Apart from Charing Cross itself, Embankment is the closest tube station to the very centre of London. The station is so close to Charing Cross that the area barely differs at all, though Embankment is closer to the river. Anyone staying in the vicinity has easy access to almost everything London has to offer, with Covent Garden, Soho, the Thames, the South Bank and Trafalgar Square all within a few minutes walking distance. Embankment hotels are accordingly busy and often expensive places, but also some of the best in London.
First and foremost, Embankment is the closest tube station to the legendary Savoy Hotel. Still firmly in possession of its five stars, the Savoy was the United Kingdom’s first ever luxury hotel, and thanks to a recent renovation looks better than ever, blending modern and art deco styles to dazzling effect. With incredible views, classically English furnishings and the Savoy Grill once again under the command of Gordon Ramsay, the Savoy is one of the greatest hotels in London, if not the world.
On the other end of the budgetary scale, Northumberland House is student accommodation available for the use of tourists out of term time. Spare, but perfectly comfortable, it represents excellent value for an Embankment Hotel.
Alternatively, Citadines Aparthotel Trafalgar offers a similarly independent vibe, but on a slightly more flashy scale. The catered apartments are spacious and plush, and housed in a lovely 1930s building.
It would be very easy to spend an entire holiday in the centre of London without ever getting on a tube, but if you feel the need to explore further afield, hotels in Embankment have access to Embankment Station, which services the Bakerloo, Circle and District Lines, as well as the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line.
Located in Westminster Local Authority, Embankment Station first opened its doors on 30th May 1870. The station sits between Waterloo and Charing Cross on the Northern and Bakerloo lines and between Westminster and Temple on the Circle and District lines. There are 6 platforms at Embankment station and the station is situated in Zone 1.
Close to several good Embankment hotels, the station has had a few name changes over the years. In fact, the stations 'Charing Cross', 'Strand', 'Aldwych', 'Trafalgar Square' and Embankment each swapped names and uses many times since they were first constructed.
Described as a feat of 19th century engineering the station was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and it incorporates a low level interceptor sewer. There's also an integrated wide road and a riverside path which were constructed at the same time as the station. The Thames Embankment area runs from Battersea Bridge in West London all the way though past Victoria Embankment beside the Houses of Parliament to Blackfriars Bridge in the east.
The South Bank Centre is well placed for Embankment hotels. It first opened in 1951 as the venue for the Festival of Britain and it includes The Royal Festival Hall, The Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall. The Hayward Gallery is well-known for showcasing contemporary art and The Royal Festival Hall is the biggest Art centre in Europe.
Hotels near Embankment Station are as close to The Southbank Centre as they are to The London Eye, The Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern. Beautiful views of the river and of St Paul's Cathedral can also be seen from there.
Finding somewhere to eat near Embankment hotels is a breeze. Hotels near Embankment station are also a popular choice because they're so close to restaurants such as Bateaux London at Embankment Pier, which offers fine dining river cruises where you can take in a beautiful view of the Thames as the boat sweeps through the water and you enjoy a sumptuous meal. Often live Jazz is also a feature of Bateaux London cruises and they're popular with honeymooners and anyone looking for romance.
For those staying in hotels near Embankment station that are in search of a less expensive treat the Strand branch of Pizza Express is great for a quick, stone baked pizza. Leon, a retro, Latin-looking place which serves healthy wraps, super-food salads and tasty warm dishes is also highly recommended, their fresh, homemade lemonade is delicious.
The Porterhouse on Maiden Lane offers an array of pub style meals and a very extensive drinks list which includes their famous Oyster beer and Gordon's Wine Bar on Villiers Street claims to be the oldest wine bar in London, the food however is fresh, seasonal and British.
For a drink not nearby, why not pop in to The Tattershall Castle, which is actually a floating riverboat pub at Victoria Embankment. Alternatively, visit The Royal Horseguards Bar which is inside the luxurious Royal Horseguards Hotel.
If you fancy a dance after dinner you could also go to the swanky Motion Night Club on Victoria Embankment or if you'd rather just relax with a cheap pint there's always The Ship and Shovel at Craven Passage.
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