5 of the Busiest Undergrounds to Visit in London

There is truly nothing in the world that compares to the hustle and bustle of the city of London. An estimated number of over 30 million tourists visit the capital annually, drawing people from all across the globe to its beautiful sights, roads, architecture and of course, its efficient transportation system.

London’s extensive system might intimidate you at first, but its mass transit is easy to track directions because of its efficient design. Once you take hold of the London railway map, remember these names because we’ve rounded up some of the busiest and most iconic stations to visit in the capital:

Waterloo Station

Waterloo Station is a strategic place to begin your trip since it’s situated near the city’s premier attractions and most holiday apartments in London. The station is close to the London Eye, which must be your first stop, followed by the Big Ben and the Westminster Place.

Oxford circus underground station

Oxford Circus is located right at the heart of London, and is the best place to be if you want to travel around Soho, Mayfair, and Covent Garden. This is also ideal for tourists who want to see a show at West End, and venues including the Royal Opera House, London Palladium, and the Cambridge Theatre.

King’s Cross

You are not a real Harry Potter fan or British pop culture follower if you haven’t heard of the King’s Cross station. This is the starting point of the fictional Hogwart’s Express, as depicted in the hit novel series. Apart from the famous Platform 9 3/4, the station is also known for its display of noteworthy British architecture and modern design.

Victoria Underground Station

Victoria Underground is the alternative way to visit Westminster Cathedral apart from Waterloo. Other places to visit from Victoria Underground include the Green Park, Buckingham Palace Gardens and St James’s Park which are all just a few steps away from the station.

London bridge underground station

Your trip to London wouldn’t be complete without seeing the London Bridge. The London Bridge City pier located at the south bank of the Thames could be an excellent viewpoint to see the bridge. From the London Bridge station, you can also visit the Borough Market for some good food.

The best way to get around the city easily is to find the best accommodation. Presidential Marylebone Mayfair offers a wide range of services that could help you find your way to the capital’s key destinations.

Continue Reading →

Capital’s Best Kept Secrets: Where to eat in London

London isn’t only the best place to visit iconic structures and destinations but also the perfect place to find good food. A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without trying the capital’s best kept secret – its delectable food fare.

London is known for British food courses including roasts, wines, mash, pudding and the likes. However, touring the city would lead you to various restaurants offering a diverse line of menu, like these restaurants, for instance.

Kitchen W8

Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss one of the most popular Michelin-starred restaurant in London, Kitchen W8, which boasts modern contemporary interiors. Located at the streets of Kensington, the restaurant is a popular destination for high profile celebrities. One of its most popular dishes is the loin smothered in caramel sauce and croquette with potato, watercress, and apple.  

Sketch

Craving for some afternoon tea to warm your stomach inside an Instagram worthy place? Sketch offers an extensive line of teas, on top of the spectacular interior that the place boasts. This brasserie is also known for its breakfast, cake, cocktail and wine menu. Sounds sweet, right?

The Breakfast Club

If you’re constantly craving for some good breakfast food, The Breakfast Club is the only choice to be. This food hub is known for its delectable pancakes, berries, and other meals that goes well with the morning breeze. A bit of warning though, you need to line up early if you want to get a good seat.

Nordic Bakery

Want to try some authentic cinnamon roll in London? The Nordic Bakery, located along Marylebone High Street is a popular bakery for pastry lovers. The bonus? It’s located near most serviced apartments Central London.

Homeslice

There’s nothing a slice a pizza wouldn’t fix. Over the past five years, Homeslice has established a name in London for its delectable Italian cuisine offerings including wood-fired oven pizza slices.

The Chiltern Firehouse

One of the most upscale restaurants in, Marylebone, the Chiltern Firehouse is known for its fine dining interiors, owned by hotelier André Balazs. The restaurant is a famous place for celebrities and A-listers.

The best way to easily find the best restaurants and food courts in London is to book a room in a strategically situated hotel or serviced apartment. Serviced Apartments Covent Garden are typically located near key establishments in the city, allowing its occupants to fully enjoy their stay in the iconic capital.

Continue Reading →

How to Tip in London

The most cost-efficient way to enjoy your London holiday is to stay at a place that can offer you the convenience of a home even if you’re far away from your home. There are plenty of holiday apartments in London that can serve as your temporary residence for a rate that is comparatively lower than the cost of an overnight stay at a hotel.

Places like the Presidential Marylebone Mayfair are not only affordable but are comfy as well. Just like a real house, the apartments have their own spacious lounge, kitchen, dining area and bedrooms. They are also conveniently located near restaurant hubs, modern and traditional pubs, shopping centers, and a host of other tourist attractions.

However, before booking a holiday apartments London and heading over to that part of London, it is advisable to research on some rules of etiquette, especially when it involves tipping. The dos and don’ts of tipping in London are so different from what it is dictated by the rules of etiquette in other countries.

Tipping varies from one situation or place to another. If you want to know what those rules on tipping in London are all about, then read on and be enlightened.

Restaurants

Tipping isn’t really customary in many of the eateries in London. However, in restaurants where customers are served by waiters, it is advisable to leave tips between 10 to 15%. Other restaurants will automatically add a service charge to your bill so there is no need to pay extra. On the other hand, a “service not included” written on your bill is a subtle indicator that tipping will be appreciated.

Bars and Pubs

Tipping is customary in cocktail bars in London. Everywhere else, you just have to pay for your order and nothing else. Bartenders in pubs and bars do not really expect you to leave tips. However, if you’ve established a connection with the people working at the bars or pub, it is appropriate to hand them a small amount and say, “and one for yourself.”

  

Taxis

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. However, it has been a practice to round up the amount you pay and tell the driver to keep the change.

Hotels

Personnel working at five-star hotels are used to receiving tips from their guests. In contrast to that, it is not customary to tip the staff working at budget hotels. However, leaving money at your bedside table for room cleaners will be highly appreciated.

Continue Reading →

The Top 8 Most Romantic Spots in London

Many of the most romantic places in the world can be found in London. If you are planning to woo the love of your life, take her to the following places in the weekend. You will never regret it.

1. Kynance Mews

Sometimes romance can be experienced in a place where you least expect to find it: in the backstreets of historic and beautiful London. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life is one of London’s most beautiful 19^th century mews, the Kynance Mews. You can find this pretty lane beyond a stone archway. It is simply perfect for a romantic afternoon stroll with your partner. With its cobbled roads, old brick walls, flower pots and vines, Kynance Mews looks like a peaceful rustic village straight out of a fairy tale book.

2. Kensington Palace Gardens

Another magical place to go for a romantic walk can be found in the backyard of the royal family. Kensington Palace Gardens is full of beautiful gardens and the best place of all to wander about hand-in-hand is under the lover’s arch in front of the royal residence.

3. Queen Mary’s Garden

Speaking of romantic strolls and royal gardens, another place to take your partner for some quality alone time is the Queen Mary’s Garden. Named in honor of the wife of King George V, you can find this world-famous garden inside the Regent’s Park. What makes the Queen Mary’s Garden special is its large collection of beautiful roses. It has about 12,000 roses. The rich sight and scents of this rose garden can certainly provide a romantic backdrop to any marriage proposal.

4. Primrose Hill

There is nothing more exciting than to have a picnic at a place where you are treated to the panoramic view of the city. The trees are kept low to avoid obscuring the beautiful scenery. One interesting fact to note about Primrose Hill is that it used to be a place where duels were fought.

  

5. St. Pancras Station

End every date with a blissful kiss. One of the most romantic spots to share a kiss is under the statue of an embracing couple at St. Pancras Station.

6. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Visiting St. Paul Cathedral at dusk is perfect for couples who share a love for history and architecture. The sight of this romantic domed structure against a fiery sky at sundown is simply breathtaking. You will surely be amazed by its great vaulted ceilings and the mysterious interiors of the cathedral’s whispering gallery. St. Paul’s Cathedral is an excellent place to whisper sweet nothings into your lover’s ear.

7. Clos Maggiore

The great thing about being a guest at the serviced apartments Covent Garden is your access to many great pubs and fine dining restaurants. Known for its colorful history and many attractions like shopping and dining, Covent Garden is never short of beautiful fancy places to go for a romantic date.

Clos Maggiore is probably one of the most romantic places in Coven Garden to go for dinner. With its wood paneling, fireplace, candles, and fairy light, Clos Maggiore is certainly an epitome of romance.

8. Your Apartment Suite

Nothing beats wooing your partner with a scrumptious meal that you prepared yourself. Cooking provides you the opportunity to impress your significant other with your culinary skills. After all, the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach. So, if you don’t feel like going out of your suite that night, head over to your private kitchen to flex your culinary muscles and set up the table with flowers and scented tea candles.

Access to your own private kitchen is one of the greatest perks of staying in a holiday apartment. If you’re planning on a romantic getaway this weekend, book at the Serviced Apartments London for the convenience of having your own fully furnished kitchen during your mini break.

Continue Reading →

6 Reasons That Make Serviced Apartments the Perfect Holiday Accommodation for Families

Hotels are always the primary accommodation choice for business travelers: they are extravagantly beautiful in architecture and have elegant interiors. The guest rooms and services are superior in quality. And, room rates are especially sky-high, making them feasible for short stays only. However, for families traveling to London on a weeklong holiday, a hotel accommodation is just out of the question.

When you are traveling on a budget, there are two important factors that you need to consider when looking for a place to stay. First of all, affordability. And second, comfort. Any budget accommodation in London can provide both comfort and affordability, but nothing quite like a serviced apartment that provides families a home away from home.

So, what makes serviced apartments stand apart from other budget accommodations? Here are top six reasons serviced apartments are ideal for families on vacation.

1.   Spacious Enough for the Kids

For families traveling with little children, space would be a determining factor in selecting the perfect holiday accommodation. While not many hotels can offer the luxury of space, serviced apartments, on the other hand, are built to look like regular homes (complete with kitchen, living room, and single or double bedroom suites) which only means there is plenty of space for the children to run around.

2.   You Can Cook Your Meals

What makes a Serviced Apartments Marylebone feel like a real home is that it has its own kitchen. This gives you the option not to eat out and save money. You can live like a local by shopping for food supply at the local grocer’s or buying fresh produce at the Sunday market. In the privacy of your little kitchen, you can flex your culinary muscles and whip up a couple of mean dishes.

3. You Can Do Your Own Laundry

The good think about Presidential Serviced Apartments is that it provides guests with their own washing machines as well as a fully equipped kitchen. This makes traveling light possible. With accessibility to a washing machine and dryer, guests can do their own laundry and repeat outfits.

4. Cosy Living Room

A home isn’t complete without a lounge where you can curl up on a sofa and watch television, or invite a friend for a chat over a cup of tea. Serviced apartments Central London have stylish living rooms that are comparable to the homes you see in lifestyle magazines. They do not only look good, but they feel as comfortable as home.

5. Easy Access to Everything

One big advantage about staying in a serviced apartment is their location. Not far from serviced apartments Covent Garden are various local and international restaurants where you can go for some exciting culinary adventure. There are also shops nearby where you can do a bit of shopping. If not, you can walk a short distance to the tube station and hop on a train to see one of those must-visit places in London.

6. Inexpensive

Serviced apartments may be as elegant-looking as any hotel, but it is definitely not as expensive. In fact, the room rates are half the price of a regular hotel room and access to facilities like a kitchen and a washing machine will save you more money.

Continue Reading →

Ways to Enjoy Your London Holiday with Your Children

There is no education like first-hand experience. So, if you want to learn more about London, travel to the city and see for yourself everything that you have seen on travel documentaries and read about in various textbooks. All the same, if you want to broaden your children’s horizons, take them to different foreign places to enrich their minds. However, traveling with young children can be a little difficult compared to traveling solo. Young people can be impatient and demanding, so it’s important to draw up an itinerary of activities to keep them entertained.

There are plenty of things you can do in London that do not require spending a lot. For children, however, the choices are limited. Not everything that you can see or do in London will be well-received by them; so, it is always wise to do some research ahead of time.

Book a couple of days’ stay at any of the holiday apartments in London for the convenience of location, for the convenience of homelike comfort, and for the convenience of saving money. If you opt to stay at the Serviced Apartments Marylebone, you’ll discover that there are plenty of must-see attractions for kids that are not far from the place. Below is a list of those interesting places that can be found either in Marylebone or just near the district.

Madame Tussauds

Situated along Marylebone Road, the Madame Tussauds museum exhibits wax sculptures of famous personalities from around the world and across history. The children will certainly gush over the life-size, or rather, life-like waxworks of Britney Spears and David Beckham. They will be intrigued or horrified over the Chamber of Horrors and blown away with amazement by their Marvelous 4D experience.

The museum was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud, who created her first sculpture in 1777.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Older kids who appreciate reading mystery novels and watching detective movies will certainly enjoy a tour of the Sherlock Holmes’ fictional house on Baker Street in Marylebone. The museum occupies a Georgian townhouse that used to be a boarding house. In the museum, you will find interesting things that were, according to the novels, used by Sherlock Holmes himself, like the typewriter, the sitting room, and his laboratory. It can easily visited while residing at Presidential Marylebone Mayfair.

Pollock’s Toy Museum

The toy museum houses all kinds of toys from different places and different periods in history. What kid wouldn’t enjoy marveling at the diverse range of antique toys like the 4000 year-old Egyptian clay mouse or centuries old toy theatre? The museum is named after Benjamin Pollock, the creator and printer of Victorian toy theatre.

Sea Life Aquarium London

This is a terrific place to take children for an educational tour. Not only do they get to see a broad variety of fish and sea creatures, but they get to come face-to-face with sharks, rays, and other amazing sea life.

Parks

London is home to many beautiful parks. Take your pick from any of those lovely parks and enjoy your day. You can have a picnic at Hyde Park or play Frisbee or cricket at Richmond Park. You may also visit the Kensington Palace Gardens and marvel at the Peter Pan statue or experience strolling along the tree walkway at Kew Gardens. The free and wonderful things you can do with your child in a London park is endless.

Continue Reading →

The Thrifty Tourist’s Guide to London

Most tourists who plan to visit London would devise an itinerary which can be easily covered in two days or less. Others however prefer to extend their holiday in London for as long as a week, or sometimes even a fortnight. This is where affordable accommodations come.

As a tourist, all you have to do is broaden your search for the most affordable and best short stay apartments London has to offer. Here is a quick walkthrough on lodgings in London which you’ll find budget-friendly and homely at the same time.

If you travel from somewhere outside of the UK and it is your first time to visit London, you’ll be happy to know that accommodations for your holiday, business trip, or backpacking endeavors are always easy to find. All you need is a vigilant search on the internet for serviced apartments Central London or holiday apartments where you can feel at home and escape the stress of your distant workplace.

You can always find a hotel to stay in, but in a country like the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, it is more practical to rent apartments rather than check into exorbitantly priced hotels and B&Bs. If you are one of those holidaymakers or travelers who like to cook your own food, entertain guests, and maybe even hold a barbecue party right in the comforts of your lodgings, then a London apartment is best for your needs.

For starters, there are affordable Serviced Apartments Covent Garden in the heart of London, West End, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Notting Hill. These accommodations provide guests with high-quality facilities, exquisite 24-hour concierge and customer care, comfort, and independence for whatever purpose your visit may entail; whether you’re in the city for business or pleasure.

Apartments in Marylebone and Chelsea offer housekeeping services, fully-furnished bathrooms and kitchens, and a contemporary design which many guests will surely love. These Serviced Apartments Marylebone are located near business districts like Oxford Street where you can go shopping, and many tourist destinations and historical landmarks with which you can take pictures.

It’s not difficult to find the right living arrangements for your stay in London. You’ll just have to practice a bit more diligence and extra patience so you will be able to find the best place to suit your needs. Start with the internet, make your calls, verify your contacts and make sure that your transactions are legit and safely carried out. All you have to do afterwards is hop on a plane and be prepared to enjoy the best that London has to offer.

Continue Reading →