| swanky suites add soaking tubs and sitting areas; some split-level suites offer balconies and city views. breakfast is available for a fee. set in the upscale holborn neighbourhood, this luxe hotel in a storied former church is 2 miles from both buckingham palace and big ben clocktower. refined rooms come with free wi-fi, minibars, marble bathrooms and yoga mats. holborn tube station is a minute's walk away. plush upgraded rooms add arts and craftsera fireplaces and original artworks. there's an opulent fine dining restaurant and a sophisticated cafe/bar. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm
Heathrow Airport 48 min
The Shard (16 min)
87-floor glass skyscraper with a jagged peak, with restaurants, offices, hotel and viewing platform. Natural History Museum (16 min)
Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. Buckingham Palace (11 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. The National Gallery (8 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. lastminute.com London Eye (13 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. Big Ben (8 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Tower of London (11 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. The British Museum (6 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Hyde Park (9 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. St. Paul's Cathedral (6 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Palace of Westminster (10 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Trafalgar Square (9 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. Borough Market (16 min)
Huge market under the railway lines, for British-reared meat and artisanal baked and dairy goods. Westminster Abbey (10 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Tower Bridge (15 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. | 
