London Hotel Guide

London is England's capital city and literally bursts with culture and seemingly endless artistic and architectural triumphs. The City of London, in the east, is built on the site of the original Roman settlement and is now London's financial district, like Wall Street, currently enjoying a revival of new modern hotels, restaurants and wine bars, amidst the older "classics." London is ever bustling and growing and its varied metropolis ensures captivating museums, gourmet dining, unique galleries, clubs of every flavor, nightlife and a diverse range of sensational year-round theater, music and outdoor recreation.

Visitors to Britain require a valid passport, a return round-trip air ticket and traveler’s checks and/or credit cards. Visitors do not require proof of inoculations or a visa.

British currency is L (pounds) Sterling which divides into 100p (pence). Since the same currency is used throughout England, Scotland and Wales and there are no exchange controls, you can bring in and take out as much as you desire.

One of the spending shockers in Britain is the 17.5 percent VAT (Value Added Tax) added to all goods and services, on everything except books, food and children’s clothes. Yes, that means even a manicure or a restaurant meal. However, what 90 percent of people do not realize is that if visitors keep their receipts, they can claim back the VAT paid. Do your research beforehand because re-claiming this 17.5 percent charge included in the marked price of goods, represents a huge savings to the traveler.

London has three international airports offering direct flights from the US: Heathrow; Gatwick; and Stansted, all presenting quick and easy transfers to London.

The Eurostar is the train now using the Chunnel for access to Britain and arrives at Waterloo station in London. Eurostar’s Web station is www.eurostar.com. Britain’s excellent and efficient train service affords fast and frequent service to all the main centers. For affordable train travel, consider the BritRail Pass. For train information try www.railtrack.co.uk or www.BritRail.net.

London was the first city to introduce underground transport and it now runs 24 hours a day, including direct service to and from Heathrow Airport, meaning after clearing customs, travelers can take an escalator underground and catch the “tube” to their hotel. “The tube” is popular and fast and connects this vast city with a system that is both simple and economical. When the daytime buses and underground “tube” stop operating around 0030, the night buses operate until early morning and pass through central London to serve the many restaurants, clubs, cinemas and theaters.

National Express is the largest coach operator in Britain, offering an extensive network of coach stations throughout Britain. The main station is London’s Victoria Station and enables travelers to take a coach to and between almost every main city in Britain.

London has an intense rivalry with New York as the quintessential capital of culture. Home to the best theatre in the world, its reputation is based on unique productions, big star names and reasonable ticket prices. Without exception, any given evening offers blockbuster musicals, comedies and period dramas. A visitor's biggest problem is narrowing down his/her choice of what to see vs. the time he/she has to see the plethora of breathtaking cultural options.

London is comprised of many varied and quite distinct districts, all offering a unique selection of attractions, places to stay and numerous places to eat. The main hotel areas in central London include: Victoria/Westminster; West End/Mayfair/Oxford Street; Bloomsbury/Strand/Leicester Square; Paddington/Bayswater; and Chelsea/Earl’s Court/South Kensington. Other areas in London are the City of London, Kensington/Notting Hill Gate/Holland Park, Acton/Chisiwick/Ealing/Hammersmith, North, Northwest, Southwest, East, Southeast and London’s country.

Knightsbridge and South Kensington in the west are among London's most prestigious areas with elegant, expensive houses, hotels, restaurants and shops. Mayfair is the elegant, Georgian, upscale residential area between Bond Street and Park Lane. It takes its name from the fairs held here each May in the 18th century. Notting Hill in west London is famous for its annual August carnival and many new fashionable bars, restaurants and the popular Portobello Road antique shops and market. Soho, home to Carnaby Street is the 60's center of fashion and a cosmopolitan selection of restaurants, bars, clubs and other nightlife. The South Bank offers beautiful riverside walks, and the world's greatest concert and theater venues.

The West End is London’s theater region with major cinemas, restaurants and main shopping areas, encompassing the streets around Mayfair, Westminster, Belgravia, Soho and Covent Garden. Keep an eye out for Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.

So, the question is: Where to stay? Travelers can choose from luxury international five-star hotels, more modest guest houses or private-home stays, "boutique" townhouse hotels, apartments offering every amenity, or youth hostels for those on a budget. Major international hotels with familiar names such as Hilton, Best Western, Radisson, and others are scattered throughout London. London offers an astounding selection of accommodation options from castles to caravans, ultra-luxurious hotels to country farmhouses. London-bound travelers need to understand that while accommodations are indeed available at very affordable prices, overall, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Travelers would be wise to book and confirm accommodations in advance as this city is popular and busy year-round.