Hello All,
After a lot of planning for a trip to Spain in May, my plan has changed and I am now going to London instead. I have not finalized anything yet, but have found a nice hotel in Mayfair. I will be getting a guide book, but I like to see what people's experiences are. I know that Mayfair is an upscale neighborhood but I have some questions. Are there affordable and/or inexpensive places to eat in Mayfair? I am thinking about inexpensive pub food and decent take away options. What about markets, pharmacies etc. The hotel is Flemings Mayfair on Half Moon Street. Does anyone know this hotel...opinions? What do you think about the location for sightseeing? I plan on doing most of the "touristy" stuff(Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower of London etc.). Also, I am not really worried about safety but is there enough nightlife within walking distance(nothing too crazy, just pubs maybe a theater or cinema, some restaurants). I'd like to avoid the tube at night if possible.

Also, are there any major tourist attractions that I should book in advance before leaving the US? I know this is a lot, thank you so much for taking the time to help me.

"<i>are there any major tourist attractions that I should book in advance before leaving the US?</i>"

Not really - except for the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower if that interests you. It is free but you must request tix in advance. Follow the instructions (on the Tower's website) <u>to the letter</u>. T=You'll need International Respones coupons which may take some searching at your local post offices.

Only other thing you should think about pre-booking are any sold out, mega-hit plays -- but being a single even that usually isn't necessary.

"<i>I'd like to avoid the tube at night if possible. </i>"

Why is that? Anyplace you'll find yourself will be totally safe on the Tube. Thousands of others will be on the tube after the theatre too. Your hotel is practically across the street from the Green Park tube station.

As for places to eat nearby - yes there are some nice pubs in Mayfair -- but most of the time you'll end up eating at or near the various tourist attractions. Not usually right next to your hotel.

You'll be out in th evenings -- and the buses/tube will be just fine . . . .

Meant to add - You don't say when in May, but by the end of the month it will be daylight until after 9 PM. So except when you go to the theatre or eat late -- you may be back at the hotel soon after sunset.

Thanks Janisj. I am hoping to be there at the end of May. I am thinking about maybe going to the Chelsea flower show.

You really do have to pre-book for the flower show. If you don't mind spending extra money, you could join the RHS now. That will let you buy tix for the first two, member days. The first two days are crowded, but the public days are <B>CROWDED</B> on steroids.

There are many places to eat right on the hospital grounds. It is slightly less crowded in the evening sessions. So if you only plan half a day at Chelsea -- I'd book 3:30-8:00PM. 5:30-8:00 just doesn't give you enough time.

I posted a bit about last year's Chelsea on my trip report http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-england.cfm

It is a HUGE thread, you can skip over most of it -- for the flower show bits - just scroll down to my june 17 entry titled >>The ORD ladies back to LHR, others to Scotland and Ireland - and the Chelsea Flower Show<<

Thanks janisj. That thread is huge. I will definitely look in to getting tix before I go.

I've stayed for days in Mayfair and, to be honest, didn't much like it. Best restaurant I found was El Pirata (Spanish, tapas, you can google it). I don't like pub food.

I don't blame you for wanting to avoid the tube after dinner. It's not unsafe, but it's a lousy way to end a meal or a nice evening.

Given your sightseeing itinerary, I recommend checking out the The Sanctuary Inn or the Hilton Trafalgar. Or stay in Covent Garden, even 'tho it's touristy.

"<i>it's a lousy way to end a meal or a nice evening.</i>"

That is sort of silly IMHO. No single location is close to more than a handful of sites. I can't imagine avoiding the tube at night (unless it is a really mild evening - then I'd walk instead)

Even if she stays at Trafalgar Square -- she'd probably end up taking the tube in the evening. As a point of reference, Flemings and the Trafalgar Hilton are almost exactly the same walking distance from Piccadilly Circus/Regent St. And if you mean the Sanctuary <u>House</u>, unless the OP took the tube from St James's Park, she'd be walking a lot farther.

Mayfair might not be my 1st choice either but Flemings is a VERY nice hotel w/ overwhelmingly good reviews. It's a quick 3 stop trip w/o changes to Covent Garden. Couldn't be easier - or safer.

Flemings Mayfair is in an excellent location, quite near the Green Park tube station which offers good connections. There are also good buses that run along Picadilly. We have stayed in that area several times. There are plenty of reasonably priced places to eat in the area. Europa at 37 Albemarle - just a few blocks away - was a lifesaver for us last year when looking for a late supper. Not posh but quite good. You will find several small eateries along Curzon. There is a grocery store offering lots of prepared food right at the Green Park station exit (Marks&Spencer, if I recall correctly.) There is a small Tesco just around the corner on Curzon, and larger Sainsbury's on Stratton that also offers some prepared food.

Thanks for all the input. I like to hear both sides. I haven't finalized anything yet, but I am impressed with the reviews for Flemings. It looks nicer than most hotels I have ever stayed in. I am not completely opposed to the tube at night, it's just that when I travel, I walk a lot and like to stick close to my hotel in the evening due to fatigue. Looking at maps and guidebooks, London seems pretty sprawling so I don't think I will find one neighborhood central to everything. Thanks again, keep the info coming!

When I lived there, I would walk from one end to the other in an hour, mind you I was 30 at the time and could probably walk faster. You also have all of the bus routes and can hop on and hop off to help move you from point A to point B.

As for the Tube, I worked near the Old Bailey, and my home was at the end of the Central Line -- taking a little less than an hour. I'd be out at pubs in the evening, and going home alone late at night with no problem and no fears.

Great hotel location--you are an easy walk from Shepherd Market, a wonderful little tucked-away area with fun shops, a some restaurants, a pub, etc. location of hotel is easy walk to Piccadilly Circus (just head down Piccadilly) Trafalgar Sq, the large area parks, Pall Mall, etc.
We stayed in Mayfair at the Intercontinental Hotel, usually available on Hotwire (the 5* in Mayfair) for $150 or less.

We found Mayfair to be a bit short on medium-moderately priced restaurants, but otherwise a very pleasant up-scale (perhaps near the uppest of scales) neighborhood. If you end up close to the Green Park underground station, you'll be on the Picadilly Line, which can take you to or from Heathrow on one end and the big attractions (Trafalger Square, Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus, etc) quite handy on the other. Have you considered a flat? We had a lovely one for a week at 15 Hay Hill, about two streets from Berkley Square on one end and three streeets from Green Park station on the other. You can, of course, still eat in restaurants but there is, I think a real benefit to having a washer/dryer in your flat so you can do the wash at the end of the day upon your return to lodgings, and you have have a leisurely breakfast in your own digs (we especially enjoyed making coffee in the supplied French press, and slathering real English orange marmalade on our toast while reading the London times at breakfast.

We like Biagio near the Green Park tube, across from the Royal Academy. Also Wolesley is nearby. Very good food at both and walking disance to Half Moon Street

If you are in London on May 29, you should definitely consider going to see the first dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour.

http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/calendar.htm

If you want to know more about the ceremony, check out the website:

http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/

You need to send your application in now, but for anyone who is the least bit interested in ceremonies (and that includes changing of the guard), this is simply an unbeatable event. The first dress rehearsal is free, but you do have to send off for tickets if you want a seat in the grandstand (well worth the trouble). If you don't get tickets, you can still view the procession to and from Horse Guards Parade, up and down The Mall, for free. The rehearsal is just like the official ceremony, except for the absence of the Queen (her carriage makes the rounds as if she were there).

We stayed at the Flemings Mayfair this past summer. We LOVED it! the location is great. It is only a 10 minute walk to Picadilly but so much quieter. We walked to Parliment, Westminster, The West End, Buckingham Palace etc. We also did ride the tube quite a bit as we were with our two sons (15 and 12) who don't like to walk as much as we do. Not only was it safe, but it is so convenient and easy to navigate. We ate in Shepards Market a few times. We loved the pub there. WE got a great deal thru Virgin Vacations. I really cant recommend the Flemings enough. We would absolutely stay there again.

elcon,

I don't think you're "silly" at all. I'm with you! I also "am not completely opposed to the tube at night, it's just that when I travel, I walk a lot and like to stick close to my hotel in the evening due to fatigue."

We all know people don't have much ability to imagine how other people feel. Okay. But to term feelings "silly" just because you cant imagine them isn't a step in the right direction.

Yes, I meant Sanctuary House, which has well-regarded pub on the premises. For what it's worth, I really disliked Shepherd's Market, and had especially bad luck with bad food there.

"For what it's worth, I really disliked Shepherd's Market . . . "

Guess it depends what you're in the market for.

you dislike Shepherd's market, and the tube because it ruins your evening (huh?), -- and because of that you are steering the OP away from a really REALLY lovely hotel/location.

I stand by silly . . . .