A BIT of luxury is always a bonus when spending a weekend sightseeing in the capital.
The Radisson Edwardian hotel group has lowered room rates and teamed up with some of the London's leading tourist attractions enabling visitors to see the sights at an affordable price.
The Let Loose in London package is free to all guests who stay at one of the 11 Radisson Edwardian hotels on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night.
Let Loose offers guests discounts or special offers at many tourist attractions including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Royal Academy of Arts, Somerset House, the London Eye, London Pass (even more discounts on travel and dining) and Vinopolis.
We stayed at the Mountbatten hotel in the heart of Seven Dials, Covent Garden, which provided a luxurious, modern and central base for sightseeing.
The hotel's restaurant The Dial is situated at the apex which makes it the perfect place for watching the world go by over a leisurely lunch. In the evening low lighting creates a peaceful atmosphere to enjoy the British-influenced cuisine on offer (I recommend the Scottish rib of beef with crushed black peppercorns followed by the triple chocolate brownie!).
Set aside a day to take in Somerset House - a must-see for culture-vultures. On the banks of the River Thames, this magnificent 18th century building is home to three internationally-renowned collections - The Gilbert Collection, The Courtauld Institute of Art and the Hermitage Rooms.
The Gilbert Collection contains 800 artefacts, donated in 1996 by London-born Sir Arthur Gilbert, and is split into three fields - the gold and silver, mosaic and gold snuffboxes. The Courtauld Institute of Art houses superb collections of medieval, Renaissance and Impressionist works and provides a fantastic guide to the history and influences of art through the centuries.
The Hermitage Rooms contain five galleries of loan exhibitions from the Russian State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Until October, the Hermitage is hosting the Heaven on Earth: Art from Islamic Lands depicting the role which Islam and Islamic culture has played in Russian history. On display are 133 exhibits including textiles, pottery and paintings ranging from the 8th to 19th century.
It took seven years to build the London Eye which has changed the capital's skyline. Its 32 capsules (which hold up to 25 people each) provide a fantastic unobstructed view taking in Buckingham Palace, Downing Street and the Royal Albert Hall. The wheel takes around 30 minutes to revolve, reaching 135 metres (443ft) at the top. Radisson Edwardian guests can receive 10% off a champagne trip.
Vinopolis the city of wine offers an interactive tour of the world's leading and developing wine regions.
Learn how to taste wine, then sample from some 100 wines plus enjoy a Bombay Sapphire cocktail.
Radisson Edwardian offers guests a two-for-one deal on entrance.
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