The Refresh Accommodation Blog

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

2009-01-20T16:31:00.006Z

St Valentine’s Day, February 14th, is an opportunity to show loved ones how much you care for them, be it in the form of a bunch of red roses, breakfast in bed, a candlelit dinner or any number of romantic gestures that spring to mind. We have trawled the hidden depths of our imagination, and the worldwide web, to present some suggestions of how to spend this Valentine’s Day in London doting over that special someone…

Lover’s Leap Bungee Jump

Set your partners heart racing this Valentines with a tandem bungee jump from 165 feet! It is the perfect gift packed with excitement that you will both benefit from, and to celebrate, you will be greeted at the end with a half bottle of champagne to share. The Lover’s Leap Valentines bungee jump is a popular Valentines Day gift experience applicable to a range of bungee sites around the UK, including a jump site located near London Bridge, and costs just £97.00.

Wine Tasting at Vinopolis London

What can be more romantic than a wine tasting experience with your partner? At Vinopolis (located near London Bridge) enter the World of Wine tour where you can expect to discover wine cultures from around the world and the origins of the art of winemaking at your own pace. Accompanied by an audio guide (featuring Oz Clarke) and a Vinopolis wine tasting notebook, you will have the opportunity to taste five of the specialist wines as well as a Bombay Sapphire cocktail.
The Vinopolis wine tasting experience costs £33 for two and is suitable for couples of all ages, but participants for wine tasting must be aged 18 or over.

Chocolate Making Classes

Instead of buying your loved one a box of chocolates, why not take them on a course to make your very own Belgian chocolates?! Chocolate making courses, held in Bournemouth and London, are tremendous value, highly professional and educational, and at the end of the two and a half hour course you will take home your batch of 40 – 50 fine Belgian chocolates, all wrapped, designed and made by you.

London Eye Champagne Flight

This is the perfect Valentines treat to romance and impress a loved one! The great value London Eye Champagne flight is ideal for couples as well as small groups, and includes fast track entrance, priority boarding, a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne per person and a souvenir guidebook (but does not include your own capsule). Booking early is essential to avoid disappointment and the special price of £34 is applicable to London Eye Champagne Flights before 6pm. A non-alcoholic alternative to Champagne is also available on the London Eye Champagne flight and children are given an in flight kids pack containing a mini guide and Eye spy binoculars.

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Refresh Accommodation has properties throughout Central London that are perfect for a romantic weekend break, including Dolphin House, Plaza on the River and Grand Plaza. Contact us for more information and to make a booking!

Recession Proof Activities in London

2009-01-15T14:19:00.004Z

With 2009 shaping up to being a difficult year financially with a recession looming over us and with London being one of the most expensive cities in Europe you would expect the majority of people would be scared to leave their homes in an attempt to save money.

However in London there are many cultural and exciting attractions that are very cheap and even better completely free! If you are looking for a London attraction on your own, with friends, or family there is literally hundreds of places to go that won’t cost you a penny.

You may be thinking that the places that offer these amazing deals would only offer them at certain times, or would restrict entry numbers, or you would have to book well in advance to even get a chance of getting in. This would be an incorrect assumption also, there is no catch, and for once this sounds too good to be true but it is true.

Free Art Galleries

Tate Modern

Located along the banks of the river Thames, Tate Modern is focused around art that was made from 1900 to the current day. Opened in 2000 Tate Modern has had literally millions of visitors through its stunning entrance and vast space with ST Pauls Cathedral a stones throw away. With three levels of galleries, a glass roof, great views of London, and eccentric contemporary art from Dali to Picasso Tate Modern has something for everyone, one of the most popular Art galleries in Europe and completely FREE!

Address: Bankside Power Station, 25 Sumner Street, SE1 9TG
Opening: Sun to Thu 10am-6pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm
Nearest Station: Blackfriars Tube

Free Entertainment

Covent Garden Market and Piazza

Covent Garden market is a hub of free displays, attractions and entertainment all year round. With its unique cobbled streets, open space and atmosphere Covent Garden has a special feeling to it. Featuring street theatre, music performances, and art are available to enjoy on a regular basis. In addition to miming, juggling, magic and dance on display you will be overwhelmed by the live entertainment on show. Completely open to the public all year round, and completely FREE!

Address: 41 The Market, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8BE
Opening: Mon to Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm
Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube

Free Museums

Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War museum was founded in 1917 and contains a fascinating display of 20th conflict including vehicles and many weapons of war, however also studies the social impact and effects of war. A real in depth representation of all aspects of conflict including weapons such as the V2 rocket, Polaris missile, and an insight to what life was like in the trenches from the battle of the Somme.

The sights, sounds and smells have been recreated to bring all the past conflicts to life and takes you back to some of the most brutal conflict times in history. In addition to thousands of paintings, films, and posters, the imperial war museum is a gripping and fascinating adventure into the reality of war at no cost at all!

Address: Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Opening: Daily 10am-6pm
Nearest Station: Elephant & Castle Tube

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Check out Refresh Accommodation promotions for some amazing offers on central London apartments!

Cirque Du Soleil in London

2009-01-13T17:46:00.006Z

One of the most spectacular and renowned theatrical shows in the world is performing in London over the next month, the Cirque du Soleil is known worldwide for their energetic stage productions and acrobatic performances. The Cirque du Soleil (French for ‘Circus of the Sun’) was founded in Quebec in 1984, starting with 20 performers and has been performing and growing ever since, now employing 3,500 people from over 40 countries. To date the Cirque Du Soleil has performed to 1.5 million people in the UK alone and over 70 million people worldwide.

The show currently touring Europe is the ‘Quidam’, meaning ‘a nameless passerby’. The show first premiered in 1996 and is based around the dreams and imagination of a young girl named Zoe, and draws heavily from surrealist art. All Cirque Du Soleil shows are known for their stunning sets and interesting storylines, shows often include flying dancers and vibrant costumes. The Quidam is also known for its critically acclaimed and atmospheric music soundtrack from the Canadian composer Benoit Jutras, often utilising exotic instruments such as the Chinese Violin ‘Erhu’.

Thousands of people are set to see the show at the Royal Albert Hall, which is running from January 8th to the 1st of February and tickets are available from £16.00 to £69.50 and shows start at both 3:00pm and 7:45pm.

If the Cirque Du Soleil doesn’t seem like your sort of thing then from the 2nd of January the stage production of Thriller will be performing at the Lyric Theatre in the west end, utilising songs from Michael Jackson as well as the Jackson 5, the Thriller musical is sure to be a hit with most people. Tickets range from £13.50 to £40.00 and the shows runs until April 12th, so there is plenty of time to tap along to ‘Billy Jean’, ‘Beat it’ and the Jackson 5 favourite ‘I want you back’.

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Refresh Accommodation offers apartments in nearby Kensington, and the West End, as well as throughout Central London. Contact us for more information and to make an enquiry!

Oh no it isn't, oh yes it is...it's pantomime season in London!

2008-12-17T12:19:00.010Z

If you are still trying to get into the spirit of Christmas then the traditional British pantomime is always a fun way for the entire family to get some of that festive cheer. There is a whole host of traditional pantomimes running over the Christmas period including some classic children’s stories, and one that is always well received is ‘The Snowman’. Adapted from the 1978 book by Raymond Briggs, it has turned into a timeless Christmas story well loved by children and adults alike. The stage show was first produced in 1993 but since 1997 the show has been traditionally shown at the Peacock Theatre in the West End. Just as in the 1982 cartoon the play depicts the story using action and music only, without dialogue, and look out for new characters including the Ice Princess and Jack Frost. The Snowman will be showing from the 3rd of December to the 11th of January so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch this time honoured Christmas story.

Also this Christmas look out for Jack and the Beanstalk in the Greenwich Theatre. From its first popularisation as a story in 1890 by Joseph Jacobs and to its transformation into a play by Charles Ludlam, the story has remained a favourite with Children. The play is running from the 2nd of December to the 4th of January and has been very popular over the last few years, so try to book early to avoid disappointment. Another special show in London this Christmas will be the Cinderella production at the Shaw Theatre on Euston Road, children are particularly enthralled with the story of Cinderella and her wicked stepmother. It is one of the longest serving pantomimes over the Christmas period and has been running since 1904, when it debuted at the Drury Lane Theatre. This seems to be one of the most highly anticipated years yet with the iconic bond girl of the 70’s Britt Ekland taking over the duties as the fairy godmother. You can catch this production from the 9th of December to the 3rd of January.

If you are looking for a little bit of harmless fun this Christmas then for just one day on Thursday the 18th, the piazza in Covent Garden will be turned into a giant snowball fight. And if you are a fan of reality TV, or maybe not, then just to start the snowball throwing are some of the celebrities from ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’ including Timmy Mallet, so it should be a great opportunity to join in with the festive cheer this Christmas.

RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments throughout Central London including Mayfair Apartments. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

London New Year Fireworks Display

2008-12-08T17:49:00.009Z

Celebrate going into 2009 with a unique and dazzling fireworks show in the capital city of London.

The traditional event will be broadcast live on BBC 1, and Radio 1 will be providing the musical entertainment for all the Londoners heading into the city to watch the fireworks live and to celebrate the New Year along with millions of others meeting 2009 with a bang.

The fireworks will be launched from the London Eye and barges in the Thames against a stunning backdrop - spectators are advised not too leave it too late as premium viewing areas will be busy and you may find yourself being turned away due to the shear number of spectators.

Also do not head straight for the London Eye as the immediate area will be cordoned off as a fall out zone, and road closures to the area may start as early as 7pm on the night. The best views for the display are the Victoria Embankment, north of the Thames, and the bridges. Waterloo, Westminster, Jubilee footbridge and the millennium bridge all have ample views of the Eye.

There are dedicated disabled viewing areas which can be found on the Albert Embankment adjacent to the Houses of Parliament and on the Thames Path towards the back of St Thomas Hospital.

In terms of travel networks there will be all night travel on Tube, DLR, Tram link and national rail services in the greater London area. 24hr major bus routes will run as normal on the evening, however there will be fewer buses leaving central London from 7pm to 3am on New Years Day due to the road closures.

Disabled Viewing Details
www.london.gov.uk/newyearseve/faq.jsp#faq11

Travel Information
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including Apartments in Victoria and South Bank. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

Festive Christmas Events this Winter

2008-12-08T11:46:00.009Z

If you are looking to get involved in the spirit of Christmas this winter then there are various activities across London to get you in that Christmas mood, from singing carols at the Royal Albert Hall to enjoying the Christmas cheer and tree at Trafalgar Square.

Christmas Carols in the Capital

The Royal Albert Hall will be hosting a great variety carol performance leading up to Christmas day, starting on the 14th with the London Concert Orchestra and a Christmas carol sing along. With many seasonal favourites due to be played such as ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and with audience participation as standard, it looks like it will be a great way of enjoying a Christmas carol this festive season. On the 18th the famous Kings College Choir will take to the Royal Albert Hall’s stage and will perform a repertoire of festive songs as well as Hayden’s ‘The Creation’ and all supported by the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Tickets cost from £11.50 so book soon to avoid disappointment. Also at the Royal Albert Hall on the 21st is the Carols by candlelight, Steven Devine is leading the Mozart Festival Orchestra as they perform seasonal classics from composers from Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. With the added readings from Charles Dickens and the Bible, this should be a splendid occasion to get your family into the festive mood. Tickets range from £11 to £41.50 ranging from the 21st to the 24th.

There are a whole host of colourful festive concerts on in London this month, including Carols at Canary Wharf on the 16th, and tuck into mulled wine and mince pies at the East Wintergarden while listening to traditional songs. Also the Dulwich Choral Society will be performing a number of carols on the 22nd at St Stevens Church but if Southwark Cathedral sounds more like your kind of thing, there will be a whole host of concerts available throughout December.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Events

One of the most famous Christmas Carol concerts in the world takes place in Trafalgar Square every winter, it will play host to a variety of concerts throughout December, including an atmospheric candle lit concert from The St Martin in the Fields choir on the 11th. As well as he regular concerts, visitors can marvel at the renowned Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree. Every year for over 60 years, the people of Oslo donate the 25 metre tree to the City of London as a thank you for the assistance Britain gave during World War II. The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree will be lit on the 4th of December during the annual ceremony, traditionally attended by the Lord Mayor of London.

If you want something a little more exciting to do with your family and something that children will enjoy, why not try the ghost tours at Hampton Court. Ghost tours will run until March and will give you an exclusive insight into the historic building and the ghostly apparitions that haunt the rooms.

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including West End Serviced Apartments. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

Christmas in London

2008-11-25T10:02:00.007Z

We’ve teased you with a few Christmas events in our previous posts on the Winter Wonderland and ice skating at The Natural History Museum, and he’s just a few more offerings to whet the appetite in the lead up to the festive period, as well as a reminder about some of the excellent value accommodation we have on offer!

Shopping
All your favourite stores throughout London’s shopping district will of course be promoting late night openings again this Christmas. But to help you complete that long of list of presents even more, Shop West End VIP Day (Very Important Pedestrians) is back, this time for a whole weekend of fantastic shopping and entertainment!! The West End will again be traffic-free on Saturday 6 December when Oxford Street and Regent Street will be entirely dedicated to pedestrians. Expect high-level entertainment with VIP treats, live music and celebrity appearances

Santa’s Grotto!
And once you’ve finished buying all those Christmas surprises for the kids, there is just one more treat…take them to meet Father Christmas! Starting from around early December, Santa will be popping into the prestigious Harrods located in Knightsbridge and Selfridges located on Oxford Street. Santa will also be making an appearance at the brand new Westfield shopping centre in White City, where he will be joined by the Wishfinder Fairy in London’s first fully 3D Interactive Christmas Grotto.

Book you accommodation with Refresh!!
If you’re spending all your hard earned cash on Christmas presents and treats for all the family, the last thing you want is to fork out a fortune on a hotel in the Capital. That’s exactly why many of our properties are offering fantastic winter promotions and last minute nightly availability! Refresh has the best value apartments located in the heart of London, within walking distance of Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Harrods and the brand new Westfield Shopping centre. Have a look at the following properties, and contact us for more information or to make an enquiry!!

Astons Apartments in South Kensington;
Craven Hill Apartments in Bayswater;
Hyde Park Studios near Hyde Park;
Queensway Apartments near Hyde Park;
Bayswater Apartments in Bayswater;
30 Inverness Terrace in Bayswater;
34 Inverness Terrace in Bayswater;
London Plaza in Bayswater;
9 Talbot Square near Paddington

The Christmas Lights
Christmas in London wouldn’t be the same without the dazzling festive lights and decorations guiding you around the shops of Regent Street, Oxford Street and the West End on a chilly December evening! The Sugarbabes were the lucky ones to hit the switch and light up Oxford Street already this year, but don’t forget to see the 62nd Norwegian Christmas tree unveiling in Trafalgar square on the 4th December! Pop down and make the most of a great free event! Nearest Tube stations – Oxford / Piccadilly Circus tube and Charing Cross tube station.

Ice Skating
We may not have the snow but we certainly have ice on the streets. There are several locations which offer ice rinks within the grounds of some of the most scenic backdrops London has to offer. As well as Hyde Park and The Natural History Museum, check out some of the following locations (and others listed on the “Promotions” feature on our website):

Somerset House Ice skating – situated on the strand (nearest underground is Embankment tube);
Tower of London Ice skating - Situated at Tower Hill (nearest underground is Tower Hill);
Alexandra Palace Ice Skating - Situated in Wood Green (nearest underground is Wood Green);
Kew Gardens Ice skating Situated in Richmond (nearest train station is Richmond);
Hampton Court Palace ice rink - Situated in East Molesey (nearest train station is Hampton Court)

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

2008-11-20T17:31:00.005Z

To get you into the Christmas mood, from 22 November 2008 to 04 January 2009 a section of Hyde Park is transformed into 'Winter Wonderland'. There is plenty of festive fun on offer for all the family, with the main attractions being London’s biggest out door ice rink and a 50 meters high Big Wheel. Whether you’re an experienced skater or a complete beginner, the Winter Wonderland open-air ice rink is London’s essential winter experience, giving a cool 44 days of skating. The ‘Winter Wonderland Wheel’ offers guests a full 360° panoramic view of London from 200 feet above Hyde Park. Up to six people will be able to fit into each of the wheel's heated 40 pods for the approximately 13 minutes ride. You could hire a Private Pod or even book the VIP Pod with its luxurious leather seats, screens, tinted windows and glass floor - champagne is an optional extra!!

Other attractions around the park include a traditional German Market with authentic arts, crafts, presents and foods from a range of genuine traders as well as fair ground rides. After a glass of mulled wine, take the kids to visit Santa and his elves at the Hyde Park bandstand. Also at the bandstand, will be regular carol concerts, entertaining you and adding to the festive scene into the night.

The site is free to enter with tokens for all rides and attractions available for purchase on the day. Advance booking for the ice rink is strongly recommended throughout the season. Tickets for skating are available from £10 (off-peak times) for adults, whilst the Winter Wonderland Wheel costs £7. For full pricing details and to purchase tickets, click here.

Winter Wonderland is open from 10:00-22:00 from 22 November 2008 to 04 January 2009 – including 24, 26 & 31 December & New Year's Day (Closed Christmas Day)

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To coincide with your visit to Hyde Park, Refresh Accommodation is able to offer amazing last minute availability and reduced rates at the Hyde Park Suites properties in Bayswater. Located only a couple of minutes walk from the park, Bayswater Apartments, Queensway Apartments, Hyde Park Studios, London Plaza, 30 & 34 Inverness Terrace, Craven Hill and 9 Talbot Square offer unrivalled value for money in Central London accommodation. Studios are available from just £70 per night, with no minimum booking requirement!

Give us a call on 08456 800 080 or contact us for more information and to make an enquiry.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

2008-11-13T14:04:00.005Z

The Natural History Museum is preparing for a cold winter in the best way possible by hosting a 900 square metre ice rink!

The main ice rink is situated in the museum gardens, also for children a 100 metre junior rink that is connected to the main ice rink via a bridge. If you are not the most confident skater then ice marshals are available on site to help on and off the ice. If ice skating is not really your idea of fun then why not just go to the viewing platform overlooking the ice where you can enjoy hot refreshments at the cafe bar soaking up the atmosphere in the warmth.

Skaters are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the session to pick up your skates, skates are provided in the ticket cost and wrist protectors are available on request. If you are a bit of a professional and have your own skates then using them is equally encouraged. The ice rink can operate in nearly all weather conditions so it is unlikely that any nasty weather will force the rink to close and if so alternative sessions will be provided. Skaters are however advised to bring suitable outdoor clothing as it can get cold and wet on the ice.

The ice rink is open from the 6th of November to the 18th of January from 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 8.45am to 10pm on weekends, sessions last 1 hour and begin at the following times: 8.45(weekends), 10.00, 11.00, 12.15, 13.30, 14.45, 16.00, 17.15, 18.30, 19.45, 21.00.

To book tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Natural-History-Museum-Ice-Rink-tickets/artist/945070?CAMEFROM=CFC_UK_EV0404_WEBLINK

Contact Details:
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5000

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including within walking distance of the museum in Kensington. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

London Jazz Festival

2008-11-10T16:35:00.006Z

The London Jazz festival has turned into one of the premier musical celebrations in London and this year is no exception, with appearances from some of the most important musicians of the genre including Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin and Chick Corea, it will be one of London’s biggest musical events. The festival starts on the 14th of November with a Radio 3 live launch show at Ronnie Scot’s previewing the upcoming festival. One of the standout highlights from the first day is a young Jazz musician called Michael Mwenso, who has worked with musical luminaries such as James Brown and Jamie Cullum already in his career. He will be performing twice on the 14th, first at 12pm at the Royal Albert Hall and then again at 6pm at the Barbican. Another standout concert on the first day is a performance from Femi Kuti, the son of the legendary afro beat pioneer Fela Kuti, who is performing on the 14th at the Southbank Centre at 7:30pm, tickets will cost around £20 to £25. On the 15th Herbie Hancock makes the first of two appearances at this year’s festival at the Southbank Centre, with the other performance taking place at the Barbican on the 19th. From his roots in the early 1960’s with Miles Davis and Blue Note records to his bending of genres to create the highly acclaimed ‘The Headhunters’ self titled album in 1973, Herbie Hancock remains one of the most respected Jazz musicians of his era. Tickets for these concerts range from £10 to £40 but move quickly as these tickets will surely be in very high demand. Another highly acclaimed concert during the festival is on the 23rd at 7:30pm which sees both Chick Corea and John McLaughlin take to the stage at the Southbank Centre Royal Festival Hall. It is the first time these two highly respected musicians have performed together since the 1960’s and promises to be one of the most explosive performances of the festival. Both of these musicians like Herbie Hancock were essential elements of Miles Davis’ band in the 1960’s and were instrumental in shaping the sound on the genre defining albums ‘In a Silent Way’ and ‘Bitches Brew’ which brought free Jazz improvisation and electronic rock music together. Other highlights of the festival include the haunting voice of Melody Gardot at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the 15th, the Latin infused Courtney Pine will be performing at the Barbican on the 20th and one of the finest vocalists of our time, the South African Jazz singer Sibongile Khumalo will be performing on the 21st.

There is also a great chance for young people to get involved during the festival with various learning and participation activities across the capital including a Jazz picnic and a Jazz disco for kids on the 22nd. There are various vocal and sing along workshops which give children the opportunity to interact with Jazz musicians and perform their own original pieces and also a collection of public engagement programmes are planned enabling people to broaden and deepen their understanding of Jazz music. With the vast majority of the 10 day Jazz festival offering free performances and workshops, the London Jazz Festival has established itself as one of the major international Jazz events of the year.

The festival is running from the 14th of November to the 23rd and includes venues such as the Roundhouse, Barbican, Southbank Centre Royal Festival and Queen Elizabeth halls and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Visit the official site for a full list of concerts, venues and learning and participation courses.

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including Apartments in Kensington Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

Explore Your Senses

2008-10-24T17:54:00.004+01:00

Dans Le Noir offers a completely original and unique dining experience by inviting guests to dine in complete darkness! Without the use of sight, other senses are heightened and so diners are able to re-evaluate the tastes and smells presented by the cuisine on offer. Therefore guests are encouraged to enjoy the true taste of the food!

Diners are welcomed to the bar and lounge areas, which are lit, where they can enjoy a nice cocktail and order their meal, although the chef’s surprise 2 or 3 course meals are recommended! You are then lead into total darkness by one of the waiters, who are all blind. This represents a real switch in trust between the guest and their blind guide, who become your eyes for the duration of the experience. The absence of vision removes all preconceptions that sight creates, both of the food presented in front of you and the acquaintances across the table, allowing you to talk more freely and spontaneously. These conditions all helps to create an exciting social and gastronomic experience.

As this concept is hugely popular, booking is strongly advised at least 5 days before your visit (one or two weeks in advance for Friday and Saturday).

Restaurant details:

30-31 Clerkenwell Green
London
EC1R 0DU
Tel: 0207 253 1100

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments within walking distance of the restaurant in Clerkenwell, and throughout Central London. Contact us via our website, or call 08456 800 080 for more information.

Newsletter Competition - Luxury Weekend Break!

2008-10-22T14:32:00.018+01:00

This fantastic competition is being offered to coincide with the Launch of our 1st Refresh Newsletter!!

It's open to Blog readers, past & present guests and to new enquirers! With such a great competition the interest will be fierce but what would you expect when £800 worth of prizes, including a weekend break at a Luxury apartment in London, is on offer!

Now this is the easy part...All we require is an answer to our question:

Where does the British monarch reside in London?!
A) The Houses of Parliament; B) Buckingham Palace; C) Wembley?

The closing date for entries is the 30th December 2008 and the winner will be decided on the 31^st December 2008 and announced in our first Newsletter of 2009!! You can send your answer via our contact us form, or drop us an email at info@refreshaccommodation.com , although please don't forget to include your own contact details!

Well what is the prize…or should we say prizes...?

One bedroom apartment (Dolphin House) – available for two nights
Including Continental Breakfast
Complimentary use of swimming pool, sauna, steam room & gym,
24 hour access to Club Lounge & Champagne Bar with free use of wireless internet
Two course meal with wine at the Dolphin Bar/Grill
Theatre vouchers (£100.00)

The recently refurbished Dolphin House apartments not only offers guests the tranquil settings from which to enjoy the sights of London, but also offers an array of services and shops onsite to keep anyone entertained…

Best of Luck from us all at Refresh!

For more information and Terms & Conditions of entry - please view our web site HERE!

Monopoly Pub Crawl

2008-10-22T12:55:00.007+01:00

As winter approaches and the days are getting colder and shorter, you might be looking for activities and entertainment to fill your weekends that allows you to keep warm and dodge the inevitable showers. Some might settle for a quiet game of Monopoly with the family, whilst others may head off down the local boozer for a couple of pints. For the more adventurous and creative, why not put the two together, rouse some good friends and organize your own version of the Monopoly Pub Crawl, visiting a public house in each of the locations on the London Monopoly board!

Different routes can be taken, depending on whether you want to visit the properties in the same order that they appear on the board, and whether the four stations (Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street, Kings Cross and finally Marylebone) are to be included, but here is one suggested route with recommended pubs…

Old Kent Road is a logical starting point as it is both the first property on the official UK London Monopoly board and the most distant property from the others. Have a swift half in the Lord Nelson, before catching a bus over the river to The Raven in Fenchurch Street Station. From here you can use the underground, or walk, to the rest of these locations –

Blind Beggar, Whitechapel
Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street Station
The Angel, Angel Islington
The Castle, Pentonville Road
Coopers, Kings Cross Station
O'Neills, Euston Road
Victoria and Albert, Marylebone Station
Grosvenor Arms for Bond Street
The Kings Arms for Mayfair
Rose and Crown, Old Park Lane
Henry's, Piccadilly
Swallow Street Bar for Vine Street
O'Neills, Great Marlborough Street
All Bar One, Regent Street
The Tottenham, Oxford Street
The Imperial for Coventry Street
The Moon Under Water, Leicester Square
The Chandos for Trafalgar Square
Sherlock Holmes for Northumberland Ave
The Clarence, Whitehall
The Red Lion, Pall Mall
The Marquess of Anglesey, Bow Street
The Wellington, Strand
The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street

For more ideas of pub crawls, visit beerintheevening.com, but remember to always drink responsibly.

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in all locations throughout Central London on the Monopoly board. Contact us via our website, or call 08456 800 080 for more information.

London Through a Lens - Getty Images

2008-10-21T15:12:00.005+01:00

The London through a lens display is completely free and is being shown at the Getty Images Gallery from October the 30th to November the 22nd.

A pictorial time line of the United Kingdoms capital, a selection of rare and some previously unseen images capturing the cultural, social and political history of London over the past century.

With some famous faces caught on camera like The Kray brothers, The Beatles, and some truly historic milestones in British history like the battle of Cable Street in 1936 and the Poll Tax riots in 1990. However as spectacular as these images are, London Though a Lens's beauty is capturing anonymous Londoners in their everyday lives. Riots, funfairs, football matches, buskers and even policemen are taken in such a way that they all tell their own story about life in the capital at that time.

The contrast between protest and celebration, happy and sad, people posing for the camera whilst others are oblivious is absorbing as well as mesmerising. A historical portrait of London that displays how the capital has evolved over the years, a true real life insight into London's history.

With mind blowing content and completely free to the public London Though a Lens is a spectacular historical visualisation of one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Useful Links

http://www.gettyimagesgallery.com/

Address

Getty Images Gallery
46 Eastcastle St
London
W1W 8DX

RefreshAccommodation.com provides a wide range of serviced apartments located in Westminster & the West End. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

London Aquarium - Sightseeing for all the Family!

2008-10-21T14:42:00.006+01:00

If you are looking for a peaceful yet visually stunning activity suitable for all ages then why not visit the London Aquarium.

Situated in the popular South Bank of the river Thames, the London Aquarium is to be found within the historic County Hall Building. A stones throw away from the London Eye, Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament it is surrounded by some of London’s most iconic features.

The London aquarium is one of the biggest displays of marine and aquatic life in Europe, it is home to 500 different species of marine life in over 50 displays including, the aquarium itself, abstract, Atlantic Ocean, Coral Reef, Indian Ocean, Invertebrates, Pacific Ocean, Temperate Waters, Rainforest, Mangroves and many more. Some of the species included in the displays are sharks, stingrays, clownfish, moray eels, lionfish and even sideways walking crabs.

With tickets for children under the age of three for no cost, and adults costing just £13.25, the London aquarium is an affordable day out in London for all the family.

Venue Address

The London Aquarium
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7PB

Useful Links - http://www.londonaquarium.co.uk/

RefreshAccommodation.com provides a wide selection of accommodation located through out Westminster and Victoria. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

The World Travel Market hits London Town!

2008-10-16T17:24:00.000+01:00

The World Travel Market 10th -13th November 2008 at Londons Excel, Docklands.
The World Travel Market is a must attend, B2B exhibition, providing unique opportunities for the global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business. Participants gain immediate competitive advantage, whilst staying abreast of the latest developments in the industry. Read more and see our Refresh Accommodations recommended apartments in the Docklands, whilst attending the World Travel Market.

London Art Events - So many and also Free!

2008-10-16T15:31:00.006+01:00

There is an incredible amount of art in London, it hosts some of the greatest, most famous art galleries and events in the world and best of all it is often free. Britain has always been a major player in world art and some of the world’s most famous artists come from these shores, including Peter Paul Rubens (noted that not from UK - but we wish he was!), Joseph Turner, John Constable, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon and Damien Hurst. So if you are interested in learning about the history of art and experiencing some of the greatest pieces first hand, then there are many opportunities available to everyone in London. Firstly if you are interested in some of the famous historic British artists then look no further then the Frances Bacon exhibition at the Tate Britain, which is running from 11^th September 2008 to the 4^th January 2009. Frances Bacon first brought his name to prominence alongside other luminaries of the time such as Henry Moore with his most famous work ‘Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion’; painted in 1944, it significantly changed the artistic landscape of the 1940’s and will be on show at the Tate Britain.

It is the first time a large group of his paintings have been brought together for 20 years and it is the largest display of his work to date, so it will be one of the seminal London art events of recent years. There will be over 60 Frances Bacon pieces on display which will consist of some of his most famous paintings, including his other masterpieces such as ‘Crucifixion’ painted in 1933 and ‘Study After Velazquez’s’ painted in 1950 and one of his recent famous works, the ‘Triptych, May – June 1973’ which confronts the death of a close friend of his, George Dyer. The exhibition is a perfect illustration of one of the most famous British artists, perfectly showcasing the talents and ideas of one of Britain’s best loved artists.

If this talk of art has got you in the mood, then there is also another opportunity to see some of the works by another of the 20^th century’s most influential artist’s in London over the coming months. At the Hayward Gallery in the Southbank Centre, there is an important exhibition titled ‘Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms’, providing an essential new perspective on Andy Warhol’s work, it is sure to be a massive draw to both fans of his art and those looking to be introduced. Andy Warhol grew into one of the most influential artists of the 20^th century, certainly one of the most copied, famous for his colourful pop art pieces and highly stylised celebrity portraits and coining the phrase ‘15 minutes of fame’. The event will consist of many of his famous art pieces along with films, videos and television programmes, all designed to shed light on the spirit of Andy Warhol as an artist. As well as being a famed illustrator and painter, Andy Warhol famously worked on films and as a record producer, perhaps most famously with ‘The Velvet Underground’, the group in which Lou Reed first rose to prominence. Andy Warhol used the Velvet Underground during the ‘exploding plastic inevitable’ multimedia art shows from 1966 to 1967 and he famously designed one of the most iconic album covers of the 60’s with their self titled debut album.

If you are looking into going to either of these exhibitions then both will be open until January 2009, both will cost in the region of £10, the opening times are from 10am to 6pm and there are no age restrictions, so it is a great opportunity to introduce young people to some of the most important art work of the 20^th century.

Refresh Accommodation provides a range of serviced apartments throughout Victoria. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

Halloween in London

2008-10-14T16:37:00.004+01:00

October 31st, “fright night”, is almost upon us, when ghouls and ghosts come out to play and children rule the streets trick-or-treating. Instead of cowering at home, waiting for the evening to pass, why not face your fears and get yourself along to one of these spooky events in the East End of London?!

Blood and Tears Halloween Walk:

This horror tour is sure to have you jumping out of your skin! Your tour guide, a former actor, will walk you through the murkiest depths of East London highlighting the darker side of London's history including serial killers (Jack the Ripper and others), grave-robbing, execution sites, conspiracy theories and much more.

The tours (7pm-9pm or 9.45pm-11.45pm) both depart from Barbican underground station, and conclude at Holborn underground station. It is essential to book your £7 tickets early, by calling 0207 437 4370. Please note, this walk is not suitable for under 12s.

Jack the Ripper and the East End, at Museum in Docklands:

If wandering around London after dark seems just a little too scary for you on Halloween, then why not go for something equally gruesome in the safety of a museum? The Jack the Ripper exhibition at the Museum of Docklands is open until 6pm daily until November 2nd. Documents including police files and photographs, media coverage, letters from the public and supposedly from the Ripper himself are displayed, providing a spooky, yet informative outing for all the family this Halloween!

London Ghost Festival:

Still looking for a fright on the most haunted night of the year? For the first time ever, various London venues are participating in a week long ‘Ghost Festival’ from 24th October to 1st November. 'Carry on Screaming' at the London Dungeon is already sold out however there are plenty more spooky goings-on including an evening of ghost stories at the Dickens Museum and ghost walks at both Smithfields and Highgate. For the finale of the week long fright-fest on October 31st, you can choose from free theatrical hauntings at Shoe Lane Library in The City or a ghostly boat trip organised by the Canal Museum which passes under the haunted Islington Tunnel. For more information and booking any of these events, check out the London Paranormal website.

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments across East London and the City, and throughout Central London. Contact us via our website, or call 08456 800 080 for more information.

The Electric Proms

2008-10-07T17:56:00.004+01:00

For the third year running, the BBC Electric Proms live contemporary music festival takes place at various venues across Camden from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th October. The Roundhouse, Koko, Cecil Sharp House and Barfly play host to an impressive stellar line up of the cream of today’s music scene.

Burt Bacharach opens the festival with a performance accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra on the main stage at The Roundhouse, and is followed by new acts XX Teens and Wild Beasts. Crowds will be wowed for the next 5 days by new bands and established stars, including Goldfrapp, The Streets and Keane. There will also be a special performance by Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees, alongside special guests including Ronan Keating, Stephen Gateley and Sharleen Spiteri, marking the 30th Anniversary of Saturday Night Fever. This all takes place at The Roundhouse on Saturday 25th October.

Though the best is surely saved until last as the event is headlined by one of Britain’s greatest ever rock bands, Oasis! The Manchester-based quartet are set to treat fans to a selection of their classics and some new tracks from their latest album ‘Dig Out Your Soul’, and will be accompanied by the Crouch End Festival Chorus.

Standard tickets are £15.00 and a select number of £5.00 tickets are available on the day of particular events. Free tickets are also available in a special prize draw. Tickets for all the shows can be purchased through the Electric Proms official website.

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RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments around the Camden location and throughout Central London. Contact us via our website, or call 08456 800 080 for more information.

The British Airways London Eye - Sightseeing From on High

2008-10-02T14:53:00.012+01:00

Standing 135 meters tall and situated in the Jubilee gardens on the south bank, the London Eye has quickly grown into one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Since it’s opening in March 2000, the London Eye has offered great panoramic views of the Thames with visibility of up to 25 miles on clear days. During the comfortable ride, you are treated to views of some of the most visually stunning architecture in London including the Globe Theatre, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. The idea was first brought forward by the architectural team of David Marks and Julia Barfield, to celebrate the turn of the millennium in London.

At the time of its construction the wheel was the largest of its kind to ever be built, spanning 443 feet high and weighing 1600 tonnes. There are a total of 32 glass capsules attached to the wheel, which can accommodate up to 25 people each and each being 8 metres long and weighing 500kg. Due to the design, the glass capsules offer perfect 360˚ views and with the slow 30 minute rotation of the wheel, it is the perfect opportunity to take in the spectacle of the centre of London. The attraction has the capacity to handle 1,500 visitors every hour and since its first opening in 2000, over 30 million people have ridden on the London Eye.

The London Eye is open from 10am to 8pm during the winter (October to May) and from 10am to 9pm during the summer (June to September). It is recommended to book online as it will save you a little bit of money, but generally you will be looking at paying around £13.50 to £14.50 for the standard adult ticket. Have a look at the official website at London Eye to book online, they offer handy discounts on seeing multiple Madame Tussauds attractions. There is also full disabled access for wheel chairs and the elderly, including a fast track policy, access ramps and friendly members of staff who will always be on hand to assist. It is recommended to travel by tube and with the nearest tube stations (Waterloo and Westminster) being only 5 minutes walk away; it is a relatively easy place to get to.

If the talk of great views of London has wetted your appetite there are various other places where you can take in the spectacular surroundings of London. The Oxo Tower, just up the river from the London Eye houses one of London’s best restaurants and provides an exciting view from the south of the river. If dining or drinking in style is your type of thing, then Windows Bar on top of the London Hilton on Park Lane or the stylish Vertigo 42 champagne bar in Tower 42 on Old Broad Street should take your fancy. But if you are looking for a more traditional view of London, then Primrose Hill just north of Regent’s Canal offers fantastic views of Regents Park and the West End, with the London skyline rising in the distance.

RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including South Bank. Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

The Only Way to Travel the Thames - 'The Clipper '

2008-10-02T09:06:00.006+01:00

The Thames Clipper river boat service, whose fleet of high speed catamarans carries commuters and tourists alike up and down the Thames, is having a major face lift! The Thames Clipper website, timetables and boat branding have all been changed. NatWest, one of the Founding Partners of The O2, will also be using the boats for advertising, branding the majority of the new fleet. The new Thames Clippers website has a great functional booking facility, email alert submissions, service updates, videos of the Clippers in action and suggested sightseeing itineraries if you can’t be bothered to choose one for yourself. The web site also allows you to read in range of different languages, has boarding details and a feedback forum enabling customers to give the thoughts and assessment of the service – which is also well used for suggestions and is worth while having a browse through.

The Thames Clippers has confirmed an extension of its late night service to coincide with the new Matter nightclub which opened this week at The O2. Rest assured a review of the club will be coming in a forth coming blog…! The service will provide an essential transport link to central London and will operate from early evening until the early hours on event nights

The fleet consists of 12 high speed catamarans (Meet the Clippers) that leave key London piers every twenty minutes, all day, every day. Just to compare new with old, last year the Thames Clippers transported 1,500 passengers per week and now carry 1,500 per hour at peak times. The Thames fleet currently used by 7,000 passengers a day and the service is the fastest growing transport system in London! You would be surprised in thinking this is a service reserved for use by the general public? However the Thames Clipper is becoming synonymous for transporting VIP’s to perform and attend events – this includes the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, Neil Diamond and U2.

Refresh Accommodation.com has a wide range of services apartments located in both the Docklands & the City/East London, Contact Refresh on 08456 800 080 to make an enquiry!

'And Cut' - The London Film Festival Cometh to Town!

2008-09-29T09:53:00.009+01:00

From Wednesday October 15^th to Saturday October 30^th, London will host its 52^nd annual film festival. Throughout various locations around London, viewers will be treated to a total of 180 feature films and including 15 world premiers, so this year’s festival looks to be one of the most highly anticipated yet. The opening film comes from director Ron Howard, who has adapted Peter Morgan’s play ‘Frost/Nixon’. The highly acclaimed play depicting the interview between David Frost and the disgraced American president Richard Nixon, in 1977. Another highly anticipated new film is ‘W.’, a political biopic of George W. Bush starring Josh Brolin as the current president. The film is also directed by the highly respected director and screen writer Oliver Stone and judging by some of his previous films, which include ‘Platoon’, ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ and ‘JFK’, this film is sure to be one of the most talked about films this summer. One of the most critically acclaimed films of the last few months will also be at the London Film Festival, ‘Waltz with Bashir’ is a surreal animated offering from Ari Folman. Dealing with the surreal and futile nature of war, it is a highly personal and political account of his own experiences in the Israeli army during the war with Lebanon.

Other films on show during the festival include the new James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’, which sees Daniel Craig return to the leading role and judging by the popularity of his last outing as the legendary MI5 agent, this is sure to impress. Another well respected director is showcasing his new film at this year’s festival, Stephen Soderbergh’s ‘Che’, which depicts the life of the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara, from his early roots as an Argentinean doctor to his last days in Bolivia. The film includes a charismatic performance from Benicio Del Toro, so this will certainly be a film to remember. Even if reading books is more your thing, then a documentary from Alex Gibney about the journalist and writer Hunter S. Thompson may take your fancy. Popularised for inventing the ‘Gonzo’ style of storytelling and journalism and famed for his book ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’, this documentary paints a fascinating picture of the life and work of the writer. Narrated by Johnny Depp (who was a friend of the writer while he was still alive), this documentary is a glorious look at one of the 70’s most important cultural writers. Finally to round off the festival on the 30^th there will be the screening of Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. The famed British director of such iconic films as ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘28 days later’ brings us a tale of an impoverished child on the streets of Mumbai who gets lucky on the Indian version of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’.

As well as the film screenings, there will be various star names attending the festival, including Rachel Weisz, Steven Soderbergh, Benicio Del Toro, Penelope Cruz and Gwyneth Paltrow. So it will be a great opportunity to not only watch some new films but also to see some of your favorite actors.

If you are interested in seeing some of these films then public tickets will become available on the 29^th of September, you will be able to book online, over the phone or in person at the box offices. The screenings will happen at various West End cinemas, so are within easy distance of various tube and train stations, including Waterloo and Charing Cross.

Refresh Accommodation.com provides luxury accommodation in London including West End Apartments Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

London Dungeon - 'Enter at Your Peral'

2008-09-25T17:25:00.010+01:00

When in London there are many attractions to visit, so many that tourists and visitors are almost spoilt for choice. However London was not always the modern, cosmopolitan city that we know today, in the past it was a dark, depressing, savage place and the London Dungeon brings back to life the darker side to London.

Features of the Dungeon

Torture
A dungeon would not be a dungeon if it did not feature torture chambers. Walk through and see some of the torture equipment and the conditions that some of the victim’s would have experienced.

The Great Plague
Go back in time to 1665, where London is riddled with the bubonic plague, with thousands dying in agony. A realistic presentation is performed, and a realistic atmosphere is created with smells, sounds, and actors portraying death collectors, piling up decaying bodies shouting “bring out the dead”.

Jack the Ripper
This is an exhibit based on the gruesome serial killings of five prostitutes in Whitechapel, in the year 1888. Visitors are taken to a recreated Buck's Row where they are told of the first three murders. Visitors then walk through a corridor filled with models of the last three victim's bodies, with their intestines pulled out and their throats cut. This exhibit is truly impressive with re enactments of the investigation and the murders with a visual display and acting.

Great fire of London
This exhibit is set in the year 1666, when much of London burnt to the ground in the relentless Great Fire of London that started down in Pudding Lane, from the Royal bakery. Visitors are shown a short educational film in a themed 17th century courtyard before the fire reaches them and then have to 'escape' through a London street with burning houses everywhere.

There are many more brilliant attractions on show at London dungeon such as labyrinth of the lost, and Sweeney Todd.

The London dungeon is a great event where the visitors are more than just spectators, they will be actively involved in the exhibits and displays, a must visit if you are brave enough!!

Address of Venue
28-34 Tooley Street, London
London
SE1 2SZ

For more information and to book tickets visit London Dungeon
RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including London Bridge Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

The Phantom of the Opera...

2008-09-24T10:33:00.003+01:00

Andrew Lloyd Webber musical extravaganza ‘The Phantom of the opera’ will be showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre up until April 2009.

The original novel was written by Gaston Leroux in 1910 and was translated into English in 1911. Set in late 19^th – Century Paris. The Phantom of the Opera is a gothic performance combining romance, horror, suspense, mystery and tragedy.

With some of the most extravagant sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage, The Phantom of The Opera is a haunting musical which traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House.

A must see and a true theatrical classic performed on the biggest stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Haymarket Westminster, the award winning musical is one of the most long running performances that has amazed and entertained audiences worldwide.

For more information, viewing times and prices - please visit: http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/london/ .

Address of Venue

Her Majesty’s Theatre
Haymarket
Westminster
London
SW1Y 4QL

RefreshAccommodation.com provides serviced apartments in London including Westminster Call 08456 8000 80 for more information.

A Guest Blogger Review - Take That and Party!

2008-09-17T13:32:00.014+01:00

A recent guest at one of our properties provided us with some feedback in sharing their experience of a night out in London, which we felt might be useful / entertaining to our readers. Please feel free to post your comments, or contact us by email if you would like to feature as a 'guest blogger'.

"When one is working full time and facing a daily commute into London, it is often easy to avoid the opportunity to trek into the City for a weekend jolly. However with so many fruits to bear it is worth making the effort, as I was to find out this past weekend when I checked into an apartment at Dolphin House in Pimlico and took in a West End show – Never Forget.

Upon arriving at Dolphin House we were greeted by extremely friendly staff, who seemed genuinely happy to make you feel welcome to this newly refurbished, contemporary property, and our 40 minute train journey followed by an underground replacement bus service quickly became a distant memory. With our accommodation pre-paid through Refresh, check in was swift and painless, and we were soon shown to our one bedroom deluxe apartment. For the two of us, the apartment was perfect – a spacious living room with huge flat screen TV and comfy sofa, clean and bright bathroom big enough to accommodate ‘his and hers’ wash basins, shower unit AND bath tub, with room to spare, and finally a stylish bedroom complete with king sized bed, another of those flat screen TVs and ample wardrobe space.
Regrettably there wasn’t time to take advantage of the complimentary swimming pool and gym access, but whilst waiting for my other half to get her glad rags on, I was able to make use of the kitchenette facility and relax on the sofa with a cuppa in front of the oversized TV - after all you can’t rush perfection!

Soon enough we arrived in the West End of London, more specifically the Savoy Theatre on The Strand. After collecting our tickets from the box office – purchased through ticketmaster.co.uk – we settled into our seats, two thirds of the way back in the middle of the ‘stalls’, allowing us a perfect view of the stage. Admittedly all I knew of Never Forget, was that it’s a musical inspired by the hit songs of Take That, so was sure to be entertaining if not critically acclaimed. As the show opened with the lead character on his knee proposing to his girlfriend by singing ‘Could It Be Magic’, I realised this was going to be cheesy! But as the first act progressed, in which we are told the story of 5 young men who audition to become a Take That tribute act to perform in a competition worth £10,000 to the winning act, I found myself being thoroughly entertained by larger than life character, a hilarious script, excellent set design (especially the ‘rain’ scene at the end of act one) and dare I say it, a great soundtrack. The plot loses its way somewhat in the middle as our lead character is torn between his band mates and an offer a solo record deal, but the entertainment never ends, with a slapstick band manager and ‘evil’ record company boss becoming archetypal panto characters. By the final scenes and inevitable closing Take That medley, the audience was well and truly gripped by performers who were clearly enjoying their job and appeared to have convinced a large percentage of the crowd dancing in the aisles that they were in fact watching Take That on stage!

And so, humming the title song as we skipped along the streets of London, we headed back to the comfort of our apartment, having experienced a night out that we will never forget!"

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Dolphin House can be booked through Refresh Accommodation, who offers serviced apartments throughout central London, including the West End. Contact Refresh on 08456 800 080 to make an enquiry!