My husband and I have a mere 48 hours to spend in London from 3/31-4/2. We are staying at the Corus Hotel Hyde Park - does anyone have any opinion on this particular hotel and/or what we should do on the day we arrive? Also, I am thinking that our full day should be spent trying to get to the Kew Gardens - can we do that via the tube from Hyde Park area? One last thing, how easy is it to get to/from Heathrow via tube? Thanks in advance!

Well, you have said that you are staying there, so it is pointless speculating if it is a fixed plan.

As for what you should do - why Kew Gardens? There are so many more worthwhile things to do, the parks, and also the Barbican centre has a conservatory that is worth seeing.

As for taking the tube... spend 30GBP and get a car to take you, it's far less hassle.

Can't comment on hotel - I don't stay in hotels in London. Since you're there for such a short time, I would take the hop on hop off bus that takes you around the major sites. Take an evening pub walk with Original London Walks - they're a lot of fun. walks.com

The tube will take you to Kew. Definitely worth a visit and very easy to get to. It is also very easy to hop on the tube at Heathrow - it takes you right into central London.

Enjoy your trip.

It is easy to get from LHR into London - however - the Corus is not on the tube line that serves LHR. It is at Lancaster Gate which is on the Central Line so you will have to change lines twice for the shortest trip or change once on a longer, round about journey.

These line changes are not that easy if you are schlepping luggage - especially during the morning or afternoon commutes. Lots of walking/stairs/escalators. I often take the tube in from the airport, but I would NOT if I was staying in Bayswater where your hotel is.

I'd either book a car service, or I'd take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington and then a cab from Paddington to the horel.

I am a bit confused about the Kew Gardens question. It sounds like you haven't been to London before - and will only be there for 2 days. Unless Kew is your main/only reason for stopping in London you may not want to spend the best part of a day there.

Kew is really terrifc - but there is MUCH more to see right in central London. 2 days won't even begin to scratch the surface.

I would have to agree with both MK2 and Janis -if this is your first trip I would just concentrate on central London. 2 days will go by quickly and there is so much to see and do there.
Janis, I meant to look up their hotel before I posted. Your info, as always, is spot on.

Thank you all for your input. My husband is a rabid gardner and outdoorsman, and a friend told us it was a 'must see'. I've been to London before, but as a child so I only remember Trafalgar Square, the play 'Mouse Trap', and making a brass rubbing of Anne Boleyn! Any advice on the most 'time effective' plan and restaurant choices would be greatly appreciated!