London Weekend for GF's Birthday
Discussion
Big birthday for my girlfriend at the end of July, she wants a nice piece of jewelry or a designer handbag...
I could just buy it and give it to her but we both (she) would rather she chose it so i'm thinking of doing a night/weekend in London with a day shopping to get the gift.
Travel - we'll be coming from Exeter way. I'm thinking train as I can't be assed finding suitable parking and trying to manage the whole congestion charge stuff. We shouldn't need car over the course of the weekend.
Hotel - What or where do you suggest? 2 nights and I'd pay up to or around £200 a night for somewhere nice, or, recommend somewhere that's worth blowing the budget for?
Shopping - Bond St/Mayfair? Oxford St? Can we realistically do a few shopping areas in a day?
Food and Drink - I'd like to visit the Ginstitute (http://portobellostarbar.co.uk/ginstitutelondon/the-timetable/) at some point. Evening meal(s), other than the 'famous' places i'm not too clued up, any reccomendations, again, budget wise i don't mind spending up to £100 each inc wine on a spot on meal but no £500 fine dining stuff.
Any general pointers or ideas welcome, i've been to London a few times but not recently and usually only for work so not up to speed on planning a weekend there.
I could just buy it and give it to her but we both (she) would rather she chose it so i'm thinking of doing a night/weekend in London with a day shopping to get the gift.
Travel - we'll be coming from Exeter way. I'm thinking train as I can't be assed finding suitable parking and trying to manage the whole congestion charge stuff. We shouldn't need car over the course of the weekend.
Hotel - What or where do you suggest? 2 nights and I'd pay up to or around £200 a night for somewhere nice, or, recommend somewhere that's worth blowing the budget for?
Shopping - Bond St/Mayfair? Oxford St? Can we realistically do a few shopping areas in a day?
Food and Drink - I'd like to visit the Ginstitute (http://portobellostarbar.co.uk/ginstitutelondon/the-timetable/) at some point. Evening meal(s), other than the 'famous' places i'm not too clued up, any reccomendations, again, budget wise i don't mind spending up to £100 each inc wine on a spot on meal but no £500 fine dining stuff.
Any general pointers or ideas welcome, i've been to London a few times but not recently and usually only for work so not up to speed on planning a weekend there.
There are quite a few 5* hotels available in your budget: http://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?#&destin...
You can easily do all of those shopping areas in a day. They are close together. You should also add Harrods (much better these days) and possibly Selfridges & Harvety Nichols. All have excellent customer service and are close.
Dining: I assume that you have good restaurants where you live so consider going for an experience. Perhaps something in the Shard or Sushi-samba (very cool outdoor cocktail bar attache dot a good restaurant).
Edited to add: If you like Gin then http://www.timeout.com/london/bars-pubs/214-bermon... is pretty interesting. Easy walk from the Shard if that's where you decide to go.
You can easily do all of those shopping areas in a day. They are close together. You should also add Harrods (much better these days) and possibly Selfridges & Harvety Nichols. All have excellent customer service and are close.
Dining: I assume that you have good restaurants where you live so consider going for an experience. Perhaps something in the Shard or Sushi-samba (very cool outdoor cocktail bar attache dot a good restaurant).
Edited to add: If you like Gin then http://www.timeout.com/london/bars-pubs/214-bermon... is pretty interesting. Easy walk from the Shard if that's where you decide to go.
Edited by nyt on Monday 8th June 09:26
nyt said:
There are quite a few 5* hotels available in your budget: http://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?#&destin...
You can easily do all of those shopping areas in a day. They are close together. You should also add Harrods (much better these days) and possibly Selfridges & Harvety Nichols. All have excellent customer service and are close.
Dining: I assume that you have good restaurants where you live so consider going for an experience. Perhaps something in the Shard or Sushi-samba (very cool outdoor cocktail bar attache dot a good restaurant).
Edited to add: If you like Gin then http://www.timeout.com/london/bars-pubs/214-bermon... is pretty interesting. Easy walk from the Shard if that's where you decide to go.
Didn't realise the Shard was somewhere we could visit in that respect, thought it was just a business centre/offices. Shows how aware I am of London!You can easily do all of those shopping areas in a day. They are close together. You should also add Harrods (much better these days) and possibly Selfridges & Harvety Nichols. All have excellent customer service and are close.
Dining: I assume that you have good restaurants where you live so consider going for an experience. Perhaps something in the Shard or Sushi-samba (very cool outdoor cocktail bar attache dot a good restaurant).
Edited to add: If you like Gin then http://www.timeout.com/london/bars-pubs/214-bermon... is pretty interesting. Easy walk from the Shard if that's where you decide to go.
Edited by nyt on Monday 8th June 09:26
We both love Sushi, so Sushi Samba sounds like a perfect way to indulge. Will look into the 214 Bermondsey for drinks too.
Cheers!
16plates said:
Big birthday for my girlfriend at the end of July, she wants a nice piece of jewelry or a designer handbag...
I could just buy it and give it to her but we both (she) would rather she chose it so i'm thinking of doing a night/weekend in London with a day shopping to get the gift.
Travel - we'll be coming from Exeter way. I'm thinking train as I can't be assed finding suitable parking and trying to manage the whole congestion charge stuff. We shouldn't need car over the course of the weekend.
It's worth considering driving as far as Hounslow then parking near one of the three tube stations (free nearby) the underground will then take you straight to ther West end. It's not a faff and no congestion charge. You can get there from Exeter in under three hours and it's well outside the congestion charging zone.
Hotel - What or where do you suggest? 2 nights and I'd pay up to or around £200 a night for somewhere nice, or, recommend somewhere that's worth blowing the budget for?
I couldn't advise on this as i'm a premier inn man in London.
Shopping - Bond St/Mayfair? Oxford St? Can we realistically do a few shopping areas in a day?
Bond street is off oxford street. it's very high end. Oxford street is mainly flagship stores of all the major names. If you are looking for jewellery hatton garden is londons area and that is nearer the city though not difficult to get too. A walk around jermyn Street is nice too plus regent Street which is higher end than Oxford Street but again very close.
Food and Drink - I'd like to visit the Ginstitute (http://portobellostarbar.co.uk/ginstitutelondon/the-timetable/) at some point. Evening meal(s), other than the 'famous' places i'm not too clued up, any reccomendations, again, budget wise i don't mind spending up to £100 each inc wine on a spot on meal but no £500 fine dining stuff.
Worth looking at either Gordon ramseys or marco pierre Whites, there are often offers on lastminute.
Any general pointers or ideas welcome, i've been to London a few times but not recently and usually only for work so not up to speed on planning a weekend there.
It depends what you enjoy. There's the Shard. the london eye, some very entertaining guided walks, London has everything. west End shows are good but pricey and there are good markets to walk around a little further out.
Enjoy
I could just buy it and give it to her but we both (she) would rather she chose it so i'm thinking of doing a night/weekend in London with a day shopping to get the gift.
Travel - we'll be coming from Exeter way. I'm thinking train as I can't be assed finding suitable parking and trying to manage the whole congestion charge stuff. We shouldn't need car over the course of the weekend.
It's worth considering driving as far as Hounslow then parking near one of the three tube stations (free nearby) the underground will then take you straight to ther West end. It's not a faff and no congestion charge. You can get there from Exeter in under three hours and it's well outside the congestion charging zone.
Hotel - What or where do you suggest? 2 nights and I'd pay up to or around £200 a night for somewhere nice, or, recommend somewhere that's worth blowing the budget for?
I couldn't advise on this as i'm a premier inn man in London.
Shopping - Bond St/Mayfair? Oxford St? Can we realistically do a few shopping areas in a day?
Bond street is off oxford street. it's very high end. Oxford street is mainly flagship stores of all the major names. If you are looking for jewellery hatton garden is londons area and that is nearer the city though not difficult to get too. A walk around jermyn Street is nice too plus regent Street which is higher end than Oxford Street but again very close.
Food and Drink - I'd like to visit the Ginstitute (http://portobellostarbar.co.uk/ginstitutelondon/the-timetable/) at some point. Evening meal(s), other than the 'famous' places i'm not too clued up, any reccomendations, again, budget wise i don't mind spending up to £100 each inc wine on a spot on meal but no £500 fine dining stuff.
Worth looking at either Gordon ramseys or marco pierre Whites, there are often offers on lastminute.
Any general pointers or ideas welcome, i've been to London a few times but not recently and usually only for work so not up to speed on planning a weekend there.
It depends what you enjoy. There's the Shard. the london eye, some very entertaining guided walks, London has everything. west End shows are good but pricey and there are good markets to walk around a little further out.
Enjoy
Cheers chaps, really like the look of the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, think that could be the winner.
Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
16plates said:
Cheers chaps, really like the look of the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, think that could be the winner.
Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
I wasn't suggesting a car park.Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
My thought was to drive to Hounslow East for example ( it could as easily be Osterley or Northfields) these stations are 1 minute off the A4 and on the Piccadilly line. If you drop your missus at the station to buy tickets then park in a residential street, (there are plenty with no restrictions ) then stroll back to the station and repeat on return. I've left cars in these roads for two weeks when I've flown from Heathrow with no issues at all.
16plates said:
Cheers chaps, really like the look of the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, think that could be the winner.
Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
I did pretty much the exact thing for my mrs at xmas.Transport is going to be the biggest ballache it seems, not sure if I fancy leaving my car in a park and ride type car park for 48hrs+, will need to do more research as to the best way to do it. Train is extortionate too!
Booked in advance online and parked in Knightsbridge (check QPark/NCP websites for deals) under a hotel for £20 for 24 hours and centred the whole trip around champagne bars.
Started at Claridges sipping champagne and then mainly walked or got Uber to destinations. From memory the backbone of the trip was Harvey Nics, Harrods (often good sale deals and the summer sale runs from end of june to end of july?) and Selfridges. You'll find that you pass a load of department stored from HoF to Next and H&M on the way.
Stop at the main ones and have a glass of bubbly before moving on to the next. It's all that kept me interested.
One thing I learned was not to have an opinion on anything - just agree, nod your head, you like everything she likes. If it's HORRIBLE - you still like it.
Food wise - Hawkesmoor (several locations) are trendy steak restaurants. Definately worth a shout - they've got a good vibe and are pretty on point and shouldn't sent you back a fortune if you're careful.
My Mrs loved it. Walked out of Harrods with some 50% off shoes that I can't remember the name of that were still eye wateringly expensive. Suede shoes from memory so they'll be covered in booze after a dinner party or two.
P.S - Download UBER and use referral code zx0mw and we both get free £20 of credit. Thats enough to get an UBER Premium (top end merc/bmw) for a ride or two. Or, £20 should cover you for 3 average journeys in a standard car.
Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 9th June 10:30
Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 9th June 10:33
If you change your mind and decide to take your car, I'd recommend JustPark. I found a space that was 10min walk from Tower Bridge that cost £8.00 for Saturday 10am - Sunday 8pm. In comparison, the Hilton that we stayed in wanted £30.00 a day parking!
It's a great site and never had any problems with any spaces I've booked - https://www.justpark.com/
We went up The Shard on Saturday - I was well impressed. Worth it, even if you're just going up to the observation decks.
It's a great site and never had any problems with any spaces I've booked - https://www.justpark.com/
We went up The Shard on Saturday - I was well impressed. Worth it, even if you're just going up to the observation decks.
Very interesting points!
Just spent the last half hour on the justpark.com website, looks superb. £30 for a space right in Mayfair, 5min stroll from the hotel I like.
However.. how does one deal with the congestion charge? Do i phone ahead and register my car or do i just drive and they send me a bill or what? I like the freedom of having the car, that way we can arrive and leave and detour as we wish, rather than
worrying about train times to and from the city.
Think we will have to visit the shard! Everyone seems to rave about it.
Thanks again guys.
Just spent the last half hour on the justpark.com website, looks superb. £30 for a space right in Mayfair, 5min stroll from the hotel I like.
However.. how does one deal with the congestion charge? Do i phone ahead and register my car or do i just drive and they send me a bill or what? I like the freedom of having the car, that way we can arrive and leave and detour as we wish, rather than
worrying about train times to and from the city.
Think we will have to visit the shard! Everyone seems to rave about it.
Thanks again guys.
16plates said:
Very interesting points!
Just spent the last half hour on the justpark.com website, looks superb. £30 for a space right in Mayfair, 5min stroll from the hotel I like.
However.. how does one deal with the congestion charge? Do i phone ahead and register my car or do i just drive and they send me a bill or what? I like the freedom of having the car, that way we can arrive and leave and detour as we wish, rather than
worrying about train times to and from the city.
Think we will have to visit the shard! Everyone seems to rave about it.
Thanks again guys.
If you're heading in at the weekend you don't need to worry about it. Why not see if the first class rail fare is reasonable (some train operators offer deals at weekends) and treat yourselves. I wouldn't dream of driving into town.Just spent the last half hour on the justpark.com website, looks superb. £30 for a space right in Mayfair, 5min stroll from the hotel I like.
However.. how does one deal with the congestion charge? Do i phone ahead and register my car or do i just drive and they send me a bill or what? I like the freedom of having the car, that way we can arrive and leave and detour as we wish, rather than
worrying about train times to and from the city.
Think we will have to visit the shard! Everyone seems to rave about it.
Thanks again guys.
If you do choose to go by train, check out http://m.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london - you need to print out the vouchers in advance, but it can save you loads on entrance fees for places.
17 posts and no one's suggested taking the GF up the Oxo tower yet?? Tut tut, slacking PH slacking. 
On a serious note, are you just planning to drive in and park up? If so pre-booking a car park is probably your best bet, you should be able to find somewhere for about £20. You won't need to worry about the congestion charge on the weekend. If you are feeling brave and depending on when you plan to get to London, you could chance it and try a pay and display parking bay. Most are free after 1.30pm on Saturday but you may need to drive around a bit to find one and check the boards thoroughly to make sure you are parking in a free bay.
Be aware though that if you don't drive into London very often, it can be a bit of a confusing place to get around. One way systems, confusing traffic signs and cameras's EVERYWHERE all conspire to catch out the unwary or inexperienced visitor and if you aren't careful, you will end up with a ticket without even realising it.
On a serious note, are you just planning to drive in and park up? If so pre-booking a car park is probably your best bet, you should be able to find somewhere for about £20. You won't need to worry about the congestion charge on the weekend. If you are feeling brave and depending on when you plan to get to London, you could chance it and try a pay and display parking bay. Most are free after 1.30pm on Saturday but you may need to drive around a bit to find one and check the boards thoroughly to make sure you are parking in a free bay.
Be aware though that if you don't drive into London very often, it can be a bit of a confusing place to get around. One way systems, confusing traffic signs and cameras's EVERYWHERE all conspire to catch out the unwary or inexperienced visitor and if you aren't careful, you will end up with a ticket without even realising it.
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