Night in London

[anothernextsale]

We have babysitting offer for first weekend in July and DH has suggested we go to London and stay over for the Saturday night, do some shopping and a good meal ... any suggestions please !?

No budget as such but nothing too mad hotel-wise (ie can't afford The Dorchester) but would like somewhere good to eat too (that isn't too stingy on portions!!)

Where in London (or which station would you come in to)? To save you trekking across town and give relevant suggestions.

St Pancras is our easiest but happy to get Tube where needed

What sort of food do you like?

I'd air bnb personally as there are SO many options and hotels are massively overpriced. To stay somewhere really nice here you'd be paying so much.

I have a zillion restaurant suggestions but as PP says we need to know what food you like? And what sort of vibe? Special and smart feeling? Trendy? Casual? Intimate?

Dishoom is a great place to eat if you like Indian food, there is one in kings cross although they don't take reservations for small numbers, but you can have a nice drink while you wait. Alternatively, there are some nice places in Soho, the ivy Soho brasserie - more casual than the ivy but same chain or there is Dean Street townhouse. Another good place for dinner is berners tavern in the London edition hotel, might also be worth checking that hotel out, as good location but I'm not sure on price.

Have a look at Citizen M hotels - they are compact rooms but have a big bed and proper blackout blind. They provide in room films for free.

There are 3 - Tower Hill (near borough market), Bankside and Shoreditch (I think) - all of which have lots of restaurants/bars but are a little off the tourist path and more localised (I think).

Ah, think we stayed in a Citi M in November - went for a curry and then to a club in Soho, got to bed around 5am ... was still feeling it the Weds, struggling at work

We like steak houses, been to Sophie's Steakhouse, DH's fave MASH several times, Gauchos and Air (can't remember what chain that is? )

Do love a curry too or Italian (easily pleased!)

TIA

Hawksmoor if you like a steak!

Oh you said Air. Do you mean Hawksmoor Air St?

Too many amazing Italians to mention.

I'd go for Hoppers or Dishoom if you like curry.

If you are only staying Saturday night you might be a bit more restricted, hotel wise, because some have a two night minimum at weekends. I would recommend the new Premier inn "hub" hotels. The rooms are really small, but very modern and cleverly designed, a bit like a Japanese pod hotel. Only issue is that some don't have outside windows, and last time I stayed at one I overslept massively because it was pitch black .