The Luxury Travel Directory

The Olympic Park is a new sporting complex in Stratford, London. It will be the primary venue for the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and home to the village where many competitors will stay during the games.

Sporting Venues at Olympic Park

• Olympic Stadium
  The London Olympic Stadium is the centrepiece of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium is located at Marshgate Lane in Stratford and will be the focal point of the opening ceremony on the 27th July 2012.
• Aquatics Centre
• Hockey Centre
• Basketball Arena
• Handball Arena
• London Velopark

Olympic Park Address & Postcode

Olympic Park
Stratford
London
E20 2ST

The Olympic Village

The village can accommodate 17,320 athletes in 3,300 apartments.

Did you know?

The Olympic Village has the same postcode as Albert Square in the BBC TV programme EastEnders.

Somerset House is a large neo-classical building in London, situated between the Strand and the River Thames. Somerset House hosts open-air concerts, films, contemporary art and design exhibitions, family workshops and free guided tours. During the summer months 55 fountains dance in the courtyard, and in winter, ice skating is a popular attraction on the ice rink.

The central block of Somerset House dates from 1776–96, and was constructed by architect Sir William Chambers.

Somerset House Address and Postcode

Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7845 4600
Email: info@somersethouse.org.uk
Website: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/

Wembley Stadium (Wembley) is located in Wembley Park in London and is owned by The Football Association. Wembley hosts the home international matches of the England national football team and the main English domestic cup finals including the FA Cup Final. For this reason Wembley is primarily known as a football stadium.

The Stadium is also used for music concerts and other major sporting events. Wembley will host the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2012 Olympic Football finals.

With a 90,000 capacity it is one of the largest stadiums in Europe and one of the largest (and tallest) in the world with every seat under cover.

The previous Wembley Stadium (originally known as the British Empire Exhibition Stadium or Empire Stadium) was one of the world’s most famous football stadiums was often referred to as “The Home of Football”. It hosted the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) final a record five times, and held the 1966 World Cup final. The new stadium was finally completed on the 9th of March 2007.

Functions and Weddings at Wembley

There are several function rooms available for hire for conferences, special events and weddings at Wembley including the Bobby Moore Room.

Wembley Stadium Location and Address:

Wembley National Stadium Ltd
Wembley
London
HA9 0WS

Tel: 0844 980 8001
Fax: 020 8795 5050

Wembley Stadium 2010 Fixtures

Banqueting House is the last remaining section of the Whitehall Palace which was destroyed by fire in 1698. The building is widely acknowledged as the first classical building to be completed in the Palladio style and helped transform English architecture. Designed by Inigo Jones, building works began in 1619 and were completed 3 years later, at a cost of £15,618. The building was commissioned by James I, after fire had destroyed his original Banqueting House at Whitehall, which had only built ten years earlier. Ironically the building would be used to provide entertainment for, and later used as the place of execution of his son and heir, Charles I in January 1649.

One notable highlight of the building is the ceiling artwork. The ceiling canvasses of the Banqueting House were painted by Flemish artist Sir Peter Paul Rubens and members of his studio in Antwerp, before being shipped to London and installed March 1636.

It was used as a chapel until 1890. From 1896 until 1962 the Banquteing House was occupied by the Royal United Services Institute and used as a museum.

Today, Banqueting House is a national monument and a Grade I listed building now managed by Historic Royal Palaces. Banqueting House is open Monday to Saturday for sightseeing visits and is also available for private hire for all types of functions including conferences, dinners, concerts or as a wedding reception venue.

Banqueting House Address:
The Banqueting House
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2ER
England
Tel: 0844 482 7777 (from UK)
Tel: +44 (0)20 3166 6000 (from outside the UK)
Banqueting House

Banqueting House Resources

• Westminster Wedding Cars
• London Chauffeur Sightseeing Tours

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea was founded by King Charles II, who authorised the building of the hospital in 1681, especially for old or injured soldiers. Over 3 centuries later the Royal Hospital is a retirement home and nursing home for British soldiers who are unfit for further duty due to injury or old age, and often known as “Chelsea Pensioners”.

Since 1913, the Royal Hospital has been home to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Events at the Royal Hospital

Along with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show the hospital hosts special events including weddings at the The Conservatory at Chelsea, a luxury marquee erected in the grounds of the hospital, which makes a breathtaking wedding venue.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
Chelsea
London
SW3 4SR
Tel: 020 7881 5200
Official Website

The Absolut Icebar London is London and the UK’s first permanent ice bar. Everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and is kept super chilled at minus 5 degrees all year round. The walls, bar, tables, and even your own personal glass is made out of the purest ice. Absolut Icebar London is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit.

Every six months the Icebar is resculptured and the latest design will be unveiled on Wednesday 4th March 2009.

Opening Hours

Mon – Weds 3:30 pm – 11:00 pm,
Thurs 3.30pm – 11.45pm,
Fri 3.30pm – 12.30am,
Sat 12:30 pm – 12:30 am,
Sun 3.30pm – 10.15pm

Address

31-33 Heddon Street
London
W1B 4BN

Tel: 020 7478 8910

Official Site

Nestling in the media stomping ground of north Soho, London is the Charlotte Street Hotel. A charmingly cool hotel that interestingly boasts a 67 seat, THX approved screening room.

With interiors by Kit Kemp and 52 individual bedrooms and suites. This luxury hotel is as arty and stylish as it is extremely comfortable. Featuring the bright and bold Oscar restaurant and bar, a fully appointed gym and private event rooms, this hotel is a very flexible and interesting residence in the centre of London’s media industry.

Charlotte Street Hotel
15-17 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 1RJ
Tel: +44 20 7806 2000
Fax: +44 20 7806 2002

Official Site

The Connaught is a five star luxury hotel situated between Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square in exclusive Mayfair, London.

Originally named The Coburg, but renamed The Connaught in 1917 after Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught. Later, in 1935 the hotel was ran almost like an English private house, under the management of Rudolph Richard offering the ultimate in comfort and service.

The hotel was acquired by the Savoy Group in 1956. In March 2007 the hotel was closed for major redevelopment work and reopened in December. With further redevelopment to be finished in 2008.

Astonishingly since 1897, there have only been six general managers of The Connaught, and this has helped this fine establishment remain one of the most special places to stay while in London.

The hotel is available for weddings and other special events.

The Connaught,
Carlos Place
Mayfair
London. W1K 2AL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 7070

Official Site

The former site of a royal residence, the InterContinental Park Lane, offers an excellent position ‘twixt Mayfair and Knightsbridge and commands views of another royal residence, Buckingham Palace.

Neo-classical and contemporary designs fuse to create a comfortable and stylish location from which to see the best of London.

Featuring "simple rustic dishes" from acclaimed chef Theo Randall, the restaurant of the same name won the "Italian Restaurant of the Year" in the 2008 London Restaurant Awards.

The InterContinental is available for events including wedding functions.

1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane
London
W1J 7QY

Tel: +44-20-74093131
Fax: +44-20-74933476

Official Site

Kensington Roof Gardens is an urban oasis in the heart of London. One and a half acres of themed gardens over 100 feet in the air offering spectacular views of the West London’s skyline.

Owned by Sir Richard Branson the Roof Gardens has a restaurant and night club and is available to hire for private and business functions as well as weddings. The Grade II listed gardens surround a two storey clubhouse which hosts the private events and the private members club which caters for up to 600 guests on Friday and Saturday nights.

The gardens were designed and built by Ralph Hancock between 1936 and 1938 and are divided into three themed gardens:

• The Spanish garden, in the Moorish style and based upon the Alhambra in Spain, featuring fountains, vine-covered walkways and palms
• The Tudor garden, with archways, secret corners and hanging wisteria
• The English woodland garden, with over 100 species of trees, a stream, and a pond which is home to pintail ducks and two Chilean pink flamingos.

The Roof Gardens are listed as no.21 in the top 50 wedding venues by the Independent.

The Roof Gardens are accessible from Derry Street, through a doorway marked “99 Kensington High Street”.

The Roof Gardens
99 Kensington High Street (Entrance on Derry Street)
London
W8 5SA

Telephone: 020 7937 7994
Website