where to stay?? near the start, middle or end

Hi All,

I know this question has been asked a million time already but i really cant decide where to stay!!

At the start makes sense but even now alot of places are booked up or are charging a small fortune for 1 night!

Also, staying near the start means no extra travelling involved or getting stuck on delayed trains i guess

What about staying somewhere in canary wharf??

Thoughts/advise would be much appreciated!

If its your first I would always advise staying near the end. London gets pretty manic and I wouldn't want to be fighting way back to Greenwich after a marathon. Also more choice of Hotels. But everywhere in London is expensive.

The Journey from central London to start is very easy - just stay somewhere near Charring Cross

When I did it we stayed in Greenwich near the start of the marathon and we had no trouble getting back there afterwards.  I preferred to have less stress worrying about getting to the start.  Once I was finished it didn't matter how long it took to get back but it didn't take long at all. 

We stayed at the Premier Inn on Tower Bridge. Just a short walk over the bridge to the tube and straight through to Greenwich. Great hotel and geared up for marathon with very early breakfast and goody pack of banana and water to set you off!

hmmm, just tried the Premier Inn tower bridge and they are already fully booked.
actually all premier inns near by or in the surrounding area are booked.

Thanks though!

Hi Brunei. Try again at Premier Inn tower Bridge, I've just managed to book for the Sat and Sun night - yes I'm in after four rejections!!! Yippee ( I think!)

If you are only staying 1 night (presumably the night before) then there isn't much point being based near the finish unless you are going back to your hotel afterwards.

I live in South West London and really enjoyed the journey to the start in the morning. It's amazing how many runners there are joining you at every station. Really nice carnival atmosphere that builds as you get closer to Greenwich.

At that time of day transport is not a problem, stay anywhere with a nice room at a good price.

brilliant! thanks very much!

p.s Congrats Aunty BooBoo!

We normally stay at Travelodge at London Docklands, early breakfast and plenty of runners stay there. Its only about 20 minutes on the DLR to tha start and its not as packed as the trains going out of Charing Cross.

I have stayed there when i have run it and also about 4 times when we have just gone down to watch it.

Good Luck, i got knocked back for the 7th time out of 9 applications, but i have Liverpool in 2 weeks then maybe Edinbrugh in May

I stayed in Leicester Square last year and it was ideal!

Oh God,,,you're back too...!?!?!?

I am always back in September......have you seen me on page 118 of the rejection mag????????  I am the rejection pin up girl....

Will probably see you soon (well as soon as my mag arrives!) 

You're just going to have to post a picture MadonnaGaGa...............I got a place, I'm in!!!!!!!!

Last year I stayed at the Excel Novotel booked through Expedia 'secret hotel discount' I just looked up dockland hotel and took a chance, it was really easy to get to the start line with all the crowds on the DLR.

I didn't stay on the Sunday so I've know idea about getting back there after the race.

Edit; by 'last year' I really mean 2012, it just feels like a year ago ha ha!

Fantastic Jillymit!!!!  Check out page 132, as apparently I am in there too!!!!  Did you have a charity place last year?  Or two ballot places in sucession?????

Oooooooh! Brilliant photo.

One of my goals set on the forum after this years race was that if I ever got chance to run again I'd finish the race MadonnaGaGa style  (just realised I'm calling VLM 2012 'last year' as it seems so long ago now)

I had a charity place last year (British Lung Foundation). This is the 4th time I've applied for a ballot place and the first time I've been accepted, so feel really lucky as I didn't expect to get in.

Have you thought about trying for a charity bond place?

Yes I keep thinking about it, but I just dont think I could raise the minimum.... last year I had a ballot place so there was no minimum, but I raised £800+ but I dont feel like asking the same people..... am not very good at asking people for money LOL

I've just booked two rooms at travelodge kings cross. Travelodge appear to have plenty available accross London at the moment

oh, forgot about travelodge!

I haven't actually book yet,so will do it tonight.

Is anyone coming from the hertfordshire direction to run?