Central London Hotel/Theatre tickets/Restaurants

Hi guys,

I have an American Professor visiting London for the first time in July and I'd like to help him choose a really nice hote (he'd like a view of the Thames) and they'll be traveling to Oxford/Cambridge by train - any ideas or recommendations?

He also would like to buy theatre tickets and asked if he buys them online, is he paying inflated broker prices- I don't go to the theatre, so I can't help with that one!

If anyone has any other recommendations for restaurants, things he *must* see as opposed to run-of-the-mill touristy things- I'd be grateful you guys certainly are the best to ask!

I am thinking of sending them to River Cafe if it's easy to reach also.

Any/all suggestions appreciated!

Oh! one more thing, should they change currency over here or there in your experience?

Many thanks in advance

Tickets - you can buy via ticketmaster...similar deal as in the States...it's basically one of the only ways to get some tickets...if he really wants to chance it, he can to to the 1/2 price ticket place in Leicester Square.

One restaurant I usually take people to is Belgo...http://www.restaurant-guide.com/details/default.asp?rID=4679&ID=697&path=12,21,14,2395,697&cuiID=7
We always have fun there!

Don't know about hotels...

A great hotel we stayed at with a lot of charm and nice view (although I would specifically request a room with a view of the river if you call) is the Grange City Hotel near the Tower of London.
It was a very beautiful hotel!

Their site is http://www.grangehotels.com/grange_city_hotel/index.htm Click on 'photo gallery' under the image to see pictures of the rooms and the lobby, etc.


As for money, I think that to get the best rate, just have him use the ATM/Cashpoint at the airport to get cash. They won't charge him from their end, and I have found that the US bank won't charge a fee either (at least 4 of them so far haven't for us and our visitors).

He also would like to buy theatre tickets and asked if he buys them online, is he paying inflated broker prices- I don't go to the theatre, so I can't help with that one!

Oh! one more thing, should they change currency over here or there in your experience?

Many thanks in advance

These are some of my fav ticket sites... I usually check them all to see where I can get the best deal, seat show...

http://www.ticketswitch.com/tickets.shtml

http://www.keithprowse.com/

http://www.lastminute.com/site/entertainment/theatre

https://www.wayahead-secure.co.uk/see/index.asp

http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/

http://www.theatremonkey.com/index.htm

As for exchanging money... well ATM is by far the easiest if he has a bankcard and pin. I'd only carry traveller's checks for the "what if" and he can always carry USD in large bills and exchange them all over London. Marks & Spencer's has a good change bureau.

hi when i came over in dec 2003 i saw a good musical while i was in london. it was called  WE WILL ROCK YOU  its a queen musical. it was awesome & it is still playing to this day. just a suggestion but who doesnt like QUEEN there a classic? dh bought them off a website but unfortunatly he doesnt remember the website though sorry.

You guys are great - thanks SO much!

I will most definitely recommend the hotel and it's always useful to know about theatre tickets etc, now my job involves a lot of this stuff.

It's nice because this is the first time we had a conversation and it's their first time to my homeland so I'd like to help make it a lovely trip.  It feels like I have been away years, not just 7 short mths, I totally blanked on currency exchange going that way  

Thanks

Bear in mind transport.  Tower Hill will be okay for getting to Cambridge, but a pain for oxford.


Vicky