kid and dog were right on the DLR station at Lewisham.
Parking was free as it was Sunday and there were no residential restrictions and as it was before 12pm driving in and we left just after 6pm, I didn't have to pay congestion either.
At the finish, I made my way back to the DLR at Tower Gateway Station, met the family there and an easy trip on the DLR back to the car.
So, somewhere around Lewisham or on the trainline heading out towards Dartford would be my suggestion.
Edited by towser44 on Thursday 19th December 16:34
As you are starting north of the river, consider staying around Epping. If there is no suitable accommodation there, Harlow is not far away.
Epping has a big car park; Central line to Stratford then change on to the Jubilee line for Greenwich. It may not be relevant but Epping is outside the ULEZ, which is why I use it to park my diesel BMW.
Epping has a big car park; Central line to Stratford then change on to the Jubilee line for Greenwich. It may not be relevant but Epping is outside the ULEZ, which is why I use it to park my diesel BMW.
Finally go round to this today. Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Ended up booking at the Eurotraveller Hotel - Premier - Tower Bridge/ Family room is £452, so not too bad i don't think. That's a double and two singles.
Postcode is SE1 5TY. Location is pretty much bang in the middle of Grenwich and the Mall. 35 mins or so to the start and 35 mins back from the finish, all on a single line, I think!
I can cancel for free 1 week before the event.
Just need to start the training now.
Ended up booking at the Eurotraveller Hotel - Premier - Tower Bridge/ Family room is £452, so not too bad i don't think. That's a double and two singles.
Postcode is SE1 5TY. Location is pretty much bang in the middle of Grenwich and the Mall. 35 mins or so to the start and 35 mins back from the finish, all on a single line, I think!
I can cancel for free 1 week before the event.
Just need to start the training now.
scz4 said:
Also if someone has recommendations on where to eat around that area, perhaps an Italian to stock up on pasta the night before.
Wetherspoonshttps://tinyurl.com/e8bdtv7z
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