London is a top place to do business. It is a melting pot of culture and industry, and the Londoner’s enthusiasm to make money is palpable. Be prepared to visit a city that is unlike any other; a heady mix of high end couture, ancient history and hippie high streets.
If you are visiting on business then follow our guide to making the most of your time here. Whether you are staying at the Marble Arch Hotel or elsewhere you will find our list of suggestions most useful during your stay.
London is and always has been about industry, commercial allegiances and deals brokered. If you intend to visit the city on business you won’t be disappointed with what you come away with. Nor will you be disappointed with your experience of the greatest city in the world.
Where to Meet (and Dine)
There are meeting venues around London which are perfectly suited for all your needs. The very best meeting venues include state of the art projection equipment and limitless connectivity. But if you want to treat your clients to something a little special why not arrange a meeting at a restaurant or bar in one of London’s many tucked away side streets?
Sushi Samba in the Heron Tower has a great menu. It is located on the 38th and 39th floors at 110 Bishopsgate and is reputedly one of the highest open air restaurants in Europe. Floor to ceiling windows ensure diners have a spectacular all-round view of the city environs. Also great views are to be had from Aqua at The Shard.
For a fabulous business lunch, why not try one of the various Ivy Brasseries that are dotted around town? The most popular are those in Soho, Covent Garden and Kensington. If Afternoon Tea in London is on your agenda, then one of these venues would be a perfect way to entertain your hosts.
Another great place to head for a business lunch is Bentleys Oyster Bar & Grill in Mayfair. The food is second to none but the prices reflect the quality of the food (and the crush of business rates!)
For breakfast, there is always the sixth-floor Kitchen and Bar at the Tate Modern. Prices are reasonable for this modest venue and the views across the Thames to St Pauls are breath-taking. Here you can take in the very essence of London: the traditional beauty of a time of opulence and the functionality and brutal lines of modernism.
What to do
Sightseeing
If you find yourself with some down time then have a look around at what’s on offer. Refer to details you may have been handed with your luxury hotels London stay package. Or you can even pick up a copy of What’s On. We’ve also put together one or two ideas for the traveller who has completed his or her business and is now looking for some entertainment.
Rather than find somewhere to go or something to do however, there is always a day of sightseeing on offer. London’s architecture dates back to pre-Roman but the majority of examples still standing are from the time of the Roman occupation. Great walls and temples were built, which can still be visited today, especially around the Tower of London.
Just a few must-sees during your visit to London would also include Kensington Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe and St Pauls. Bear in mind you don’t have to visit the inside of a building to appreciate its history and grandeur.
Covent Garden
A great place to meet but also to relax and unwind is Covent Garden. Once the centre of the floristry trade in London, Covent Garden is now a mix of artisan shops, restaurants and bars. Street performers entertain crowds on a daily basis and, on occasion, students from one of the prestigious music colleges in London will perform in one of the restaurants beneath the canopy of Covent Garden. There is also the British Transport museum housed within the grounds, which is well worth a visit.
Trafalgar Square
Encircled by neo-renaissance buildings, Trafalgar Square was built by the Victorians to commemorate Lord Nelson’s victory over the French at the battle of Trafalgar. Nelson stands on a 52m tall column overlooking Whitehall. Trafalgar square represents a great focal point to meet, with roads heading off in all directions to various other venues around the city. Be sure to keep your wits about you when crossing over Trafalgar squares roads, though. To call the traffic ‘busy and fast’ is quite the understatement!
Fortnum and Mason
For souvenirs of your time in London head for posh deli Fortnum and Mason. Fortnum & Mason is a department store like none other located in Piccadilly, London, not far from Marble Arch Hotel. F&M also has stores at St Pancras railway station and Heathrow Airport. What’s not to love about Fortnum and Mason? From 1707 the shop has been selling upmarket goodies such as hampers bursting with mouth-watering treats, and wines and spirits to accompany the very best dishes.
Night Life
London is famous for its nightlife but you should keep vigilant if you’re out and about. It can be a dangerous city too. A popular place to head is Victoria Embankment and the South Bank. Even in the small hours you will find both sides of the Thames near Charing Cross station teeming with life. Along the South Bank there are myriad of bars and restaurants, both chic and old English – you take your pick! There are also floating restaurants and bars that cater for their guests almost all night.
Finally, in Canary Wharf you will find Bokan, a rooftop bar and restaurant with a stunning view of the London skyline. Bokan is a great choice in the day or at night and is especially popular with the business men and women who work at Canary Wharf. If you want to keep your meetings and downtime confined to the square mile then to Bokan you should head.
FAQs
What to see and things to do when you are on business travel?
When you are travelling to London on a business trip and you have very less time , then you can touch the areas as:
>Fine Dine at The Montcalm Restaurant or visit some local eateries.
>Wake up early and go for a jog to the greeneries such as Hyde Park.
>Check out the attractions such as Buckingham Palace, The Shard, Big Ben, London Eye when you have little time.
>You can do some shopping from Trafalgar Square.
