Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Gatwick Airport hotels London

London is the most desired and one of the busiest tourist destinations in the entire world. Located close to the beautiful river Thames, it is the capital city of England. This metropolitan is globally well known for its numerous attractions. The city hosts several airports – Stanstead Airport, City Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and many more. Amongst all these airports Heathrow and Gatwick London airports are the largest and the busiest airports in the city. Transport and accommodations are never a problem in London. Public transport is the city connects almost every nook and corner of the city and you can also find hotels in almost every part of the city.

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Gatwick airport, London is 2nd busiest airport in United Kingdom and the busiest single runway in the world. The London Gatwick Airport celebrated its 50th anniversary in the year 2008. The airport is managed and owned by BAA, which also owns 6 other airports in the city. Several facilities such as shops, baby changing rooms, restaurants, play areas for children, business centre, conference rooms, hotels and transportation services. The Gatwick airport hotels range from bed and breakfast hotels to budget hotels and cheap hotels to luxury hotels. These hotels offer a variety of services and comfort. Let’s talk about some of the Gatwick Airport hotels in London:

  • Sofitel London Gatwick
    Sofitel is a 4 star Gatwick Airport hotel is located at a distance of 0.5 kilo meter from the north terminal of the airport. The airport offers a shuttle service to the hotel as it is attached to the north terminal by a short walkway. The hotel offers several quality services to the guests which makes the stay comfortable and pleasant. A well equipped fitness and business centre are also available in the hotel.

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  • Premier Inn Gatwick Central
    It is a popular central London hotel located within the walking distance from the Gatwick Airport. The hotel offers economical accommodation with several services such as WIFI, satellite television and many more. The hotels onsite restaurant and bar are well known for offering a variety of delicious cuisines and drinks.

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  • Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick Airport
    Sited in a pleasant environment close to a farmhouse of 16th century, Copthorne Hotel is a 4 star London hotel offering 227 well appointed bedrooms. All the rooms at the hotel offer luxurious in room facilities. The hotel also hosts a leisure club with well equipped squash courts, gym, Jacuzzi and swimming pool.

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  • Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel
    This comfortable London hotel is located with in the walking distance from the south terminal of the Gatwick Airport. The hotel has excellent interiors and furnishings. Several facilities such as business centre, restaurant, bar, gym, conference rooms and much more.

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  • Holiday Inn Gatwick Airport Hotel
    Located within 0.5 kilo meters from the Gatwick Airport London, Holiday Inn offers an easy access to several tourist attractions, entertainment venues etc. The hotel has stylish and contemporary interiors with several luxurious services such as hairdryer, telephone, television, internet and much more.

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Besides these airport hotels near Gatwick there are several other economical accommodations. The car parking services should be check while hotel booking as it is not available in all hotels although airport car parking is available at Gatwick London Airport.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

What a Wonderful Waterloo!

Do not confuse the Waterloo in London with the Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It is pretty ignorant; that the first thing that comes to a person when they hear the word Waterloo is, Canada. English people find this very amusing because the recognition the Waterloo Bridge demands, is not given unto it. Also one should not confuse Waterloo in London with the Waterloo in Belgium. And a little add on to your knowledge bank, The Battle of Waterloo was fought in Belgium. Of course the British were a part of it but then both the places (Waterloo) are different. The name Waterloo comes from the Waterloo Bridge standing on the River Thames.

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Famous Attractions in and around Waterloo

  • London Eye
    It is also known as the ‘Millennium Wheel’ and is the biggest millennium wheel in Europe.
  • Big Ben
    Established in 1834, the Big Ben is what people think of when they think about London.
  • Waterloo Bridge
    The Bridge first started as a toll bridge on River Thames and now serves as a road and foot bridge.
  • Buckingham palace
    The Buckingham Palace is where the ‘Majesty’ resides and when she is away, it’s open to tourists.
  • Covent Garden
    All in the rage district in London well-known for its shopping culture.
  • London Aquarium
    The London Sea Life Aquarium was opened in 1997. It has over 400 species of fish and is located on the ground floor of County Hall.
  • The Old Vic
    Old Vic is a theatre south-east of Waterloo Station in London responsible for the formation of The Royal National Theatre.
  • The Royal National Theatre
    The Royal National Theatre was found in 1963. It is a theatre group also known as the ‘National Theatre’ and ‘The National’.
  • Imperial War Museum
    The Imperial War Museum was found in 1917 to pay a tribute to national and international war efforts of the martyrs.
  • Florence Nightingale Museum
    The museum was built in 1982 dedicated to Florence Nightingale and is located at St Thomas' Hospital.
  • The Hayward Gallery
    The Hayward Gallery is the hub for visual art and located in Southbank, London.
  • County Hall Gallery
    County Hall is the largest art gallery in London featuring works from legendary artists like Salvador Dali and Picasso.
  • The Millennium Bridge
    The Millennium Footbridge was opened in the year 2000 and is located on River Thames. It is only for pedestrians.

HOTELS IN WATERLOO

  • Marriott London County Hall
    Marriott is a 5-star luxury hotel right opposite the Big Ben. It offers facilities such as swimming pool, sauna, gym, spa services and high speed internet access to its customers. Here, one can enjoy morning tea overlooking the Thames and Big Ben. London Eye is just 5 minutes away.

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  • Park Plaza Riverbank
    Park Plaza is a four star hotel with modern styling and contemporary décor. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, the hotel offers a fitness center, Japanese and European cuisines, wireless internet and a world class bar. The London Eye and Tate Britain are in its vicinity.
  • Plaza on the River
    Designed in the most contemporary way Plaza on the River is truly a five star hotel. The hotel is sited right in front of some of the major London attractions. The hotel offers its customers a lavish fitness suite, wireless internet and LCD Televisions with DVD and CD players.
  • Days Hotel London Waterloo
    Days Hotel is a modern three star hotel near the Imperial War Museum and West End Theatre. The guests can enjoy at the hotel bar and dine on a la carte cuisine in its finest in house restaurant. Days Hotel rooms include contemporary furnishing, tea/coffee making machines and WIFI access.
  • The Mad Hatter Hotel
    The Mad Hatter is a three star boutique hotel close to several London attractions. The Tate Gallery of Modern Art, The Royal National Theatre and the London Eye are just outside the doorstep.
    The hotel offers its guests a traditional English Pub located at the hotel’s ground floor and free wireless internet.

Tube Stations

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If you are travelling in Waterloo the nearest accessible tube stations are the Waterloo tube station, Waterloo East and Charring Cross tube station.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

La Vida en Liverpool

London is famous for its rich and varied ethnicities and cultural differences. Every nook and corner in the city has its very own tale to tell. One of them is the Liverpool Street in the city of London. It is one of the busiest streets in London and is located in the north eastern part of the city of London. The Liverpool Street station or which is better known as the London Liverpool Street is the nearest and a very famous London Underground tube station.



Liverpool is also a city in England famous for its football club, beer brawls, very famous John Lennon airport, parks, museums and art galleries. Just along the east of Mersey Estuary, Liverpool was established as a metropolitan borough of Merseyside in England. Liverpool was later given the city status and the city has never looked back since. Liverpool has given birth to several football stars like Robbie Fowler, Tommy Smith, Steve Mc Manaman, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrad and Wayne Rooney.

History
Liverpool was founded by King John in the year 1207 as the borough of Liverpool but by the end of the 18th century the borough of Liverpool was granted the status of a city.
The population of Liverpool is often referred to as the “Liverpudlians” and also known as the “Scousers”. The term “Scousers” has been taken from the local Liverpool dish called “scouse” which is nothing but a kind of stew. “Scouse” also describes Liverpool’s accent and dialect.

What is there for Tourists?
Attractions of Liverpool are quite popular amongst the tourists and some of the famous ones include:-
  • Anfield Stadium and the Goodison Park – Legendary football parks owned by two world famous football clubs, Everton and Liverpool
  • The Royal Liver building
  • The Port of Liverpool
  • Our Lady and St Nicholas Church , better known as the ‘sailors church’
  • Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
  • Victoria Street
  • Castle Street and Water Street
  • Liverpool Lime Street station and Liverpool Central are the nearest tube stations.

Hotels in Liverpool
Few famous hotels amongst the tourists are:-
  • Crowne Plaza Liverpool - John Lennon Airport
    Right at the airport and its vicinity to David Lloyd Leisure Centre make it very happening.
  • Marriott Liverpool City Centre
    Nearest hotel to the Liverpool lime street tube station. Famous for sports, beatlemania and crazy entertainment.
  • Radisson SAS Liverpool
    It is an extremely good value for money, walking distance from major attractions with a gym and a decent swimming pool.

Liverpool University
The University of Liverpool was originally recognized as one of the Redbrick Universities. The University College Liverpool is reported to have started in 1881. The Liverpool University was completed in the year 1892.
Some of the famous alumni of Liverpool University includes Katherine Patricia Routledge ( actress ) , Steve Firth (bass player for the English band Embrace) , Stephen James "Steve" Coppell ( a former English footballer and the former manager of Reading F.C.) and Sanjay Jha ( highest paid CEO in the world currently working for Motorola ).

Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool Airport was earlier known was the Speke Airport and RAF Speke. Flights started taking off dating back to the year 1930. The airport is located in the city of Liverpool right besides the Estuary of the River Mersey. After the death of John Lennon in 2000(the leading and founding member of the legendary band “The Beatles) Speke Airport was renamed to John Lennon Airport as a tribute to John Lennon. One can find John Lennon’s bronze statue standing in the check-in hall. And there are lines written on the roof taken from John Lennon’s famous song “Imagine”.

The Beatles
The Beatles is regarded as the world’s best rock and pop band ever and ‘The Beatles’ were from Liverpool, England. The members included John Lennon (Rhythm Guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar), George Harrison (lead guitar) and Ringo Starr (drums). And the best part all of them on the vocals.

Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool Football Club was established in the year 1892. In the year 1892 John Houlding bought the Anfield Stadium after quarrel with lease holder. Everton left the Anfield stadium and moved to Goodison Park. Later as the other players had gone to Goodison Park, Houlding with only three players at his side formed Liverpool Football Club on 15th March 1892. Liverpool FC qualified for the first division in 1894 and won the first title in 1901.




There are several tourist attractions and places to be explored in the city of Liverpool. Beeston Castle, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, International Slavery Museum, Tate Liverpool, Rufford Old Hall and St Georges Hall are few of such crowd pullers that attract tourist from all over the world to Liverpool.





















Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Titillating Tower Hill

Tower Hill is located in north-western London just beside the River Thames. There are many attractions near Tower Hill like the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Design Museum. The Tower Hill Church dating back to the year 680 is also a beautiful piece of Roman architecture.

History behind the Nomenclature
The name Tower Hill comes from a hill located near the River Thames. Public executions of the cruelest criminals were carried out on the Tower hill.

Design Museum
Design Museum was a home to industrial design, architecture and fashion when it first opened in the year 1989. The Design Museum has been built on the same site as an existing warehouse.It stands in close proximity to the Tower Bridge and the River Thames. The Museum is accessible via the Tower Bridge Underground station too. The Design Museum also offers designing and fashion courses to students.


The Tower of London
The Tower of London was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror. It is located on the northern banks of the River Thames. Tower London has been, over the centuries, used as a palace, arsenal, a prison and even a zoo. Now the Tower is home to the Crown Jewels. The tour the Tower of London is free and the view from top of the tower is impeccable.

Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge was built in 1894 as an alternative to the London Bridge, due to high trafficking. The name tower bridge comes from the two huge towers, the Tower Bridges stands upon. There is exhibition, called the Bridge Exhibition which takes place every now and then to appreciate the architecture and building designing of the bridge.


Hotels in and around Tower Hill
Grange City HotelGrange City Hotel is a luxurious 5-star hotel near the Tower of London and the River Thames. It has a 25-metre swimming pool, professional golf simulator and gym-cum-spa. It is hardly 2 minutes away from the Tower Hill tube station.


Novotel London Tower Bridge
It is a 3-star hotel neighbouring the financial district, St Paul’s and Tower of London. The hotel is 10 minutes walk from the Tower Hill tube station.

Apex City Of London Hotel
The hotel is very stylish and located near the historic Tower of London next to the Tower Bridge.It’s walking distance from the Tower Hill tube station.


The Chamberlain
It is a four star hotel with a great restaurant and bar famous for fine dining and amazing ale. It’s not even half a kilometer from the Tower Hill tube station.

Marlin Apartments Londinium Tower
These are very affordable serviced apartments with modern styling and extreme sophistication located just half a kilometer away from the Tower Hill tube station.

Restaurants
Tower Hill is famous for many restaurants. You can relish Italian food at Lazio, French food at Le Pont De La Tour and Indian Food at Mantra, Mumba and Bengal Clipper.

Shopping
Ring O’ Roses, Jones Bootmakers, Scotia and Hide All are some must go places for shop-a-holics.

Upcoming events in Tower Hill
For tourists visiting London, Tower Hill has some awe-inspiring events planned for the year.

Continental Airlines Tower Festival
The Tower of London hosts the Tower Festival every year and this year it’s going to be even grander than ever. The Tower Festival 2009 would have opera, jazz, dance and classical musicals from all over the world. The event starts on the 10th of September 2009 to the 20th September 2009 from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily. There is an admission fee.

15 Minute Club at Prohibition
15 Minute Club is located in the Tower of London and here you will find the best upcoming talents play acoustic every week. The best part is of course that you get to enjoy the best of music for free. Yes, there is no admission fee. Miri is one such talent that has come up from 15 Minute Club.

Tower Hill Football Club
O’Shea and Simon Gotobed formed the Tower Hill Football Club in 1971. The team consists of players living in and around the Tower Hill neighbourhood.

Tower Hill has a lot to offer to tourists and art-lovers. Come and experience the titillating life at Tower Hill.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Go Green Go Golf

It is very uncertain to say that how golf came into being, but supposedly the beautiful game of golf originated in Scotland dating back to the 12th century when shepherds used to knock stones with sticks in rabbit holes. London has picked up the sport of golf and made it their own.
The London city has flourishing green golf courses which are renowned all over the world. Here are a few renowned golf clubs in London:

Hampstead Golf Club
Hampstead Golf Club is often termed as HGC in short. Hampstead Golf Club was found in the year 1893 by Tom Dunn who was part of one of the famous family in the golfing world. Willie Dunn (Tom Dunn’s brother) had won the US Open in 1984. Hampstead Golf Club’s 9-Hole course is one of the most challenging courses in the south of England. Hampstead’ Clubhouse is one of the most striking in London and is open to both members and their guests for many social events like weddings, receptions, parties.


The club parking is restricted to members only. But you can park on-street along Winnington Road and Ingram Avenue (5 minutes away). There are also professionals golfers (Peter Brown and Tony Sheaff) who provide lessons to members and non-members.

Wimbledon Park Golf Club
Wimbledon Park golf club can be found in between the Lawn Tennis Club and Wimbledon Park. It was found in 1898; features an 18-hole golf course and short game practice area. It is just minutes away from Central London. It is said to be very challenging, even for a pro. The clubhouse, dishes up best beer and fine wine as an addition to their exceptional food. The clubhouse is open to both members and non-members.

Muswell Hill Golf Club
Muswell Hill Golf Club was found in 1893 and is one of the best golf courses in North London. It has hosted Middlesex Amateur Golf Championships for both men and women. The 18-hole golf course is a proper mix of water bodies, sand bunkers and forest. It’s a pleasure to play in such a verdant green environment. Currently the Muswell Hill Golf Club has waivered off the joining membership fee for anyone who wishes to join the club in the year 2009.



London Golf Club
London Golf Club is one of the best in the world. The European Open in 1994 was held in London Golf Club. The London Golf Club would be holding The European Open 2009 this May from 28th to 31st. London Golf Club is also regarded as the home of the European Open. PGA European Open for professional golfers would take place from 3rd to 6th July 2009.

Central London Golf Centre
Central London Golf Centre offers a 9-hole golf course, flood lighting facility, a golf shop, clubhouse and functional suite for members and non-members. If you would like to learn, practice or play gold you would love the lush green environment at Central London Golf Centre.
There is no membership at Central London Golf Centre. It is open to everybody and one has to pay on pay-and-play basis. The 9-hole golf course tests all, from beginners to experienced golfers.

It also offers facilities for weddings, conferences and parties and has three excellent suites. The parking is free Central London Golf Centre is easily accessible from Central London.

Knightsbridge Golf School
Knightsbridge Golf School teaches golf at every level and is open to complete beginners to pros. It is one such place in London that teaches you golf at your convenience. The school was established in 1930 and the teaching involves basic principles from giving proper flight to the ball to an ideal swing. Many PGA Tour professionals, Ryder and Dunhill Cup Players have attended this very school. The charges are 50 Pounds for the first lesson and 450 pounds for a 10 lesson package.



Knightsbridge Golf School has trained famous celebrities like Hugh Grant and his dad, Richard Branson mother, Sean Connery and Gianfranco Zola (Retired Italy National and current manager of West Ham United).

London’s famous golf courses have earned a place for themselves in the eyes of professional golfers and having hosted not only the Ryder Cup but also the PGA European Open.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Grange St Paul’s Hotel

“Grange hotels” is one of the leading hotel group in United Kingdom. The group is globally renowned for offering luxurious accommodations with genuine hospitality and comfort. Grange hotel owns a wide variety of 4 star and five star hotels in London. These hotels are located at some of the most sought after locations in the city. A blend of contemporary facilities, detailed attention and traditional comfort in the services is the trademark of Grange group of hotels. Exceptional events services, exceptional dining facilities, well equipped conference rooms and attractive rooms makes the Grange hotels suitable for all the guests whether for pleasure or business.



Grange Hotels is about to launch one more luxurious and glorious hotel in the capital’s financial district – Grange St Paul’s Hotel, in next 20 days. This grand Grange hotel is sited quite close to London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, Black friars, Bank and several other London attractions. The dazzling beauty of this luxury hotel impressively overlooks the alluring St Paul’s Cathedral. The hotel is situated close to Black friars, Mansion house and St Paul’s tube stations. Grange St Paul’s hotel is a stylish inn has innovatively set some sky-scraping standards for elegance. The hotel is sited close to the vivacious West End of London and several other London landmarks. The en suite rooms at the hotel are beautifully designed and furnished with fabulous artworks. All the rooms are well equipped with modern design and the most up-to-date technology. 24 hour room service and front desk are available in the hotel. The exceptional Atrium that rises 80 feet through the centre of the hotel offers a variety of restaurants, bars and club.


The restaurants at Grange St Paul’s hotel offer a wide range of delectable cuisines and drinks in a pleasing ambiance. These restaurants specialize in offering European and international cuisines. Dining at the hotel’s courtyard and gorgeous roof garden can make the moment even more special for the guests. The hotel also hosts a well equipped Spa and a traditional treatment centre. The spa compound at the hotel includes a 20m swimming pool, aromatherapy suites, sun lodge and a Nordic style sauna. The spa also offers the renowned Turkish bath, nail bar and professional hair dressing salon. At this treatment centre you can avail the services such as Ayurvedic therapies, up to date beauty facility, health treatments, conventional oriental practices and mind and body treatments. The hotel also hosts a well equipped 5 star fitness and health club with experienced fitness trainers.


Grange St Paul’s hosts 2 floors which are entirely dedicated for events and business meetings. The hotel organizes business seminars, conference and meetings in the space devoted to the events. The conference rooms are well equipped with the latest technology equipments such as WIFI, optical connectivity, audio visual facilities etc and can easily accommodate 1400 delegates. The hotel has wheel chair access for the disabled guests and the staff at the hotel is extremely supportive. The team at the Grange St Paul’s ensures to make your stay memorable and comfortable. The qualities that this hotel holds will without doubt create a mark of excellence in the history of London hotels.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

A Ride to the Russell Squares!!

Where is Russell Square?
Russell Square is proudly situated in Bloomsbury, which is an area developed as the fashionable residence by the renowned Russell Family. Bloomsbury is surrounded by Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, Gray's Inn Road, New Oxford Street, Bloomsbury Way and Theobalds Road. This unofficially makes the boundary for the area. Areas surrounding Bloomsbury are Holborn, St Pancras and Clerkenwell. Russell Square is a huge garden located in the Bloomsbury area. Russell Square tube station is situated close by from the garden.

History
The Russell Square was named after its developers from the 17th and the 18th century, Earls & the dukes of Bedford. Large terraced houses were built aimed at the upper middle class on the boundary of the square. Many houses still survive and some of them are now owned by University Of London. Famous residents of the place include the renowned Father-son architects, Philip & Philip Charles Hardwick, Poet T.S. Eliot, Thomas Lawrence’s studio.

Attractions

  • British Museum
Located at the great Russell Street and was found more than 250 years ago, it is the world’s oldest museum representing how the humans evolved. Hans Sloane started the museum with his own collection, which was expanding massively. British artifacts show a lot of variety starting from pre-historic times to the present day. It has artifacts ranging for more than 2 million years and has more than 7 million objects. The museum presents some of the exclusive collection of oriental art, from India, china and some of the Islamic sources. British Museum has more than 90 galleries, and to accommodate these many galleries, it is built on a span of 2.5 miles.
British museum’s entry is free, although for some special exhibitions, the entry is charged and reserved. The museum is open everyday from 1000-1730 hrs, although timings for some galleries may differ.


• Dickens House Museum
It is named after the great Victorian novelist, Charles Dickens, and is the only surviving home of the Dickens, and is situated at 48 Doughty street. The four storied museum presents paintings, manuscripts, furniture and many other things related to Charles Dickens. The museum is a perfect place to understand the environment in which the great author used to write and live.
The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 1000 to 1700 hrs and on Sundays from 1100-17oo hrs. The entry charges range from £3 to £5.

  • Cinemas close to the Russell Square are The Horse Hospital & Renoir Cinemas.
  • Eating Joints: Russell Square gives you enormous choices with the food. It has several restaurants providing a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Italian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, European and English.
  • Universities and Colleges
Large terrace houses which were built on the boundaries of the Russell Square are now the home for a lot of London universities and colleges, like Birkbeck College, the London school of oriental and African studies, London school of hygiene and tropical Medicine.

  • Spree: A shopaholics’ heaven, where you can easily find Showrooms of luxury brands for men, women, and children. There are some nice shops for lingerie, hosiery & shoes located in this area. Fashion shops like French connection, United Colors of Benetton, L k Benetton, Joy and Coast also have their outlets here.
Russell Square Tube Station:
Working for over the past 100 years, is a small but widely used station, designed by Leslie Green. The station is located on the Bernard Street and comes under Zone 1. It does not own any escalator but has 3 lifts and has around 177 steps. Russell square station was hit by the London Bombings of 7 July 2005, when a bomb exploded in a train between King’s cross and Russell Square, and sadly 26 people died in this incident. Another distressing incident happened in 1973 when some series of murders took place at the station.


Cabmen's Shelter
Cabmen’s shelter was built in the year 1875 to provide shelter to the cabs and their carriages. Russell Square cabmen's shelter is amongst the 13 shelters, which still exist.

  • Russell Square Hotels in London
    London Euston Premier Inn, Ibis London Euston, Arriva Hotel and Elmwood Hotel are some of the most popular and luxurious Russell Square hotels in London.