London Hotels & Tourism

London's contrasts and cacophonies both infuriate and seduce.

London - the grand resonance of its very name suggests history and might. Its opportunities for entertainment by day and night go on and on and on. It's a city that exhilarates and intimidates, stimulates and irritates in equal measure, a grubby Monopoly board studded with stellar sights.

It's a cosmopolitan mix of Third and First Worlds, chauffeurs and beggars, the stubbornly traditional and the proudly avant-garde. But somehow - between 'er Majesty and Pete Doherty, Bow Bells and Big Ben, the Tate Modern and the 2012 Olympics - it all hangs together.

The M25 ring road encompasses the 609 sq miles that is broadly regarded as Greater London. The city's main geographical feature is the murky Thames, which snakes around but roughly divides the city into north and south.

The old City of London (note the big 'C') is the capital's financial district, covering roughly a square mile bordered by the river and the many gates of the ancient (long-gone) city walls: Newgate, Moorgate etc. The areas to the east of the City are collectively known as the East End. The West End, on the City's other flank, is effectively the centre of London nowadays. It actually falls within the City of Westminster, which is one of London's 32 boroughs and has long been the centre of government and royalty. Surrounding these central areas are dozens of former villages (Camden, Islington, Clapham etc), each with its own High Street, which were long ago swallowed by London's sprawl.

Londoners commonly refer to areas by their postcode. The letters correspond to compass directions from the centre of London, approximately St Paul's Cathedral. EC means East Central, W means West and so on.

Perhaps England's greatest cultural export has been the English language, the current lingua franca of the international community. There are astonishing regional variations in accents, and it is not unusual to find those in southern England claiming to need an interpreter to communicate with anyone living north of Oxford.

Travellers to London, United Kingdom can expect to find accommodation of all types, from upmarket London hotels and resorts to more budget-focussed and unique options. For your next holiday accommodation in London, make sure you check the regular and special offers on hotels.com.au first. United Kingdom is host to a wide range of travel experience, suitable for all budgets. And London is a great place to visit, blending experiences such as strolling through Trafalgar Square and watchi with famous attractions such as the British Museum and the Tower of London. And don’t forget shopping shopping for British fashion on Oxford St, and sample the famous green spaces such as Hyde Park and Hampstead for an unforgettable London experience. Wherever you’re staying, hotels.com.au offers a huge range of London hotels and London accommodation options.