London first-timer
 

I have a meeting in London in April and plan to go a little early and have two days prior to the beginning of my business there. I've already bought a London book for research. Need some ideas for a moderate but nice and safe hotel in the area near Parliament, Covent Garden or anywhere in that general vicinity where I can walk to some fun sites, shopping and London ambiance. Also, if you experts out there could recomment a London experience (not touristy) restaurant/pub to enjoy in that general area, I'd love it. Thanks to all in advance. ----Lu

Hello Lu, We were first timers to London last year at this time and stayed at the Royal Adelphi Hotel. It is fairly basic, a little dark, but very well located next to the Embankment underground stop an Covent Gardens. Easy walk to theatres, Trafalgar square, and lots to see. We paid about $125 a night and spent so little time there that it was well worth it. We found eating to be a problem-expensive-but the crypt at Saint Martins in the Fields had a great dinner buffet for a good price. Also, above in the church there are almost nightly candlelight classical music performances that are really special. Highly recommended!! Good luck, Stephen

Thanks to Jeffery for the suggestion. Folks, doesn't anyone out there have any suggestions for me too? Is my London query too boring for all ye travel experts??!!! I would love to hear from more of you. Thanks.

Thanks to Stephen too! I am calling the Royal Adelphi tomorrow! :-)

I was advised in this forum to get the book Cheap Eats in London by Sandra A. Gustafson. Got back from London last week.Never had a bad or expensive meal when we used this book. Get it. It will save you more than its price in one meal.Have fun. <BR>

Lu, You will enjoy London.Two days are not enough.You will want to go back! The best pubs in my opinion are near the law courts.I think on Fleet St.With only a couple of days.I wouldn't try to see too much. I think That I would spend most of the time just strolling around.The circle line on the underground is great.most major sites are reached from it.

Lu: <BR> <BR>Check out the "Paris/England" discussion topic, which should still be in today's 1st 50 or 100 topics listed (I just posted a response). You'll find a lengthy & VERY informative post from Wes Fowler providing details on London, as well as Paris. Wes is one of the regulars on the forum & is chock full of travel info. <BR>

Lu, More on London and in followup to the pub message. One on the things we enjoyed most was "London Walks". This outfit has a wide variety of guided walks around London. They are cheep-about 4 pounds per person when we were there 1 year ago- and require no reservation. There guide, available at hotels and probably beforehand by mail, indicates an underground stop at which to meet and at what time. The walks are many and varied and it's an easy way to see many things with a little help. We went on a pub walk(night), a Jack the Ripper walk(night) and walks to Oxford and to the British Museum. Highly recommended. The company is actually called "The Original London Walks".Tel. 0171-624 3978. Do it.

I know it sounds extremely "touristy", but if you only have a couple of days, I would highly suggest taking one of the "Big Bus" double decker bus tours. They're about $15 and you may get on/off at many locations in the City. It gives you a quick overall view of the City and you can get ideas of where you'd like to focus your limited time. <BR> <BR>Can't remember where we stayed, but it wasn't in your preferred area. <BR>

Lu, another (slightly off-topic?) suggestion: The first day, if you're arriving by air from N. America, you'll probably be landing early in the morning, before most hotels will let you check in. Before seeing anything of London, stash your luggage someplace (airport locker, hotel front desk..) and take the Underground to Waterloo Station. Walk over to the river, drink in the view, and keep walking, over the Westminster Bridge. Go past Parliament and up Whithall to Trafalgar Square, passing the Foreign Office and Cenotaph, Downing Street, and Horseguards. Stop for tea or coffee or breakfast, and enjoy your dramatic first morning in Britain. Are you in London? You bet! Cheers!

Lu, <BR>I have been to London several times. The hop-on hop-off tours are great. You see all the biggest sights and if you ride straight thru it's under two hours. I found that to keep the cost down, I grabbed lunch from the nearest Boots (drug store) or market/super market. They have loads of sandwiches to choose from and other packaged stuff. It is all quite fresh (not like in the states), this is what the local business people eat and it will only run you a few dollars. The crisps (potato chips) come in the most unusual flavors also (beef & onion or roast chicken). A couple of restaurants that didn't run us too much money and were quite good were Pollo (italian) and Wagamama (asian noodles) - both have community seating so you will never eat alone. The pubs usually have hot and cold meals that are reasonable. My husband and I stayed in Bayswater at a B&B for around $85 a night. Nothing fancy but nice and clean and a full hot breakfast included. You might want to check into a B&B for the area you want. There are numbers for B&B organizations in Fodor's books. Some are in very nice homes and would be safe too. Be sure to ask the locals about the best street markets. Lastly, the subway (tube) is a great way to get around anywhere in London and is easy to figure out. Have fun! Cheers

<BR>If you want to know what's "going on in town" when you arrive, buy a copy of the "Time Out" magazine. It published weekly and lists the current films, theatre, music, etc. I think it comes out each Wednesday; if you're in the U.S., I think that Barnes & Noble's carries it so you could flip thru to get a feel of the type of info. AND, if I recall, I think that Time Out also prints a "Pubs" guidebook (updated annually).