Accommodation during the Proms

[Eudaimonia]

I must learn to snore in the correct key, apparently.

Oh, I don't think they'll let you get that far: one hint you're nodding off, and you're likely to get a sharp, bony finger in the ribcage from every direction. And if you snore anywhere near the front row, heaven help you! You're taking your life in your hands, young man--those front row gangsters don't mess about, innit? Actually, it's making my stomach hurt to imagine what might happen if you started to snore around certain people...trust me, you really don't want to go there. If you must, go get a quintuple espresso and a big hit of sugar from the cafe downstairs, it's worth it.

Yes, that first link was what NOT to do. My little "helpful" hint about squeezing at the front in when you're late? Uh, absolutely not. Don't even think about it. And do be aware that no matter how hard you try, you're bound to [bleep] up somehow and grievously offend somebody about something...well, don't sweat it. "Haters gonna hate", as the saying goes. Just keep trying... Tomorrow is another day.

[bluestateprommer]

For Euda., you do raise a fair point about the risks of CraigsList, and I should have been clearer with my suggestion. I was thinking more in terms of a group traveling together to rent a place together, like a group of 3 I once met next the Met in NYC, who had traveled together from Toronto for a few days, and found a Manhattan apartment on CL. No problems to report. But there was definitely safety in numbers in that case.

Since the HI-AYH hostel at Holland Park has been mentioned, for those willing to venture a touch farther afield, there's also the Earls Court HI-AYH. Not quite walking distance, perhaps, but a quick bus trip (with one transfer) away.

[Eudaimonia]

BSP: oh, thanks! I suppose that makes a lot more sense. Everyone still should watch out for the scammers, though...a few years ago in New York, there was a rash of people using CL to scoop up deposits for imaginary lodgings. In all, I'd rather pay a little more with Foxtons and avoid the hassle.

I looked it up: Would you believe Holland Park YHA and Earl's Court YHA are pretty much the same distance-- 1.1 miles from Royal Albert Hall versus 1.5? The Acacia is 1.0 miles, and the Royal Bayswater (ugh) is 1.5 miles. Looking over last year's posts, I realised I forgot to mention the RB: any super-ultra-cheapskate travellers out there might be interested to know a spot in a 20-bed dorm is only nine pounds a night!

Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it...in my experience, it was pretty much hell on Earth: unpleasant neighborhood, rowdy drunks perpetually monopolizing the common room, noisy, cramped, damp, filthy, and so many sick people around you feel like you're in danger of catching tuberculosis and smallpox at the same time. (Thin-skinned introvert hypochondriacs should definitely look elsewhere. ) The only good thing about the RB besides the price was the fact that they're seldom sold out and will almost always have room for you. Great for an emergency, I suppose.

In all, I'd say the best option for the pathologically frugal is to shell out 12 pounds for a 10-bed dorm at the Acacia. Despite all the horror stories online, I never had a problem, and the staff were quite friendly and accommodating. Other benefits: you don't have to cross the park and can enjoy a lovely walk home by the museums, you're directly across the street from the Alliance française (great lectures and films!), you get free wireless in the bedrooms-- and if you get the big room in the basement, you can have use of a wardrobe closet and hang your clothes like a proper human being.

Holland Park was quite good--as far as hostels go--but you can only stay there for a maximum of two weeks at a time, and you have to book early to get 14 days in a row. Oh well, hope that helps!

[Mr Pee]

Hostels? Heaven forfend.

I shall be reserving my usual suite at The Dorchester for the duration.

[Eudaimonia]

Nothing less than Harlequin Suite, I presume? Let's see...62 nights at 8,500.00 a night would run you GBP 527,000.00. What a bargain!

[Lee McLernon]

Maybe you shold sign up for a Boris bike and cycle to and from NHill! I normally cycle from Lancaster Gate tube station to the hall (provided it's not raining), saves me 10 minutes against the walk through the park.

[prokkyshosty]

Ha! I took my first Proms "commute" tonight, found the bike rack at the end of the park, and made plans to look into doing just that tomorrow! If I return the bike within 30 minutes, it's free, no?

[David Underdown]

You have to pay an access fee to unlock the bike about a pound. But if you register and pay in advance for a week/month or longer it's cheaper. Takes a few days for the key to come through though

There's no other hire fee if returned within half an hour though

[prokkyshosty]

Anybody have any HOT TIPS for 2012? I know it's early, but for me it's looking like a non-starter. Last year I had a choice of university housing all across London. This year, even if I avoid the Olympics and just look for 11 Aug - 8 Sep, I'm not seeing any listings on the source I used last year. Frustrating!

[Chris Newman]

This afternoon there were a few single (£30 with shared bathroom) and double rooms (£60 en-suite) left at Pembridge Hall (Notting Hill near the Czech Embassy). Contact Imperial College. Shame they shut the park at night.

[Resurrection Man]

I have the offer of a three night stay at a reasonable price from CraigsList. However they are asking for 40% up front (not a problem) + £200 deposit against damage (again not a problem) but ..

a) I've heard of some people having difficulty getting the deposit back

b) they want the 40% + deposit by bank transfer

Other than the email address ...that does not resolve to an actual website ie it is xxxxx@yyyyyyyy.co.uk and yet entering yyyyyy.co.uk yields nothing...not even a registered web address...I smell a rat.

[MrGongGong]

I have the offer of a three night stay at a reasonable price from CraigsList. However they are asking for 40% up front (not a problem) + £200 deposit against damage (again not a problem) but ..

a) I've heard of some people having difficulty getting the deposit back

b) they want the 40% + deposit by bank transfer

Other than the email address ...that does not resolve to an actual website ie it is xxxxx@yyyyyyyy.co.uk and yet entering yyyyyy.co.uk yields nothing...not even a registered web address...I smell a rat.

I'd walk away from that one
sounds very dodgy to me

[Resurrection Man]

Yes...digging into the raw email source reveals an IP address that doesn't resolve. I am waiting for the Western Union bank details to arrive !

EDIT: Actually it does resolve..not sure why it didn't the first time.

EDIT EDIT: Looking at the pricing of other similar properties, this simply cries out SCAM as Mr Gong Gong suggests.

I did look into YHA hostels and the like...a bit of an eye opener reading some of the reviews on Trip Advisor The Generation Hostel sounds just the place for a quiet night in !!

[probe]

Too pricey this year, good news for locals!

So this is where the R3 forums got to? Thank you!
It's good luck to those living in London. Overseas visitors like us will be staying away in droves because of the extraordinary hotel prices because of the Olympics. Even student digs in Imperial are 230 pounds a night! Pity, after going for a few years but it's only one year, we'll be back next year, and in the meantime I'll listen on R3.

[french frank]

Even student digs in Imperial are 230 pounds a night!

£230 a night? . Crikey, fit for the Director of the Proms to stay at.

(Welcome, probe!)