I am planning my first trip to London soon and I keep reading this and that about The Strand, yet I can find no explanation about what "The Strand" is, is it a neighborhood, a district, a specific address? please enlighten me...

The Strand is a street and a name of a theatre. The Strand Theatre is on the Strand.

I seem to recall something on my London Walks tour about the origin of the name. I think the name is derived from the german word for beach? Maybe someone could elaborate?

Yep, "strand" is still used as a word for beach, or the strip of land just next to a body of water (like the Thames)

Once upon a time the Thames did come up as far as the strand, hence the name.<BR><BR>The Savoy used to have it's own pier and dock.<BR><BR>It's about 50 yards away now...

It is a terrific area to stay in, in terms of convenience and ability to walk many places. Strand is a couple of blocks from the Thames, Covent Garden is a block or so in the other direction. Buses to many places run up and down Strand. We love the area.

<BR>Dooly, it is the name of a street about four or five blocks long. Also when one says The Strand they refer to the area in the immediate vicinity of the street. Get a London map and look for the street, and that will be the area people are referring to.

There is a great and historic hotel called The Savoy located right on The Strand in London. In fact The Savoy is London's most famous hotel, I'll wager. If you stay at The Savoy, make sure you go for one of the Thames-facing rooms or suites, from which you can see a number of London's bridges, and the London Eye, and lots of good stuff. The Savoy's afternoon tea is lucious and you won't even need to eat dinner after indulging in the finger sandwiches and scones and little sweets and tea. Yummm. The Strand area is the greatest, hands down, for those who want to enjoy lots of London theater, all within walking distance. Make sure you book your theater seats early since they all seem pretty small and shows sell out pronto.