| there's also a cosy bar offering light fare and a fireplace. suites add living areas with sofas; club rooms and suites include access to a gym and a lounge offering free evening snacks. this modern hotel is an 8-minute walk from paddington train and tube stations, and a 15-minute walk from hyde park, home of kensington palace and the serpentine gallery. complimentary full english or continental breakfast is provided in a bright restaurant serving european and indian dishes. the warm, sleek rooms have free wi-fi and loaner smartphones, plus satellite tv, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm
Heathrow Airport 25 min
The British Museum (14 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Victoria and Albert Museum (11 min)
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. The National Gallery (15 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Tower of London (24 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. Westminster Abbey (15 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Buckingham Palace (10 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. Big Ben (15 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Palace of Westminster (16 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Hyde Park (12 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. Trafalgar Square (15 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. 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. St. Paul's Cathedral (21 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. The Regent's Park (9 min)
Modern, glass-clad cafe and sports administrative centre, with pitches and changing rooms. lastminute.com London Eye (19 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. | 
