Boutique London Lets Blog

Boutique London Lets apartments still available for the 2012 Olympics

2012-03-03T19:13:00.000Z

We still have tons of apartments available this July, August and September 2012 during the Olympics and Paralympics.

And if you need any persuasion to visit us between 5th July 2012 and 15th September 2012, check out our Olympic guide. We've got the lowdown on the Games themselves, the Paralympics, the Olympic 2012 venues and a transport guide.

If that's not enough to whet your appetite for this summer's festivities, there's information on what else you can do at the Olympic Park and also what events are happening around London at the same time.

Book now at boutiquelondonlets.com.

London Diary - Art in February and March

2012-02-20T13:48:00.000Z

This is a great time to be in London as there's so many amazing exhibitions right on the doorstep of our Boutique London Lets apartments. Here's our pick of the best upcoming London art shows.

Jeremy Deller: Joy in People, Hayward Gallery (22 February to 13 May)
.. if you're staying in our Southbank, Waterloo or Vauxhall apartments

Nearly all of Deller's works are on show in this mid-career exhibition of the Turner Prize winning artist. That means photography, video, installations and sound pieces - plus you can get a cheap ticket to both Jeremy Deller and funny man David Shrigley
Find out more and buy tickets here.

Fourth Plinth: Elmgreen & Dragset, Trafalgar Square (23 February to 1 April 2013)
.. if you're staying in our Westminster, Victoria or St James apartments

Not exactly an exhibition but still worth a look is the latest addition to Trafalgar Square's sometimes empty Fourth Plinth. For the next year it'll be home to a child on a rocking horse entitled 'Powerless Structures, Fig 101'. He should feel right at home alongside the generals elsewhere in the square.

Designs of the Year 2012, Design Museum (until 15 July)
.. if you're staying in our Tower Bridge, Southwark or Canary Wharf apartments

If you can't decide what you want to see, go for a bit of everything in this survey of the best designs in architecture, fashion, graphics, product and furniture design. A must see.
Find out more and buy tickets here.

London 2012 Olympics – book Boutique London Lets apartments now

2012-02-07T23:59:00.000Z

Book now to stay in one of our luxury apartments during the London 2012 Olympics! It's the info you've all asking us for and now you can get rates and availability for the period between 5th July 2012 and 15th September 2012*.

So if you're looking for a one, two or three bed serviced apartment this summer to attend the Olympic or Paralympic Games here in London, consider a Boutique London Lets apartment in central London locations like Victoria, Waterloo, Westminster, Canary Wharf, Farringdon and Tower Bridge. You won't get much closer to the centre of the sporting, cultural and party atmosphere than this!

Book online now at boutiquelondonlets.com for the lowest prices we have – and our first 50 online customers will get an early bird discount on their entire stay of 10%. Don't say we're not good to you!

We've also prepared a handy guide to the Olympics for you. And don't forget there's always tons of events going on in the capital so you won't find yourself bored on a day away from the Games.

If you want to experience the greatest show on earth, you'll want to be staying in the greatest apartments in London. So book a Boutique London Lets apartment now, before they're all snapped up!

*any queries or quibbles, drop the team an email on info@boutiquelondonlets.com

Our London Penthouses

2012-01-23T13:57:00.000Z

If you want a stunning view of London and to feel king of the castle at the same time, you'll accept nothing less than a penthouse apartment.

We've now got a range of sky-high apartments - including our Waterloo Penthouse (which spans the entire top floor) and Southwark Penthouse. So if you deserve nothing but the best, check out our amazing deals now.

New year's Travel Resolutions

2012-01-15T17:55:00.000Z

Here's our suggestions for your New Year's travel resolutions, get rid of those bad travel habits now and have a great 2012 filled with adventure without the usual headaches..

1. Don't stick to cliched attractions and locations. Some of our best apartment deals can be found slightly out of the centre of London – but still within easy travelling distance via tube or bus. Plus you get to see a whole other side to London. Try our Dockside Canary Wharf apartments, Sienna apartments in Farringdon or our Thamesview apartments in Vauxhall.

Then again, it might surprise you that our Victoria apartments are the cheapest right now, and right next door to the Queen!

2. Try before you buy. Don't take our word for it, check out the flatplans, 360 degree videos on YouTube and images of all Boutique London Lets apartments so you know exactly where you'll be staying when you arrive in London. Plus you can see guest feedback on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

3. Apartments can be a better choice than hotels. Now, of course we'd say that but here's some food for thought: if you want to save money on eating out or there's 3/4 guests - for instance for families - apartments can save you money twice over compared to hotels in the same location.

You wouldn't want to spend all your time eating in your hotel anyway, would you? Plus apartments can offer you more freedom and make you feel more at home straightaway.

4. Make your voice heard. Reviews of hotels, apartments and tourist services are essential aren't they? We can't remember the last time we booked anything without consulting a review written by a real life guest. So check out ours on our guest reviews page and please do add your own via the website or our social media channels – we always love to hear from our guests.

2012-01-05T23:24:00.001Z

The Albert apartment, Vauxhall – take a look inside http://ping.fm/x2wpp

The Albert apartment, Vauxhall – take a look inside

2012-01-05T23:08:00.001Z

Here's our modern and chic apartment in Vauxhall which we've nicknamed Albert.

Find a location map, floor plan, bedroom details, reviews and photo gallery of the Albert apartments here.

And check out the FAQs about check-in, transport, local attractions and suchlike on our Albert apartment FAQs page on the Boutique London Lets website.

2011-12-29T22:24:00.001Z

New Year's Eve in London 2011 - 2012 http://ping.fm/AaTPw

New Year's Eve in London 2011 - 2012

2011-12-29T22:14:00.000Z

Christmas in London is over but we've still got New Year's Eve before the city returns to normal. Let Boutique London Lets take all the stress out of planning the big night.

First things first, don't miss the fireworks on the river – the London eye lights up like a Catherine Wheel and early birds get to line the bridges, like Waterloo Bridge, Westminster Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge to get great vantage points. If you're staying in our Southwark apartments, Southwark Penthouse, Waterloo apartments or Riverside apartments or Thamesview apartments, you're in luck as you can just stroll down to the South Bank.

Backtracking a little, you'll want a spot of dinner and it doesn't have to cost the earth, even on New Year's Eve. Time Out London still has a few bargains up its sleeve for New Year's Eve 2011/2012 dining – check out their restaurant offers and list of great places that'll be open for eating and drinking on New Year's Day.

For a bit more glamour, try a masquerade ball with two course meal at Balls Brothers, Victoria or a Vegas casino themed night at Zebranos in Greek Street, Soho. Both offer decent entry prices and a nice mix of ages and groups.

Finally, before you hail that cab remember that TFL makes all bus, tube and DLR journeys free from 23.45 to 04.30 on the big night – find more details here. There'll be a crush just after midnight, particularly around central stations like Piccadilly Circus, but you can always walk along to the next one and the atmosphere is brilliant.

2011-12-19T21:14:00.001Z

London Transport – helpful apps and websites http://ping.fm/XbS8u

London Transport – helpful apps and websites

2011-12-19T21:13:00.000Z

Transport for London's website is pretty comprehensive but can be a bit daunting if you don't know where to start. Here's some tips on how best to use TFL and other tech/sites to help you get around London – we've already touched on some general advice on getting around London.

STEP ONE: Sign up to TFL's weekend DLR, Tube and Overground closures email for the weeks you'll spend in London here. That way you can plan ahead and rule out ridiculous, roundabout routes.

STEP TWO: Download the Bus Checker app for iPhone so that you can find out exactly when to leave your apartment to catch the next bus to your chosen destination. It's £1.99 and well worth it if you're in London for more than a few days and want to explore by bus.

STEP THREE: Use Google Maps before you leave or on your phone instead of TFL if you're walking. TFL often overestimates how long it will take you to walk to destinations. So just check Google Maps before you leave and it will show you a route to take and approximately how long it will take.

STEP FOUR: Walk It "the urban walking route planner" is also great for walking around the city - make sure you check the site before you leave.

2011-12-14T14:17:00.001Z

When you're enjoying a holiday, serviced apartments are the perfect way to enjoy yourself. You can find a variety of apartments that are not only centrally located to all of the attractions but affordable and filled with all the amenities you can think of. Hotels don't come close to what apartments can give you in terms of space and comfort. You may only get the opportunity to do London once, so it's important that you do it right the first time around.

http://ping.fm/OoGXf

2011-12-11T23:24:00.001Z

Stay in the heart of London in our Sienna apartments http://ping.fm/ekSuX

Stay in the heart of London in our Sienna apartments

2011-12-11T23:23:00.000Z

Most Londoners would kill for an apartment as central as Farringdon – you've got the West End pretty much on your doorstep, not to mention the hustle and bustle of the City of London during the week and some peace and quiet at weekends.

The East End is just as convenient from here too so have a look at our Sienna apartments in the jewellery and diamond district Hatton Garden if you want to be in the middle of all the action. A 360 degree video tour will be coming to the Boutique London Lets YouTube channel soon.

2011-12-04T22:44:00.001Z

Hidden London – Bermondsey Street SE1 in photos http://ping.fm/APH1u

Hidden London – Bermondsey Street SE1 in photos

2011-12-04T22:26:00.001Z

2011-11-27T20:24:00.001Z

Christmas in London http://ping.fm/WELWq

Christmas in London

2011-11-27T20:22:00.000Z

Here's our wishlist for this December in London - kick start your Christmas festivities a few days early and beat the crowds.

1. Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Skate at the ice rink, have a go on the rides and visit the Zippos circus.

2. Reindeer Lodge, London Zoo
After Penguin Beach, go and have a peek at Rudolph and friends, now open until Christmas Eve.

3. Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Don't forget to look up when you do your shopping - Regent Street and Carnaby Street also have great decorations and lights.

4. Christmas Carols, St Martins in the Fields
Choose from various themes (family, by candlelight, Norwegian) at carol performance nights throughout December.

5. Columbia Road Christmas Shopping Evenings
The shops on this East End street will be opening late on Wednesdays but should be less crowded than elsewhere

Southwark apartments and Southwark Penthouse – caught on camera

2011-11-20T13:44:00.000Z

You might have noticed that we've got even more apartments south of the river now. If not, here's two video treats of the six new Southwark apartments and the Southwark Penthouse - both in easy reach of London Bridge, Borough Market, The Old Vic, the South Bank and the West End.

London 2012 Olympics – on the cheap and right now

2011-11-15T00:09:00.000Z

Planned your trip to London nine months too early? You don't need to miss out on the capital's niche sports even if you won't be with us for the 2012 Olympics next summer. Do your research beforehand and you can pick up a bargain.

Here's an example: this weekend I went to York Hall in Bethnal Green, East London to watch the GB Amateur Boxing Championships for just £10 for a whole afternoon of boxing. There's lots of matches and tournaments around the city all year long so just because the Olympics events have sold out doesn't mean you can't watch this fascinating sport while you're in London.

London Shopping hotspots – everything you need to know

2011-11-05T22:12:00.000Z

We thought long and hard about our London Shopping Guide. We pounded pavements, haggled at morning markets and relaxed at nearby cafes to give you the lowdown on when and where to part with your hard-earned money during your stay in London.

Plus right now, we've got a fantastic deal on 3 day shopping stays in December and January where you can save £100 just by entering a promo code: find out more here.

Our guide covers where to shop for fashion, electronics, books and food as well as the best indoor shopping centres, London's top markets and where to recharge in between shopping sprees in each of the main shopping districts.

A scene from Trafalgar Square

2011-10-29T14:40:00.000+01:00

Every day in Trafalgar Square can be different - I've seen Royal Opera House ballet on the big screen there, sunbathed on astro turf in the summer and seen live works of art on the Fourth Plinth.

Walk down the steps of the National Gallery and you might see anything - like this makeshift abseiling set-up to promote Vienna of all things.

The Chrome apartment

2011-10-23T22:52:00.001+01:00

London Diary – October

2011-10-15T14:43:00.000+01:00

Jay Jopling has opened up a third White Cube gallery in Bermondsey Street, Southwark and it's our hot pick for art in October. The first exhibition runs until 26 November in the South Galleries of the 1.7 acre space and it's entitled Structure and Absence – a study of contemporary abstraction.

Don't miss the Autumn Cheese and Wine Festival this weekend at Southbank Centre Square for tastings, talks and events. We can't resist, and we're sure you won't be able to either.

Both these events are really close to all our Southwark apartments so you won't have to fight the underground crowds.

Newsletters in your inbox now

2011-10-05T00:22:00.000+01:00

Stuck for what to do this Autumn in London? If you've signed up to our newsletter, you should have received our dose of Boutique London Lets deals and news via email by now. If not, you can check out the Autumn newsletter here.

The Riverside Apartment

2011-09-26T20:31:00.003+01:00

The Jewish Museum, Camden – try something a bit different

2011-09-19T23:23:00.000+01:00

It might not be your first choice but head off the beaten museum track and step away from those Elgin marbles in the British Museum and you'll have a lot more room to breathe while taking in some amazing objects and hearing incredible stories. One example is the Jewish Museum.

This small museum on Albert Street, Camden (North London) is a must for any Jewish people coming to London or anyone else with an interest in Jewish culture and heritage. It's a bit of a hidden gem and although there are some old fashioned elements in the style of old artefacts crammed into cases in a dark room, they are giving it a bit of a refurb and there is lots here that will delight you.

Like the medieval mikveh - a bath that is used by Jewish women after periods and births and in conversion ceremonies - and the exhibition on immigration that draws parallels with how papers like The Sun talk about Eastern Europeans with how Jews were treated in past centuries in Britain. At the moment there is also an exhibition on the top floor called Entertaining the Nation, the admission to which is included in your £7.50 ticket price. On the ground floor, there is video footage of people's stories, a gift shop and a cafe.

Your best bet for exploring areas like Camden is probably to stay in one of our very central apartments like the Grosvenor apartments we have in Westminster or our St James apartment.

London Fashion Week incoming

2011-09-14T20:01:00.000+01:00

London Fashion Week has come around again and this season it's looking to Spring and Summer 2012. Here's our tips to get in the middle of the buzz and celeb spot:

1. Somerset House is where it's happening and you don't need a ticket to walk around - the main tent takes up the middle courtyard and the exhibition takes up the embankment galleries but you can laugh at all the fashion editors tripping over the cobbles outside.

2. There's a number of smaller venues that still get in on the fashion action - like the Freemason's Hall on Long Acre, Covent Garden and The Old Sorting Office around the corner. Look out for huge queues of moody looking androgynous people.

3. Plenty of department stores like Selfridges, bars and clubs will be holding after hours events, special deals and parties to celebrate the week so look out for aforementioned queues, make friends and try to blag your way in – trust us, the freebies will be worth it.

4. Don't forget to prance around the city in the latest Autumn/ Winter looks - don't try and copy the looks you see in the daily papers as the seasons won't have caught up with you yet.

5. Menswear Day is a week today and it marks the last day of what is actually a 6 day Fashion Week before the fashion world moves on to Paris and Milan. Enjoy the madness while it lasts.

The Waterloo Green apartment

2011-08-30T19:49:00.002+01:00

Day trips from London – Oxford

2011-08-24T19:29:00.001+01:00

Fed up of the bright lights of London? Head to Paddington station and you can be in Oxford in just over an hour. I visited for the first time this weekend and couldn't believe how different it felt from the capital.

We recommend:

A Full English breakfast at Coco's hotel by the train station.
A stroll around the beautiful Oxford University buildings, Venetian inspired walkways and parks
An hour's punting (boating) on the river complete with Marks and Spencers prosecco and paper cups – don't miss this, I'm sure it has medicinal qualities and must be good for the soul
Two courses and a coffee for £10.50 between 6 and 7pm at the French bistro Pierre Victoire, Little Clarendon Street, Jericho
Chorizo, warm bread and delicious sweet white wines at the relaxed food and wine bar Bottega, Walton Street

Watch out for:

The rude staff who look after the punts outside the Head of the River pub – if you can, go elsewhere to hire your punt or rowing boat as you might be rushed like we were
Stinging nettles on the otherwise heavenly grass – this is the English countryside after all
The Bridge – this area of Oxford can get very rowdy and police are usually present on a Saturday night. We even saw a confused-looking youth dragging a bollard, covered in dirt, across the road.

Take your pick of our luxurious London apartments as a base for exploring gorgeous areas like Oxford. You won't regret it.

All New Apartments Alert

2011-08-18T20:23:00.003+01:00

We'll let our gorgeous new apartments Victoria (1 bed), Victoria (2 bed) and Grosvenor speak for themselves.

Plus keep checking the blog over the next few weeks for newbies Southwark and Southwark Penthouse.

If you like the idea of staying in one of these apartments in London – I mean, who wouldn't? – click here to see our full range of accommodation and locations.

Autumn Newsletter in your inboxes now

2011-08-11T22:43:00.000+01:00

We're happy to report that – bar a few sirens – Sophie, our blogger about town, hasn't seen or heard of any riot-related incidents in Central London today or yesterday. We hope that our BLL guests have managed to continue with your vacations as normal this week.

Looking ahead, anyone who subscribes to our newsletters will have had a shot of upcoming London action in their inboxes. Click on the link below if you missed it for London events and an exciting exclusive newsletter-only discount code for your next stay at Boutique London Lets apartments.

Autumn Newsletter

London Riots

2011-08-08T21:22:00.001+01:00

Rioting has not yet reached any areas that our apartments are located in, as far as Boutique London Lets can tell.

However, rioting has been reported tonight (unconfirmed) in Hackney, Surrey Quays, Old Kent Road, Clapham, Peckham, Walworth Road, Croydon, Bethnal Green, Oxford Circus and Angel, Islington.And yesterday in Brixton, Tottenham, Wood Green.

Please check coverage on the BBC and the Guardian to stay up to date with the London riots.

We hope all our guests are safe in our apartments. We'd advise staying indoors as the police say people shouldn't spectate on the streets.

Lazy Days in London

2011-08-07T20:41:00.001+01:00

Our tip for a lazy day out in London? Take in a couple of markets in East London then head into Central London to a free exhibition.

The pics are of the indoor Spitalfields Market which is near Liverpool Street station (central line and overground) but around this area you can also find the vintage shopping and curry houses of Brick Lane, Whitechapel Market and Petticoat Lane Market. Spitalfields underwent a massive makeover not too long ago and as well as fashion stalls, you can listen to some live music or grab a crepe or a coffee.

When you are all shopped out, head for the Wellcome Collection just opposite Euston train station. There is an excellent main collection of medical paintings and instruments but bear left as you enter for 'Dirt', a free exhibition which is on until the end of August and takes in the mud, bacteria and dust of Norway, Victorian London, Dresden, Glasgow, India and New York.

Once you've appreciated that dirt is in the eye of the beholder, there's tartlets, biscuits and hot drinks available at the Peyton and Byrne cafe as well as an on site Blackwells bookshop but be warned: you won't get much change from £10 if you dine in at The Wellcome. Then again, you can't argue with free admission.

If you're stuck for a place to stay that is handy for Bloomsbury's museums and East London markets, take a look at our London Locations map to see which apartment is closest to the attractions you don't want to miss.

Boutique London Lets Guide to the 2012 Olympic Games

2011-07-31T21:14:00.002+01:00

Our latest helpful guide to London is now live on the Boutique London Lets website. We've got everything you need to know about the London 2012 Olympic Games all in one place: from Olympic transport, the Games themselves, London highlights during the games and the Paralympics.

By the time of the London 2012 Olympic Games, we'll have over 100 properties for you to choose from so there's also some info on where you should be staying if you've bagged some of the hottest sporting tickets of the decade.

Let us know any tips we've forgotten.

Boutique London Lets Guide to the 2012 Olympic Games

Canary Wharf – our new Boutique London Lets location

2011-07-26T00:30:00.003+01:00

Check out one of our new apartments, the chic Dockside apartment located in Canary Wharf.

Think high rise office blocks housing the city's major banks, big open, modern spaces with plenty of luxury apartments and just 15 minutes on the Jubilee line back into the city.

Sound good? Inside, you've got over 700 square feet with two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living and dining area. The Dockside apartment is available from £156.75 a night.

Boutique festivals – what to expect

2011-07-16T21:12:00.000+01:00

Poetry reading and boating on lakes? It must be a boutique festival, of which there are many within driving or train distance of London.

Here's one of our favourite blogs 'Something for a Rainy Day' on the 'Festival of the Nine Muses' festival at Milton Manor in Oxfordshire.

London's secret art galleries you shouldn't miss

2011-07-14T00:04:00.000+01:00


'London Art' by Z1ppy, Flickr - taken in Trafalgar Square

Art in London is all around you but where are the secret galleries that you might not think to visit. Once you're done with the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery, try these:

Camden Arts Centre           Contemporary Art Society   White Cube
Arkwright Road NW3 6DG Emerald Street WC1N 3QL     Hoxton Square N1 6PB
camdenartscentre.org            contempart.org.uk                    whitecube.com

The Hayward                       Saatchi Gallery                     Whitechapel Gallery
Southbank Centre SE1 8XZ King's Road SW3 4RY           Whitechapel High Street E1
hayward.org.uk                      saatchi-gallery.co.uk               whitechapel.org

Serpentine Gallery                  Lisson Gallery                    South London Gallery
Kensington Gardens W2 3XA Bell Street NW1 5DA          Peckham Road SE5 8UH
serpentinegallery.org                 lissongallery.com                southlondongallery.org

Films set in London: where have I seen that before?

2011-06-30T12:33:00.000+01:00

Here's a rundown of our favourite films that pop into your head when you're strolling around London and you think where have I seen that before?

DISNEY Mary Poppins - St Paul's Cathedral/ Trafalgar Square

The film set: In 'Feed the Birds', said to be Walt Disney's favourite song of any Disney movie, Mary Poppins shows the children a snow globe with St Pauls Cathedral in and sings about a beggar woman selling bird seed. Actually, to recreate this scene, you should head to Trafalgar Square for real-life seed sellers.

The apartment: Try our new Grosvenor apartment, on an historic market street in the heart of old Westminster.

DRAMA Match Point - Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and St Mary's Axe

The film: Woody Allen's Match Point doesn't quite match up to his New York based offerings but we all saw it anyway right? The family take in an opera with the social climber Chris (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who also manages to get a job in the Gherkin (St Marys Axe). Note: the Royal Opera House is also the filming location for the opera scene in the superb film The Fifth Element.

The apartment: The Regency apartment is the only one for you: its set in a beautiful period conversion in upmarket Pimlico and its easy to get anywhere from here.

GANGSTER Rock n' Rolla - Tower Hill and Newham, East London

The film set: Not one for the faint-hearted or squeamish, Guy Ritchie's recent London based gangster offering was shot in a mixture of seedy back alleys and high rise blocks with gorgeous city views. The Nightclub scene was filmed on Coopers Row, just around the corner from Fenchurch Street station.

The apartment: Your best bet is our Southwark Serviced Apartments which will allow you to hop across the river and explore East London.

Boutique London Lets YouTube Channel

2011-06-25T13:09:00.000+01:00

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Check out our YouTube channel here. We've got 14 videos of our apartments, like this Grand Waterloo Penthouse, showing you exactly what you are booking with us: from the furnishings to the bedrooms and spectacular views.

Subscribe to the channel as we'll be adding more videos in the near future.

New Boutique London Lets Newsletters

2011-06-21T16:37:00.002+01:00

The first of our revamped newsletters should have already hit your inboxes with the Summer edition of what's new with Boutique London Lets and what's happening in London for the next few months. We're not fans of bombarding our guests so you'll receive our newsletters less than once a month.

We'd love to know what you think and what you'd like to see in our newsletters - more discounts or more travel advice? Let us know and we'll listen.

See the Summer newsletter in full here - including our latest deals and tips on this season's festivals and exhibitions.

Meet the Team - Meet Sophie

2011-06-14T01:15:00.000+01:00

Let's Go Fly A Kite?

The one you've all been waiting for.. Here's my long awaited introduction.

I joined the team in March this year and I look after the Boutique London Lets blog, Facebook page, Twitter account and I'll soon be contributing to the website too.

What's a typical day like you?
I keep tabs on interesting individuals, websites and organisations on Twitter and share the most interesting with our followers a couple of times a day - usually on my smartphone. I also get out and about in London to find things to blog about, snap pictures of and shoot videos - I'm now addicted to filming anything funny that I see. My job basically comes close to perfection.

If you could rent anything for a week, what would it be?
Right now, I'd rent a paddling pool, hammock and a spot of soft grass to enjoy the London summer. I'm one of many Londoners without a garden, or even a balcony. Oh, and I wouldn't mind one of those cars with blacked out windows and a chauffeur for if I want to wear heels in the balmy evenings.

What would your perfect London day include?
My perfect London day = late breakfast near the river + an exhibition at the Tate or Barbican + live music in Camden + a drink or two in East London

What's your tip for Boutique London Lets guests?
Keep reading the blog every week for my tips on making the most out of the city but here's a sneaky one for now - you can't beat walking across Waterloo Bridge at night. It's good for a romantic hand-hold, a family Kodak moment or an "I'm the King of the World" brisk walk at the end of a long business day.

Free Things To Do in London

2011-06-06T20:07:00.000+01:00

This is not a hoax - there are things that you can do in London for free that don't involve getting rained on whilst waiting for a bus or dashing out of fancy restaurants without paying.

Here's a few of our favourite. What have you found?

Big Screen Season in Trafalgar Square
The Royal Opera House are transmitting some of their ballets and operas to BP Big Screens around the country - including Trafalgar Square so if the evening is dry and balmy - as it was for us watching Manon last Wednesday - pull up a paving stone for some high culture.

Not only do you not pay a penny for the treat, you also get to bring any alcohol or food in - they provide plastic jugs to pour your rose wine into to avoid accidents - and BP even provide blow up pillows to stop you getting uncomfortable somewhere around the Third Act.

The atmosphere is much more pleasant than in the ROH (I remember being terrified that I would make too much noise the whole time).

The next showing is Puccini's Japanese opera Madame Butterfly on July 4th, complete with a Butterfly Hum-along and the screenings continue into the summer. Find our more information here.

Quiz Show Audiences
If you're a fan of British humour or reality TV like The X Factor, you could spend a couple of hours being entertained by British comedians or rising stars by applying for free tickets to sit in the audience of a TV show.

We went along to see Stephen Fry present his show QI along with Jimmy Carr and Johnny Vegas and didn't stop laughing for nearly two hours.

Sign up to websites such as The Applause Store to register for regular emails with details of filming in advance. It's best to start queuing about half an hour before the suggested time - we were the last people to be allowed into our show and we thought we were too early!

Meet the Team - Meet Ian

2011-05-30T12:12:00.001+01:00

Ian is our Operations Manager and has worked for Boutique London Lets since October 2009. But how does he holiday and what does he think guests should know about?

What is a typical day like for you?
Varied yet packed - from helping with the expansion of the business to making sure that our new properties are up to the Boutique London Lets standard and keeping in contact with the team to make sure everything runs smoothly. And everything in between.

What has your favourite guest response been?
There's so many to choose from but it would probably be when we had to accommodate close to a dozen families and groups during the volcanic ash disruption. We had very worried guests needing flexible and last minute arrangements which we managed to facilitate. It involved lots of work from our whole team but meant that our guests were incredibly grateful.

If you could rent anything for a week, what would it be?
The Emirates, home of Arsenal FC, for me and my friends to play Sunday football in. It would make a nice change to Regents Park.

What would your perfect London day include?
I've been meaning to take a day off during the week and put myself in our guests' shoes for the day. I drive past London's greatest attractions everyday so I would load a backpack with supplies, charge my camera and try to squeeze in everything from Wapping in the East to Battersea Park in the West. Although on second thoughts, I'd probably need more than a day!

We want to see your London photos

2011-05-25T14:13:00.001+01:00

If you got snap happy on your last visit to London, we want to see your masterpieces. Post them on the Boutique London Lets Facebook page with a caption or email them to boutiquelondonletsapartments@gmail.com to be featured on the blog.

Your photos can be of anything - well known London sights, hidden architecture, landmarks at night, parks, grumpy Londoners..

Here's some of my very amateur attempts as inspiration:

Did they really just get married or are they models on a photoshoot? We couldn't decide.


A painter with her easel and palette, painting The Roebuck pub, Southwark - can you spot her?


A Craig Lawrence Selfridges shop window with reflections of Oxford Street's London buses

Tower Bridge in all its glory from the grass outside City Hall

For photos of our apartments, go to our website.

We get a website makeover

2011-05-20T17:09:00.000+01:00

If you haven't seen it already, check out our new Boutique London Lets website. We've now got a new home page, a better menu system and some seriously sophisticated images.

Let us know what you think of the re-design. What else do you want to see?

Meet the Team - meet Debbie

2011-05-16T19:23:00.000+01:00

The second half of our bookings duo is Debbie. We asked her a few questions on London, travel and getting lost..

How long have you worked for BLL and what's a typical day for you?
I mainly cover the admin and booking side of the business with my colleague Kylie. I've been doing this since the beginning of last September and I love that everyday is different. We communicate with people from all around the world so it's a great learning experience.

If you could rent anything for a week what would it be?
I would love to rent a beach house by the sea in Jamaica. To kick back and relax!

What would your perfect London day include?
Apart from visiting the Emirates stadium to watch Arsenal play a beautiful game of football - shopping, shopping and more shopping! I also love the evening entertainment in London - never a dull moment.

What kind of tourist are you?
I tend to get myself into a panic, not a good start to any holiday. On top of that I have no sense of direction and always seem to get lost. My kids love it though - it adds to the sense of adventure!

What's your tip for Boutique London Lets guests?
London has so much to offer, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement so plan your day. We have heaps of information on our website with things to do and places to visit. And if you're anything like me, take a map.

Summer 2011 Festivals - A day trip out of London for a sunny day

2011-05-16T19:22:00.000+01:00

Bored of the city and want to get away for a day or two?

Read my pick of festivals to drive to this summer over on 'Something for a rainy day'.

The sight of more than a handful of trees makes me nervous, my heart soars at the sight of the word 'amenities' and I'm quite happy to spend hundreds of pounds in mobile phone bills just so I can check that no-one but Amazon has emailed me. But sometimes I want out...

London Farmer's Markets - Free Range and Fresh In The Big City

2011-05-06T16:11:00.000+01:00

Something for a rainy day by Sophie Caldecott collects adorable London stories of anything from music and poetry to baking. She wrote this piece for us on how you can bring a bit of the English countryside into your Big City cooking.

A few days ago I spent a sunny Sunday afternoon wandering around the little farmers market just off Salisbury Road near Queen’s Park, stocking up on local free range eggs (much cheaper than supermarket bought ones), creamy butter and goats cheese for the week ahead. Every week, my flatmate and I get a seasonal fruit and veg box delivered by Abel & Cole.

They always put a little recipe book in with their goodies, and they’ve given us a surprise free gift almost every week – once it was half a pint of milk, another it was half a dozen eggs. More seasoned Abel & Cole groupies tell me that olive oil will be another free gift soon. There’s such a lot of character to our weekly vegetable shop, and I wouldn’t like to exchange that for a supermarket shop now.

The discovery of a regular, local farmers market gave me visions of eating seasonally all year round and getting all of my food from small, local companies. It’s good for the local economy and for the environment, not to mention how healthy it feels to be eating fresh, organic food. Obviously, high minded principles are all very well, but the cheapest and easiest option tends to win out.

For the moment, though, our combination of the farmers market and our weekly fruit and veg box is working out both easy and cheap. Do I sound a bit like a yummy mummy who walks around the city wearing wellies that have never seen the mud of the countryside? Oh dear, I think perhaps I do...

Meet the Team - meet Kylie

2011-05-03T16:20:00.000+01:00

Kylie, our bookings rep

Next up in the Boutique London Lets team is Kylie who answers your guest queries online and takes bookings for our apartments.

How long have you worked for BLL and what's a typical day like for you?
Since June 2010 and - very busy!

If you could rent anything for a week what would it be?
I would book out an entire day-spa and invite my girlfriends along for some much needed pampering.

What kind of tourist are you?
I'm extremely organised and usually early for all my flights. I do normally leave at least one item behind at my hotel at the end of my stay, though.

What would your perfect London day include?
I'd get some shopping done on Oxford Street then have a few afternoon cocktails with my friends, maybe at a table on the cobbles in Covent Garden or down a side street near Seven Dials. It wouldn't be complete without a light-hearted musical to top it off in the evening, something like Hairspray or Legally Blonde.

Westminster Restaurants Heaven

2011-05-02T18:23:00.001+01:00

Afternoon tea at Cafe Luc, Marylebone

Our tastebuds are less refined, more impatient so we asked Neily from the superb food, fashion and lifestyle blog Cherie City to give us a few of her recommendations for guests staying in our Westminster, St James or Victoria apartments.

A lot of her restaurant reviews are in Central London, in the borough of Westminster. She told us that her latest find is the interactive oriental fusion restaurant Inamo St James on Regent Street. "The food is great and they use a computerised ordering service on the tables."

Other Cherie City recommendations include Cafe Luc in Marylebone (for afternoon tea), Spuntino in Soho and Pierre Herme in Belgravia. If you wander further towards Mayfair, she suggests trying Dover Street Market or the Como Shambhala spa at the Met Hotel on Park Lane.

Do you have any restaurants around Westminster that you have loved and want to share? Drop us a comment - or maybe you want to warn us about places to avoid...

Image: Cherie City

Out and about on Royal Wedding day

2011-04-29T22:45:00.000+01:00

No-one could believe it. The shock, the disbelief, the confusion - were we in the right place?

Because it didn't rain, that's all. Boutique London Lets started the day off picnicking in Hyde Park, watching the Royal Wedding on the big screen with over 100,000 other people and then strolled through Green Park to Buckingham Palace and The Mall.

No snaps of William and Kate I'm afraid but you can see the Balcony where they snuck in not one, but two kisses, the crowds around the temporary Media Centre and the Union Jack flags lining The Mall.

Hopefully the atmosphere will be just as fun at the Olympics next summer.

London Theatre - small venues and off beat performances

2011-04-24T22:09:00.000+01:00


The Southwark Playhouse in London Bridge

Everyone who comes to London will have their must-have musical to tick off - The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Legally Blonde...

But if you're staying for longer than 2-3 days and want to experience more than one aspect of London theatre, try a night at an off West End theatre. Cheaper tickets, quirky, intimate venues and more experimental and exciting performances - what's not to love?

We caught a two night run of A Clockwork Orange at the Southwark Playhouse in London Bridge recently. We definitely recommend it, especially if you're staying in one of our Southwark apartments.

There were still tickets for £10 left five minutes before the play started and the bar area (with similarly reasonable prices) had such a fantastic arty vibe that we wished the interval could have lasted longer. No queueing up in Leicester Square on an early morning, no expensive ice cream to tempt you and not a musical number in sight.

Check listings at Time Out London for Critics' Choice and a theatre podcast or Off West End - a site covering independent theatres in London, with special offers.

Meet the Team - meet the Director

2011-04-20T21:45:00.001+01:00

Our director Derek and his wife

In the first of our exciting series of posts - here's Derek Gallimore, director of Boutique London Lets on his job, why he loves London and his top tips for guests.

How long have you worked for Boutique London Lets?

Since the beginning - April 2009.

What would your perfect London day be?

I love London's South Bank and the West End. I regularly spend the mornings walking through the markets along the South Bank and having brunch. Then I walk across the Thames and head into the West End for more shopping, coffees and theatre excitement.

What is a typical day like for you?

Hectic! I mainly manage online, marketing and admin aspects. We are expanding at the moment, so it seems that every minute is filled with new products and developing services. We are trying to be the best in the market, so that means we're always trying out new ideas.

If you could rent anything for a week what would you rent?

Probably a penthouse apartment high on top of a building in New York! You can get fabulous apartments all over the world and experience the best of that place or city.

What kind of tourist are you?

I'm fairly laid back. I loved travelling the world and going to all of the most obscure destinations. More recently though I see my travels as a great way to relax and really luxuriate.

What tips would you give to Boutique London Lets guests?

Book early, and keep an eye on our website for the latest specials. In London, I would suggest going to the Tate Modern gallery in Southwark, and also trying a real local pub. They are, or certainly were, the heart of old London.

Getting around in London - Top Five Tips

2011-04-16T17:44:00.001+01:00

The River Thames in Teddington, South West London

As much as we love London here at Boutique London Lets, we know the transport system can sometimes make even the most well-executed holiday plans go pear-shaped. So here's a quick guide to getting around in London.

1. Walk as much as possible - this way you get to see much more of the city. Just get your AtoZ or Google Maps if you have a smartphone, and go. I lived in London for a year before I walked around anywhere other than Covent Garden and I couldn't believe what I'd been missing. My favourite areas to walk through are Bloomsbury (for the British Museum, the squares and the quaint white buildings) and Spitalfields (for the market, the graffiti, the cafes and Brick Lane). The walk from Victoria up to Bond Street is only about half an hour and you'll bump into Buckingham Palace and Green Park on the way.

2.If you are planning to cross the city the only way to do this quickly is on the tube. But make sure you check the TFL website before you travel - like a real Londoner. On weekends a lot of tube lines have maintenance work done. So if you know which ones are down, you can walk to the second closest station and hop on a line that's running. In tourist hotspots, tube stations are rarely more than 10 minutes walk apart. The Piccadilly line (for Covent Garden, Harrods, and eventually Heathrow airport) is particularly busy on weekends so avoid it if you can.

Royal Wedding Oyster Card

3. If you're staying for more than 2 or 3 days (or you plan to come back to London again) it's worth getting an Oyster card. Pick one up from any tube station and once you've filled in the details and paid the £5 fee you are good to go. You still have to top them up but the fares are around half the price for the tube and the bus. Look out for the special Royal Wedding Oyster cards going on sale next week.

4. If you don't want to sign up for a card, get a Zone 1 and 2 day pass. Buses are cheaper than the tube and if you plan to visit attractions in central London only it can be much more pleasant. I love sitting on the top deck of buses to cross the river - Waterloo Bridge at night is especially magical.

You can't see the boat but it is there...

5. Try the River Thames by boat. It's really interesting to see the different aspects of the city - from the political playgrounds of Westminster to the pubs, shops and galleries of the South Bank and even the village type atmosphere further down past Chelsea and into South West London. If you visit the O2 in Greenwich, the ferry across from there is a quick and unusual way of getting back into town.

Here's me - BLL's resident blogger Sophie - passing under Tower Bridge on a night tour of the Thames. And the first picture is of the boats in Tedddington, South West London - where you forget how close you are to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Click here for a handy interactive map of our London locations so you can choose how best to zip around the city.

London Days Out - The Barbican

2011-04-05T23:58:00.001+01:00

The Barbican is an ugly building, yes - flats, the Barbican centre, a school, the underground station, various shops all connected in a maze of '60s concrete. But there are gems to be found in amongst the drab architecture. The Barbican Centre really does have it all -

1. Small cinema screens on the top floors showing arty films and holding talks on film. I went to a great one on Studio Ghibli a few years ago in which an expert basically told us the film we were about to see was complete rubbish. This was after we'd forked out the money for it plus the extra to hear her opinions.

Lunch at the Barbican

2. An excellent selection of theatre from daring theatre companies who make use of the unusual spaces. I've seen dozens of plays here - my favourite so far being a production of Troilus and Cressida (with the audience on both sides of the stage).

3. Art, art and more art - they are particularly good at fashion exhibitions. I saw a fascinating show on Japanese fashion last year as well as the superb Viktor and Rolf exhibition which included a giant dolls house taking up most of the space.

Here's a video of a section of a "performance" piece called Open House which I saw this weekend. It's part of a great exhibition on three artists who lived in Downtown New York in the '70s: Laurie Anderson, Trisha Brown and Gordon Matta-Clark and it's on until 22nd May 2011.

4. Eating and lounging about - the Barbican is a really great place to just grab some food and then decide which of the centre's many levels to check out. Visit the bookshop which has great cultural books and niche magazines, grab a snack from the cafe or pop into the Curve gallery which has free exhibitions - a sound collage of bowling video games is on in April and May. The terrace is also lovely - when the sun is out that is.

Boutique London Lets Tip - if you know the exhibition or film you are going for, do one thing and please book online on the Barbican website. It will save you £1 per ticket (typically £7-£12, depending on the activity, more for plays). Also if you are a student or OAP, don't forget your concessions card as you'll get an impressive £2 off.

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Talks in London - put your thinking caps on

2011-03-31T00:20:00.001+01:00

The latest trend to hit London is thinking. Thinking in cafes and bars, to be more precise.

Ok, Oscar Wilde was holding forth at the Cafe Royale a while back but that cafe is sadly no longer with us. The spirit lives on in monthly events, pop up debates and ideas festivals - and this is no elitist club. Anyone can join in and beginners are welcomed with open arms.

"Live word building" at a Future Human event

At the monthly "ideas salon" Future Human, held at The Book Club in East London's trendy Shoreditch area, the organisers pick a new theme each time. On April 13th they are talking about politics and nations within nations but they have looked at new instruments and amateur film-making in the past so expect a surprise. Be warned, Future Human often sells out - they can only hold 150 people.

Coming up in April, there is also the technology and business magazine Wired's first live event, The Wired UPGRADE in association with Courvoisier - on failing to succeed, of all things. The editor will talk to high profile entrepreneur and business leader "failures" after drinks at The Future Gallery on Great Newport Street (20th April). The initial entry is limited but there's no doubt they'll expand in the next few months.

What great London debates would you like to get involved in? Politics? Art? Science?

If you're still carrying on the argument when you get home, our serviced apartments allow plenty of space to make some noise. All opinions welcome.

Photo: STML, Flickr

Interesting facts about the Olympic Games in 2012

2011-03-29T20:35:00.000+01:00

Did you know....?

London 2012 is helping transform one of the most deprived parts of Europe with 75p in every £1 spent on the development of the Olympic Park going towards the regeneration of East London.

The Olympic Park is literally setting down roots with the planting of 4,000 trees. The area is destined to become the largest urban park in Europe and a blueprint for sustainable living.

7.7 million Olympic Games tickets will be available for London 2012.

205 Nations will be competing at the London 2012 Games.

90% of material that will be reclaimed from demolition within the Olympic park can be reused or recycled.

800,000 people are expected to use public transport to travel to the Games on the busiest day. This is more than the entire population of Leeds.

There are 9.6million tickets for sale - 8million for the Olympics and 1.6million for the Paralympics.

The Olympic village will be converted into 3,600 apartments, most of them will be affordable housing.

17,000 athletes will compete.

26 Olympic sports will be played/

…and to stay really close to the Olympic venue visit our website and book your stay today!

Enjoy Spring in this fantastic city!

2011-03-21T20:28:00.001Z

After a long, dark and freezing winter, the spring is finally kicking off in London. Come and enjoy it!

Visit London's Gardens in the Spring - Kew Gardens is beautiful at any time of year, but don't miss it in the spring months. You'll see a stunning carpet of more than two million crocuses, as well as daffodils, bluebells and lots more.

There are so many beautiful parks in London. Richmond Park is a nice place to walk off your lunch and just be together. There is a corner in the park where pathways are lined up with the beautiful blossoming flowers that send a refreshing feeling and create a romantic atmosphere.

Visit the World Heritage Site Greenwich, the home of Greenwich mean time and the Meridian line. Greenwich park is great to relax and watch the city go by with fantastic views of the River Thames.

To discover London in one go you should join the Original London Sightseeing Tour. The tour allows you to hop on and hop off , and take pictures of top London attractions such as the Big Ben and the London Bridge, to name just a few.

Sporting events 2011 in London

2011-03-14T21:31:00.001Z

Enjoy the sporting events London has to offer throughout 2011 by staying conveniently close to the venues - at Boutique London Lets.

On the 2nd of April, London's Head of the River Race , one of the city's longest running sporting traditions is taking place. This spring, 400 crews from around the globe will take to the waters of London's famous river Thames to compete in this historic boating event.

28th of May 2011 - Be part of football history as the UEFA Champions League Final comes to Wembley Stadium for the first time.

Between the 20th of June 2011 and the 3rd of July 2011 join us in London to see the longest-running and most prestigious tennis tournament - Wimbledon. Games are still played on the original playing surface, grass and a strict white-only dress code for players has to be adhered to.

Between the 8th and 14th of August 2011 keep on watching a game with rackets - but this time a different one. The World Badminton Championship is taking place in London.

and this is just to name a few....

Our apartments at Boutique London Lets are centrally located giving you easy access to all sporting events in London. Check our availability here.

Things to do in London for under a tenner

2011-03-07T22:49:00.000Z

They say London is an expensive city - but take a look here and discover how you can enjoy the city for under a tenner!

Explore the Royal Albert Hall

Take a behind-the-scenes Tour of the BBC, the most famous television centre in the world.

Some of London's best theatres offer cheap tickets. Check out £10 Mondays at the Royal Court

Have traditional tea with amazing cupcakes for under a tenner at Bea's of Bloomsbury

Go on...discover the city! There is plenty to do...even if you are on a small budget...

Discover London by putting your walking shoes on

2011-02-28T22:57:00.000Z

London has soo much to offer - brilliant attractions, beautiful landmarks and the best city parks in the world!

...and the best way to discover these, is by putting your comfy shoes on and start exploring! All of our apartments at Boutique London Lets are centrally located and therefore are a great point to start your walking adventure.

Discover the route of William & Kate's Wedding - The Royal Wedding Walk

If you are into culture, how about strolling in Bloomsbury and enjoying the Writers Walk

Are you interested in discovering the business capital of the world? - Participate in a City of London Walk

Explore the intelligence and espionage capital of the world by taking a tour.

Have you put your shoes ready yet? - Walk London and enjoy!

London - a shopper's paradise

2011-02-20T22:59:00.000Z

London is a shopper's paradise and London Fashion Week is a must see event which is currently taking place

Here are a few of London's best fashion hotspots for you to explore:

Bond Street in Mayfair is home to the most elegant and expensive shops in London. Designer clothing such as Gucci and Armani; perfume; art and antiques; and more Royal Warrant holders (suppliers to the royal family) than anywhere else in London. New Bond Street is a few minutes walk from Bond Street Station, connected by pedestrian-only South Molton Street, and Old Bond Street is the short section at the Southern end which joins Piccadilly, so if you are looking for exclusive brands, then look no further.
Our apartments are conveniently located for Savile Row, the home of bespoke tailoring, including Gieves & Hawkes who will create the military uniform Prince William will wear at the Royal wedding this April, and Jeremyn Street, world famous for its shirtmakers.
Head to Carnaby Street to enjoy a funky shopping experience - this area is a cheerful pedestrianised area in Soho, just behind Regent Street.
For the complete shopping experience go to Selfridges from their infamous window displays and delicious food hall to the newly created shoe gallery and fabulous clothes you will find everything and so much more...

Make your mum feel extra special this year!

2011-02-15T22:02:00.000Z

Here are a few tips on how to spoil her on Mother's Day:

Take her to the theatre - take her to a show that she will remember.
Put her feet up - arrange a relaxing Spa day
Say it with flowers - enjoy a mother's day flower arranging workshop
Make a fabulous hat with her and for her for the next very special occasion
Stay in one of our fabulous Boutique Apartments - they are all centrally located - Book now to get the best deal!

Our St James Apartment located in the heart of London

Last minute tips for Valentine's Day

2011-02-07T17:51:00.000Z

With only a week to go, Valentine's Day is fast approaching - Here are some last minute tips on where to take your loved one in London

Valentine's Disco Skate - enjoy this romantically-themed skate session and impress your loved one with your ice skating skills

Take them to a musical they wanted to see for a long time - this will make them feel that extra bit special

Take them to the best restaurants in town

Book a spa package for the two of you - you will not only delight your partner, but have the enjoyment yourself

Love is in the Air - Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Boutique London Lets!

The best things in life are free

2011-01-30T13:36:00.005Z

Here are five reasons why you should come and stay in one of the greatest cities in the world - and they are all FREE!

Art Galleries - The Tate Modern, focusing on contemporary art and the Tate Britain displaying British Art from the sixteenth century to the present day are exceptional national art galleries housing some of the finest artworks in the world.
South bank - It is amazing how many London landmarks you can see when strolling along the River Thames - you can download free walking tours from Walk this Way.
Watch a trial - You can watch the proceedings of the most famous court in the world from the public galleries from 10am, Monday to Friday (get there half an hour early). – Central Criminal Court Old Bailey.
Street markets - London is well-known for its popular street markets. The most popular are Camden Market and Portobello Market, followed closely by Greenwich Market.
Enjoy the great outdoors - Head up London’s highest hills for some of the best views over London. The Royal Observatory at Greenwich (home to the Prime Meridian Line that determines Greenwich Mean Time) sits atop Greenwich Park, alongside the National Maritime Museum, and looks out over all of East London. At the top of Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill offers an unfettered view of Central London, and atop Hampstead Heath‘s Parliament Hill, you can see most of the city, from the West End to the London Eye.

Interesting facts about London

2011-01-22T18:28:00.000Z

Did you know this about London? - Here are a few facts that might make your stay in London and at Boutique London Lets even more interesting.

The well known Marble Arch was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace, but was never used. There is actually a tiny police station inside it that is no longer in use nowadays.

The Houses of Parliament also known as the Palace of Westminster, has over 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 5 km of corridors.

It takes 61 seconds to open Tower Bridge, which opens 1,000 times a year.

If London was a country, it would be the 8th biggest in Europe

There are more languages spoken in London than in any other city in the world.

The London Eye has 32 pods and each of them represents one of the London boroughs

There are no roads in the city square mile, only streets, places, gardens and courts

Secure a romantic getaway for Valentine's day

2011-01-15T17:15:00.000Z

What better way to impress your Valentine than taking them to the exciting city of London

When staying with us at Boutique London Lets you can make it that extra bit special.

Here are some ideas in the vicinity with which you can spoil your other half on Valentine's Day:

Enjoy it at Boutique London Lets!

Happy 2011 from the team at Boutique London Lets

2011-01-04T20:50:00.000Z

Plan a visit and save in 2011!

Now that you have probably recovered from New Year's celebrations, it is time to start thinking about your next trip to the fabulous city of London. Not only is the greatest Sale on around town, but we at Boutique London Lets are offering superb rates too. Get up to 15% off if you stay with us in January!

One of our fabulous apartments in the centre of London

We look forward to welcoming you in 2011!

Boutique London Lets wishes you a wonderful holiday season!

2010-12-21T21:16:00.001Z

The holiday season is just around the corner and it looks like it will be a white Christmas this year in London - enjoy the capital which has so much to offer even when the weather is cold.

Resist the temptation to hibernate over winter - throw on some knitwear and head out to one of the capital's warming winter venues. Pubs with open fires, fabulous afternoon tea - there are plenty venues to choose from close to our apartments located conveniently.

Stay with us at Boutique London Lets and enjoy one of the cosy pubs with real fire located in close vicinity to our apartments.

Have an afternoon tea at one of London's beautiful's venues

No matter how cold it is outside, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the warmth London has to offer to its visitors.

from Boutique London Lets

Winter Wonderland in London

2010-12-12T16:47:00.002Z

London is exciting even in this cold weather - Visit Winter Wonderland and stay at Boutique London Lets for some family fun!

Winter Wonderland is a complete day out for all the family - We have the perfect accommodation nearby so that you can relax after an exciting day out. For up-to-date availability of our two bedroom apartments check our website.

As well as stalls for gifts, foods and drinks Winter Wonderland also offers:

Rides, Attractions & Santaland

Winter Wonderland offers thrills for all ages and temperaments. Tokens for the rides & attractions are bought on the day at the booths dotted around the event and start at just £2 and there is no charge at all to visit Santa.

Giant Observation Wheel
Flights in the heated pods provide spectacular views over Winter Wonderland, and beyond...
Choose from single tickets to a VIP with champagne! Wheelchair friendly pods available

The Lidl Magical Rink
Flights in the heated pods provide spectacular views over Winter Wonderland, and beyond...
Choose from single tickets to a VIP with champagne! Wheelchair friendly pods available

Zippos/ Winter Cirque/ Room On The Broom
Due to public demand there are more big top shows than ever! Winter Wonderland is proud to debut a new circus show, Winter Cirque, and from the creators of The Gruffalo Room On The Broom.

Stay with us at Boutique London Lets and we will ensure that you have a magical time this winter in London.

Be part of the Royal Wedding in 2011 - Stay in the vicinity at Boutique London Lets

2010-11-23T20:27:00.001Z

If you want to be close to the happenings of the Royal Wedding then Boutique London Lets apartments are the right place to stay.

Put the 29th of April 2011 into your calendar. It will be a Bank holiday in England and you can celebrate the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William with them. All of our apartments are in the immediate proximity to Westminster Abbey - so there is no better place to stay.

Take your family along and celebrate with the Royal couple! - All of our apartments are two bedroom two bathroom apartments, most of them accommodate up to six persons. Check our website to get the best deals.

The Show does go on in London when you stay with Boutique London Lets

2010-11-17T21:45:00.000Z

Combine your stay at Boutique London Lets with one of the fabulous shows London has to offer!

It doesn't matter what you fancy, you will find a way to enjoy yourself in this fabulous city.

Go to the theatre and enjoy one of these fantastic plays:

For musical fans there is so much on offer that you will have a hard time choosing, but here are a few of the most popular ones:

We are so centrally located, that you will love staying with us - our apartments are all spacious, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, modern features and furnishings. Check our website for special deals.

Get ready for Christmas - stay at Boutique London Lets

2010-11-07T19:26:00.012Z

The exciting city of London is magical for your Christmas shopping experience - stay with us at Boutique London Lets!

It is a magical city during Christmastime - so shop til you ....drop at one of our wonderful apartments at Boutique London Lets. Take the family along and make it a trip to remember!

The most wonderfully decorated places sure to put you into Christmas mood are:

After marvelling at Christmas lights all over London, traditional afternoon tea will warm you up - one of the most famous places to have afternoon tea is at Fortnum & Mason.

For the more active ones amongst you, and if you are not exhausted enough after shopping, there are numerous ice skating rinks scattered around London during this time of the year.

Stay at one of our centrally located apartments to enjoy all that London has to offer during the magical time of Christmas!

Did you know there is a difference between Tower Bridge and London Bridge? Stay at Boutique London Lets and discover the difference!

2010-10-31T18:18:00.016Z

When staying at Boutique London Lets in London, am I close to Tower Bridge or London Bridge?

Well, both are very close by, but did you actually know that there is a difference?

There is Tower Bridge and there is London Bridge. Many people get confused between the two, like Robert P. McCulloch, who as the story goes, purchased the original London Bridge (it was replaced by a stronger structure) in the 1960s thinking he'd bought Tower Bridge. The structure was transported to the US where it was reconstructed in Lake Havasu, a city in Arizona. There is no knowing what Robert thought when the builders finished putting it in place..."This isn't the bridge I bought....this is just a bridge."

London Bridge is just a regular bridge, Tower Bridge is definitely more spectacular. It opened in 1894, has a total length of 244 metres, and is crossed by more than 40,000 people a day. The walkways at the very top are just over 40 metres above the water.

There is an amazing story linked to Tower Bridge. In 1952, gatemen operated the access to the bridge. Human error caused a double-decker bus to be on it as it was beginning to open. The driver, realising he wouldn't be able to brake in time to stop the bus going front first into the Thames, whacked his foot down on the accelerator and hurtled over the growing gap in an act that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Bond movie. The bus amazingly landed safely on the other side and the passengers suffered no more than a racing heart.

When staying at one of our amazing apartments you will be close to all tourist attractions, however for a great day out, in addition to visiting Tower Bridge, also Tower of London, the Design Museum and the London Dungeon.

No question about it, it's certainly a TREAT to stay with Boutique London Lets this HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-21T09:59:00.000+01:00

Staying at Boutique London Lets is the Treat you have been looking for! Stay with us and have a great time at Halloween!

This is definitely not a trick but the best treat you have had in a while. At Boutique London Lets we offer fantastic accommodation in the heart of London, the best city in the word! - Come and enjoy Halloween with us!

Did you know? - Some interesting facts about Halloween

Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, whose original spelling was Samuin. The name is derived from Old Irish and roughly means "summer's end". Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year".
Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the Celts who lived in Britain
About 99% of pumpkins sold are used as Jack O'Lanterns at Halloween
Orange and black are Halloween colours because orange is associated with the Fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death.
Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.

To find out how London is celebrating - visit one of the numerous Halloween parties and stay with us in the centre of London.

Introducing the Boutique London Lets Blog!

2010-10-15T04:25:00.000+01:00

I'm excited to introduce the Boutique London Lets blog.

We're going to use this space to broadcast the hottest tips and information about London. A true "insiders' guide". If you're planning on visiting London, are a guest of Boutique London Lets or just a fan of everything London, you'd do well to keep an eye on our posts.

We aim to fill these pages with the latest London news and tips and information. We are also going to publish any information on great deals to be had, both with Boutique London Lets and within London in general.

London is an ancient, vibrant and fascinating city. Make sure you tune in here to make the most of your time in this wonderful city!

If you are about to visit London, for business or pleasure, check out our website for the best serviced apartments the city has to offer!

Yours faithfully,

Derek Gallimore
Director
Boutique London Lets

Win a £250 Harrods gift card if you book with Boutique London Lets online!

2010-10-15T04:08:00.000+01:00

Harrods is one of the world's oldest, most famous and exclusive department stores. The store occupies a 5-acre (20,000 m²) site and has over one million square feet (90,000 m²) of selling space in over 330 departments - if you stay with us at Boutique London Lets you might win £250 to spend at this fantastic store!

You can win £250 worth of Harrods Vouchers - simply book with us.

We have a fabulous new online booking engine, and we want you to use it. Simply book online yourself, and every 50th person that books will win! It's that simple.

There are no catches. We even allow you up to three emails to us directly in case you have queries or want some tips for your stay.

If you're the lucky winner, you'll find a £250 gift card waiting for you on your arrival to your apartment.

Go to our website now to check out this and other fabulous deals. To book, or enquire, just enter some details into the orange book bar.

The magical London Eye is just a stone-throw away from our apartments

2010-10-06T22:33:00.000+01:00

The iconic London Eye is one of London's top tourist attractions, located just a short stroll from our Boutique Apartments.

In the vicinity of Boutique London Lets is the iconic London Eye

It's an extraordinary piece of engineering design and architecture, which not least enables you to have a birds-eye view of what London has to offer. It takes only 30 minutes for this enormous wheel to effortlessly glide full circle. For furher attractions, please visit our website.

Enjoy a 10% discount if you come and do your Christmas shopping in London and stay with us at Boutique London Lets. and make it extra special this year!

If you fancy something different, why not let the London Eye skating add sparkle to your stay! In winter you can ice skate beneath this fantastic landmark beside the River Thames.

About Boutique London Serviced Apartments

2010-10-01T16:58:00.005+01:00

At Boutique London Lets our philosophy is to provide luxurious and spacious hotel quality accommodation set within the comfort and convenience of centrally located London apartments. As with luxury hotels, Boutique London apartments can be booked on a two nightly, weekly or even monthly basis. We cater primarily for tourists (groups or families) but also short-to-medium term corporate let.

London Serviced Apartments

Our london serviced apartments provide more amenities, space and comfort than a comparable hotel - but at cheaper rates! We offer two-bedroom two-bathroom (one en-suite) apartments with fully functioning kitchens and comfortable lounge rooms allowing you to discover London without compromising on lifestyle or comfort.