Religious Travelers - Kosher meals/Shabbat in London in February

I got a cheap RT flight TLV-Luton (<$200) but it arrives at 11pm Feb 11 (return 17th). Any suggestions on where to stay? And is it feasible ($ wise) to visit Scotland during that short stay? TIA

I got a cheap RT flight TLV-Luton (<$200) but it arrives at 11pm Feb 11 (return 17th). Any suggestions on where to stay? And is it feasible ($ wise) to visit Scotland during that short stay? TIA

What about the Kadima hotel is Stamford Hill?

Regarding Scotland, if you're bored out of London already then why not give Scotland a try (although it would be quite cold to climb mountains in the current weather, but if you haven't covered London yet properly, why not enjoy London a few days.

The Kadima is in a very Charedi / Chassidishe area and my suggestion would be the Croft Court Hotel (www.croftcourthotel.co.uk) in Golders Green. It's within easy walking distance of at least a dozen kosher restaurants and as many shuls, and about 7 mins walk from Golders Green train station.

There are a few lower priced hotels within 200 metres of the Croft Court, but they're not anything as good.

A bit further away are two Holiday Inns - one at Brent Cross (http://www.holidayinn.co.uk/h/d/hi/925/en/hotel/bregc?&countryId=0925&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-hi-_-bregc&dp=true), which is about 10 mins walk from the nearest shuls and 10-15 mins walk from the kosher restaurants.

There is also a Holiday Inn Express in Finchley (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/925/en/hd/longg?crUrl=/h/d/hi/925/en/hotelsearchresults&rpb=hotel&start=11&_requestid=127909) - across the road from a large shul and within 2 mins walk of a couple of kosher restaurants. I think that they still serve kosher breakfasts, but if not there is a kosher bakery about 5 mins walk away.

BTW, re Scotland - if you haven't seen London yet then I would stay there. Scotland can be pretty cold in February. But if you insist then I would spend a day or two in Edinburgh.

A bit further away are two Holiday Inns - one at Brent Cross (http://www.holidayinn.co.uk/h/d/hi/925/en/hotel/bregc?&countryId=0925&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-hi-_-bregc&dp=true), which is about 10 mins walk from the nearest shuls and 10-15 mins walk from the kosher restaurants.


are you sure about this? Its a 10 min walk across the road to the Mall
and maybe 10-15 mins to the BC Underground station (which is above ground) but add another 10mins or so to GG Rd and then you have to walk to a restaurant . That is unless a shul and restaurants opened up closer to the Hotel

also up by the M4 (road that separates GG from Hendon) theres an all suite hotel a few rooms suppose to be very nice buy the Croft Court is much closer to the retsaurants and the GG Underground station (also above ground)

also no restaurants are opened on Shabbos even with prepaying. I think the CC can arange meals at their place

are you sure about this? Its a 10 min walk across the road to the Mall
and maybe 10-15 mins to the BC Underground station (which is above ground) but add another 10mins or so to GG Rd and then you have to walk to a restaurant . That is unless a shul and restaurants opened up closer to the Hotel

also up by the M4 (road that separates GG from Hendon) theres an all suite hotel a few rooms suppose to be very nice buy the Croft Court is much closer to the retsaurants and the GG Underground station (also above ground)

also no restaurants are opened on Shabbos even with prepaying. I think the CC can arange meals at their place

OK, I'm a quick walker! It's 1.5km to Hagers (3 Highfield Avenue), so allow 20 mins. So 15 mins to Brent Cross Station. There are a few kosher places within 1-2 mins walk of Hager's (La Fiesta / Amor / 5th Avenue Pizza / Taboon (bakery with a few seats) / Amor (when it's open!)).

The place near the North Circular Road (not M4) junction with Golders Green Road is called Yamor Suites (www.yamor.com).

OK, I'm a quick walker! It's 1.5km to Hagers (3 Highfield Avenue), so allow 20 mins. So 15 mins to Brent Cross Station. There are a few kosher places within 1-2 mins walk of Hager's (La Fiesta / Amor / 5th Avenue Pizza / Taboon (bakery with a few seats) / Amor (when it's open!)).

The place near the North Circular Road (not M4) junction with Golders Green Road is called Yamor Suites (www.yamor.com).

North Circular Rd thats it I always call it the M1 or M4 for some Stuppid reason

was just over your way a couple of weeks ago, its been awhile GG Rd just aint what it use to be , nice to see Raj is out and KK took over. hope KK doesnt go back to their crazy prices now that they used the Rabbonim to get rid of Raj and his low prices

headed to Sollys and they changed was told they had a fire. The Quick Bar is now a small area and whats worse no more CCs. so while walking up GGR I saw the White House is now in GG (besides Hendon) and went over there. Very nice and got my lamb over there instead.

Some very nice new restaurants to give those in Hendon a run for their money as we say here in NY

it was nice being back in GG and even nicer not staying at the GG Hotel where Ive spent many a night. The Marriott Park Lane and JW Marriott are alittle nicer 1st time I stayed downtown

If I am not mistaken the only hotel with a London Bet Din Hechscher is King Solomon on Golders Green Road. It is far from fancy but the bathrooms were recently redone and for a night or two it is not bad. Breakfast included and and there is an on site Italian restaurant
There are shuls, restaurants and kosher stores galore all within minutes away
I've been there a few times as recently as three weeks ago and would definately go again.
Another benefit is that the 210 bus to Brent Cross Shopping Center which connects to the 757 to Luton airport stops right outside the door.

If I am not mistaken the only hotel with a London Bet Din Hechscher is King Solomon on Golders Green Road.

Croft Court has a Kedassia hechsher: no less good than the London Beth Din, some would say better.

Golders Green Hotel, the cheapest price wise (and for a very good reason) is under the Federation and reliable

from speaking to people in GG all 3 Hechshers are OK especially they said when dealing with breakfasts The GGH uses Chalov Yisroel products or at least did when I was last there

Golders Green Hotel, the cheapest price wise (and for a very good reason) is under the Federation and reliable

from speaking to people in GG all 3 Hechshers are OK especially they said when dealing with breakfasts The GGH uses Chalov Yisroel products or at least did when I was last there

Both the Federation and the London Beth Din hechshers (and of course, Kedassia) only permit cholov yisroel products in restaurants and hotels under their supervision. LBD permits non-cholov yisroel in manufactured products (identified by a large letter 'D' next to their logo) but definitely NOT in restaurants and hotels.

North Circular Rd thats it I always call it the M1 or M4 for some Stuppid reasonOr just call it A406 :)

was just over your way a couple of weeks ago, its been awhile GG Rd just aint what it use to be , nice to see Raj is out and KK took over. hope KK doesnt go back to their crazy prices now that they used the Rabbonim to get rid of Raj and his low pricesRaj hasn’t been there for years but what was the story? why did the rabanim get rid of it?
Kosher king by the way had a fire as well earlier last year.
Took them around 10 months to re open which they only just did a couple of months ago.


headed to Sollys and they changed was told they had a fire. The Quick Bar is now a small area and whats worse no more CCs. Sollys has become the biggest rip off in the area.
Never going in there again as long as I can help it.
Kosher restaurant in GG, Hendon, and Edgware have been opening left right and centre in the past couple of years.
We even have 3 kosher Indian no less (one in GG and 2 in Hendon) all really good.

There is also a Holiday Inn Express in Finchley (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/925/en/hd/longg?crUrl=/h/d/hi/925/en/hotelsearchresults&rpb=hotel&start=11&_requestid=127909) - across the road from a large shul and within 2 mins walk of a couple of kosher restaurants. I think that they still serve kosher breakfasts, but if not there is a kosher bakery about 5 mins walk away.
The better option.
Nice modern very large rooms and better value than the Brent Cross one which could do with bit of a refurbishments.

The better option.
Nice modern very large rooms and better value than the Brent Cross one which could do with bit of a refurbishments.

The hotels official name is Holiday Inn Express Golders Green North and it is right across the street from the Kinloss Synagogue on the corner of Finchley Road.

The hotel has nice rooms but not much by the way of facilities. There is a Kosher dairy restaurant and a bakery a few minutes walk away.

As to breakfact there is a Kosher section with a seperate refrigerator, containing prepackaged rolls, cheeses, butter, milk and small danish pasteries.
There is also small boxes of Kellog cereal, juices and fruit. Nothing great but definately better than nothing.

I still think that the breakfast at the King Solomon is much better except for the atrocious orange "juice" (sic)

The hotels official name is Holiday Inn Express Golders Green North and it is right across the street from the Kinloss Synagogue on the corner of Finchley Road.

The hotel has nice rooms but not much by the way of facilities. There is a Kosher dairy restaurant and a bakery a few minutes walk away.

As to breakfact there is a Kosher section with a seperate refrigerator, containing prepackaged rolls, cheeses, butter, milk and small danish pasteries.
There is also small boxes of Kellog cereal, juices and fruit. Nothing great but definately better than nothing.

I still think that the breakfast at the King Solomon is much better except for the atrocious orange "juice" (sic)

But can you stay at the KS for $0? if you arent a Prority Club member 1 can always trade on CC for the needed amount of pts

As to breakfact there is a Kosher section with a seperate refrigerator, containing prepackaged rolls, cheeses, butter, milk and small danish pasteries.
There is also small boxes of Kellog cereal, juices and fruit. Nothing great but definately better than nothing.
The free breakfast is fine and all you need really.

Every January I work in my office in Slough, right outside of LHR. I spend the month staying at the Holiday Inn Brent Cross. It is probably a 20 minute walk on Shabbos to anything on Golders Green. The mall is tremendously convenient, Mrs. Thumper and I never run out of Cadbury chocolate.

The best thing about staying there is the ability to fill out a questionairre to get placed for shabbos meals.

http://ggbh.info/JHTesting/Visitor_Form.htm

How cool is that?


We have had some great experiences there.
We have also had some incredible away shabbatot. The hotel is great about keeping our bags for a weekend with us returning that Monday.
Cardiff was a bit of a drive but incredible. We have also secured incredibly cheap weekend tickets to Zurich, Geneva, Lyon. (I mean like 30 pounds each)

If OP is arriving at 11pm at LTN, it's more likely after midnight by the time he/she gets to Golders Green. I would recommend staying somewhere close by along Golders Green Rd. Enuf amenities in the area. Also advantage of staying within the eruv (if OP uses one).

I won't bother with Scotland--not the best season to visit, aside from no midges. There are other areas you can go for a scenic walk as daytrips out of London.

If OP is arriving at 11pm at LTN, it's more likely after midnight by the time he/she gets to Golders Green. I would recommend staying somewhere close by along Golders Green Rd. Enuf amenities in the area. Also advantage of staying within the eruv (if OP uses one).

I won't bother with Scotland--not the best season to visit, aside from no midges. There are other areas you can go for a scenic walk as daytrips out of London.

It will be closer to 1am with immigration , transportation etc.

When I had that situation, I stayed at the airport for the night. There are 2 hotels, Holiday Inn Express and Ibis within a 10 minute walk or 1 minute shuttle ride, from the terminal.

In the morning you could go back to the terminal and take the 757 bus to Brent Cross and connect to your final destination in Hendon, Golders Green etc.

If you want a compromise between being out in Golders Green or Hendon and being further into town, but still close to several synagogues for shabbat, you could try the Marriott Hotel in Maida Vale.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d210767-Reviews-Marriott_London_Maida_Vale-London_England.html

Local synagogues/communities include St John's Wood (Ashkenazi Orthodox), Lauderdale Road (Spanish & Portuguese), New London (Masorti), the Liberal synagogue opposite Lord's Cricket Ground, and several others. The area has pretty places to walk: it's near the Little Venice canals, walkable to the center of town in 30 mins, and up to Regents Park too. And you can get there fairly easily by train from LTN to West Hampstead station and then a taxi or bus from there to Kilburn.

For kosher food, you could either buy some takeout from restaurants in GG/Hendon or from Reubens in the center of town, or maybe contact one of these communities for hospitality.

Good luck!

If you want a compromise between being out in Golders Green or Hendon and being further into town, but still close to several synagogues for shabbat, you could try the Marriott Hotel in Maida Vale.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d210767-Reviews-Marriott_London_Maida_Vale-London_England.html

Local synagogues/communities include St John's Wood (Ashkenazi Orthodox), Lauderdale Road (Spanish & Portuguese), New London (Masorti), the Liberal synagogue opposite Lord's Cricket Ground, and several others. The area has pretty places to walk: it's near the Little Venice canals, walkable to the center of town in 30 mins, and up to Regents Park too. And you can get there fairly easily by train from LTN to West Hampstead station and then a taxi or bus from there to Kilburn.

For kosher food, you could either buy some takeout from restaurants in GG/Hendon or from Reubens in the center of town, or maybe contact one of these communities for hospitality.

Good luck!

wouldnt the Marriott Regents Park be just as walkable to the Shuls you listed? and I think RP gets a better rap then MV

wouldnt the Marriott Regents Park be just as walkable to the Shuls you listed? and I think RP gets a better rap then MV

Sure: I hadn't thought of it, though. Thanks for adding it as a possibility.

If they want a very nice, more boutique like hotel in the neighborhood, I'd suggest The Colonnade (can't use points to pay for it, though):

http://www.theetoncollection.com/content.aspx?pageID=423

It is very close to Little Venice and 2 minutes walk from Lauderdale Road. You could keep some kosher food in a small fridge in the room if needed.

wouldnt the Marriott Regents Park be just as walkable to the Shuls you listed? and I think RP gets a better rap then MV

No, Marriott "Regents Park" is more of Swiss Cottage/South Hamstead. Also the place is in bad need of refurbishment. Still a walking distance to SJW and South Hamstead (US ortho, young families galore).

For some reason, I had an impression that OP was only interested in kosher hotel with hechsher.

South Hamstead (US ortho, young families galore)

You might want to clarify that this means "United Synagogue" and not United States, and also note that the British "United Synagogue" is the mainstream Ashkenazi orthodox organization and not the same as the American "United Synagogue" which is Conservative.

stayed at the King Solomon in GG. Breakfast was just fine and the accommodations and price were more than adequate. Had a great time. Took the 757 bus to Luton. Only mishap was the Brent Crossing bus driver gave the wrong spot for the pick up

thanks again to everyone