Amateur Poker Association & Tour

Poker Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: nosey-p on July 14, 2008, 18:57:48 PM

Title: Victoria
Post by: nosey-p on July 14, 2008, 18:57:48 PM
I am working out how much the weekend would cost me to attend the World Championships but don't know which is the best/cheapest way to do it?

I have never been to London, so do I travel by car? or do I go by train? (Travelling from Wakefield)

By car I have the option of going home when I go out (6.00 on the Saturday) but what is the traffic like?

I am only planning on staying on Saturday night, how much are the hotels in the area?

Is it cheaper to book your train ticket in advance? (I have not been on a train for over 15 years) do you have to specify which train you are going on or is it an open ticket?  

Any help would be appreciated

Wayne
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Waz1892 on July 14, 2008, 19:15:28 PM
wakefield to london is much easier by train, go to KIngs corss on National Express service..which will be direct...http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/

anymore info needed..oh and book in advance..the earlier the cheaper.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Chelsea on July 14, 2008, 20:41:45 PM
Hilton Metropol....10 mins walk from the Vic...20 mins from the West End and Oxford street..a little pricey but why not push the boat out

http://www.hilton.co.uk/londonmet?WT.srch=1
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: nosey-p on July 14, 2008, 21:50:51 PM
Thanks Chelsea, but out of my range
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: deanp27 on July 14, 2008, 21:52:04 PM
i live in Wakey and always go by train to London now

if you book in advance you can get returns for £20ish
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: nosey-p on July 14, 2008, 21:52:17 PM
Was thinking more on the travelling part car or train?
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: deanp27 on July 14, 2008, 21:54:32 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



Was thinking more on the travelling part car or train?

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: nosey-p on July 14, 2008, 21:54:40 PM
I followed the link by Waz1892. the cheapest I found was £79
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: deanp27 on July 14, 2008, 22:03:01 PM
not got time to look but i sometimes use

www.thetrainline.com

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: deanp27 on July 14, 2008, 22:04:36 PM
but to get cheap tickets you must get on the train you book

i managed to get an exception from the ticket office when coming back from Vegas via Gatwick cos my plane was late and the lady was sympathetic, but generally the are pretty strict
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 14, 2008, 22:35:38 PM

not got time to look but i sometimes use

www.thetrainline.com




I generally find www.nationalrail.co.uk better than the trainline because some of the cheapest fares you can order straight from the train operators (via nationalrail.co.uk) without the admin fee that thetrainline charges.

But if you can get a hotel with parking then the car should be better, I don"t think driving is likely to grind to a standstill and you don"t have to pay the congestion charge at the weekend. However I don"t drive so my perception might not be perfect.

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MartinOwlMan on July 15, 2008, 13:03:18 PM
I don"t know what your budget is, but I would definitely get the train if you can afford it. If you plan to arrive in plenty of time youwill be relaxed and refreshed, ready for concentrating over a long period. Go by car and with the sun pounding through the windows, plenty of speed restrictions on the M1 with average speed checks, traffic when you get to London, hassle of finding the Vic and then somewhere to park, you"re likely to be relatively hot under the collar and that"s not ideal preparation.

Accommodation is not going to be cheap. There are some budget hotels fairly near Baker Street tube, which is handy for the Vic by tube and when they stop running and you are looking at a taxi, the area is nearer than anywhere else in London that has budget hotels that I know of: others may know better.

A tip - if you are staying at a budget hotel in London, pack a bath plug just in case your room has a bath, because for some reason the plugs in those places go missing!
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Paulie_D on July 15, 2008, 13:47:46 PM
Found this on Booking.com (Seymour Hotel (http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/seymourhotel.html?aid=304142;label=mapgadget;sid=6fa5e82d2b8e600fbc6d6d118170c7ba;checkin=2008-08-30;checkout=2008-08-31;)).

Can"t speak for the quality but around £60 pn is pretty good for a Bank Holiday weekend in the cente of London....and it"s just around the corner from the Vic.

Grosvenor Victoria, 150-162 Edgware Road, London. W2 2DT

Oh, if you decide to drive, the Vic has a car park underneath...don"t know about overnight though. I think it opens around midday.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Roscopiko on July 15, 2008, 13:50:42 PM
I would rather cut my legs off with a blunt spoon than drive in and out of london on a bank holiday weekend!!

Train FTW!!
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Paulie_D on July 15, 2008, 13:55:39 PM
I agree but I believe that the last train out of Kings X to Wakefield is at 8.30pm.

If you are final tabling on the Sunday...you might miss it! Of course, if you are final tabling, you can probably afford the extra £60 for Sunday night as well.

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: AMRN on July 15, 2008, 14:12:29 PM


A tip - if you are staying at a budget hotel in London, pack a bath plug just in case your room has a bath, because for some reason the plugs in those places go missing!


surely if you"re staying in the centre of London for £60 a night, you need to check that your bath has a room!??!?
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Paulie_D on July 15, 2008, 14:18:47 PM
If your budget will stretch a little further there is the Travelodge at Kings X (http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/hotel_overview.php?hotel_id=258) for £85 pn.

Oh and Sunday can be had for £29...at their Saver (http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/saver_search.php?search=&action=search&saverSearchType=specificDate&checkInDate=30%2F8%2F08&nightsstay=1&locpostText=London) rates
Pretty sure that one will have a bath...and a plug!
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 15, 2008, 14:24:04 PM
Or if you booked far enough advance you would have been able to book a Travelodge for £29 per night for the whole stay (including the Omaha, Razz and Stud events).

But who bothers planning that far in advance?

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Paulie_D on July 15, 2008, 15:05:40 PM
Not me but then I can get to the Vic for just over £6 a day.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Roscopiko on July 15, 2008, 15:12:45 PM

Or if you booked far enough advance you would have been able to book a Travelodge for £29 per night for the whole stay (including the Omaha, Razz and Stud events).

But who bothers planning that far in advance?

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


:o nice work

Advice please!!

How many runners did the non NLHE events get last year and what was the general standard?

(Other than wanting to take my easy cash) would you lot generally recommended them for a casual/luckbox type player?
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 15, 2008, 15:16:44 PM
It won"t be a big field you should definitely enter all of the side events if you can get those 3 afternoons off work.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Paulie_D on July 15, 2008, 15:36:13 PM

Advice please!!

How many runners did the non NLHE events get last year and what was the general standard?


That"s easy...no runners this is the first year APAT has had non-NLHE events.

Standard?...Actually, I"d expect it to be decent given that those who make the effort to come won"t come without knowing something about the game!
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 15, 2008, 15:39:19 PM


Advice please!!

How many runners did the non NLHE events get last year and what was the general standard?


That"s easy...no runners this is the first year APAT has had non-NLHE events.

Standard?...Actually, I"d expect it to be decent given that those who make the effort to come won"t come without knowing something about the game!


(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Mo0LkNWF324y9M:http://www.1pstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/shush_finger_1.jpg)

No no.

What he means is, "the standard will be really low, they"re all fish so you might as well enter all of them".
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Roscopiko on July 15, 2008, 15:43:22 PM



Advice please!!

How many runners did the non NLHE events get last year and what was the general standard?


That"s easy...no runners this is the first year APAT has had non-NLHE events.

Standard?...Actually, I"d expect it to be decent given that those who make the effort to come won"t come without knowing something about the game!


(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Mo0LkNWF324y9M:http://www.1pstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/shush_finger_1.jpg)

No no.

What he means is, "the standard will be really low, they"re all fish so you might as well enter all of them".


I think I want the standard to be good, that way I can call and call and call and if its my lucky day I win!!  :P
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 15, 2008, 15:44:21 PM




Advice please!!

How many runners did the non NLHE events get last year and what was the general standard?


That"s easy...no runners this is the first year APAT has had non-NLHE events.

Standard?...Actually, I"d expect it to be decent given that those who make the effort to come won"t come without knowing something about the game!


(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Mo0LkNWF324y9M:http://www.1pstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/shush_finger_1.jpg)

No no.

What he means is, "the standard will be really low, they"re all fish so you might as well enter all of them".


I think I want the standard to be good, that way I can call and call and call and if its my lucky day I win!!  :P


:D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Apokerlypse on July 15, 2008, 16:19:15 PM
I traveled to the Vic By car for last years GUKPT (from Newcastle ).

I promise you, you will never regret leaving the car at home.

Typical costing:

Fuel £70.00

Congestion charge £8.00 per day

Parking (NCP) £36.00 per day if you cant get into the Vic car park.

Hotel around £80 per night.

Mate traveled by coach, cost £22.00.

Fuel would probably cost a bit more now.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Santino67 on July 15, 2008, 23:51:11 PM

Hilton Metropol....10 mins walk from the Vic...20 mins from the West End and Oxford street..a little pricey but why not push the boat out

http://www.hilton.co.uk/londonmet?WT.srch=1


I had A 3 day seminar there a couple of years ago and got upgraded to a corner suite. It had 2 bedrooms, a separate lounge, kitchen, huge bathroom. Worth every penny.............when your employer"s paying for it  ;D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: RioRodent on July 16, 2008, 08:34:30 AM
Hotels - Go to Google > Maps and search for - Hotels Sussex Gardens

Close to Paddington Station and short walk to Vic.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: BOINGBLITZ on July 16, 2008, 23:42:18 PM
I am booked in at the Seymour Hotel......cost me £50.
 
   
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 17, 2008, 08:27:09 AM

Or if you booked far enough advance you would have been able to book a Travelodge for £29 per night for the whole stay (including the Omaha, Razz and Stud events).

But who bothers planning that far in advance?

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


I must apologise for being misleading, I just checked my confirmation email and I actually booked before they put the "Saver" price up - so my 5 nights in London are actually £26 per night.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: AMRN on July 25, 2008, 09:08:30 AM
I am booked in at the Seymour Hotel......cost me £50.


just tried that one - they said £60 per night, with minimum 3 nights per booking!  :(

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: thedrifter75 on July 25, 2008, 10:38:47 AM
I just booked into the Hyde Park Rooms Hotel for 40 quid a night. It"s not ensuite but it"s had really good reviews on tripadvisor.co.uk. They all say it"s owned by a lovely lady called Carol, who does an excellent Breakfast in the morning for you, and it is about a minute or so from the Vic.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: AMRN on July 25, 2008, 11:09:15 AM
you had the last room - i just phoned them and they are full :(
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: AMRN on July 25, 2008, 11:18:11 AM
lol this just turned into an expensive weekend!  was struggling to find a local hotel that accepted single night bookings, and within walking distance of the casino.... ended up settling for the Cardiff Hotel 0.5 mile away, but it"s £59 per night for ensuite B&B, but with minimum two nights stay..... so am now making up the numbers in the Friday Stud championships :)

Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 25, 2008, 13:07:43 PM
It is expensive, Ive been doing some research in the hope I can find somewhere, still looking tho.  Im staying (hopefully) 4 nights, so mega expensive.

Will keep looking tho and if I find anywhere will start posting some links for peeps to check out.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 25, 2008, 13:11:13 PM
Travelodge
- Ensuite
- Tea and Coffee making facilities

£26 a night for 5 nights

I know I"ve already posted this - but I just couldn"t help myself  ;D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 25, 2008, 13:14:17 PM
Which travelodge is nearest the casino jon?
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 25, 2008, 13:17:48 PM
Marylebone

But London has one of the best and most heavily subsidised public transport systems in Britain, so I don"t think distance is that much of an issue.

(Disclaimer: I actually like walking, people who don"t might disagree with the whole distance not being an issue thing)
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 25, 2008, 13:20:29 PM
Kewl, I checked Marylebone is only 0.4 miles from casino, nae distance at all really.  £90 a night tho lol but..needs must n all that unless I can find something cheaper.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 25, 2008, 13:26:42 PM
I looked as well, I noticed that the link which tells you about other nearby Travelodges wasn"t much help as they were all about that cost as well.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: RioRodent on July 25, 2008, 13:53:20 PM

Kewl, I checked Marylebone is only 0.4 miles from casino, nae distance at all really.  £90 a night tho lol but..needs must n all that unless I can find something cheaper.


Have you tried the hotels in Sussex Gardens? (Google Maps, search for Hotles Sussex Gardens)
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: AMRN on July 25, 2008, 14:01:17 PM

Kewl, I checked Marylebone is only 0.4 miles from casino, nae distance at all really.  £90 a night tho lol but..needs must n all that unless I can find something cheaper.


Cardiff Hotel - Ensuite B&B at £59 per night, and only 0.5 miles from casino.

http://www.cardiff-hotel.com/
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: APAT on July 25, 2008, 14:44:29 PM


Kewl, I checked Marylebone is only 0.4 miles from casino, nae distance at all really.  £90 a night tho lol but..needs must n all that unless I can find something cheaper.


Cardiff Hotel - Ensuite B&B at £59 per night, and only 0.5 miles from casino.

http://www.cardiff-hotel.com/


.... and the M4 is quiet on a Saturday morning  ;D
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Mayfair on July 25, 2008, 15:22:29 PM
Sod It.

Booked the Hilton Metropole at 97 a night.

Here"s some local ones i checked out:

Duke of Leinster
Comfort Inn Edgeware Rd
Best Western Delmere
Ascot Hyde Park
Best Western Mornington
Thistle Hyde Park
Cardiff Hotel
Gower Hotel
Thistle Bloomsbury


All seems a bit of a lottery going by the reviews.


Maybe we should start a "Hotels near Venues" section on the forum
for future reference.


Mayfair
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Jon MW on July 25, 2008, 16:13:01 PM
I suggested a hotel review child board to Des (or someone, can"t remember who) in Dublin (then I forgot about that idea, and I wouldn"t be surprised if they did as well).

This was based on the fact that we"re likely to visit the same towns year after year (obv. with occasional new ones) so knowing what is available and what people thought of them in previous years would be a good idea.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: ForthThistle on July 25, 2008, 16:44:58 PM
It looks like i need to fly to Stanstead Airport (as it is £20 return).

Will it be easy to get to the Vic.

All help would be much appreciated.

thks.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: WarBwastardo on July 25, 2008, 16:50:24 PM
About 40 miles from Standstead to Vic.  Shouldn"t be too difficult to get a bus from the airport to Victoria coach station or Marble Arch a few hundred yards from the Vic.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: ForthThistle on July 25, 2008, 16:56:27 PM
Thanks...
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 25, 2008, 18:39:49 PM

It looks like i need to fly to Stanstead Airport (as it is £20 return).

Will it be easy to get to the Vic.

All help would be much appreciated.

thks.


Where u flying from? and which airline hun? Im flying from Edinburgh gonna check out the flights/prices 2nite
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: ForthThistle on July 25, 2008, 21:48:17 PM
Mair,
       that was from Prestwick :o >:(

via RyanAir
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 25, 2008, 22:17:20 PM
oh man costs me nothing to fly from prestwick to stanstead apart from taxes which are 20 quid...hmm how to get down to prestwick....
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: THEGUY84 on July 28, 2008, 10:26:34 AM
hey marry what website did you see cheap flights??
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: MAIR on July 28, 2008, 12:35:46 PM
www.ryanair.com hun, cheap flights at the mo
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: bbmoney on July 28, 2008, 14:49:50 PM
best way stanstead express straight to tottenham  hale underground,then Victoria line to kings x about 15 mins then change to met line to Edgwere road station about 5 mins walk to Vic ,really easy journey

better than going to Victoria on the coach then having to come back,although is called Grosvenor Victoria it"s not in Victoria  :o


email me if you want more exact travel,ill help you no prob
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: thedrifter75 on July 28, 2008, 15:52:24 PM
A good viable alternative to Hotels if there is a few of you is Apartments. Just search google for London Apartments and you"ll get loads, from Student Halls of Residence that aren"t been used for the summer to very nice posh apartments in Park Lane..I found some for £19 pp pn whilst I was looking last week, although some of these were assuming two in a dbl bed.

On another note I am trying to get a train from Manchester , leaving Wednesday, returning on Sunday, but it seems to be a nightmare. 3 Changes on the way back, cheapest tickets 62 quid..Anyone else got anything cheaper from Virgin, You can usually get tickets for 10 quid e/w.


PS ..here"s a link to a cheap halls of residence place..not looked into it to much so don"t know the small print..
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/ratesavail.htm
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: Santino67 on July 29, 2008, 11:05:58 AM

A good viable alternative to Hotels if there is a few of you is Apartments. Just search google for London Apartments and you"ll get loads, from Student Halls of Residence that aren"t been used for the summer to very nice posh apartments in Park Lane..I found some for £19 pp pn whilst I was looking last week, although some of these were assuming two in a dbl bed.

On another note I am trying to get a train from Manchester , leaving Wednesday, returning on Sunday, but it seems to be a nightmare. 3 Changes on the way back, cheapest tickets 62 quid..Anyone else got anything cheaper from Virgin, You can usually get tickets for 10 quid e/w.


PS ..here"s a link to a cheap halls of residence place..not looked into it to much so don"t know the small print..
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/ratesavail.htm


Cheers for the info about rooms. Might be cheaper flying, I got mine from Prestwick to Stansted for £20 return.
Title: Re: Victoria
Post by: bbmoney on July 30, 2008, 11:31:36 AM
thedrifters spot on about student accom,they let out rooms at UCL Gower street ,just around corner from Vic during the holidays

The only thing is some you share facilitie"s and you might bump into a couple of young female Swedish students coming out of the shower naked as your about to go in,if you can live with that,it"s a good option  ::)