| architectural details include original stained-glass windows and mosaic flooring, as well as a fireplace and a staircase taken from an old ship. breakfast is complimentary. some offer 4-poster beds and free-standing tubs. polished, individually decorated rooms have free wi-fi, flat-screen tvs and dvd players, as well as tea and coffeemaking equipment. room service is available. theres an airy restaurant and a warm wood-panelled pub/lounge. a 5-minute walk from warwick avenue tube station, this upscale, 19th-century hotel with an art nouveau vibe is 3 miles from both the british museum and buckingham palace. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. theres also a shaded patio area
Heathrow Airport 32 min
The British Museum (13 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Palace of Westminster (19 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Big Ben (19 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Tower of London (28 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. St. Paul's Cathedral (24 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Westminster Abbey (18 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. Trafalgar Square (18 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. Buckingham Palace (13 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. Victoria and Albert Museum (16 min)
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe. Hyde Park (10 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. The Regent's Park (5 min)
Modern, glass-clad cafe and sports administrative centre, with pitches and changing rooms. The National Gallery (18 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. Tower Bridge (33 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. Natural History Museum (15 min)
Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. lastminute.com London Eye (22 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. | 
