London (Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay) [Paperback]

"Alastair Sawday, the authority on special places to stay."

This is an unusual guide to London. With excellent maps, colour photos, witty & informative write-ups and lots of information, it is a great addition to the much-loved "Special Places to Stay" series. All the entries we have selected for the book exude style, conviviality and value for money. Our approach is unusual. There are no set rules, no interminable checklists and no hard and fast criteria for inclusion. We look for what we like, we celebrate the unusual, the beautiful and the individual. We applaud the small hoteliers and B&B owners who show unstinting kindness and generosity.

London - Paris - Prague - what's the difference?! The same heaving crowds of trainer-shod tourists prowl their streets looking for burgers and bargains. The souvenir-stalls and buses clog the streets in the same way. Monstruous mutli-nationals jostle each other for space in all three cities. So why come to London if Prague is cheaper and Paris more elegant?

Outrageous! London is the centre of the world, as far as Tom Bell is concerned, and he should know. He has travelled vigorously and widely but lives, loves and breathes the city. His selection of places to stay reflects that passion, for it is eclectic, unusual, inspired and inspiring. From the Dorchester (well-staged elegance) to a barge on the Thames (why not?) and with many fine, family-run B&B's in between, he shares with you the full range of his taste.

There is nothing cliched about Tom's London, no 'heritage', no banging on familiar drums. There are pubs, open spaces, rides through Richmond Park, walks along the river. With hints from him and advice from the people you will meet throuh this book, you will catch the vitality and endearing ordinariness of a great, largely civilised, community of souls.

However, a visitor to London is too precious to be wasted in a rotten bedroom. For you aren't just sleeping, you are 'feeling' the city, meeting people, learning where to begin, maybe. If you like to meet receptionists at the Hilton and to sleep in a space designed at head office, then this book is not for you. But if you like people, and their different ways of living, then you will enjoy those who run these special places. The exhilirating mix of characters is part of the strength of this book. You can be anonymous, or you can carouse with interesting folk. Just turn these pages and choose.

Please allow me a brief rant: I long for the day when the car no longer dominates our streets and cities - indeed, our lives. Let the citizens or London consider themselves citizens rather than 'motorists'. Then, perhaps, they will dream of a city that uses cars when necessary and otherwise leaves the space between their houses for people, bikes and buses. Other cities have done it. The future, otherwise, is grim: more of the same. Go to Cairo and you will see what lies in store for us. Even better, try biking in London.

This guide is a long-awaited 'first', and if you are just browsing then BUY IT, for you will be ahead of the queue to get into these remarkable places. And do read Tom's Introduction; it is full of fascinating detail and insights.

Alastair Sawday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

All the entries we selected for the book exude style, conviviality and value for money. Our approach is unusual. There are no set rules, no interminable checklists and no hard and fast criteria for inclusion. We look for what we like, we celebrate the unusual, the beautiful and the individual. We applaud the small hoteliers and B&B owners for their unstinting kindess and generosity. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Here is wonderful value - whether in a home, a hall of residence, an elegant studio or a friendly hotel.
You can enjoy roof gardens, river views, markets on your doorstep - and so many more life-enhancing pleasures.
Over 40 hotels and 80 beautiful private homes - the exotic, the plush, the little-known, the fascinating and the unxepected.
Also included are 40 exceptional London pubs from our Pubs & Inns guide.
We choose places that take special care of people. We, in our turn, work hard to be an ethical company with effective 'green' and social policies.