Visiting London? Insiders share tips
Buckingham Palace, the Dickens Museum, Hyde Park, a Hitchcock walking tour, Kew Gardens, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, St. Paul's cathedral, the Thames, Wimbledon -- these are just a few examples of the best of London.
It should be no surprise that a city 2,000 years old is an alphabetic mishmash of things to gawp at. But like a Dickensian novel, the best of London's real character seeps out of the cracks that split its major attractions.
Yes, London is the world's financial capital (along with New York), yes it's Europe's cultural hub and, yes, more than 300 languages are spoken within its perimeter. But we don't care about any of that, mate.
Transport links have been improved, hotels have had facelifts and restaurants have been refitted. London looks better as a result and now -- before the dust and grime settle down again -- is a great time to visit the city:
Hotels
Luxury
The Savoy
It came a year late and £100 million over budget, but in October 2010 one of the world's most legendary hotels opened its doors after a rumored £200 million facelift. Unlike some facelifts, however, the results for this old lady --- now owned by an Arab sheikh and run by Canadians --- are impressive.
Perfectly located for the shops of Covent Garden and the cinemas of Leicester Square, it was Marilyn Monroe's London hotel of choice and, if you can stretch to the £400-plus nightly fee, it can to become yours. The acclaimed Savoy Grill -- now in the hands of acerbic celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay (do not expect the steaks to be as blue as his language) -- can be expensive, but is not overpriced.
Tip: Rooms 328, 428, 528, 628 enjoy river views but entry-level prices.
Charlotte Street Hotel
Situated in London's media neighborhood just north of Soho, this former dental hospital now contains 52 individually designed rooms, including loft and penthouse suites. The huge, comfortable beds and trademark polished granite and oak bathrooms are suitably indulgent, and some rooms have luxuriously high ceilings.
Tip: if you can afford it, go for one of the split-level loft suites. Among other things they feature TVs in the bathroom.
Mid-range
The Arosfa
This reasonably priced townhouse hotel was once the Bloomsbury home of artist John Everett Millais. It's close to Euston Station, the British Museum and the shops of Oxford Street. Wi-Fi is available and breakfast is included.
Tip: Arosfa has only 15 rooms, so book early.
The Rookery
Located in a quiet area a short distance from the Barbican, St. Paul's, Holborn and the City, the Rookery is characterized by open fires, Georgian detailing, wonky floors and bulging bookshelves. There's an honesty bar downstairs, a tiny garden terrace for the summer, 33 double rooms and two singles.
All are as quirky as the building. Bedrooms are named after people who lived in the Dickensian buildings at some point over the past 250 years --- including a disgraced preacher and a prostitute hanged for murder.
Tip: There's no restaurant, the perfect reason to head down the road to the acclaimed St. John for some meaty, masculine English fare.
Budget
The Hoxton
A pound for a room? Take a dozen and still have change for a show.
This smart budget option could not be better located, bang in the middle of the capital's most buzzing nightlife area. The Hoxton has been a big hit since it opened in 2006, not least for its famed £1 rooms, which it sells throughout the year. A word of warning: during the last sale, 500 rooms were booked in less than 10 minutes.
There are no mini-bars, suites, or turndown service, but you do get complimentary Wi-Fi, a banana, yogurt and orange juice for breakfast and one hour of free calls each day to anywhere except "Costa Fortune," according to the management.
The Hoxton, Shoreditch, 81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU England; +44 (0)20 7550 1000
Tip: When Pret A Manger sandwich shop entrepreneur Sinclair Beecham opened this 205-room hotel, he used the no‑frills airline approach to setting room rates -- the earlier you book, the less you pay.
Dining
The Wolseley
Just along from the Ritz Hotel, the Wolseley exudes history and style. Housed in a former car showroom, and later a branch of Barclays bank, it has vaulted ceilings, polished marble, an art deco interior and the odd celebrity.
Poached native lobster, Cornish crab, two types of caviar and three kinds of oyster decorate the menu. Harden's has tipped The Wolseley as an excellent business restaurant, but the look and feel is anything but stuffy, so leave the laptop in the office. Traditional English breakfast here is a must and, with a reported 1,000 covers each day, so is booking ahead.
The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB England; +44 (0)20 7499 6996
Wild Honey
Head to the exclusive Mayfair area of London for dinner and you might expect to need a government bailout to settle your bill.
