| it's 7 minutes from paddington train and tube station with the heathrow express terminal. a 5-minute walk from hyde park, this low-key hotel occupies a mid-19th-century townhouse. complimentary continental breakfast is served in a breakfast room that opens onto a patio area. wi-fi is available at a surcharge. the relaxed rooms all have en suite bathrooms, tvs and minifridges, plus tea and coffeemaking facilities. check-in time: 1:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am
Heathrow Airport 24 min
The Regent's Park (9 min)
Modern, glass-clad cafe and sports administrative centre, with pitches and changing rooms. St. Paul's Cathedral (20 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. The National Gallery (15 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Westminster Abbey (15 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Hyde Park (11 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. The British Museum (15 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Tower of London (24 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. Buckingham Palace (10 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. lastminute.com London Eye (19 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. Trafalgar Square (14 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. Victoria and Albert Museum (11 min)
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. Big Ben (15 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Palace of Westminster (15 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Tower Bridge (29 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. Natural History Museum (10 min)
Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. | 
