We spent three nights in London just before New Year's. Stayed at the Aster house, 3 Sumner Place which just won an award for best B&B. Clean, quiet, on pretty street about 3 blocks from South Kensington subway stop (good neighborhood). Smallish room with supplies to make coffee or tea, lovely breakfast room, good reference library of guidebooks. Buffet breakfast includes scrambled and poached eggs, juice, coffee, tea, all sorts of breakfast pastries, beans, fresh toast. 99 pounds for the two of us.<BR><BR>Arriving on a Thursday and leaving Sunday, we found that purchasing the one-day tube tickets and then the weekend passes made more financial sense. We took the tube everywhere. The tube staff give fabulous directions and assistance. But, after seeing someone fall on one of the many escalators (luckily someone found the stop button at the bottom), did want to let those with claustrophobia or fears of escalators know. You may want to take advantage of buses and taxis instead of the subway. For example, Convent garden stop is 193 steps up AFTER the escalators and the lift gets REAL crowded.<BR><BR>Saw My Fair Lady (expensive, hard to get tickets, unfortunately we found ourselves comparing unfairly with the movie) and had tea at the Dorchester which won an award from the Tea Council in 2000 (few tourists, several parents with their very dressed up kids, saw sheikh with bodyguards, piano, lovely pastries, light meals available until 8 p.m., a la carte or fixed price).<BR><BR>Did the all-day walking tour of London with Original London Walks (10-4)--saw the changing of the guard in four places; Big Ben; Trafalgar Square; Green Park; boat trip on the Thames; inside of tower of London; and outside of Westminister Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Parliament and more buildings than I can name. Definitely worth it for those with limited time. Although we were outdoors all day, we kept warm with our thermal underwear, hats, scarves and gloves. During the one hour lunch break at Trafalgar Square had very nice, affordable meal at Cafe of the Crypt--coq au vin, with yummy bread pudding.<BR><BR>Dinner at Wagamama's was fun, but the food was so-so and more expensive than Cafe of the Crypt. The Sing-a-long to the Sound of Music was campy fun. The little girl next to us was having a blast as were several adults in the back (comments from the peanut gallery were a big part of the fun). The MC of course was wearing a dress made out of curtains including the rod along his/her shoulders! Plush red seats in the theater, prizes for best dressed (saw a lot of nuns), small goody bag for all with the props for the show. <BR><BR>Lillywhites near Convent Garden for sports gear (5 floors including the top one for equestrians). We were able to pick up the football(soccer) jerseys there. Thanks for the team suggestions--niece and nephew were thrilled.<BR><BR>Our Original London Walks all day trip to Hampton Court was disappointing. They had special Christmas activities and the guide did not take advantage of them. The group was too large, we spent too much time waiting for everyone, and there were too many "hangers on". A second guide was called up to help at the last minute. If traveling during the tourist season, would suggest having backup plan if your Original London Walks group looks too large.

Part II: Saw the Agatha Christie exhibit at the British Museum--for Agatha Christie fans, this is a must. Gives you a better appreciation for the role that Agatha and her husband played in archeology (including many of the finds displayed at the museum), and the role that archeology played in her books.<BR><BR>Tea dance at the Waldorf Meridien from 4-6:30 p.m. on Sundays is considered a "must" by Frommers and we agree that it was very nice (25 pounds without champagne). Some folks really get dressed up and there is a three piece band. For those who are worried that they won't have enough to eat at a tea--at both the Dorchester and the Waldorf we were offered as much as we wanted. Also, both the Dorchester and Waldorf have alternatives for those who can't/won't eat milk products.<BR><BR>Souvenirs: funky tights from store at start of Portabello market; jams, Twining tea and Harry Potter candy from grocery stores (Waintrose, Europa); football/soccer jerseys from Lillywhites near Convent Garden stop; Tower of London travel board game; sports and travel sections from newspaper; British Museum Agatha Christie exhibition book, her autobiography and a paperback book containing 3 Hercule Poirot books based upon her archeological experiences; and other paperback books bought at bookstore in Manchester airport.

Olivia this is a great trip report! I really like London but also found some of the food to be expensive and so so. Did your B&B have it's on WC or did you share?

We had our own bathroom. They also will keep your luggage after you check out and there is a nice bathroom you can use.

Thanks, Olivia for the great report. We'll be spending 4 nites in two weeks, and your report boosts my confidence that we also can see and do alot in that amount of time