Best Hotels Near London Theatres
Anyone who loves theatre should visit London at least once in their life. The city is one of the traditional heartlands of this centuries-old form of live entertainment, and at any given time there are myriad performances going on at venues across the city, in iconic West End theatre halls like the London Palladium through to fringe events in dingy pubs.
Indeed there is lots more to be discovered outside the West End. London has some wonderful repertory theatres, producing work that is bolder and less commercial. The National Theatre (see photo above) is one example. As it’s subsidised, they’re free to present high quality work that might not appeal to a wide audience. The Globe is another repertory theatre, in a very interesting building – a faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan theatre. It produces modern plays as well as the Bard’s classics. The most successful productions from the repertory theatres sometimes transfer to the stages of the West End.
Apart from this, London also has a thriving fringe theatre scene. The venues are often found outside the city centre and are much smaller, sometimes black box studios or rooms above pubs. There, you can be shocked or surprised by experimental plays and provocative new writing. Prices are much lower than in the West End, and, again, the most successful ones can be picked up by the big theatres. On the fringe, you get to see the cutting edge shows before anyone else.
Many of these smaller theatres are taking part in A Night Less Ordinary, giving out free tickets to people under 26. It’s an Arts Council England scheme and it runs until March 2011, so make the most of it while you can! And even younger theatre lovers will be happy to know that London caters for them too. There are several venues dedicated to work for children, like the Polka Theatre and the Little Angel Theatre. They put on superb shows that can be enjoyed by all the family. So you really ought to be able to find something to suit everyone!
London Theatre Hotels
The heart of theatreland in London is Leicester Square. If you stay around here, you’ll be right in the middle of the action. You will also find the Society of London Theatre’s half price ticket booth in Leicester Square, where you can get some good bargains. Covent Garden, with its famous market, is just nearby. One of the highlights around there is the Royal Opera House, home of the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet. These stations are right in the middle of the West End and within walking distance of most of the big venues. There are lots of 4 and 5 star hotels in this area including St Martins Lane (*****) and the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Hotel (****). Another accommodation option near these theatres is the SACO London – Covent Garden Apartments.
On the south bank of the Thames, there is an arts quarter stretching from the Globe at Southwark Bridge, to the National Theatre and all the way down to the Royal Festival Hall at Hungerford Bridge. There is a lovely pedestrian walkway along the river, populated in summer by a range of musicians and street performers. A bit further south, past Waterloo Station, you have the Young Vic and the Old Vic. If you’re planning to visit these, you should know that this isn’t the most attractive area for tourists to stay and there aren’t many hotels. You’d be better to choose one on the north side of the river, around Embankment or Temple tube stations. These are closer to other amenities like shops, restaurants and bars, and there is easy access over footbridges to the South Bank. You could try the Thistle Charing Cross (****), Swissotel London the Howard (*****) or the Strand Palace Hotel (***).
If you’re planning to get out and about to see some fringe theatre, you might like to stay around Earl’s Court. The Finborough, one of the most acclaimed venues in this category, is nearby. If you want to catch some of the big shows as well, there is easy access into the West End on the Piccadilly Line. In the other direction, you can get off at Hammersmith, where you’ve got the Riverside Studios, with a programme of experimental and foreign theatre, the Hammersmith Apollo for gigs and stand up, and the Lyric Hammersmith with its unusual mix of original drama, music and comedy. There is more of a mix of accommodation around Earl’s Court. You could try the Mowbray Court Hotel (**), the Lord Kensington Hotel (***) or Twenty Nevern Square Hotel and Restaurant (****).
Best London Hotels by customer review
What makes a great hotel? Some will say location, others will point to luxury trimmings, while many will insist customer service is the key to a top-class hotel experience.
Much like the award of Michelin stars to restaurants, the hotel rating system is somewhat shrouded in mystery. If we are to assume that the more stars a hotel has, the better the hotel, the logical conclusion is that the ‘best’ hotels in London must all be of the 5-star variety.
So how to test this theory? Well, a hotel can promote itself as much as it wants, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Any hotel can claim to be a cut above its rivals, but the only opinions that matter are those of its guests. And with public voting all the range nowadays thanks to the explosion of reality television, it seems even more fitting to trust the consensus view above all others.
With this in mind, I turned to tripadvisor.com to seek out the top ten hotels in London by guest review. As expected, there was a good sprinkling of 5-star hotels amongst them. But also some 4-stars, and even a 3-star. Which just goes to show, when it comes to hotels, beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder.
Here are the top 10 London hotels according to tripadvisor reviews:
Located in the upmarket district of Kensington, on the border of London’s famous Hyde Park, the 5-star Milestone Hotel is London’s best hotel by guest review. Housed in a Grade II Listed building, this boutique hotel is noted for its stunning Victorian decor and prime position in a beautiful part of London, close to several major attractions including the V&A Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History and the Science Museums.
Next up is the 5-star Hotel 41, which overlooks the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and is adjacent to the Queens Gallery. This intimate, boutique hotel has just 29 rooms and is a world away from some of the glitzy tower-block hotels that feature on this list. Located close to Victoria train station and a short walk from Green Park and Buckingham Palace, the hotel is well position for exploring the city.
Situated in the heart of London’s bustling Soho district, the 5-star Soho Hotel is known as something of a celebrity and media favourite. Located within walking distance of Covent Garden and numerous other attractions, the hotel features a popular bar that draws hotel residents as well as those looking for a chic hang-out.
The 5-star Halkin hotel is located in the exclusive district of Belgravia, just moments from Harrods department store as well as beautiful Hyde Park. Most noticeable in the reviews is the high-praise offered to the staff for their attentiveness and obliging nature.
The 5-star Sofitel St James Park is situated in the prestigious St James district of London, a quick walk from attractions including Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. The hotel’s decor combines contemporary French modernism and traditional British design, and its most distinctive amenity is probably the Rose Tea Room which occasionally features a live Heart Player.
The first and only 3-star hotel to feature on this list is the Covent Garden Hotel, which can be found – as you may expect – in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. The hotel is renowned for its colourful decor and the presence of a top class restaurant next door, the Brasserie Max.
Located in London’s literary heartland of Bloomsbury, the 4-star Montague on the Gardens is a historic townhouse hotel that dates back to the mid 19th century. The hotel overlooks private gardens and is close to several attractions including the British Museum (which is actually across the road), Covent Garden and Oxford Street.
The 4-star City Inn Westminster is situated just 500 metres from one Tate Modern, of London’s most famous museums, in a residential area of Central London close to iconic landmarks including Big Ben and the London Eye.
Located 50 metres from the up-market Sloane Square in west London, the 5-star Draycott Hotel London could be described as a ‘novelty’ hotel, thanks to the 35 guestrooms which are named after famous theatrical figures, including Coward, Sheridan and Ashcroft.
Finally there is the 4-star Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, the 10th best hotel in London by guest review. Discreetly tucked away in the exclusive residential district of Mayfair, this hotel earns rave reviews for the decor of its rooms, which are decked out with traditional English furnishings.
So there we have it – the top ten best-rated hotels in London. And like with any ‘top ten’ list, many will feel there are some glaring omissions. If you’re one of those, feel free to leave your own suggestion in our comment box!
How to Get Around London
‘Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race’ (H.G.Wells)
You’ve probably seen David Cameron or Boris Johnson doing it – but don’t let that put you off! Cycling is increasingly becoming the most fashionable way of getting around London.
It’s not quite reached Amsterdam or Copenhagen levels, where every other person seems to be riding a bike, but cyclists are becoming more and more ubiquitous on the streets of London.
Whilst the Underground is arguably the most efficient and practical way of navigating the city, there is definitely something to say for enjoying the scenic delights of London while in transit.
Buses serve this purpose reasonably well – particularly if you seat yourself on the top deck. But for a more visceral, at-one-with-nature experience, you simply cannot beat a bicycle.
Of course, the growth in popularity of the humble bike is unlikely to be down to the sight of our esteemed new Primer Minister regularly cycling to work, or indeed the surreal and ungainly image of Boris’ haystack of blonde hair swirling in the wind as he makes his way across the Big Smoke.
More likely factors are a heighted awareness of environmental issues, a tightening of purse strings amid the recession, and a greater interest in health and fitness.
The authorities have certainly taken notice of this spike in cycling. Two cycle superhighways are due to open this summer – corridors of cycle lanes that will lead from south Wimbledon to Bank and Barking to Tower Hill – adding to what is already one of the largest urban cycle networks in Europe. On top of that, there are plans for the introduction of a cycle hire scheme in the Capital.
The sheer size of London may scare off many would-be cyclists, but any proficient biker should experience few problems. The city’s motorists may not be the most considerate in the world, but they are used to sharing their roads with cyclists, and will generally be tolerant of them.
If you’re not confident enough to confront the city on your own, or with a partner, there are a number of expert tour companies that provide group trips, as well as route suggestions and other useful tips.
These tours are also good for ensuring you experience some of the city’s major historical and contemporary attractions.
BrakeAway Bike Tours operate daily London bike tours. The chief tour guide, Chris Abbott, is London born and raised; yet spent five years living and working in San Francisco, spending some of that time employed as a walking tour guide. Now back on home territory, Chris’ knowledge and experience makes him possibly one of the best bicycle tours guide in London, largely because he is actually from here – a surprisingly rare commodity in the bicycle tour business.
London Hotels With Parking
Parking in London brings with it all kinds of dilemmas, particularly concerning cost, safety convenience, and the sheer hassle of finding a space. Many visitors will do anything to avoid bringing their motor into the city due to the lack of free parking and notorious traffic jams.
But what about those who have no choice? These people can range from van drivers arriving for an exhibition, to European road-trippers, to large families on a weekend break carrying a heavy cargo of pampers and pushchairs.
The expense of parking in London is increased by the congestion charge, a fee that motorists must pay for encroaching into designated parts of the city between 7am and 6pm on weekdays. The charge is £8 per day, applicable for each day the car is parked on a public road.
But even if you bite the congestion bullet, there are other factors to consider too. Visitors staying for a night or more will want to find a parking spot that is not only near their accommodation, but also secure from the risk of being stolen or vandalised. And this is where hotels with on-site parking become a god-send.
Whilst hotels with car parks score poorly on expense (costing on average between £15 and £20 per day) they score much higher for convenience and safety. There are even a few hotels in London which offer free on-site parking, though these are in a minority.
The other bonus is that leaving your car in a car park, rather than road-side, for the duration of your stay, means you will only have to pay the congestion charge on the days you arrive and leave.
All things considered, choosing a hotel with parking facilities seems to be the most appealing option for those travelling to London by car. And thankfully London is blessed with hotels, many of which have car parks. Here is a breakdown of each area of the city, and a selection of hotels with on-site parking
Hotel parking in Central London
Central London is the heartbeat of the city and is where most of its main attractions can be found. Depending on the route you take into London, you may want to choose your hotel accordingly.
5-star InterContinental Hotel London, Mayfair, W1J 7QY
Location: Situated in the prestigious district of Mayfair, just across the road from London’s famous Hyde Park.
Closest tube station: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. The hotel said it offers two parking options: Valet parking for £55 per day, and an NCP car park located a 5 minute walk from the hotel for £25 per day (this is a discount rate for Intercontinental hotel residents). You can call the hotel on +44 [0]207 409 3131 for up-to-date parking information.
3-star St Giles Hotel, Bloomsbury, WC1B
Location: Situated in London’s West End, next door to the Dominion Theatre and just a few minute’s walk from many areas of interest including Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square.
Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Road (Northern line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. We were told that there is a public car park located beneath the hotel with discounted rates of £21.60 per day for hotel residents. You can call the hotel on +44 (0)20 7300 3030 for up-to-date parking information.
Hotel parking in north London
Easily reached from the M1 motorway, north London boasts one of the city’s finest parks – Hampstead Heath. It is also home to the vibrant and colourful Camden Market, and the prestigious areas of Hampstead, Primrose Hill and Crouch End. In north west London, one of world’s most famous sports and music venues – Wembley Stadium – can be found.
4-star Danubius Hotel Regents Park, NW8 7JT
Location: Only a short distance to the West End, this hotel is situated outside the Congestion Zone meaning you will not have to pay to bring your car here.
Closest tube station: St. Johns Wood (Jubilee line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. The hotel has a large car park located opposite that has 24 hour security and costs £20 per day. You can call the hotel on + 44 (0)20 7722 7722for up-to-date parking information.
3-star Britannia Hampstead Hotel, Hampstead, NW3 3NA
Location: Within walking distance of Hampstead Village and its designer shops, bars and restaurants.
Closest tube station: Hampstead (Northern line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. There are 15 parking spaces at the hotel which are free of charge to hotel residents on a first come first served basis. You can call the hotel on + 44 (0)20 7586 2233 for up-to-date parking information.
Hotel parking in south London
South London is easily accessible from the M4 motorway, and is home to the city’s financial district known as the Docklands. London’s tallest building Canary Wharf is the most famous landmark here, and there are also several attractive quaysides overlooked by luxury apartments. This part of London also boasts some of the city’s most popular green spaces, such as the beautiful Richmond Park, while Greenwich Village also draws visitors looking to escape the bustle of the city centre.
3-star All Seasons Hotel London, Southwark, SE1 9HH
Location: Situated in Southwark, and well located for visiting attractions including the Docklands, South Bank, Tate Modern, London Eye and Tower Bridge.
Closest tube station: Borough Station (Northern line).
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. On-site car parking is available behind the hotel for £20 per day. You can call the hotel on +44 (0) 20 7015 1480 for up-to-date parking information.
3-star La Reserve Hotel London, Fulham SW6 1DU
Location: Situated just south of Kensington, offering easy access to Chelsea and the Kings Road and also the museums and restaurants of South Kensington and Knightsbridge.
Closest tube station: Fulham Broadway (District line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. The hotel has 17 car parking spaces on the forecourt. They are free of charge on a first come first served basis. You can call the hotel on +44 (0) 20 7385 8561 for up-to-date parking information.
3-star Comfort Inn Hotel London, Vauxhall, SW8 1RN
Location: Situated close to Green Park, Buckingham Palace and the exclusive district of Mayfair, this hotel is well-placed for exploring some of London’s finest attractions.
Closest tube station: Vauxhall (Victoria line)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. There is an on-site car park infront of the hotel that costs £18 per day. You can call the hotel on +44 (0) 20 7735 9494 for up-to-date parking information.
Hotel parking in east London
East London is full of character and charm in equal measure, and is on the cutting edge of the city’s art and fashion scenes. Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and Brick Lane are just a few areas worth exploring in this bohemian part of the city – the latter of which is famous for its Indian cuisine, boasting hundreds of restaurants serving up food from the sub-continent.
4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel Shoreditch, London City, E1 6JQ
Location: Situated on Shoreditch High Street, travelling by car to this hotel is very easy, being close to the A40.
Closest tube station: Liverpool Street (Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City lines)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. The hotel offers parking for 20 cars for £20 per day on a first come first served basis. You can call the hotel on 0871 223 5000 for up-to-date parking information.
Hotel parking in west London
West London is home to some of the most up-market districts in the city, including Chelsea, Fulham and Kensington. These areas are renowned for their boutique shops as well as one of the most famous department stores in the world – Harrods. London Heathrow Airport is easily accessible from west London.
3-star Royal Sussex Hotel, Paddington, W2 1UH
Location: Situated in the tranquil Sussex Gardens, to the north of Hyde Park.
Closest tube station: Paddington (Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City lines)
Parking: We contacted this hotel on 13 March 2010 to verify its parking facilities. There is an NCP near Paddington station that costs £24 per day. You can call the hotel on +44 (0) 20 7723 7723for up-to-date parking information.
Old Luxury Hotels London
Ask the average person in the street to name the oldest hotel in London and the chances are they wouldn’t know the answer. Not that this is particularly surprising or strange. After all, how many would know the oldest theatre, cinema or pub?
But it has got me thinking about the nature of hotels and the role they play on the urban landscape. Most London commuters will probably walk past at least one hotel on their way to work every day. Yet it is a strange quirk of city life that such ubiquitous landmarks go largely unnoticed by most of its inhabitants.
The obvious explanation is that those who live in London don’t NEED hotels in London (post-work drinks and extra-marital affairs notwithstanding). Consequently most of the city’s hotels exist somewhere in the back of our consciousness, like a distant memory of a childhood class mate. We know they’re around somewhere, we just don’t quite know where, or what they look like.
But there’s another reason too. Despite the competitiveness of the hotel industry, most hotels remain delightfully understated in appearance. Instead of shouting from the rooftops, they gently co-exist in perfect aesthetic harmony with the landscape around them, distinctive from offices and apartments only by a fluttering flag or bold lettering on their facades depicting their name.
So what ARE the oldest hotels in London? Well I’ve done some digging and found out for you. And now you know of their historical importance, perhaps you’ll want to visit them yourself. But a word of warning – they’ve probably changed quite a bit over the years.
Listed in the time-honoured tradition of third to first, here they are for your perusal:
The Great Western Hotel (now the Hilton Paddington)
Established: 1854
Architect: Philip Charles Hardwick
Situated next door to Paddington Station – which opened the same year as the hotel – and nearby to London’s famous Hyde Park, the original Great Western boasted Victorian architecture, an Art Deco-inspired lobby and white and sand coloured marble floors. The hotel underwent major refurbishment during the 1930s, before being entirely rebranded at the turn of the next century in 2002 when it was renamed the Hilton Paddington.
The Grosvenor Hotel
Established: 1861
Architect: J. T. Knowles
The Grosvenor hotel is located just a few yards from Victoria train station and has retained several of its original features, including its French Renaissance roof. The hotel has undergone several changes in ownership over the years, and even had the word ‘Grosvenor’ removed from its title under the stewardship of Thistle Hotels in the 1980s. Its original moniker was restored in 2008. The hotel also boasts the distinction of being the first in London to feature elevators, which at that time were powered by the city’s water pressure.
And the winner is…Brown’s Hotel
Established: 1837
Located in Albemarle Street, just off Piccadilly, Brown’s is officially the oldest hotel in London. Opened by 1837 by Mr & Mrs Brown who were servants to the famous poet Lord Byron, Brown quickly gathered a reputation for hosting the great and the good from every cultural sphere imaginable. Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever telephone call from the hotel, both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt were regular guests and stayed here on their honeymoons and it was while residing at the hotel that Rudyard Kipling wrote “The Jungle Book”. Today Brown’s remains one of the most popular boutique hotels in London, both for its contemporary appeal and its enduring heritage. For a more comprehensive history of the hotel, plus photos in its modern guise, check out this website.
