Just Touched Down In London Town...Now What?

via www.healthinsurancesolutions.co.uk/london

After the many crossing of t's and dotting of i's, I am pleased to announce that my trip to London in November is booked, and to say I am excited is a tremendously large understatement, as I have been waiting for this moment all year long! I spent hours and hours online searching for the perfect hotel in the best location that doesn't cost the equivalent of a vintage Chanel bag per night. After finally settling for a wonderfully located Bed and Breakfast, it got me thinking how other tourists go about booking their stay in London without overpaying or lacking the real "London Experience".

I think a lot of people, especially when going to London for only a brief period of time, just want to be near Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, similar to a tourist in New York wanting a hotel room view of the Empire State Building. Or perhaps they book a room near Marble Arch to have quick access to Oxford Street.While it's vital to see these places in person once in your life, it's also important to broaden your horizons and step away from the cliche (excuse my lack of an accent mark), touristy locations in order to "do as the romans do". Soaking up the culture of the place you're traveling to is the best way to make the most of your time abroad. With that being said, I'm here to suggest some lovely alternatives to the tourist-trap locations.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:

Wellington Square, Chelsea ( Just off the King's Road)

While it's just my opinion, I believe that Chelsea is the best area in London overall, and certainly the most beautiful. I might be biased, because my mum is from Chelsea and I have such fond memories on Lots Road, however there is just so much to see and do here and in Kensington and they each have extraordinary history to back them up. Are you a fashionista? Head up the Kings Road, where you will find a wonderful mix of one-off shops and more well-known stores, or Kensington High Street. More interested in music? Take a stroll up Cheyne Walk. In 1968, Keith Richards lived at number 3 and Mick Jagger lived at number 48 but currently owns number 98. Edith Grove was also home to The Rolling Stones in the early 60's. John Entwistle of The Who had a flat on the King's Road in the late 1970's, and Eric Clapton had a flat there a decade earlier. Love Kitchen Nightmares? Visit one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants on Royal Hospital Road and see if he's as good as he thinks. Do you have a husband or son to keep occupied? Buy tickets to the next Chelsea FC match.  Are you more of a book worm? Go to 34 Tite Street to see where Oscar Wilde lived. For a general celebrity spotting, have a bite to eat at Bluebird Chelsea where you may find yourself dining next to the cast of Made In Chelsea. If you can't fathom the idea of going to London without even a glimpse at royalty, walk up Old Church Street and maybe there will be a Pippa sighting, as she still lives in the flat she once shared with her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge.

If you made it past that overload of information, I applaud you. My point is that there is something to do  for everyone in this area, and with so many notable residents, you know it's a cool place to stay.

Accomodation in Kensington/Chelsea: 

B&B's

Moore Street

For my stay in Chelsea, as I mentioned earlier, my mum and I decided that a B&B is the best option for us. I highly recommend using Britain's Finest and Uptown Reservations to search for the best B&B options in London. As stated on their website, they "offer a comfortable, relaxing and value alternative to that impersonal hotel experience," and were easy to book with. You can take comfort in the fact that they put you in "an elegant home that has been inspected to 4-star standard," "top-quality accommodation," and with "hosts that care about you". This is the best option if you're on a budget because you will be staying in the same areas as pricey hotels, but for much less. For example, we'll be staying on Moore Street, pictured above, which is just minutes from Peter Jones/ Sloane Square! Naturally, here is a picture of Kate Middleton leaving Peter Jones after a day of shopping. 

MyHotel Chelsea

MyHotel Chelsea

Located on Ixworth place, this boutique hotel was initially our first choice hotel for our stay in London. I fell in love with the decor- so chic! There's pink throughout the hotel and in almost every guest room, which obviously scores some points in my book, and is in the absolute perfect Chelsea location, close to Sloane Ave, Fulham Road, King's Road, and Old Church Street. At around £170 for a standard double room, MyHotel Chelsea is decently priced for its area. I can just picture myself there now, walking up those steps with shopping bags in hand, ready to rest my head on the fluffy pink pillows after a long day walking up and down the King's Road!


The Sloane Square Hotel

The Sloane Square Hotel

Does it get more convenient than this? Staying right in the charming Sloane Square, an ideal location, means you are just steps away from the Kings Road and Peter Jones. Take an enjoyable walk up Sloane Street past Tiffany and Gucci, and you will find yourself at the legendary department stores, Harrods and Harvey Nichols . At around £220 for a double room, this 4-star hotel is sure to please.





The Pelham Hotel

The Pelham Hotel

This 5-star , townhouse-style hotel in South Kensington may be a bit pricey, but it seems to be worthevery penny. The rooms are stylish and elegant, and its website states that it "really is the perfect foundation for your sophisticated stay in London". I agree. This hotel is close to many of the same locations as the hotels listed above, but it's even closer to the famous Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. Plus, I hear it has a delicious afternoon tea!

I hope you will consider staying in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for your future visit to London, as I promise it will not disappoint. I think it would be a much more fulfilling experience than staying where, well, everybody else tends to stay when they visit England's capital. 

No matter where you stay, though, just remember you can take 

one of these bad boys to get wherever you want to go.