9/10/2019 Tuesday London

(9-10-2019)  Tuesday Day 2 London Sightseeing and Free Time  Average 68 high 55 low 21% rain

Tower Hotel  Call 44 800 330 8005, 44 207 523 5063 St. Katherine’s Way, St. Katharine’s and Wapping, London, E1W 1LD, UK (4.2 star)  Reviews Riverside.  Opened 1973. Located on the north bank of the River Thames and the east side of the Tower Bridge.  Near the Tower of London, the Shard (London’s Highest viewing platform) and more.  Near HMS Belfast, WWII Royal Navy battleship, St. Katherine’s Docks, Butler’s Wharf, City Hall. Reviews indicate staff is good but hotel needs a make-over.  Elevators are slow, only two worked and indicator lights were erratic, several compliants that AC doesn’t work, long lines at breakfast.  XI bar was good, Vicinity Bar was bad.  Long lines at check-in.   No refrig.

NOT the Original Hotel = Park Plaza Riverbank  (Full Breakfast) 18 Albert Embankment, Lambeth, London SE1 7TJ UK  (4 star) Near Big Ben, the London Eye (15-minute walk, Westminster Abbey (10-minute walk) and Tate Modern.  Close to the Underground and the River. Soundproof rooms.   Low water pressure, sporadic air conditioning, long lines at check-in with rude, inept employees.  There is a pool.

"Join a Local Specialist today for a tour of the city's iconic sights. See Big Ben and the imposing Houses of Parliament on the banks of the Thames, then Buckingham Palace, the official UK residence of the UK's sovereigns since the mid-19th century. The rest of the day is yours to explore London - an effortless mix of centuries-old heritage and modern sophistication."

I went on the included tour, which was my third ride around London.  Interestingly enough, each guided ride was a bit different.  We went by Kensington Palace where Will and Kate and family live but it is shielded by trees.  I’ve watched a few episodes of Victoria and Albert on PBS.  She was devastated when Albert died at 41 and spent a lifetime building memorials to him.  It was interesting that her subjects donated the money to pay for them.  

I also saw part of the changing of the Queen’s Life Guards.  They are the Household Calvary Mounted Regiment.  The mounted guard has been in existence for 100 years.  They stand guard at the original gate into the Royal Palaces.   This guard change takes place every day.