London Journals

Summertime in London

A July 2006 trip to London by lucinda3

Inside the British Museum Photo - British Museum, London, England

Quote: This journal is about my adventures in London while there on business. It will include theater and restaurant reviews.

9 Photos

Marriott Hotel Maida Vale

Hotel | "Marriott Maida Vale"

Quote:

Before going to London in July, it was very difficult to find available hotels at rates that were at all reasonable. I ended up staying at the Marriott Maida Vale, which is on the west side of town. It's in a slightly out of the way area that seems to be largely residential. However, one advantage of the location was a convenient bus stop that provided easy access to Oxford Street and the West End. All day bus passes are sold at newsstands for £3.50.Overall, the hotel was adequate and met my needs, but it is definitely in need of some upgrades. The room was well worn. The face of the alarm clock and the panel on the TV were both missing. The carpet and comforter had stains. I think th...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on August 15, 2006

Marriott Hotel Maida Vale
PLAZA PARADE
London, England
44-207-543-6000

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Radisson Sas Portman Hotel

Hotel

Quote:

On my first trip to London, I stayed at the Radisson SAS Portman Square. I had taken the night flight from the U.S. and arrived at the hotel around 10am. However, my room type was not available at that time, so I took a single room (at the same price as the larger room - which was an ok deal for me at the time). Let me tell you - it was a single since it had only a twin bed, but it had most of the other amenities I needed.When I entered the elevator, I discovered that different floors appeared to have differently styles of design. My room was evidently Scandinavian in style, which went along with the minimalist nature of a single room. For example, there were no extra pillows in the roo...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 29, 2006

Radisson Sas Portman Hotel
22 PORTMAN SQUARE
London, England
44-20-7208-6000

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Wagamama

Restaurant

Quote:

Wagamama is a chain of Chinese inspired restaurants. There is one very convenient to the British Museum, so I stopped there for lunch. The restaurant is very open and modern in design. The seating is cafeteria-style tables and benches, which can mean sitting right next to people in a different party. Paper placemats serve their usual function and as a place for the waiter to write down the numbers from the menu as you place your order. They use this to calculate the check at the end.You can check out the menu at their website. The most popular choices for entrees are noodle bowls. You can choose from different meat, seafood, or vegetarian selections. I ate the spicy chicken...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on August 15, 2006

Wagamama
4A Sreatham St
London, England W1H 9AB
+44 20 7323 9223

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The Kerala

Restaurant

Quote:

After seeing a play in London, I walked to Kerala for dinner. I showed up there about 8pm on a Saturday evening. I was dining alone and was able to be seated right away. The restaurant has a more casual downstairs, with a bar, and an upstairs with slightly more formal dining.The menu had a range of traditional Indian cuisine. For an appetizer, I ordered the mini-dosa that was quite good. It was portioned for 1 person, which I appreciated. For my entree, I ordered the lamb biryani. It was pleasantly spicy.The dessert was one of the highlights. I had the pistachio kulfi. I had kulfi before in the U.S. at a modern Asian fusion restaurant, but I hadn't seen it at other Indian ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 25, 2006

The Kerala
15 Great Castle Street
London, England W1W 8LT
(020) 7580-2125

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St Martin's Theatre

Attraction | "The Mousetrap"

Quote:

The Mousetrap is the longest running show. It has been in various London theaters for more than 50 years. It's based on an Agatha Christie murder mystery. It is a play, set in 1950s England.I can't tell you too much about the play since it is a mystery. The actors say at the end of the play that we're now all partners in crime, and that they are relying on us to continue to keep the secret of who the murderer is.The play is definitely worth seeing, but it's not spectacular. The acting is more than adequate, with the cast operating as a uniform team, and no one actor standing out. I saw a Saturday performance at 5pm and there were many empty seats, suggesting you could ge...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 24, 2006

St Martin's Theatre
West Street
London, England WC2H 8DP
+44 87 0162 8787

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Wyndham's Theatre

Attraction | "Sunday in the Park with George"

Quote:

Sunday in the Park with George is a beautiful and creative Stephen Sondheim musical. It is an interpretation of the life of George Serat as expressed through his paintings, especially "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte."The musical is separated into two somewhat disjointed acts. The first act is a traditional musical, with the best of the songs. It is set in the 1800s and highlights the challenges of working as an artist and struggling to hold on to a romantic relationship. Through projection, the paintings come alive on the back and side walls of the stage. Characters in the painting step out into real life on the stage.The second act has about 5 to 10...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 24, 2006

Wyndham's Theatre
Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square
London, England
0844 482 5120

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British Museum

Attraction

Quote:

The British Museum is worth visiting for the architecture alone. It combines classical architecture, with stonework and columns covered by a modern glass dome. It's truly a beautiful space that feels open and airy. In this central area, there are a couple of counters where you can purchase light snacks and beverages. I found it enjoyable to sit at the tables, relax, and take in the design of the building.It is an extremely large museum, with somewhat disjointed sections. So, pick up a map or ask an attendant if you want to find a particular section. One of the most notable exhibits is the Rosetta Stone. It is encased in Plexiglas and viewable from both sides. Best...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 15, 2006

British Museum
Great Russell Street
London, England WC1B 3DG
+44 (207) 7323 8299