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From the plush towels to ideal location, our apartment was perfect. Thanks for living up to your promises! Justin, Melbourne

Archive for June, 2012

Introducing the Tower Bridge Vacation Rental!

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012
London Vacation apartment with view of Tower Bridge

Enjoy lovely views of the River Thames and the Tower Bridge

We’re pleased to introduce you to one of our newest London Perfect vacation rentals – the Tower Bridge! Just take a look at the incredible view above from the living room of this lovely apartment and you’ll spot right away how it got its name. Right there you have a perfectly framed view of the Tower Bridge! This beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom rental is located in an historic warehouse in Rotherhithe sitting right on the south bank of the River Thames. The views are stunning and the architect-designed apartment has maintained the building’s original features, such as the lovely exposed brick walls and timber beams, and accented them with a contemporary décor.

London Tower Bridge Vacation Rental Living Room Kitchen

Enjoy the charms of London at the Tower Bridge vacation rental

The Tower Bridge vacation rental features an open plan living room and dining area with the kitchen nearby, making it a comfortable space to relax with family and friends in the evenings. There are little London touches throughout that we just love. Especially the Union Jack guard dog, which we (very creatively) have named Jack! The kitchen is fully equipped and includes everything you need to prepare and serve an elegant meal at home at the Tower Bridge rental. Simply open the window next to the dining table and you’ll enjoy the sounds of the Thames lapping against the banks during dinner. At night, the lights of the Tower Bridge and London are a favorite with guests!

London vacation rental near Tower Bridge dining rooom

Dine at home at the beautiful Tower Bridge rental overlooking the Thames

The living room and master bedroom have gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the Thames and London landmarks, such as the Shard skyscraper soaring high above the city. The views framed by the original brick walls are a work of art in themselves. Both the living room and master bedroom have views of the famous Tower Bridge, too! The master bedroom has a luxurious king size bed and lovely en suite bathroom with a bathtub-shower combination, toilet and sink.

London Vacation Rental Thames Views Master Bedroom

Relax in the master bedroom with views of Tower Bridge!

The second bedroom in the Tower Bridge vacation rental features a cheery decor with two twin size beds with trundles that can be pulled out. The living room also features a comfortable sofa bed that sleeps two as well as a large TV and stereo with iPod docking station. To make getting ready easy in the mornings, another full bathroom is located nearby in the hallway. There’s so much of London to discover nearby that you’ll be ready to head out sightseeing after a enjoying your coffee or tea overlooking the Thames. There in the distance you might just spot your first stop – the Tower Bridge itself!

London vacation rental near Tower Bridge

Visit the iconic Tower Bridge nearby

One of London’s classic images, the Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 and is one of the most interesting bridges across the Thames. Learn more about the fascinating history and enjoy the great views from the top by visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Getting there from the Tower Bridge vacation rental is quick and easy if you jump on the 381 bus (towards County Hall) and get off at Tower Bridge Road. You can’t miss it! And just on the other side you’ll see the Tower of London.

Visit the Tower of London

Plan a day to visit the Tower of London with family and friends

One of London’s most visited destinations, the Tower of London has been a feared, admired and enchanting piece of London’s history. Visitors today can tour the Tower grounds with the brightly dressed “Beefeaters,” the Yeoman Warders that live at and guard the palace. Whether you’re going for the medieval architecture, the history or the sparkle of the Crown Jewels, the  Tower of London is a fun spot for the whole family to discover London’s past.

London vacation apartment Rotherhithe

Discover the historic Rotherhithe neighborhood along the Thames

The Tower Bridge vacation rental is located in Rotherhithe, a peaceful residential area steeped in London history. It is an area famous for shipping and here is where merchant ships docked in the peak of the English Empire and where the Mayflower left for its famous voyage to America in 1620. From the Tower Bridge flat it’s only a short walk to the Rotherhithe Overground station, which connects to the Underground’s District and Hammersmith & City lines at Whitechapel just a few stops away. Or walk to the Canada Water station conveniently located on the Underground’s Jubilee line, and you’ll be in Westminster and Central London in minutes or Canary Wharf in the Docklands the other direction.

Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe London

Stop by the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe - an important piece of American history!

The first Mayflower pub was established in 1553, but the present building is a recreation of the original. The name is very familiar to American visitors to Rotherhithe, and it does indeed honour the Mayflower, which captained by Christopher Jones set sail for it’s famous voyage to America in 1620 from right near here in London. The history of more than London has taken place along the Thames, and you can feel the past very much present as you stroll along the banks and imagine the city hundreds of years ago.

View of Thames to St Pauls and The City

A beautiful view of the Thames looking toward St. Paul's Cathedral and the City

The Tower Bridge vacation rental is a great spot exploring the City, visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, Southwark and Bankside, Tate Modern, the Bermondsey antiques market, Canary Wharf in the Docklands and all the best of Central London easily reached by Overground and Underground public transport. The Rotherhithe neighborhood is a peaceful spot where many of the historic warehouses have been transformed into designer apartments like the Tower Bridge and are surrounded by supermarkets, shopping and dining options. Discover the history of London along the River Thames with a stay at the Tower Bridge vacation rental!

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London Shopping | Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
London Shopping at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush

Find all your favourite shops in one spot at the Westfield Shopping Centre. Photo by Rictor Norton & David Allen.

Just west of Notting Hill and Kensington lies one of London’s best shopping experiences at the Westfield Shopping Centre at Shepherd’s Bush. This huge mall features over 300 shops and restaurants that offer the perfect mix of high street and high end shopping. When Westfield Shopping Centre opened in 2008, it was noted as one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, and is currently the 5th largest mall in the UK. It was the largest in London until Westfield Stratford City opened in east London in 2011. Numbers aside, this is one whirlwind of a shopping experience in London! Take a peek inside in this short video highlighting the mall’s features and design.

Whether you’re looking for your favourite London shops, international brands or some of the biggest names in fashion, you’ll find them all conveniently located under one roof (and a lovely glass one at that!) at the Westfield Shopping Centre. While most malls aim for an open feel, Westfield achieved it with spacious open courtyards and glass ceiling. Even when the rain pours down you can enjoy a day of shopping in London at Westfield!

Best Shopping Mall in London Westfield Centre at Shepherd's Bush

Find over 250 stores at the huge Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush. Photo by Gary Bembridge.

The mall features over 50 places to eat, so you’ll find something for everyone’s taste while shopping. The mall is anchored by the large department stores Debenhams, a three-level Marks & Spencer, Dorothy Perkins, House of Fraser and Next. In between you’ll find the most popular London shops that you would see on Kensington High Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street – all under one roof! If you’re looking for high end shopping, visit The Village at Westfield Centre, a selection of over 40 luxury boutiques, including Dior, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, Prada and many more.

Luxury Shopping in London at Westfield Centre in Shepherd's Bush

Find Dior, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Gucci and more at The Village at Westfield Centre. Photo by Martin.

Westfield Shopping Centre is conveniently located on the Central Line of the London Underground just two stops west of Notting Hill Gate and only 10 minutes by train from the West End. Exit at the Shepherd’s Bush Tube station for easy access to the shopping mall.

Shopping in London at the Westfield Centre at Shepherd's Bush

Take the Tube to Shepherd's Bush or simply stroll over from our Gladstone vacation rental to shop at Westfield Centre. Photo by Tom Page.

If you’d like to stay within easy walking distance of Westfield Shopping Centre, our Gladstone vacation rental might be perfect for your holiday in London. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beautifully remodelled modern kitchen, spacious living and dining area and a cute little porch out front where you can enjoy dining outdoors, the Gladstone offers a comfortable stay very near Shepherd’s Bush and peaceful Holland Park.

London vacation rental near Shepherd's Bush and Westfield Shopping Centre

Enjoy a relaxing stay at our Gladstone rental walking distance to Westfield Shopping Centre

Located on a quiet residential street, the Gladstone is set on the lower ground floor of a traditional white stucco and yellow brick London building. Set back from the street and with a large garden out front, you’ll enjoy plenty of light from the large windows and doors. The kitchen and two bathrooms have been impeccably remodelled and feature everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay.

London Two Bedroom Vacation Rental near Shepherds Bush

Our two bedroom, two bathroom Gladstone vacation rental near Shepherd's Bush

We invite you to read more about our Gladstone vacation rental near Shepherd’s Bush and view more photos here.  No matter where you’re staying in London, if you love shopping then you’ll certainly want to plan a visit to the Westfield Shopping Centre.

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The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
Boy on Rocking Horse Statue Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square London

Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset's "Powerless Structures, Fig 101" atop the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Photo by Allan Harris.

Trafalgar Square is one of London’s iconic and most exciting open spaces. Marking the centre of the square, Nelson’s Column soars high above its base surrounded by four giant bronze lions. Here you’ll often find kids and travellers from around the world scrambling up for a photo atop or nestled between the paws of one of the regal lions. The two large fountains are just as popular for photos with the beautiful classical style facade and dome of the National Gallery, the lovely spire of St. Martin-in-the-Fields by James Gibbs or the tower of Big Ben at Westminster in the background.

With so much to see and a buzzing atmosphere, visitors might just miss a touch of contemporary art that now graces Trafalgar Square. In each of the four corners of the square there are stone plinths put in place in the mid 19th century as the bases for large bronze statues. The two plinths on the southern side feature statues of Henry Havelock and Charles James Napier, while the northeastern plinth supports a large equestrian statue of George IV. The fourth plinth was built in 1841 and was created the same size as the other northern plinth as it was intended as the base for an equestrian statue of King William IV. So what happened? Since consensus and funds never arrived at the same time, the statue for the fourth plinth never arrived. Londoners pondered the empty plinth while countless tourists strolled by and likely didn’t even noticed the empty space.

Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth Art Projects 2011

"Nelson's Ship in Bottle" on the Fourth Plinth near the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Photo by Paul Hudson.

Public interest in the poor empty fourth plinth picked up again in 1998 as Londoners and art critics pushed for something to happen. The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) launched the Fourth Plinth Project in the same year, and installed temporary works of art by Mark Wallinger, Bill Woodrow and Rachel Whiteread. Since then the Fourth Plinth has been the setting for changing installations of work by important contemporary artists from around the world.

Some of the works have responded to the powerful historical setting of Trafalgar Square, such as Yinka Shonibare’s “Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle,” which included a replica of Nelson’s ship the HMS Victory in a large glass bottle. On February 23rd this year a charming new statue was installed on the Fourth Plinth. Created by the team of  Danish artist Michael Elmgreen and Norwegian artist Ingar Dragset, both based in London, the new statue is titled ”Powerless Structures, Fig 101.” Quickly, however, it has become known as the boy on a rocking horse. Opposite the equestrian statue of George IV, Elmgreen and Dragset’s statue makes a provactive and rather playful statement that the artists hope will encourage viewers “to consider the less spectacular events in their lives which are often the most important.”

With it’s new function as a spot for highlighting contemporary art installations, the fourth plinth has finally become part of the much-photographed landscape of Trafalgar Square.

Boy on a Rocking Horse Sculpture Trafalgar Square London

A close up of Elmgreen and Dragset's statue in Trafalgar Square depicting a boy on a rocking horse. Photo by Garry Knight.

If you’d like to stay near the excitement and fun of Trafalgar Square, we invite you to view The Eden and The Savoy, two of our London vacation rentals located on a peaceful street nearby. We were amazed when we found this charming and quiet historic street where Benjamin Franklin once lived and famous authors such as Herman Melville lived and worked just around around the corner from exciting Trafalgar Square. The Eden is a charming and fully remodelled studio rental decorated with a contemporary London design.

Studio rental near Trafalgar Square in London

The cozy and modern living room of our Eden studio rental near Trafalgar Square

Nearby our lovely two bedroom vacation rental The Savoy features two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious and elegantly decorated living room perfect for relaxing with friends and family after a day of sightseeing in London.

Two Bedroom London Vacation Rental near Trafalgar Square

Relax in the beautiful living room of our Savoy two bedroom rental near Trafalgar Square

Both of these London vacation rentals are offer a peaceful home away from home just a short walk from the excitement of Trafalgar Square, London’s West End, the Theatre District, Covent Garden, the great shopping and lively night scenes in Soho and Mayfair and Big Ben in Westminster. Next time you pass through Trafalgar Square, be sure to stop by and see what’s on the Fourth Plinth!

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The Hummingbird Bakery in London

Thursday, June 14th, 2012
London Perfect Vacation Rentals in Notting Hill near Portobello Road
Stop in the first Hummingbird Bakery along the famous Portobello Road Antique Market

The cheery pink awning of The Hummingbird Bakery has been a familiar and very welcome sight on Portobello Road in Notting Hill since it opened in 2004. Specializing in American desserts and now famous around the world for their delicious cupcakes, The Hummingbird Bakery was founded by Tarek Malouf who grew up in London. He realized after spending Thanksgiving in America back in 2002 that America’s sweet treats should have a place in London, and that place was on Portobello Road. The idea took and soon lines were queueing around the block, especially on Saturday mornings during the popular Portobello Road Antiques Market. While strolling along the shops and stalls at the antique market, why not stop in for a sweet treat?

The Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road in Notting Hill

Enjoy a sweet treat during a break from antique shopping

The first Hummingbird Bakery location is right on Portobello Road in Notting Hill between Westbourne Grove and Elgin Crescent. Once inside the heady mix of coffee and sweets is heavenly! Under the clear covers you’ll see some of their classic cakes on display. Four layers of chocolate goodness or a slice of carrot cake? It’s a tough decision!

Notting Hill Hummingbird Bakery near London Vacation Rentals

A slice of cake or a cupcake? Tough decisions!

The cupcake display in the window of the Notting Hill location is a sweet touch! If you’re staying in one of our London vacation rentals in Notting Hill, you can stop by to try the different flavours of cupcakes made daily. How can you pick your favourite without trying them all?

Hummingbird Bakery American Style Cupcakes in London

Cupcakes galore at the Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill!

If you need a break with something sweet while out shopping and visiting the museums on Exhibition Row in South Kensington, stop by The Hummingbird Bakery located on Old Brompton Road near Cromwell Road and the South Kensington Tube station. You’ll spot the same pink awning outside a pretty white Victorian building.

South Kensington Vacation Rentals Hummingbird Bakery

The Hummingbird Bakery in South Kensington

Inside the South Kensington location there’s a large mosaic hummingbird behind the counter and tempting array of cakes, sweet breads and cupcakes on display.

London Vacation Rentals South Kensington Hummingbird Bakery

A mosaic hummingbird in the Old Brompton Road location

There are a few tables outside and a small bar with stools inside where you can enjoy your sweets, or ask them to package it to go to enjoy back home at your London Perfect apartment.

Tempting cakes at the Hummingbird Bakery

The red velvet cake was oh so tempting on a recent visit to the South Kensington Hummingbird Bakery, but in the end I had to try the chocolate cupcake with mint icing. The cake was moist and not too sweet, which was perfectly balanced by the smooth icing. Yum!

Hummingbird Bakery in South Kensington

A classic American chocolate cupcake with mint frosting. Delicious!

The Hummingbird Bakery website has all the information on opening hours and the latest news (and cupcake varieties!). While out and about in London you’ll also spot their bakeries in the West End in SoHo, Spitalfields and Islington. Or if you want to recreate Hummingbird Bakery specialties at home, stop in and pick up one of their excellent cookbooks. I’ve been wowing guests with cupcakes and cakes from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, which has easy to follow and fun recipes. While out shopping and sightseeing in London, stop by to enjoy a classic American sweet treat in London at The Hummingbird Bakery.

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