London – the capital of England is a major global city and, together with New York City, one of the largest financial centers in the world. The main financial and commercial district and most of the main places in London are located in the City of London, which is considered one of the busiest places in the country. This area is home to the headquarters of more than half of the UK’s major publicly traded companies, as well as some 100 of Europe’s leading companies. The City of London’s influence on politics, finance, education, entertainment, media, fashion and arts and culture contributes to its global standing. It is the center of major business activities in the UK and some of Europe and therefore the city is a major destination for all commercial matters.
Since the city of London is a major center for international relations and is said to be one of the three “command centers” of the world economy, along with New York City and Tokyo, the city attracts a large number of business customers. The majority of visitors to central London will come from the corporate sector, as this area is the heart of many of London’s top venues, both for business and leisure. Since a business trip is not meant to be “all business,” there should always be some time to relax and unwind and experience the host city’s culture, architecture, and people.
Hotel Accommodation for the Corporate Sector:
If your trip to the city of London is to attend a pre-arranged international conference or seminar, your accommodation will most likely already be booked. However, if the choice has been left to you, here are some of the popular hotels that offer excellent facilities for the business sector and are considered to be the best places in London:
o Four Seasons London: a classic-style luxury hotel with 220 rooms and 26 suites. It has 6 large banquet, ball and meeting rooms for 60-500 people, with a 24-hour business center.
o The Connaught: Another classic luxury-style property with 81 rooms and 42 suites. The property also has several banquet and meeting facilities, as well as a business center.
o The Berkeley: A property dedicated to the art of elegant living. It has meeting facilities that can hold 400 theater-style seats and a business center.
o St. James’ Hotel & Club: Located in Park Place with more than 50 rooms. The property has 4 meeting rooms that can hold a maximum of 80 people.
o Durley House: Located on Sloane Street and has meeting facilities for around 50 people.
Some of the main venues in London that are only available for meetings and conferences are:
o Prince of Wales Theatre: has a capacity of 2 to 1114
o Savoy Palace – Can hold a capacity of 2-462
o Pewters’ Hall: has a capacity of 1 to 150
o Euston House, London: a smaller property that can accommodate around 70 participants
o Wellcome Collection Conference Centre: also in Euston and with capacity for between 2 and 200 participants
Attractions and Leisure Activities:
London’s places for leisure, relaxation, sightseeing, nightlife and attractions are so numerous that you better make a plan to make the most of the time you have available. Below are some of the main attractions and entertainment venues in the City of London:
o Buckingham Palace: The official residence of the Queen, a must for all visitors. Open for visits only during the summer months.
o Trafalgar Square: Home of Nelson’s Column and the lions. It is overlooked by the National Gallery.
o The London Eye: the third largest observation wheel in the world. It is situated on the south bank of the Thames and offers magnificent views of London.
oTower Bridge: The iconic 19th century bridge located next to the Tower of London, close to the city. It has a drawbridge.
o The Tower of London: It is an original royal fortress next to the Thames and considered a World Heritage Site.
If you’re short on time, the city offers a variety of tours to many of London’s landmarks. You can choose between Open Top Bus Tours, London Duck Tours or New London Tours. This will help you make the most of your time with the minimum amount remaining.
London offers an exciting and busy lifestyle. There is so much you can accomplish during your stay. A pre-planned itinerary will be a perfect idea, so you can have a good and balanced business and pleasure trip.