| warmly decorated rooms and suites come with complimentary wi-fi, flat-screen tvs and sitting areas; some offer minibars and access to a lounge. there's also an airy restaurant, a contemporary bar and a gym. a 7-minute walk from paddington station, this polished hotel in an elegant georgian building is 1 mile from both hyde park and the natural history museum. full english breakfast is free. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm
Heathrow Airport 25 min
lastminute.com London Eye (19 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. Kensington Palace (9 min)
Royal palace and gardens, with exhibits on former residents like Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. Buckingham Palace (10 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. St. Paul's Cathedral (21 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Big Ben (15 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Natural History Museum (10 min)
Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. Tower of London (24 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. Trafalgar Square (14 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. The British Museum (15 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Tower Bridge (29 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. Westminster Abbey (15 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Hyde Park (10 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. Palace of Westminster (15 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. The National Gallery (15 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Victoria and Albert Museum (11 min)
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. | 
