Your Home for the London Holidays

The holidays have finally arrived, along with a frantic rush of social engagements and obligations. If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, while still staying close enough to enjoy the spirit of the season and the spectacles of the London neighborhood, then you’re in luck. One of the city’s premier holiday apartments is Aparthotels London, and the excellent facilities as well as its convenient location should be more than enough to make it your home away from home.

Of course, one is always keen on watching the vibrant spectacle of the New Year’s Eve Fireworks display.  The key to a perfect New Year’s Eve is to have an eventful evening that opens with a sumptuous meal – even better if you have someone special to share the moments with. Definitely It will be very special if you residing at Aparthotelsin Kensington located in Central London.

For an Asian twist on the occasion, you could go over to Hutong on 96 Tooley Street. The restaurant happens to be on the 33^rd floor of The Shard, and this location offers an excellent vantage point from which to view not only the fireworks, but also the River Thames and the dazzling London skyline. The meal is a classic five course affair, paired with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs or Veuve Cliquot.

If a legendary party is how you wish to welcome the New Year, you can then ascend to The Shard’s 33^rd floor, home to Aqua Shard, a contemporary British bar with a panoramic view of the city. There is room for couples and friends; tables for two or up to eight can be taken for reservation. A word of caution though: early reservations would be best as spots are easily snapped up by others who wish to spend the last hours of the bygone year in this picturesque location. Those who wish to dance the night away will be more than accommodated by the bar’s DJ, who will start dishing party tunes from midnight onwards. People who prefer a quieter evening could choose to remain in Hutong, where they serve dumplings and half a bottle of their fine champagne as you watch the vibrant fireworks paint the distant night sky with puffs of colorful fire and smoke.

If upscale bars and restaurants are a bit too stuffy for your tastes, you could instead go on over to the Tattershall Castle, which isn’t too far from Holiday Apartments in London. This floating pub is home to one of the best and up-close views of the great River Thames, which means a more intimate view of the fireworks display. The Castle is also home to lively bands who will play into the wee hours of the New Year. Beer and ale lovers will be delighted to find that this pub carries a satisfying collection of craft beers and the classics.

Having said your farewells to the old, and welcoming the new with fervent wishes and hopes, perhaps you would be more than ready to get some rest. Fortunately, if you are staying at the Kensington Aparthotels London, our helpful staff, a warm bed, and a clean room are already ready and waiting for you.

Americano-schmericano. Try the London Buzz!

Location, location, location—where you stay for the night can make or break a vacation. Fortunately, the Presidential Apartments Kensington is always there for your unique needs. For instance, if you’re jet-lagged and looking for a serious caffeine hit to wake you up, why not try the off-beat coffee shops that are just a hop, skip and jump away from the Aparthotels in Kensington?

Even tea-loving Brits have come to embrace the thick, heady fragrance of bitter coffee. But there’s more than just cream to the coffee experience; there’s also some healthy bit of puckish fun that seems to defy the stiff upper lip facade.

First off is the Cereal Killer Cafe on 139 Brick Lane. If you’re famished but not quite yet ready for a hearty, greasy breakfast, then maybe a bowl of milk paired with one of their one hundred and twenty cereal collection should be enough to perk you up with a sugary jolt of energy.

Once you’re all livened up, you might be feeling up to some activities. If you’re the animal-loving type, look for Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium over on Benthnal Green. They have nine rescue cats that are there for you to play with and cuddle, a nice respite from the stresses of cramped travel spaces and rushed schedules. Enjoy their company as you take a bite from biscuits or cake and sip some hot, fine tea.

If you feel confident in your handicraft skills, or if you’re looking for a chance to learn something new, go ahead and visit Sew Over It in Clapham or Islington. They have sewing machines which you can rent for an hour, which also provides you with a pot of tea, because working the needle and thread is hard work. You can even make your own dress or shirt to take home, and if you find the quality lacking and you have some time and patience to spare, feel free to attend the classes they offer.

Not yet ready to go back to the Aparthotels London? Then your next stop could be Drink Shop Do on King’s Cross. After all the coffee and tea, a bit of booze and chips should hit the spot and end the day right. If you’re inclined to show off your classic dance moves, check the bar out on Friday and Saturday evenings. You’ll fit right in, or perhaps even better, stand out! Then after a lively evening out and about, get a friend or a faithful cabbie to take you to the Presidential Apartments Kensington, where you can finally get some well-deserved top of the line rest and relaxation.