For our September trip to England:

We are considering two London hotel locations: the first is in W1, just north of Marble Arch and on the northwestern corner of Portman Square ( or so, according to maps). This is the Hart House Hotel.

The other is in Bloomsbury, on Bedford Place, a block north of Bloomsbury Square and about a block or two to the East of the British Museum. This one is the Thanet Hotel.

We are rather disappointed in our efforts to get the budget room of our dreams in Central London, but both the places we are looking at come recommended. They are both budget range (ha!) B&B type hotels.

We are also thinking of using Priceline, and spending the same amount of money, well over 120 USD, to get a room at a more highly rated real hotel.

It seems much too early to do Priceline, and we would have to get travel insurance in case we couldn't go.

I have three questions: 1) which of these locations would you prefer and why?

and 2) Has anyone used Priceline for London, or backed up a Priceline reservation with insurance?

3) Has anyone stayed at the Seven Dials Hotel, or know the neighborhood? It seems to be where Shaftesbury Avenue meets Monmouth Street.

Thanks, Debbie in Pittsburgh