Best Themed Restaurants in London for Kids

Having a meal in a restaurant is a welcome departure from the mundane routine of preparing food and having it in the confines of your home. Moreover, kids are mostly fussy about having food at home and as such taking them out for a meal does provide them with a departure from their routine. It gets even better for them if you take them to a themed restaurant that offers something new by way of inventive decoration and innovative food options that will keep them interested in the food. Given below are some of the best child-friendly restaurants in London that offer excellently themed surroundings and tasty food. The themes range from rainforest wonders to medieval courts.

Planet Hollywood

Your kids will love to dine at Planet Hollywood as the place is inspired by the glamour of Hollywood. This innovative restaurant was launched in New York on 22^nd October 1991 and it is the only restaurant of its kind in the world. It has the backing of many Hollywood super stars such as Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Demi Moore. It has had a great run for 16 years at the Trocadero Centre in Piccadilly Circus, London but in 2009, it moved to its new premises on the Haymarket which is just a 2 minute Walk from the Trocadero Centre. It has been based on the Planet Hollywood resort and casino in Las Vegas but its logo was changed. It now offers a large cocktail bar and many themed areas such as the Bond Room, the British room and the trendy Cabana room along with plenty of favourite memorabilia items. Since cinema is the favourite pastime of most people including kids, this place is very popular with all family members irrespective of whether you are dining alone, in small or in large groups, and for throwing small or large parties. Kids are especially attracted to the themed surroundings. At its London premises, there are attractive movie paraphernalia and themed meals are served to different themed menus such as Terminator menu or classic American, Asian and Italian a la carte deals. Located conveniently in West End, the restaurant has an electrifying glamour and it is an ideal place to have your meals with your family before or after a London show.

Guests at Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington can easily reach any of these family-friendly restaurants and other attractions of the city as they are located close by.

Rainforest Café

Located in the heart of the West End and specifically designed for kids, Rainforest Cafe kindles children’s lively imaginations besides providing delicious dishes. It offers wild sights and sounds of the rainforest along with special effects that create loud thunder, sparkling lighting and tropical rain showers. In the midst of all these special effects you will find animated creatures such as gorillas and jaguars suddenly appearing from nowhere. The menus offered have tasty themes and the whole environment has an adventurous touch as you sit among trees and vines in an atmosphere of a jungle and wildlife. You should not be surprised if you find elephants and crocodiles to give you company. The Amazon Rainforest created by the restaurant springs to life with animatronics, tropical fish tanks and waterfalls where you and your family can have an ‘adventurous’ meal. A Retail Village is also available where your kids can buy a cuddly animal toy. The vibrant and exciting atmosphere provides plenty of fun for the entire family and an exciting dining experience.

Visitors to London will find that their best accommodation option is a Piccadilly Hotel London since it is located in a happening place that offers all that they may need.

The Medieval Banquet

If you wish to take your family for a sumptuous medieval banquet that offers a wonderful blend of delicious dishes and innovative theatrical acts, you just have to go to The Medieval Banquet which is located just two minutes from Tower Bridge. You will find yourself being transported back to the exciting and dangerous period of Henry VIII and may find that you are battling with knights in armour with swords while magicians and contortionists are captivating the King. Your kids will simply love the bold action, comic jesters and age-old music while enjoying delicious mouth-watering courses of days gone by. Since the venue encourages interaction, you and your kids can participate in whatever action that is taking place. The best of American & international cuisine including steaks, burgers, past, salad etc are offered at the restaurant.

Margarita Loca

Located at Battersea Park Road, Margarita Loca offers an exciting range of exotic cuisine. This Mexican-Cuban restaurant offers excellent food, great customer service, delicious fajitas, nachos, tacos, buritos, chimichangas, nice cocktails, Mexican beers and a lot more. It has an innovative, richly bright Mexican decor and colourful sombreros. Your kids can eat for free if you visit this friendly restaurant before 7pm on Monday to Thursday. They will get their first taste of authentic Mexican food in a fantastic, lively and playful atmosphere. The innovative drinks include ice-cold soft drink cocktails that have wacky long straws for sharing. Moreover, generous, American-sized portions are served which you can enjoy while listening to lively mamba, salsa and reggaeton music that is always being played at this entirely enticing restaurant.

Ed’s Easy Diner

This restaurant in Soho is a glittering place being neon lit and modelled as an authentic American diner embellished with plush red seats, chequerboard floor and classic kitchen-front bar. It is an ideal place for families as it is lively and welcoming in its design and offers relaxing, yet a merry environment. A tasty selection of classical dishes highlighted by crispy fries and delicious milkshakes that kids will love thoroughly is offered at this restaurant. It is an ideal place for kids as its junior menu offers a wide range of dishes from succulent hamburgers and chicken fillets to sugary Junior Sundaes. Kids will also enjoy the fun activity sheets that they are given to fill out and colour in.

Walthamstow Pumphouse - A Museum Dedicated to Industrial Development

There are not many places in London that offer permanent exhibitions on the history of London’s ports except the Museum of London Dockyards. No doubt, there are small borough museums that have glass cases that provide some insight into various industrial developments but it will be difficult to find out about how Edwin Roe helped in the success of the first manned British plane flight and in the setting up of the Avro company that went on to build the Vulcan, UK’s most important military aircraft.

Similarly, it will be difficult to fish out information regarding AEC that had started London’s thriving bus and lorry manufacturing industry. It will also not be easy to learn more about the Great Eastern Railway’s massive works on the site of the Olympic Park in Stratford that has built about 1,700 steam locomotives, 5,500 passenger carriages and 33,000 goods wagons over its lifetime. However, east London’s industrial history is to some extent secure at Walthamstow’s Vestry House Museum where you can see a restored Bremer car, the first British motor car that was built with an internal combustion engine. Realising this lack of recognition regarding East London’s manufacturing history a group of people are trying to establish a new museum, Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, on a site on South Access Road near the area’s network of reservoirs. The aim of the museum is to trace the various threads of industrial invention and innovation.

Based in Walthamstow, London the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum is one of the few museums in London that highlights the important industrial heritage of east London by focussing on stellar achievements in road, rail, air and sea transport in Waltham Forest and the nearby areas including the Lea Valley, from the early 19^th century. One of the objectives of the museum is to showcase how Waltham Forest, the surrounding area and its people were affected by the onset of industrial development. The contents of the museum include various artifacts that include Routemaster buses, a pair of Marshall C class steam engine, which after much restoration work is now fully operational, and different types of fire fighting vehicles.

If you are staying at Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington while visiting London, you will be able to enjoy luxurious accommodation right in the heart of the city and close to its various attractions and to Paddington station.

The museum is housed in and around Low Hall Pumping Station which was a sewage pumping station dating back to 1885 and its buildings are Grade II listed. Previously it operated as The Pump House Steam and Transport Museum Trust and is still being developed. It is open for public viewing only at certain times. Also on the site you can find other historic vehicles and a building known as ‘the Firestation’ that houses various fire-fighting equipment that include the Dennis fire engine that featured prominently in the London’s Burning TV series. You can also find a World War II era trailer pump and a rare 1896 vintage horse-drawn Merryweather hand-operated pump. It is quite possible that this museum will very soon become the only permanent exhibition dedicated to the fire service because the future of the London Fire Brigade Museum in Southwark is uncertain.

Visitors to London usually opt for staying at Piccadilly hotel London as they will be located in the midst of all the action that the city has to offer.

The work of establishing this museum fully is also towards working with the heritage Lottery Fund so that a permanent set of museum buildings can be set up which will be situated around the Pumphouse. The largest of the buildings will house a transport gallery meant to display the museum’s 1968 Victoria Line tube train that is at present a popular place for pop up dining experiences that are organised by the Basement Galley, along with a Routemaster bus and a full-size replica of the Roe aircraft which will hover above the space.

Smaller galleries will also be established that will display other aspects of the industrial past along with a large learning centre/meeting room. Significant transformations are being planned for the outside by giving the bare plot of land an early twentieth century streetscape that will have tram tracks and even a working tram. Along this street, the shop windows will also be cooperating by displaying some of the other artifacts of the museum that will include a ‘toy shop’ featuring many different products of the local toy manufacturer Wells Brimtoy, while a 1920s garage will house many of the other vehicles of the museum.

The Pumphouse Museum is open every Sunday for visitors but it is important to remember that the site is still very much a work in progress and as such you may not be able to find dedicated museum staff to guide you around the various displays. However, if you visit it on the last Sunday of the month you will be able to see the Marshall steam engine in operation or if you visit it on the first Tuesday evening of the month you can be a part of a get-together for enthusiasts.

If you do visit the Pumphouse Museum, you should watch out for a peculiar interloper that has come here from a defunct transport museum in Leicester. The clue to its identity is in ‘diese Art des Verkehrs ist 285 Meilen entfernt von ihrem ursprünglichen Zuhause’…, in case you understand German language.

Visiting London with kids: Keeping the cost down

Visiting London with your family means you're in for an extremely fun ride, as you'll not only discover landmarks and new places but you'll also get to see them through the eyes of your children too. Exploring with children often means that you will see things in a different light and probably appreciate much more too. However, the down side to this is that obviously the more people who travel, the more costly the trip will become, not only for travel but accommodation too. Family rooms are often more expensive than twin or double ones but can be far more spacious. If your children are of an age of maturity, it may be worth considering booking two twin or double rooms next to each other. This gives them a little bit of freedom, yet also allows you to keep a close eye on them. Of course, if you are travelling with babies or young children, then booking a family room will probably prove to be the best option in more ways than one. 

Travelling off-peak -why choose winter holidays?

There are ways of keeping the cost of booking a family room down though, which include  booking your accommodation through a last minute booking site, or shopping around in order to find the best rates and hotels with the best facilities for you and your little ones. Another big way to save when travelling is to travel during off-peak seasons as airfares, rail fares and hotels are often much cheaper than they would be during the height of summer. However, there are also many other reasons why to choose a winter holiday, such as tourist hotspots being less crowded or autumnal leaves making amazing photo backdrops in national parks. More so than that though, a little break in the midst of what would otherwise be a cold and bleak season can lift your spirits no end.

Where to stay

-Base 2 stay in Kensington

This is the ideal solution for a travelling family visiting London, as these apartments have a fully equipped kitchen and are  spacious enough to accommodate families. The fact that the rooms have all the necessary items to cook basic meals means that you can feed your family well, inexpensively and to your own schedule rather than being tied to eating meals at specified times. This is especially good news for those who have toddlers or babies, as they definitely eat to their own schedule and will often need feeding at inopportune times. This particular accommodation company also provide their guests with vouchers for nearby restaurants- great for treating the whole family for a fraction of the cost you would expect to spend in a London restaurant.

- Luna and Simone hotel

This family-run hotel near Piccadilly London goes all out to ensure that the families who stay there have a fantastic trip and leave wanting to come back soon. The friendly staff are customer focused and always ready to assist with any queries or requests. The hotel is also close to the Victoria line which makes it an ideal base from which to travel to the many London hotspots that draw in thousands of visitors each year. Whether you are looking to visit a Royal palace or garden to immerse yourself in British history or whether you are looking forward to a trip on the London eye to take in the spectacular city views, travelling to either is made easy by the Underground tube service. If you are planning to do quite a bit of exploring from place to place it is worth considering getting an Oyster card which can be used as an easy way to pay for fares across most forms of public London transport. This includes trams, rail, buses and the underground tube system too. It is also worth noting that children can travel for free when riding with an accompanying adult across these forms of transport, so perhaps sight seeing with the kids may be more affordable than you originally thought.

- Premier Inn County Hall

This is a conveniently positioned hotel for exploring London's hotspots, in fact, the neighbouring London eye experience is a must do for families wishing to see all of London from a bird's eye view. Once you've purchased your tickets (which are cheaper if booked in advance on-line) you'll be shown to a glass pod in which you stand whilst the ride is in motion. This is one attraction sure to delight every member of the family as you see London as you've never seen it before, in all of it's city-scape glory.

The Premier Inn County Hall is one of the best hotels near Piccadilly that is super family friendly, as it offers spacious family rooms to accommodate everyone and has a fantastic breakfast deal where up to two children can eat breakfast for free when dining with adults- so that's breakfast all sorted for half the price! 

If you're sometimes a little bit dubious about staying somewhere new in case the rooms aren't what you were expecting upon arrival, then opting to stay in a well trusted hotel chain such as the Premier Inn should offer added peace of mind. It is, after all, a well established brand whose main focus is customer comfort and satisfaction at a a price that's hard to beat.

In short, travelling to chic cities as a family can become quite costly very quickly when you take into account travel, accommodation, attraction tickets and eating out, but if you do your homework before you set off, there are clever little ways to make significant savings.

Top Travel Destinations for Ushering in New Year 2015

New Year’s Eve always brings mixed feelings of contrasting emotions which on the one hand look back on the successes and failures, the sorrows and happiness of the year that has gone by and on the other hand leads to bated anticipation and hopes of a better future in the forthcoming year. It is the time when we try to analyse our performance in the departing year and make resolutions for a happier and more successful new year. The best way to do so and to relax to give your tired nerves some rest is to just get away from your usual habitat and take a trip to some exotic place other than the usual holiday destinations. If you are staying in London executive rooms, you will find quite a change when you visit some of these out-of-the-ordinary destinations.

Helsinki


If you are interested in spending the New Year’s Eve at a quiet retreat in one of the most underrated getaways in Europe, the best option is to go to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. You will find it to be a quiet, cosy and an inexpensive place to stay. The city centre offers a great mix of art, culture and exotic night life and as such, most residents and visitors to the city hang out at this location on New Year’s Eve. The main historical centre, however, is Senate Square which is where the city’s countdown, fireworks display and live music take place and can be compared to what happens at any big party. However, since the winter is very severe during the December/January period, it is advisable to be properly dressed with enough warm clothes in order to be able to enjoy the celebrations. The city also organises Lux Helsinki on the first of January which is a free, open festival of lights so that residents remain cheerful during the cold and dark winter months up to the spring season. The buildings, streets and public spaces are lit up by a team of local and international artists who set up installations around the city for this purpose. Helsinki soon transforms into a surreal wonderland. Spending your New Year’s Eve at this city will be a great experience that you will not forget for a long time.

Zimbabwe

If you truly wish to go far from everyday life where you will not get any mobile phone signal and your only companions will be hippos and crocodiles, all that you need to do is to go to Lake Kariba on the Zimbabwe – Zambia border where you can have a fantastic family trip or a getaway for you and your friends staying in a house boat. You might also stay with your partner but it would work out to be very expensive if only two people are staying. There is a diverse range of options available for staying in a house boat and as such you can find one to suit your group, needs or budget. At this location, you will be staying in the lap of Mother Nature in the midst of an eerie silence, fish eagles calling out at sunset and the noise of water splashing against the bow. Your only source of entertainment will be a fishing rod and you will have a completely different type of wild party on New Year’s Eve.

Dubai

With Dubai gradually transforming itself into the retail capital of the world and with its luxurious offerings, it plays host to some of the most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties in the world. The main celebrations are in Downtown Dubai where a large crowd attends a dance and musical performance followed by some of the best fireworks displays in the world that illuminate the glittering skyline. There is a high demand for a table at the various rooftop bars and restaurants which get fully booked for the night, well in advance as people do not want to miss the incredible show that takes place at midnight. A massive New Year’s Eve party also takes place at the Meydan Grandstand featuring the topmost pop music artists.

Kiribati, Pacific Ocean

If you truly wish to get away from civilisation on New Year’s Eve, you should go to Kiribati which is a thinly populated Micronesian atoll that was almost destroyed during World War Two. The remote islands seem to be miles away from the modern world and people there might not even have heard of internet or sprawling shopping malls but it has its own specialities. Kiribati has unbelievably beautiful beaches and splashing blue waters all around it and it is not affected by any rush hour traffic. Although there are no luxury hotels, the people offer personalised services because of their friendliness and hospitality. Staying at this beautiful location on New Year’s Eve is in itself a fantastic experience even though there are no crazy parties. The most common tourists are divers who can see the sunken remains of battleships in the lagoons, where exciting sea life thrives. Although no modern facilities are available and even fruits and vegetables are in short supply, the people are friendly and the place is safe and captivating in more ways than one.

Newquay, England

If you are looking for a British seaside destination, Newquay is the place to go where you will be able to experience summertime fun on New Year’s Eve. The town’s bars and clubs are all agog with fantastic offerings and magical fireworks display on the beach as the clock signals midnight. You can find cheap and plenty of accommodation as December is the off-season.

Grab the Best of London Hotel Special Offers

There are very few places in the world where you can enjoy several centuries old historical attractions on one hand and an equally interesting and colourful city life on the other. There are so many shades of London which a traveller could explore. You could spend your entire trip just hopping the gigantic museums of the city or you could plan a theatre break in London, catching all the popular plays and musicals being held at the various iconic theatre venues of the city.

If you are a foodie, explore London’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes for an exceptional culinary experience. If you are a fashion enthusiast there’s a possibility you won’t feel like heading back home once you’ve seen what’s on offer at places like the Harrods Shopping Centre or at the Oxford Street. Besides a great collection of historical attractions, museums, theatres, parks and shopping venues, the city also has a fabulous collection of luxury boutique hotels. Some of the best 5 star hotels of London are regularly listed among the best hotel accommodations in the world as well.

Luxury Hotels in London

Central London is the hub of some of the best luxury hotels of the city. If you are looking for a 5 star hotel, explore areas like Mayfair, Park Lane, Kensington and Bayswater. Chelsea, Soho and Marble Arch too offer a great range of 4 star as well as 5 star hotels. You can also explore the boutique luxury hotels of the city where you can enjoy customized facilities and comforts.

Deals and Discounts

London hotel special offers and deal packages are popular in all parts of the world. All kinds of hotel accommodations offer deals and discounts in the city. In fact better a hotel better is the possibility to get a huge discount on your stay. Commonly found London hotel special offers and deals include packages like romantic stay packages, business offers and deals and family stay packages. There are many other variations as well like discounts for elderly people, shopping packages, theatre packages, etc. In order to grab these deals, all you need to do, is to make online reservations through concerned hotel’s official website.

The Tradition Enriched With Glory

London has many popular places where you can enjoy a lot and go to visit many places. Notting Hill is one of the best places in city which has the best glory and you can see the tradition here.

Notting Hill is a famous place among the tourists. If you want to enjoy the city and enjoy its beauty then you can stay in a good hotel in this area. There are many good hotels here and London Premier Notting Hill is one of them. If you stay here then that can be the best experience in your lifestyle. From here you can go to see all the important and well known places. The hotel has artistic ambience and a pleasant atmosphere makes the guests feel very good. All the rooms are furnished with all modern day amenities and one can enjoy unlimited internet, TV with satellite channels, rain shower bath, tea coffee maker and many more. You can also take the benefit of concierge Service. You can also take benefit of the additional services offered like laundry & dry cleaning Services.

The hotel also has very good restaurant and bar facility where you can try the authentic British delicacies with your favourite drink. The hotel can also be a good venue for the business tourists. Many business tourists like to arrange their business meeting here. The hotel has planned the conference rooms in such a way that many people can be accommodated at the same time and meeting can be concluded in the right manner. The new technology devices are the best assets and the expert event management team will make every possible effort to make it a success. So you may be a leisure traveller or a business traveller, you are going to get the best services here. If you have started planning your tour then start it with booking your hotel room at London Premier Notting Hill, one of the best five star hotels in London. If you want to know each and everything about the hotel then you can log on to the http://www.premierclubrewards.org