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.

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.

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 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. 

Visiting London can be a delight.  It is one of the busiest, most exciting cities in the world.  The museums, restaurants, shopping, and theatre are among the best in the world.  For those visiting, however, it can all be a little bit overwhelming.  By choosing to stay at a bed and breakfast London, visitors can experience the city with the helping hand of a friendly landlord or landlady.

A bed and breakfast is also a good way to budget an otherwise pricey holiday.  London is not the cheapest city in the world, but travelling there is doable when a room is booked at a bed and breakfast.  They are often much less expensive than a traditional hotel and the homely atmosphere is very welcoming.

To choose the best bed and breakfast for particular needs, research is essential.  A traveller should be aware of the layout of the city and what sites are most important to see.  They can then choose a bed and breakfast that is close to everything they want to do.

Central London is an excellent choice for a place to stay at a bed and breakfast.  Many of the most important tourist spots are near the centre of the city, such as Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower and Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and several important museums.

It may be especially helpful to seek out a bed and breakfast near a tube station.  The underground is the best way to get around the city and there are plenty of places to stay that are within a few minutes’ walk of a tube stop.  This can make travelling around to different sites much easier.

The London Eye is one of London’s newest tourist attractions.  Built in 1999 by British Airways and originally known as the ‘Millennium Wheel’, it has quickly become one of the most iconic structures in England.  Because of its location the London Eye is no ordinary Ferris wheel.  Tourists can climb aboard one of the 32 air-conditioned cabins and settle down to enjoy a leisurely half-hour aerial spectacular of London.

The London Eye provides a truly unique view of the Thames, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, among many other iconic London landmarks.  During special events, such as the celebrations for New Year, the London Eye becomes an exciting place to be to catch the proceedings, with the fireworks display and the jubilant crowds below.  Due to demand, visitors interested in visiting the facility may need to book in advance since the London Eye attracts up to four million visitors every year but doing this will also almost guarantee you cheap tickets as you often find discounted and two for one offers online.

The wide variety of hotels in London means that there are places to stay to suit every need and budget.  Ranging from low cost cosy hostels, to the spectacular penthouse at the Dorchester Hotel, at £2950 per night, each hotel London has offers that are specifically for tourists.  Those wishing to see the London Eye and other popular attractions in central London will find that there are many hotels in London situated in the vicinity.  Prices for a London hotel are usually lower further away from the centre.  Travel around London using the famous Underground railway system or the buses, is typically fast and easy. 

The Mayflower Hotel is a relatively small but homely hotel, located in the Earl’s Court area of London.

The townhouse style hotel, while not as expensive and luxurious as more notable hotels such as the Ritz, nevertheless offers its guests great accommodation coupled with friendliness.  Room rates are variable depending on the time of the year booked and availability.

Accommodation   

All 48 rooms are individually decorated to the highest standards with each one having hand carved wooden beds.  Egyptian cotton linens and merino wool blankets cover the beds for added comfort.

There are a number of different sized bedrooms to choose from depending on whether you require a single, double or family sized room.  The latter sleeps a maximum of four.

Dining and Bars

There is no evening dining facility at the Mayflower Hotel.  However it does offers guests a breakfast service.

Other Facilities

For a fairly small hotel, the company believes in going that extra mile for guests.  As such, the hotel offers a number of facilities usually associated with more luxurious 5-star London hotels.  Some services may incur additional charges.  For instance, the Concierge Service can help you with anything from recommending a restaurant to locating the local attractions.

Each room also has a direct telephone line; there are also fax, photocopying and secretarial services available.  If staying at the hotel on business, guests may make use of the hotel’s business services including conference and meeting halls.

Finally, if you are heavy sleeper, there is a wakeup call service.

The Royal Trafalgar is a genuinely peaceful hotel, situated at Trafalgar Square one of London’s most famous landmarks. 

Out and About in Trafalgar Square

Just across the square from the hotel you can see the unique spectacle that is Nelson’s column.  This huge column commemorating Britain’s seafaring legend is opposite the London National Gallery that holds some of the fine artistic creations to be found in London.

Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square both offer an extensive array of shops and restaurants right at the heart of London’s theatre land.  A short walk away is the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey among many other favourite tourist attractions.

A Classic yet Modern Hotel
 
The Royal Trafalgar Hotel provides 116 rooms and has recently been refurbished to reflect a more contemporary and up to date look and actively welcomes groups and families.

Bold colours are used to enhance a range of furnishings in the guest rooms to help create a more spacious and relaxed ambiance.  The Gravity Bar specialises in a wide selection of wines while Square’s offers a range of European and British dishes prepared and presented to a high standard.

One of the benefits of staying at the Royal Trafalgar is the exclusive access for adult guests to the local health and fitness club, which includes swimming pool facilities. Unusually for London the hotel is also situated near three car parks just a short walk away.  Additionally, guests can enjoy a 24-hour room service and wireless internet access throughout the hotel.