We are travelling for six nights to London in March with our 10 yr. old daughter. We are currently booked at Thistle Marble Arch. Does anyone know anything about this property? <BR><BR>Also, we're wondering about restaurant suggestions. <BR><BR>It's our first trip and we want to get it right without spending a fortune! Help!

I haven't been to that particular hotel, but the Thistle chain is an excellent one, and the Marble Arch locale is right in the middle of everything. As for restaurants, I'll recommend the Garfunkle's chain (like our coffee shops), Pret a Manger (for sandwiches), the Stockpot restaurants for vegetarian fare, and don't forget Hard Rock Cafe.

The ASK chain is good. It has pizza as well as Italian meals and is not very expensive. We also like Brown's Restaurant near Leicester Square. Have the sticky toffee pudding for dessert; it's great.

there are a number of italien restaurants springing up in london, some chains and some not...usually pretty good---pizza for the 10 year old of course...<BR>also we like Sea Shells which is on Lisson Grove which is north of marble arch...take a cab---fish at its best and freshest, moderate price, not fancy, suitable for family dinner....not the nicest neighborhood, but not unsafe either, just dark buildings...<BR>lots of american chain restaurants around as well....<BR>indian??? many around<BR>north of marble arch is a very middle east area so you will see lots of cafes catering to them and y0u if you like...<BR><BR>take the 10 year old on the london I, the ferris wheel---its a great ride---on the river roughly across from parliament

i should also add that lots of the big stores have restaurants in them and some are not too expensive, often in the basement

We stayed at the Thistle Marble Arch in June 2001 and had a good experience. We have reserved an Executive Quad room (there were 4 of us traveling) but upon check in we received two connecting rooms that were very, very nice. One room had a king bed and the other had 2 twins. It was like a very nice Hyatt in the US. Room's were large. It's a good location and we would stay there again.

I don't know what your tastes are but I can reccommend the Wagamama chain (brances all over the city) which is Japanese food. There is no sushi mainly noodle and rice dishes. The noodle soups are very tasty, filling and inexpensive and would be ideal for a chilly March day! All the dishes are very clearly explained on the menu and providing you like noodles/rice and beef/chicken/vegetables you will find something you like. Our only tip would be that the 'chilli' dishes are quite spicy! We always eat here when in London, in fact we find it hard to tear ourselves away to eat anywhere else. www.wagamama.com has maps and menus.

ASK pizza is priced well for families and can be &quot;take away&quot; to your hotel. Kick off your shoes and let the 10 year old have the TV on.

I hate ASK, I think it is the UK Olive Garden. But, maybe a child would go for it. However, when I was at the ASK on Kensington High Street, I saw almost all couples. It seemed like a &quot;date&quot; restaurant to me. I thought the staff was surly too.

A couple of items, following up on other postings:<BR><BR>--&quot;take away&quot; (carryout) food is generally not subject to the Valued Added Tax that adds almost 20% to the price of restaurant meals.<BR><BR>--one &quot;department store basement restaurant&quot; that works for families is the Fountains Restaurantin the Fortnum and Mason store on Picadilly street. Not particularly close to your hotel, but you may in the area at some point.<BR><BR>--another Italian chain that my kids enjoyed is Bella Pasta. There's a branch near Marble Arch. Pizza Express is yet another such possibility--although these are a bit more expensive.<BR><BR>--Pret a Manger, the sandwich shop, is great. The food is fresh, they have fruit and other snacks, and the shops are smoke-free.<BR><BR>Hope this helps. Email me if you have questions.<BR><BR>David White<BR>[email protected]<BR><BR><BR>

You requested theater and restaurant info of me earlier and I don't know if you saw my reply. I will top that message if you want to read my response.