More daft questions - hotel related

Hi there,

I'm going to plan my hotel soon and having received information from Macmillan there's companies that do hotel packages with full inclusive buffet meals on the evening and early coaches the next day.  They cost a fair bit but then again I'm guessing hotels will cost a bomb.

My sister lives in Brighton which is probably too far away to stay on Sunday night but I'm wondering whether to travel to London on the Friday or the Saturday.  Advantage of the Friday, more settled in London, decent sleep Saturday morning and may be able to go to the expo on Friday. Disadvantage, lot more expensive as I'm travelling on my own.

In your experiences, what's the best solution and do all hotels in London (that belong to large chains) run coaches to the start?  Of the ones you may have stayed, were there any delays/problems on the SUnday morning?

Just trying to get my bearings and thoughts together on what's best to do.  

Thanks

X

Absolutely no such thing as daft questions on here.

I can only offer experience from travelling up on the Saturday and that's what I'll be doing again this year. The Expo is certainly busy on the Saturday but to be honest it wasn't intolerable for me, I got my number quickly and the only queue was for pasta.

If you go on the Friday, I just wonder what you're going to do with your Saturday if you've already done the Expo. I don't think you'll be wanting to be on your feet all day seeing the sights plus you have to pay the extra hotel costs which aren't cheap in London.

I'm staying near Expo and will be taking the DLR on the morning. This is how most arrive and so long as you allow enough time it's a good, and free way of getting to the start. Just plan your journey and allow more than enough time.

In summary, I vote go on Saturday and take the DLR.

I did a Holiday Inn package last year as I just wanted to not have to worry about getting to the start on time. I stayed on the saturday night so did expo on the saturday which was fine. They provided a good pasta buffet for runners in the evening. The bus came to pick us up pretty early but it was nice to have some banter on the way to the start. We got there in plety of time. Plenty of time for lots of trips to the loo too!

I stayed in kensington so was quite close to the finish and got a taxi back to the hotel and had room service when I got back, drank a bottle of champage and slept like a baby!

it was all really smooth and cost about £350 which isn't bad for two nights in London along with lots of food, transport and a good sleep too!

My own experience has been to take the cheapest hotel room with easy access to Charing Cross, where the special trains start from.  The hotels were OK, and I had a good night's sleep knowing the trip would be easy the next day.  That was only on the saturday, as I went to the expo during the week.

I do not think a lot of hotels have a bus system.  In fact, I have not seen any apart from those advertised by partner hotel chains, so if you want to have this benefit, you may have to pay quite a lot.  It is probably good, but the special train system runs very well.

my advice to any runner would be consider staying the night before on the south side of London, in the top of Kent. Getting up to blackheath on the sunday morning is so much easier. I live in Kent and have done it twice once i was dropped near to the start and walked the rest, the other time i got the train into central london from bromley, then the runners train out to the start.

I stayed mear the start in 2008 when I did the london marathon last and found it hard work (after running 26 miles) to get back on the tubes and walking back to the hotel, so this year ive done the opposite and decided to stay nearer the finish line (vincent park i think it is). By the time i finish and get back to the car, the roads will be open again and i can drive myself back home again

I personally like to make a full weekend of it. I travel down on the Friday and stay just off Hyde Park at Lancaster Gate at 'The Mornington' FULL breakfast included. I visit the expo on Friday and then spend the rest of Friday and Saturday Chilling and being a 'Tourist'.Saturday morning last training run around Hyde park/Kensington Gardens.

Never had a problem getting from Lancaster Gate to the Expo, Greenwich or Blackheath.

On the day it is a straight walk through the park and down Constitution Way to the finish for my supporting crew, and I don't mind the walk back to the hotel to keep the legs going afterwards.

Then shower and out for a meal before long lazy night followed by a mega breakfast and train journey home in the afternoon.

I love every minute of it and it all goes towards the experience.

I'm using one of the Holiday Inn packages in Kensington. Costing a fortune as I have to stay Friday to Monday. First marathon for me!! Is it easy to get to the Excel Centre to register?

My preference is an easy route to the start (less stress), and not to worry too much about afterwards.

I'm kinda lucky, our office in the City has half a floor of hotel rooms and I have one booked for the Saturday night. 5 mins walk from Bank tube station and a 20 min DLR ride to Greenwich (trains run every 10 mins). After the race I'll walk back to the City (about 2 miles) which works out really well for the legs

You might find the City hotels are a little cheaper at the weekend (but maybe not THAT weekend)

Only problem, nowhere to eat in the City on Saturday night!