London Travel Guide and Hotel Reviews

Visitors to London from Paris and Brussels frequently travel into the city using the Eurostar high-speed train service. In 2007, the Eurostar departed from its old terminal at London’s Waterloo station to move across town into newly refurbished lodgings at St Pancras International Station.

Having been empty for years, the spectacular old Victorian buildings of the old St Pancras Railway Station designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, were finally rescued and became the new central London terminus for Eurostar trains. Now, the impressive red-bricked Victorian buildings create a dramatic first impression on visitors arriving in London on the Eurostar from European destinations.

Today, St Pancras International is not just another stop along a railway line, it is a destination in itself. Following lavish renovations the international train terminal is now a multi-faceted building featuring extensive retail and dining opportunities as well as the longest champagne bar in Europe. St Pancras International has become a unique hospitality destination and its dramatic beauty has made it popular as a film and photographic location. The cavernous scale of the concourse structures promote excellent acoustics and as a result, St Pancras International frequently hosts live musical events.

As you would expect in this well-connected area of London, visitor accommodation is varied and there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. St Pancras hotels range from traditional London bed and breakfast establishments to the high-level five star luxury of  Sir George Gilbert Scott’s Gothic treasure, St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, adjacent to the Eurostar terminal.

As the capital city of England, London offers plenty of options for visitors.  For impressive history, art and culture, shopping and beautiful palaces and parks, London is in a class of its own.

With so much to see, if your time is limited, then a cruise along the river Thames in London is a relaxing way to cross a few famous sights off your list.  Boats sail in all weathers and seasons and most have indoor and outdoor seating areas from which to enjoy the views.  Thames river boats weave their way through the heart of London giving unbroken views of iconic buildings such as The Tower of London, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern art gallery.

Catch a boat from Westminster Pier and let it take you south east along the sweep of the river to Greenwich, where historic buildings by Christopher Wren sit in stunning parkland opposite modern architecture such as Canary Wharf across the river in Docklands.

To enjoy the many sights of London in a relaxing and unhurried fashion, splashing out on a Thames river cruise is highly recommended.

Eating out in London is always a pleasure.  The sheer range of cuisine on offer reflects the multi-cultural diversity of this vibrant city.  A short stroll through the streets takes you past Caribbean restaurants, Indian, African, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Eastern European, Scandinavian eateries – the list of foods on offer is endless.

Alongside these distinctive international cuisines, visitors also discover some very English dining options in London that are hard to resist.  Two traditional foodie appointments worth keeping during your visit are afternoon tea and Sunday lunch.

Afternoon tea

The quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea should be enjoyed if you get the chance.  Many of London’s grand old hotels offer lavish tea menus featuring the most delicate of finger sandwiches, lightest sponge cakes and pastries, moist scones, jam and clotted cream and a selection of artisan blended teas, all served on the finest bone china.  Take your pick from elegant Claridges, The Savoy, The Dorchester, or The Ritz.  For something a little unconventional with a creative twist, afternoon tea at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is popular with the fashionable crowd.

Sunday lunch

Gastropubs are a relatively new English innovation combining the best of modern British cuisine with the enduring appeal of the great British pub.  Kill two birds with one stone and enjoy fine ales whilst selecting from an extensive gourmet menu.  These establishments often serve the best traditional slap-up Sunday lunches.  Popular London gastropubs include The Thomas Cubitt (SW1), The Anchor and Hope (SE1), The Duke of Cambridge (N1) and The Wells Tavern (NW3).

If this is your first visit to London here are some first-timer tips to help you get the most out of your stay.

A guide book is invaluable and allows you to plan in advance what you want to see and do. Are you a culture vulture? London has fabulous museums and many of them are free. Perhaps royal attractions are your thing? The Royal Palaces and traditional British ceremonies such as The Changing of the Guard are tourist favourites.

London is a big city so consider how you will get from A to B. Grab a free map of the Underground system (or Tube) which is generally the easiest way of getting around. Investigate travelcard options such as the Oystercard and daily travelcards which can offer better value. If you prefer to see the sights as you travel, why not splash out on an open topped double-decker bus tour?

Getting your accommodation right is key to an enjoyable stay in the capital. London welcomes 30 million international visitors per year so there is something to suit everyone. Choose from luxury hotels to tourist hotels, apartments or a London bed and breakfast – London has it all.

There are many children’s attractions in the city of London which makes finding something to suit everyone simple.  Here are three ideas to get you started.

Madame Tussauds

The queues along Marylebone Road bear testimony to its enduring popularity.  This museum of historic and contemporary waxwork figures fascinates children of all ages.  Kids rub shoulders with heroes like David Beckham or dance along with Beyoncé.  To avoid queues, book online.

The London Dungeon

Kids love the ghoulish and creepy, and it does not get much creepier than the London Dungeon, a museum celebrating London’s dark past.  Gruesome accounts of beheading, murder, torture and plague have kids screaming in terrified delight.  Features include good theme-park style rides and costumed staff that leap out of exhibits to frighten visitors when least expected.  Do expect to be repulsed, horrified and made slightly nervous.

Sea Life London Aquarium

Situated in County Hall, right by the Thames, this fantastic aquarium features sea life from around the globe.  Watch divers swim amongst the fish and enjoy busy feeding times.  Interactive displays and a supervised ‘touch-pool’ mean kids can get up close to some fascinating creatures.

In a major city like London, a wide range of accommodation is on offer.  Here is a brief guide to the various types available.

On the cheap

Bargain basement and budget hostel accommodation is often dormitory style and aimed at a younger market.  Many have kitchens for residents to use, a bar, and luggage storage facilities.

Bed and Breakfast

If you want your own room, then bed and breakfast is the next step up on the price ladder.  Areas such as Paddington, Kings Cross, Earls Court and Victoria have the best prices owing to the steep competition.

Basic ‘no frills’

Hotel chains offering basic accommodation with no frills.  It pays to shop around with these two or three star establishments due to variations in pricing depending on midweek or weekend reservations.

More stars

Four and five star hotels are in abundance.  Represented by the large hotel chains, visitors will find a huge choice in this area of the market.  Again, it pays to shop around as rates vary depending on season or even day of the week.

Aparthotels/apartments

This sector is growing in London and is well suited to the independent traveller.  The Kensington, Barbican and Covent Garden districts are well served by these establishments.

Rooms for one

Lone travellers may find it hard to avoid paying for a twin room, as there is not quite so much choice in this area.  It is worth spending time researching establishments that genuinely offer single options.

Family-sized

Families and larger groups will find the most flexibility and choice, and also the best prices, in the bed and breakfast/budget hotel category.

London is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.  Visitors love the culture, the history, nightlife, and art scene in this vibrant capital city. 

Museums

London’s museums are top notch.  The National Gallery and National Portrait gallery are home to world-class works of art, as is the Tate Modern.  The British Museum holds some of the world’s most important archaeological artefacts.  The Victoria and Albert is a quirky museum that is delightful to explore.

Landmarks

London has some of the most famous landmarks in the world.  The Tower of London is the home of the Crown Jewels and is said to be haunted by the spirits of people who were executed there.  St. Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful structure and visitors can climb to the top of the dome for spectacular views.  The London Eye towers over the city and tourists can ride the third tallest wheel in the world.  Visitors also love to tour the royal residence of Buckingham Palace.

Hotels

Hotels in London come in a variety of types and price ranges.  Many visitors choose to stay somewhere that is close to a tube station for easy access to all the sites.  For this reason, St. Pancras hotels are a good choice.  The St. Pancras station gives visitors a way to get around the city quickly.  It also has trains to take tourists around the country and through the Channel Tunnel to France.

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and as such it can be a place thronging with crowds of people, making car travel through its streets difficult and exhausting. To remedy this, the London Underground rail system – known simply as ‘the Tube’ – was established in the 19th century. The earliest railway system of its kind, it runs today with the same popularity and ease of access as ever.

Complimentary maps of the London underground system, with details of the different lines, stations and train times, can be picked up in any of the Tube stations. Otherwise, a copy can be downloaded and printed from the Tube website.

The trains involved in the underground system have their destination on the front of the train, so if travelling, be sure to look for this to make sure it will reach the correct destination. Try to reduce the time you spend travelling within rush hours – early morning or evening – as the trains can become very crowded at these times.

London is home to a large range of hotels, serviced apartments, hostels and numerous other forms of accommodation. From glitzy glamour to family-friendly luxury, it has it all, and at prices to suit every pocket.

Many of London’s city centre hotels are the epitome of luxury; with historical hotels right in the middle of the action standing side-by-side contemporary builds. They can get expensive, though early booking and deals can bring prices down a little.

If visiting during the summer months on a budget, be sure to check out the university halls, which are clean, comfortable and very affordable, as well as being centrally located close to tourist attractions and local public transport.

London’s host of bed and breakfast establishments offer comfort, convenience and personalised service at lower prices. They can also be more family-friendly than some of the city’s larger hotels, and the friendly hosts are usually passionate about the city, offering insider advice and tips from a local’s perspective.

London hotels can be very family friendly, offering special services for children and parents, including the likes of games, the hiring of bikes and babysitting services to allow harried parents some quiet time.

Sometimes, the best place to stay can be in a serviced apartment, where a full kitchen or kitchenette takes the hassle out of meal times. These fully serviced complexes often offer specialised family-friendly activities and babysitting services as well as a more comfortable and private place to relax after a busy day sightseeing.

For a more luxurious stay for all the family, check out the Ritz hotel. Children are more than welcome here, and if guests call ahead with the details of their party, staff will make sure to have their favourite film waiting, as well as child-sized bathrobes and slippers and milk and cookies at turndown.

A London holiday can be a very exciting and rewarding experience.  The art, culture, history, and nightlife are unparalleled.  To make the most of a trip to London, it is important to find an affordable, convenient, and nice place to stay.

One great choice for lodging in the city is the area called St. Pancras.  Within the borough of Camden, St. Pancras is a convenient and centrally located spot for finding a hotel or bed and breakfast in London.  The tube and railway station here make it an easy place from which to travel elsewhere.  It offers trains to take visitors around the city, to points around the country, as well as the train through the Channel Tunnel to Europe.

St Pancras hotels are not only convenient for travelling.  They are also a great place from which to explore the history of the city.  The St. Pancras Old Church is thought to be the oldest Christian site in the UK.  The area is also famous for its historic cemeteries.