| If you're planning a trip to London in the near future, | | | | amenities including duck down duvets, flat-screen |
| you might want to consider accommodations at one | | | | televisions and free wireless internet for its guests. |
| of the more unusual hotels in the area. London is filled | | | | The Portobello |
| with cultural attractions and historic sites; London | | | | The Portobello Hotel gained fame in the 1970s by |
| hotels offer an equally eclectic range of ambiance | | | | catering mostly to a rock star clientele; nearby |
| and price. Whether you're looking for the rock-star | | | | recording studios kept the hotel's rooms full and the |
| lifestyle for a few days or fancy a stay at one of | | | | gossip mills busy. Today the Portobello still attracts |
| the historic landmarks of London, you're certain to | | | | rock stars and celebrities, and offers all its guests the |
| find exactly what you're looking for at one of these | | | | same rock star treatment that gained the hotel its |
| unique hotels. | | | | devoted following. Rooms are inventively designed in |
| Claridge's | | | | keeping with its funky Notting Hill surroundings and |
| Located in the prestigious Mayfair region of Central | | | | definitely not run-of-the-mill. Luxurious four-poster or |
| London, Claridge's offers guests the traditional | | | | circular beds and exotic bathtubs are featured |
| London experience, complete with afternoon tea and | | | | throughout the hotel, making each room a unique |
| an aristocratic past. Frequented by royalty from all | | | | experience and earning the Portobello its place among |
| over Europe, Claridge's has earned its five-star rating | | | | the most acclaimed London hotels. |
| and outstanding reputation by putting the customer | | | | The Fox Club |
| first, even allowing one of its rooms to be declared | | | | This private club offers significant discounts on |
| official Yugoslav territory in order to allow the Crown | | | | accommodations to its members; luckily, acquiring a |
| Prince of Yugoslavia to be born on his native soil. Few | | | | membership is not difficult. The Fox Club is named |
| hotels have ever gone so far to please a guest. For | | | | after Charles James Fox, a prominent Whig politician, |
| food lovers, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's provides a | | | | heavy drinker and inveterate gambler. Fox resided in |
| stylish dining experience and the chance to rub | | | | the building with his wife who also plied her trade as |
| elbows with the celebrity chef when he is in town. | | | | a courtesan from the premises. This shady reputation |
| Hoxton Hotel | | | | makes a stay at the Fox Club a point of pride for |
| Winner of the Guardian and Observer "Best UK Hotel | | | | many would-be rakes and roués, and |
| 2009" award, the Hoxton Hotel has a special appeal | | | | provides an interesting anecdote to tell the folks |
| for bargain hunters. One of its most successful and | | | | back home. |
| popular promotions offered rooms at £1 or | | | | Many other London hotels offer intriguing histories |
| £29 with significant advance notice; Hoxton | | | | and one-of-a-kind accommodations. It's best to plan |
| management reported that the 1000 rooms offered | | | | your trip well in advance; hotels in London tend to fill |
| at these rates were completely sold out within 19 | | | | up fast, and early booking offers the best rates and |
| minutes; the offer is expected to be repeated | | | | selection. Planning your trip around one of the unique |
| periodically. While not everyone can manage to snag | | | | hotels mentioned can make for an outstanding |
| a room at these rates, the Hoxton Hotel consistently | | | | holiday and a wonderful vantage point on the many |
| offers reasonably priced rooms with luxurious | | | | attractions of London. |