48-hours in London

Posted on 25 August 2010 with 4 comments from readers

Always a popular summer escape for Arabian residents, London is the best value it has been for a decade this year thanks to a 20 per cent devaluation of the pound, and the continued travel deals available due to the economic crisis.

The streets of Knightsbridge are full of fast cars with Arabian number plates as usual. Actually this makes economic sense for the owners if they are here on a long stay as shipping a car may be cheaper than renting something similar.

Love Never Dies

The pick of the shows this year has to be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to the Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies. Book in advance for the best seats but there will be no problem finding a seat as the performance last night was a third empty. If you liked the original Part II is not a disappointment.

Indeed, this is a great time for bargains for London travelers. All shows can be found at half-price. Go to lastminute.com for some great deals on restaurants.

Dine at The Ritz for under Dhs250, including a glass of champagne. Lesser but well known restaurants have two-course offers from Dhs50 per person. Partly this is the exchange rate, partly recession desperation.

ArabianMoney is a bit late for the shopping sales this season. But search around in London and there is always something unusual and unique to buy at reasonable prices. Again the exchange rate helps.

London is expensive but it also has a lot of free attractions. The parks. The museums. The art galleries. The architecture. That universal buzz in the streets. Sit in a pavement cafe and you have a theatrical performance from the passersby for almost nothing.

In fact in London you can enjoy the best the world has to offer at the highest prices or something rather special as a complementary service.

Complementary extras

You can of course combine the two. One thing to look out for this year are hotels that provide free extras like WiFi and drinks.

We are staying on the club level of the Grosvenor House in London’s Park Lane and that brings complementary drinks and snacks in the club lounge as well as tea and coffee making facilities in a generously proportioned suite.

London is always a great place in the summer as Arabian residents noted long ago, and cool weather is guaranteed although sunshine is more intermittent. But London is better value than ever this year.