Maxers

My family is planning to spend New Years Eve in London this year. Do you have any suggestions for a good place to watch the firework? I am wondering if there is a hotel located on the bank of the Thames or if a dinner cruise might be a good choice?

janisj

There are lots of hotels along the river -- they will all cost a fortune at New Years. Marriott County Hall, Royal Horseguards, Savoy, and many others.

The area surrounding the fireworks is fenced off during NYE and is ticket-only. It is a real zoo -- hundreds of thousands of people. Tower Bridge is outside the ticket zone but is also beyond where you can see all of the display.

There are many high level restaurants and cocktail lounges w/ amazing views of the fire works . . . but they will also cost a boat load. What is your budget? I'd count on a minimum of £200 per person for a dinner w/ views

And £400 and waaaaaay up for a double hotel room. more like £500 or £600 with a good view.

PatrickLondon

>> Do you have any suggestions for a good place to watch the firework? <<

Frankly, I'd suggest you find the biggest and best quality TV screen tuned to the BBC One high-definition channel. Boat traffic isn't allowed anywhere near the area where the fireworks are let off. A few years ago, some neighbours and I took the late Clipper boat up on the off chance: it stopped at Blackfriars pier and all we could see was smoke and mist changing colour.

PatrickLondon

Oh, and would any hotel restaurants nearby be high enough up for a decent view? Bear in mind they're all on the north bank, much of which is lined with trees.

janisj

>>Oh, and would any hotel restaurants nearby be high enough up for a decent view? <<

True, most hotel restaurants won't have views. Just to clarify - I was talking about hotel double rooms.

But a few hotels w/ restaurants w/ views would include the Marriott county Hall, the Hilton on Park Lane, the Shard, the Mondrian . . . but a NYE meal at any of those will be far north of £200 pp.

Tulips

I didn't go there, but Royal Festival Hall's Vintage NYE party looked good and not that expensive.
The restaurants in the Shard have a very expensive NYE dinner, but view from the Festival Hall would be better.
Not suitable if you have children under 18, though.

janisj

Tulips: That looked like a GREAT party -- cheaper than most but still pretty pricey. £210 pp if one wanted dinner. (but as cheap as £79 purchasing far in advance and without dinner)

This bit would concern me a little: >>Please note that access to the terrace and balcony to view the fireworks is not guaranteed and may be limited due to adverse weather conditions. This is at the direction of Jack Morton Ltd and is not under the control of Southbank Centre or its staff.<<

Tulips

I imagine a sold-out Festival Hall would not all fit onto the terraces perhaps? Maybe they add that disclaimer in case of a severe storm or other circumstance?

Aqua Shard was charging almost 400 pounds for dinner - and not as near the fireworks.

That Festival Hall party would be great to do with a group of people.

How was your view of the fireworks this year Janisj?