Shaftesbury Hotels London Blog

St George’s Day

Zulfiya — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 09:12:45 +0000

St George was one of the most famous of Christian figures but very little is known about him except for the fact that he was actually a Roman soldier born of a Turkish father and Palestinian mother and that he was martyred for his opposition to the torture of Christians that his superiors were indulging in. He had developed the emblem of a red cross on a white background which is now the national flag of UK. Richard the Lion Heart had first brought it to England and ordered his soldiers to wear it during the crusades so that they could be identified during the battle.

St George is the national saint of UK but basically he was a Turk. Besides being England’s patron saint, he also heads the Scouting movement. As such on St George’s Day this year, you can expect to see thousands of khaki-clad, woggle-wearing mini-troopers marching the streets of UK’s towns and villages to their nearest church for a special service.

Every year, St George’s Day is celebrated on 23^rd April but in 2013, it falls on a Tuesday and as such the London celebrations in Trafalgar Square are taking place on 20^th April, which is the Saturday before the saint’s day. The free event will see flag waving by all the attendees for recognising the sacrifices of the dragon-slaying patron saint of England and five bands will play live on the main stage and there will be many food stalls surrounding the square.

The birthday of William Shakespeare also falls on the same date and Shakespeare’s Globe celebrates the birthday with activities at the theatre to tie up with St. George’s Day. Workshops and interactive fun and games are also organised to spread awareness about the great dramatist to all the attendees, whether young or old.

Since St George’s Day has not been declared a national bank holiday despite many campaigns, the celebrations on the actual day will have to be adjusted with the working hours.

Cupcakes at Primrose Bakery

Zulfiya — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 07:35:07 +0000

A wonderful idea for being a part of your Valentine’s Day treat for your loved one is presenting sugar-coated cupcakes that are now loved both by kids and by grown-ups. Primrose Bakery, situated at 69, Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, London is one of the best places in the city for delicately decorated sponge cakes that are being gobbled not only by ordinary mortals but also by celebrities like U2 and Kate Moss. These delicious cupcakes are made with the finest organic ingredients. They are so tasty and look so cute that people wish that they could eat them as well as have them.

Cupcakes are the latest innovations in the field of cakes and they are not only fluffy but they evoke retro vibes and are now becoming extremely popular due to which these mini-cakes are leading in the field of cakes. Cup cakes give a beautiful look and are too irresistible to anyone who has a sweet tooth. You can get gluten-free cake mixes in the supermarkets and you can also find gluten-free cupcake recipes as well. Some of these recipes can be used for making 8-inch birthday cakes. You can make a double-layer cake by doubling the amount of batter. It is also recommended that you use freshly-squeezed orange juice.

Cupcakes are now the in-thing and are now being used for all sorts of occasions such as weddings, fancy parties, graduations etc. Gourmet cupcakes are now the rage in trendy cafes. Many TV channels are now featuring shows where bakers are demonstrating delicious gourmet cupcakes.

Cupcakes have caught the imagination of bakers and consumers.

Sightseeing Tours of London

Zulfiya — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:03:57 +0000

If you are planning to visit London for sightseeing, you will have so much on your platter that you will find it difficult to plan your movements to be able to see all that the largest city in Europe has to offer. Whether you wish to see London from above while taking a ride on the London Eye, or whether you wish to a celebrity at Madame Tussauds, albeit a wax replica or you wish to see some of the most precious treasures at the British Museums, or meet the dinosaurs at the National History Museum or whether you wish to get a feel of royalty by seeing the Buckingham Palace and seeing the Change of the Guards, you simply cannot do it on your own especially if you are a first-time visitor to London.

The best solution to ensure that you can explore the city in the best possible way is to book a sightseeing tour which will prove to be ideal for seeing the top sights and attractions that the city has to offer. Since it is virtually impossible to see all the attractions of the city, you can tailor your tour to include the places that you wish to see.

Bus tours are one of the best ways of seeing the various important tourist attractions, particularly the open top double-decker buses that set off every fifteen minutes from Victoria Station, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly and from other important places of the city. These tours usually take about two hours but you have the option of hopping on and off the bus as you please so that you can get off if you see something interesting and then get on the next bus on the route.

You can also take a combined bus and boat tour that departs from the London Eye and lasts for about 45 minutes. You can also take walking tours that are guided by local specialists and they combine historical information with interesting tales. Information regarding the various sightseeing tours can be gathered from the London hotel where you are staying.

Enjoy Wonderful Blends of Coffee at Algerian Coffee Stores

Zulfiya — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:24:42 +0000

One of Soho’s oldest shops, the Algerian Coffee Store that dates back to 1887, offers more than 140 blends of superb coffee producing the best aromas. This Soho-based shop also serves 200 types of tea that have been sourced from all over the world. It is the ideal place for lovers of hot beverages. One of their specialties is the spiced coffee blend that has a mixture of Lebanese with cardamom and Arabic with spices. The store still retains its original features that include rustic wooden shelving and counters. It is the ideal place to spend an afternoon sipping some fantastic coffee with a warm, rich aroma pervading the environment.

The Algerian Coffee Store is situated in the heart of Soho London in the midst of the city’s cultural district among French churches, Italian cafes and Chinatown. There are a lot of entertainment pubs, restaurants and cafes which are particularly busy during lunch and after work hours. It has become the epicenter of London’s nightlife where people just chill out after work in the trendy pubs and restaurants.

Besides the Algerian Coffee Store, the Patisserie Valerie is another cafe that sells delicious pastries and the Maison Bertaux is famous for its delectable croissants and cakes. In Chinatown there are many restaurants and shops selling oriental produce. There are also some small shops selling specialty teas. It is also a well known place for entertainment with a whole lot of restaurants, pubs and cafes.

Shopping for Your Loved One for Valentine’s Day

Zulfiya — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:01:29 +0000

When Valentine’s Day approaches, people start to look frantically for the perfect gift for their loved ones so that they can express their fond feelings through that gift. London offers many Valentine’s shopping events so that you can find the ideal gift that will reflect your feelings. As part of these events you can find 20 artists selling their hand-crafted items including prints and precious gems, corsages and customised cufflinks at the William Morris Gallery.

There are many other events such as where you can find love-inspired nail designs and boutique lingerie brand Playful Promises offering 20 percent discount on its stock of items from lingerie sets to risqué satin corsets at East London’s Shoreditch. You can also find a bespoke box of marshmallows of different flavours and many homemade gifts. Some people prefer to give a perfume as a gift and for that the re-vamped British perfume house Penhaligons in regent Street is one of the best.

However, the easiest and the most convenient way of Valentine’s Day shopping is to do some online jewellery shopping. By buying your gift over the internet, you can not only save time but also be able to select the right item from amongst the large number of designs that can be seen on your computer. Among the various choices that you can find on the internet are good quality watches and stylish fashion jewellery. A good looking piece of handmade jewellery will convey the right message to the recipient. Moreover, you can also buy the right type of gift box to accentuate the beauty of the jewellery chosen by you. You can also consider buying an outstanding necklace, a pendant, body jewellery or a beautiful bracelet.

In order to prove to your loved one that you truly care, you need to put some extra thought into your purchase and a piece of jewellery will always work wonders.

Best Hotels in London, Book them now!

Zulfiya — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:02:18 +0000

If you are planning a London tour then online booking of hotels is the best way of booking for you. At Shaftesbury group of Hotels you will find that their websites have the most reasonable and best room rates at any of Shaftesbury hotels. The Shaftesbury group of hotels is very well known as the best discount hotels in London. You will find different types of discount made available for you on their website. You will get the most reasonable and suitable room rates at The Shaftesbury group of hotels.

If you want to save your money, time and energy then booking of the room online is advisable to you.Online booking of hotel the best way of booking a hotel. The main benefit of online booking of hotel is that you can get up to 25 % concession by booking online. While booking online you can have a look at the images of the rooms on the website and decide which room you would like to stay in. At Shaftesbury hotels you will get the best likely and eye-catching discounts and appropriate packages that will be in your budget .You will be very astonished by various offers and packages.

A stay at London isn’t really costly. Shaftesbury hotel is the best choice If you want to save your money. You will get unbelievable offers and great discounts here.

London Hotels Special Offers

Zulfiya — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:57:59 +0000

Today, London has one of the highest number of people visiting compared to other famous cities of the world and also one of the biggest and busiest airports in terms of traffic. The city is rich in heritage as well as culture and provides a perfect blend of tradition with modernity. The Buckingham Palace and its monarchy is an example of how people value traditions and heritage. The rivers Thames, London eye, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus are few landmarks that add to the elegance of the city. There are various types of accommodation available to suit every traveler’s need. If you are travelling for work and want to get a good deal in whatever accommodation you choose, it is possible. There are various hotels to cater to your budget and preferences and you can choose from different types of hotels in London providing special offers. These hotels provide special packages for like day delegate packages, 24 hour conference packages, and other events for business travelers as well as holiday packages for tourists and honeymooners. Wherever the location of the hotel or whatever is is the purpose of your visit, comfort, class and world class facilities are always guaranteed. There is complementary broadband, room service, restaurants, theatres and gymnasium to keep you entertained all throughout your stay.

In a nutshell, London should be on the top of your list of holiday destinations if you have not already travelled to this city. There are plenty of accommodations for different purposes and at different parts of the city.

London Piccadilly Hotels

Zulfiya — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:54:57 +0000

The capital city of United Kingdom, London, is one of the best cities in the world that attracts tourists and business travelers alike. The city has an omnipresent royal heritage, culture and elegance that very few world class cities can boast of. It is a major financial hub and thousands of visitors visit this city every year. London offers various types of accommodation to suit every travelers needs. There are comfortable accommodations available in different parts of London and one can choose a hotel in a central location or near a financial place and so on and so forth. If you are traveling for work and want to be stationed in the heart of the city, it is possible as there are various options located centrally. These hotels also provide facilities like a broadband internet, and arrangements for conferences and business meetings etc. Most of London Piccadilly hotels have air conditioning, restaurants, theaters, complementary broadband, bathroom television and in room tea/coffee facilities. For tourists, there are many landmarks that are famous in the city such as the London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, river Thames, Big Ben clock, etc. One can also go for a day trip to Paris or nearby Edinburgh, York etc or just enjoy the rich heritage of London city.

London is a must visit destination and there are ample options for a comfortable and luxurious stay in one of the many stylish hotels that the city is known for. So next time you are visiting London whether for work or leisure, book your stay in London Piccadilly hotels.

Surprising Hotel offers, just grab them before it’s too late!

Zulfiya — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:51:56 +0000

If you are on a tour to London, then you must be definitely searching for best hotel offers. Jumbled about which hotel gives you good offers in London, then here is the answer. The Shaftesbury group of hotels is one of the topmost hotels in London which is very well known for best and catchy hotel offers. The offers given by Shaftesbury are not only attractive but also cost saving.

The attractive Hotel offers include offers such as Book now and Pay Later in which you can make your hotel reservation at any of the Shaftesbury Hotel just by using your credit card. The advantage of this offer is you can make the payment as and when you reach the hotel and not at the time of online booking. This offer is worthy as you do not have to make prior investment. Not only this, but they have an offer in which make booking for five nights, and get the sixth one totally free! This offer is available at any of the hotels provided the rooms are vacant at that time.They have a random lucky draw each month in all the hotels and fortunate champ will get one night stay for free. You never know, you could be the one tomorrow.

If your tour is a budget tour, then you must take advantage of hotel offers at Shaftesbury group of hotels.

Best London Hotels

Zulfiya — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 10:48:30 +0000

It is very clear that such visitors to a world class city would also demand world class facilities and luxury which only best London hotels can provide. There is no doubt that this city known for its Royal heritage will offer excellence in its hospitality and translate tradition with comfortable luxury. If you are looking for spending some time in style and comfort, inundated with warm hospitality offered by courteous staff, this is the city you should travel to. London blends modernity with its rich traditions like none other. Best in class facilities means different things to different people. Some tourists might want to enjoy the warm and cosy accommodation replete with a queen size bed, plasma television and finely polished heritage furniture. Some would prefer to relax and unwind with family and friends in a spacious luxury suit with evening tea. Some London hotels give access to lounges, broadband, provide on call butler to make their guests have a once in a lifetime experience. Most of these hotels in London have luxurious suites like an Executive suit or a Family suit and also provide romance packages with for honeymooners and couples with complimentary champagne, flowers and breakfast in bed.

Excellence is an attitude and this world famous and historic city has this attitude in abundance. If you are willing to spend the buck and enjoy in the lap of comfort and warm hospitality, then London is the destination for you.