London’s calling! Here’s your guide to the perfect weekend in the Big City…

London’s calling! Here’s your guide to the perfect weekend in the Big City…

London is a diverse and exciting city with some of the worlds best sights, attractions and activities. There’s no wonder it’s ranked one of the most popular tourist hotspots on the planet … from history lovers, to shopaholics, there’s something for everyone in the capital. But with all its offerings it can be difficult to decide where to stay, what to do and where to eat – that’s where VIVA comes in.

We’ve made a guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit to London on your next trip. So… let’s begin!

Where to stay? The Ampersand Hotel
In London, location is everything! I decided to try out The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington. This boutique hotel is a Victorian building that has been revamped with modern yet elegant décor. The Ampersand Hotel stood out as it’s a stones throw from places such as the Natural History Museum, the luxurious department store Harrods, Hyde Park, Kings Road and Chelsea. Its vibrant location makes it a perfect place to stay, but just a 2 minute walk will bring you to a tube station – so you are still easily connected to the rest of the city.
The location isn’t the only thing going for this quintessentially British hotel, the bedroom suites are large and luxurious. This hotel is hard to critique, it’s truly exquisite. My chic bedroom looked over the bustling streets of Kensington, which made me feel like I’d escaped in the city. The beautiful exterior of the building will make you feel like you’re staying in a palace for the night!
You can even pick up a room for as little at £150, which compared to its competitors is very little! You’d also end up saving as you won’t need to pay for taxis – as everywhere is nearby. Perfect! Overall, I think this hotel is more than deserving of its 5* rating and I’m already planning my next visit!
Where to eat? Franca Manca
London is flooded with places to eat, which makes it hard to know where’s going to give you some decent grub. I decided to use good ol’ TripAdvisor to help me find the best pizza place nearby. After a five minute walk guided by my iPhone maps, I was stood outside Franco Manca. The little Italian was super busy but I was quickly sat down. The restaurant is tiny – just a bit bigger and the place would be more relaxing! The atmosphere was excellent, everyone was chatting and enjoying some delicious looking pizza. Although I had to wait quite a long time for my pizza (waiter didn’t write down our order so I think it was lost somewhere!) – I do feel it was worth the wait. I went for a tomato, cured chorizo & mozzarella pizza (£7.55). It’s great value for money in a pricey area – definitely worth a visit!
What to do?
South Kensington has an endless list of things to do. You can visit the free Natural History Museum which exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. You can also go to Harrods, which is one of the most famous department stores in the world!
If you’re feeling some fresh air, you could take a stroll through Hyde Park, which is the largest of the four royal parks. If you looking for a night out, Chelsea is in abundance of bars, clubs and pubs. You could stroll through the area and you’re likely to stumble upon somewhere fun! Some of the most popular include JuJu Chelsea or The Mermaid Cocktail and Oyster Bar.

These are just some suggestions of things to do that guarantee fun times plus make some amazing memories along the way!

Let us know what you think, and if you visit anywhere on our guide make sure you tweet us with some pics! @VIVAMagazines