First time in London
Jun 21, 2008, 7:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 129
First time in London
I've traveled widely, but have never made it past LHR. Finally I'll be in London for 3 days in mid November, on my way to spend Thanksgiving with my nephew and his family in Stuttgart. Any suggestions for well located hotels and what I should try to do to get the flavor of London in 3 days. I'll be solo, and am not necessarily looking for the gay London experience (although a bit of that won't hurt), just a chance to experience one of the world's great cities. I'll be arriving on a Wed AM and leaving on Sat AM. Thanks.
GRF in DC
GRF in DC
Jun 21, 2008, 7:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
Hi. I lived in London for 2.5 years so here's my tips:
* Try and stay in or near SoHo. Plenty of hotels are here
* Gayville, dare you venture there, has many bars/clubs in SoHo, though they're also scattered elsewhere (Vauxhall, for example)
* If you're into art and galleries, again it's SoHo where most of them are! Favourites for me were the National Portrait Gallery, and the Photographer's Gallery, all near Leicester Square
* Busaba Thai is great for a meal, and has bench seating. But gets very busy (as do most places). Again, SoHo, right near the gay pubs.
* Camden Market is always fun if you're there on a weekend. Take the Northern Line to Camden.
* Buckingham Palace is a bit "whatever" for me, but some get into it.
That's all I can think of for now. I might be in London in November so hassle me closer to the date! lol.
* Try and stay in or near SoHo. Plenty of hotels are here
* Gayville, dare you venture there, has many bars/clubs in SoHo, though they're also scattered elsewhere (Vauxhall, for example)
* If you're into art and galleries, again it's SoHo where most of them are! Favourites for me were the National Portrait Gallery, and the Photographer's Gallery, all near Leicester Square
* Busaba Thai is great for a meal, and has bench seating. But gets very busy (as do most places). Again, SoHo, right near the gay pubs.
* Camden Market is always fun if you're there on a weekend. Take the Northern Line to Camden.
* Buckingham Palace is a bit "whatever" for me, but some get into it.
That's all I can think of for now. I might be in London in November so hassle me closer to the date! lol.
Jun 21, 2008, 8:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
Hello GRF -
If you're on a budget, London is a good city to use Priceline or Hotwire. The tradeoff though is that the best bargains are usually not centrally located.
I second all the gallery/museum recommendations. I'm very fond of the National Gallery (right near the National Portrait Gallery - they are not the same)
Get oriented by taking long walks. London requires a map - If you get the AZ Visitor's Atlas & Guide to London it comes with recommended walks - the single day walk starts at Buckingham Palace and heads towards Whitehall and Westminster Abbey, etc. I finally went and saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on my tenth trip to London. It was worth it just as choreography. Then I started my walk.
It isnt London for me without going to the Royal Opera House, but that's me.
If my finances hold out I may try and visit my relatives there for Thanksgiving as well.
If you're on a budget, London is a good city to use Priceline or Hotwire. The tradeoff though is that the best bargains are usually not centrally located.
I second all the gallery/museum recommendations. I'm very fond of the National Gallery (right near the National Portrait Gallery - they are not the same)
Get oriented by taking long walks. London requires a map - If you get the AZ Visitor's Atlas & Guide to London it comes with recommended walks - the single day walk starts at Buckingham Palace and heads towards Whitehall and Westminster Abbey, etc. I finally went and saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on my tenth trip to London. It was worth it just as choreography. Then I started my walk.
It isnt London for me without going to the Royal Opera House, but that's me.
If my finances hold out I may try and visit my relatives there for Thanksgiving as well.
Jun 22, 2008, 8:31 am
#4
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
Since the OP is asking for "general" recommendations and not really GLBT oriented ones, this thread is better served in the London Forum. However, he's already started one - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=837123 - Please note that cross-posting is not allowed on Flyertalk. As such, I'm locking this thread - please continue discussions in the the referenced thread.
peteropny - moderator - GLBT
peteropny - moderator - GLBT