London honeymoon

[lorelairoryemily]

Not an aibu, posting here for traffic. Thinking of going to London in September on our honeymoon. Looking for suggestions for a fancy pants hotel(central if possible) and some ideas for places to go, things to see etc..

Claridges to stay.
You could do a special sightseeing tour with these guys - smallcarbigcity.com/about/
I've used them and they're great.
Sushi Samba is great for food, cocktails & views.
42nd street is brilliant if you're into musicals.
Gordon's wine bar if you like wine.

You can also go to choral Evensong at St Paul's which is rather glorious.
Sir John Soanes House if you like quirky museums.

Yes Claridges to stay - I live in London but if I won the lottery that's where I'd go.

I wouldn't eat in Dean St Townhouse - too up itself and noisy. Try Social Eating House down the road instead - seriously good food and fab bar upstairs, the Blind Pig.

Second the River Cafe - get the boat to Putney then walk over the river and make a day of it.

Loving this thread - London can be so romantic!

For romantic dining Chez Bruce or Clos Maggiore. You may need to think about reservations now though.

If one of you likes steak, agree Hawksmoor is a must - even just the pre-theatre deal if on a budget.

Been inspired to do you a day plan
Tube to Piccadilly Circus
Breakfast or coffee at fortnim and mason
Walk through green park to Buckingham palace for changing of the guard.
Walk down victoria street to the other naughty piglet for boozy lunch
Walk down victoria street to Westminster - see Westminster abbey, House of Commons
Walk down parliament street past entrance to Downing Street
Arrive at Trafalgar Square
National gallery
Dinner at restaurant at top of npg

The above suggests not going in to the abbey or commons - the latter does do bookable tours now.
Oh and as you're walking down victoria street you can dive just behind it to see westminster cathedral which is lovely and also free unlike the ££££ abbey
St james park is lovely too

Mr and Mrs Smith hotels always look lovely and they've a few in London.

I always recommend the Tower of London, the Globe theatre and the John Soanes museum. If I was on my honeymoon, I'd make sure to make time for quiet activities like a walk through a park or a boat trip.

Modern or classic? Big or small? There are so many amazing hotels in London - I contract London hotels for a UK tour operator, these are some of my favourites:

Me London is on Aldwych, near to Covent Garden, very modern black/white decor, the Radio bar on the roof is great for a pre-theatre cocktail if you can get in
Across the road is One Aldwych, fantastic restaurant Eneko on site, bedrooms are quite simple for a 5* hotel and no coffee maker, but service is great

If you want something more classic, my favourite is the Langham, bedrooms were refurbished last year, it's very close to Oxford Street.

Near Green Park is Sheraton Grand The Park Lane - it had a full refurbishment last year and is now modern in an art deco style, it's really lovely but not as iconic as Langham or Ritz for example.

Another great 5* is Rosewood, near Holborn. The building is old, but the rooms are modern but still cosy, not contemporary like at ME.

If you want something lovely but not quite at these budgets, look at Amba Charing Cross or Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street - rooms have complimentary soft drinks and the higher category rooms get more "extras" so although they're not 5* hotels, they feel more special than your average hotel.

Not quite as central but still easy to get to everything is The Ampersand in South Kensington. So easy for Harrods, V&A Museum, Kensington Palace. A bit more boutique than the others I've mentioned.

Things to do ... London Eye is still incredibly popular, and the champagne experience was really nice, but for views, the Shard has it!
Afternoon tea has to be done! I haven't done lots, but my favourite so far was Emmeline's lounge at Conrad St James - no views from the lounge, but the food was amazing.

Go to Pollen Street Social. It's fab.

Gordon's wine bar in embankment, best place to go for a date. Wine and cheese

The May Fair Hotel is fab, and located almost opposite The Ritz, so a great location too.

As for food, another vote for Clos Maggiore. Have been there several times, and it's really lovely. You could also try Le Pont De La Tour, another amazing restaurant, and it's got a great view of Tower Bridge too. If roast dinners are your thing then Simpsons On The Strand is a must. It's also pretty much opposite One Aldwych, which has amazing cocktails.

For fun definitely Ronnie Scotts. Also, Piano Kensington was really great too.

Rules, in Covent Garden is very traditional (and expensive) and is one of the oldest restaurants in London,

Afternoon tea at The Ritz (or elsewhere)

Places to,visit:
Covent Garden
the Shard
Buckingham Palace
Natural history museum
Harrods
Hamleys
Libertys
West end theatre
Camden market
Trafalger square
St. Paul's cathedral
River trip

It's worth getting a decent map,of London. Everything is a lot closer than it looks on the map. One of the joys of London is walking from A to B and seeing what you discover.

Thanks so much everyone for all the ideas!! I'm going to look everything up tomorrow, I'm so excited now!! Petal that sounds like a lovely day, it's on the list, so nice of you

Drop thank you so much for that list, so helpful

You absolutely must go to Fromage and Champagne. Amazing!

If it's warm enough venture north and have a picnic and wander on Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill.

We had our honey moon in London 8 years ago. We only stayed 3 nights dd had just turned 2 and never slept out before, we saw 2 shows, had a Thames cruise visited some museums did tussauds. I loved it and have always wanted to go back.

Oh and we saw the changing of the guards

So many amazing things to do and some great ideas here. London is brilliant; it's easy to forget that when you live here!

I would say try to think of some categories first - e.g. Brunch, dinner, walk, theatre - and then you can choose from there? If you like comedy, check out "the play that goes wrong", I got sore ribs from laughing too hard at that.

If you are splashing the cash on the room, claridges is gorgeous, or the savoy - you can have cocktails in the American bar. Or you can pick up a beautiful star city hotel cheaply at the weekend - try bonds boutique hotel on Threadneedle Street.

I hope you have an amazing time. Dependent on when you're coming openhousw London might be on which is nice for seeing bits normally out of bounds www.open-city.org.uk/activities/london/

Another vote for clos maggiore - ask for a table in the conservatory.

I think it was voted most romantic restaurant in London.

You absolutely must go to Fromage and Champagne. Amazing!

Err, what's this? My two favourite things on one table?

Details please!!

SOHO Hotel is perfect for a honeymoon and perfectly located.

I've stayed at both St Pancras Renaissance hotel and the GNR hotel at Kings Cross. Both fab and opposite each other.

We ve stated at the Batty Langley on our wedding night. Worth a look www.battylangleys.com