When your business trip is for just one or two nights, you could book a London hotel; it’s not so bad. If the bed is comfortable, the shower is hot and your room is in a quiet, Central London location, it can work.

However, for any 1, 2 or 3 night stay, an apart-hotel is the new and increasingly popular alternative to a traditional hotel room. Fully serviced and stylish, apart-hotel accommodation offers more space for your money. Cooking facilities mean that you can eat and drink exactly what and when you like. You eat it sitting at a proper table, too. In Earl’s Court or London Bridge.

When business travel to London is for 4 nights, 1 week or longer, apartment rental is a great choice.  Short term London apartment rental, in City of London or in Soho provides the luxuries of space and privacy to relax after a hard days work away from home.

Money matters, of course. A serviced apartment in Central London is economical, too.

You can enjoy boutique luxury in an apartment close to City of London, 4 minutes walk from Farringdon Station and 10 minutes away from Islington Business Design Centre from £135 per night.

In Bloomsbury, London WC1, you can rent a tranquil apartment in a quiet location from £135 per night.  The apartment, in a green and leafy garden square, is within easy walking distance of Holborn.

Wherever you need to be in London, Big Red London apartments in London West End, in the City, Earl’s Court or Bankside offer excellent accommodation for business and executive travel at the best price.

The Arsenal MuseumEmirates Stadium, Islington, Greater London N7 7AJ
Arsenal supporters will be thrilled by exhibits recalling golden moments in the club’s history. As well as goal-scoring boots and shirts which once stretched across the backs of legendary players, there’s The Legends Theatre and more than a dozen fully interactive sections based on the proud history of Arsenal FC. John Radford, Charlie George, Sammy Nelson, Eddie Kelly and Perry Groves lead the Legends Tours operated by the museum.
Prices £7 (£4 Under 16s) or included with a stadium tour.
Opening times
Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1800h Sunday 1000h to 1700h. On match days, the Museum closes 30 minutes before kick-off and does not re-open.

British Postal Museum and Archive Collection Freeling House, Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DL
As rich and varied as the history of the postal service that it represents, the collection includes objects of all sizes; from handstamps, labels and telephone headsets to Mobile Post Office Vehicles and a Travelling Post Office railway coach. It also includes song sheets, postcards and St Valentine’s Day missives (hence the picture), related to the postal service.
The museum collection is constantly being developed to reflect the role of people in the postal service and successive innovations in technology to meet the demands of a changing world.
Usual Opening Times
Monday to Friday  1000 to 1700h and on Thursday 1000h to 1900h
The Museum is also open on one Saturday each month.

The Cartoon Museum 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH
In 1843, the word ‘cartoon’ entered the English Language in the modern sense of a humorous drawing.  At The Cartoon Museum, you can learn how and why. As well as the permanant collection, there are often speical exhibitions to enjoy.
From biting political satire to childhood comic strip heroes,  enjoy a wry smile or a belly laugh at the very finest examples of British cartoons, caricature, and comic art from the 18th Century up to the present day.  Over 1500 cartoon drawings, 5000 books and 6000 comics are on display; all dedicated to the high art of laughter.
Opening times
Tuesday to Saturday 1030 to 1730h, Sunday 1200 to 1730h

BRUNSWICK apartment in Bloomsbury is a few minutes walk away from the Cartoon Museum

The Fashion and Textile Museum 83 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF t. 020 7407 8664
This cutting-edge centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery in London was founded by iconic British designer, Zandra Rhodes. The centre showcases a programme of changing exhibitions which explore elements of fashion, textile and jewellery. Then, there’s the fabulous The Café @ FTM.
Situated in a fantastic building designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the FTM aims not just to collect and display items relating to fashion, jewellery and textile design but also, to offer inspiration to a new generation of creatives.
Opening for the duration of the exhibition (see our events pages for details)
Tuesday to Saturday 1100 to 1800h. Last admission 1715h
Closed Sunday and Monday.

DOLLY apartment is in London SE1 and accepts booking from just one night to a month or more.

Geffrye Museum  136 Kingsland Rd, London, E2 8EA t. 020 7739 9893
The Geffrye Museum shows the changing style of the English domestic interior.  Re-creations of  parlours, drawing rooms and sitting rooms typically found in homes of ‘the middling sort; from 1600 to present day  mean that the Geffrye is a museum of typical, rather than exceptional objects.  The 1880s room, situated on the upper floor, shows how a former governess living in the Geffrye almshouses at that time may have furnished it.
As well as a walled herb garden, the ‘outdoor rooms’ are based on research into the design and planting of urban middle-class gardens from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
Opening Times
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 12 – 5pm
Closed Mondays (unless Bank Holiday), Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Hunterian Museum and Archives at the Royal College of Surgeons of England 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
t. 020 ?7869 ?6560
Designated as a Collection of National Importance, it’s a mix of comparative anatomy and pathology specimens; complete skeletons, bones, skulls and teeth; dried preparations, corrosion casts and wax teaching models; historical surgical and dental instruments, together with modern surgical instruments and technologies; as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture.
£3.2 million was spent on refurbishment to create a publicly accessible museum to encourage visitors’ exploration of  the scientific, cultural and historical importance of the collections. The new Hunterian Museum enables visitors to share the wealth of material that has been a source of inspiration to surgeons, scientists and artists for over two hundred years. There is a free guided tour of the Museum and Archive each Wednesday at 1300h.
Opening Times
Tuesday to Saturday from 1000h to 1700h

From BETSEY, in Clerkenwell, you can walk to Lincoln’s Inn Fields in about 10 minutes (or a bus to Geffrye Museum and be there in around the same time)

Wherever you choose to dance your way into 2012 (see our recommendations, below), you can find the perfect apartment to stay in this festive season at Big Red London. If you want to go clubbing in Farringdon or Shoreditch, stay locally in one of our Clerkenwell apartments, all 5 minutes walk from Farringdon Station.

If you intend to hit the West End, look at our availability in Soho or Bloomsbury. On the other hand, for something at Southbank SE1 or as far out as Vauxhall, DOLLY is the place for you.

Bugged Out and XOYO
32-37 Cowper St, London, EC2A 4AP
Bugged Out and crew will see you safe and sweaty into 2012.  Headliners are one of 2011s most exciting production pairs, The 2 Bears. L-Vis 1990 (Night Slugs), Nathan Detroit, Disco Bloodbath’s Ben Pistor and Damon Martin and new house troupe Legendary Children offer ample support. “Expect anything from Chicago and acid trax to future garage”.

Code & Girl Action Back & White NYE Spectacular
Green Carnation 5 Greek Street, London W1D 4DD
Across all three floors of the Green Carnation. DJs from Circus, Heaven, Hed Kandi and Popstarz play commercial dance, club classics, funky house, electro and ’80s pop for laydeez and their gay male guests. Email Nicola.chubb@gmail.com if you are interested in booking a VIP table.

Fabric
77a Charterhouse St, London, EC1M 3HN
The very best deep house, melodic techno, minimal and Latin to dub-flavoured mix known to EC1 nay, all London.  Adam Beyer,  Alan Fitzpatrick, Claus Voigtmann Craig Richards, Cristi Con, the mighty Lil’ Louis, Maya Jane Coles, The Mole, Terry Francis, Tobi Neumann and Slam keep form the weft and weave at Fabric this New Year’s Eve.

Doomsday The Last Dance
Cargo 83 Rivington Street,London, EC2A 3AY
Hundreds of like-minded spirits will test the Doomsday ‘theory’ with body rocking house beats and techno rhythms from Paul Woolford, Luke Solomon and Shane Watcha manning the decks. If the rumours are true and we are set for dust, go out with a bang this New Year’s Eve

The Only Way is 2012
G-A-Y at Heaven
Under The Arches, off Villiers St, WC2N 6NG
The biggest commercial gay night known to London town celebrates New Year’s Eve until 6am with appearances from Joey Essex, Kitty Brucknell, Stacey Solomon, Kitty Brucknell and more

We, Like You New Year’s Eve Party
Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes Basement of Tavistock Hotel Bedford Way, London, WC1H 9EU
Tonight, as midnight strikes, there’s a live set from those swing-hop cum dubstep-jazzers, The Correspondents and funkin’ Craig Charles is the special guests in the DJ. Another live set, from Screaming Kicks, the residents, dropping anything from hip hop to breaks and in the The Kingpin Suite, your hosts are Pop, Bubble, Rock!. There’s also free popcorn in the cinema room and, as ever, you can buy bowling and karaoke.

Treat yourself (or someone else whom you love very much) to pieces from See by Chloe, Joseph, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Belstaff, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, DKNY Jeans, Juicy Couture, Stone Island, Dirty English, Oliver Spencer, Duchamp, Gieves and Hawkes, Missoni, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, D&G, Lanvin, Moncler, French Connection, Queen of E.vil, Marco Jacob or Jimmy Choo.

Open Thursday 1300 to 2000h; Friday 1200h to 2000h, Saturday 1200 to 1900h and Sunday from 12.00am until 1830h.

Sample Hunters Designer Sample Sale
Shop 14, The Old Truman Brewery, 15 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR

Bea’s of Bloomsbury 44 Theobalds Road,  London, WC1X 8NW
Telephone (020) 7242 8330
The selection of teas is sourced from Jing, a very well-esteemed supplier. The impeccably-decorated cakes and very good-looking cookies are all made in-house so the fragrance on the air makes the experience even sweeter. Small but perfectly formed, Bea’s of Bloomsbury is a most affordable treat at tea-time. On weekdays, there is no need to book a table.

Brown’s Hotel Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4BP Telephone (020) 7518 4155
Agatha Christie would stay at Brown’s, said to have inspired her novel, At Bertam’s Hotel. Traditional Afternoon Tea offers a choice of 17 teas, including Brown’s own blend. Finger sandwiches, pastries, freshly-baked cakes,  plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve are served to a piano accompaniment in the English Tea Room between 3 and 6pm on weekdays, from 1 to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Online reservations or telephone (see above)

The Langham Hotel 1 Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA Telephone 020 7637 1000
This 5-star hotel claims to be the place where the tradition was born, in 1865. In 2010, The Langham Hotel won the prestigious ‘best place in London to enjoy a sumptuous Afternoon Tea’ awarded by the Tea Guild. Served in the tranquil, elegant surroundings of Palm Court, afternoon tea comprises sandwiches, pastries, scones with cream and delicious organic strawberry preserve with any one of a wide range of teas or, indeed, coffee. Booking is essential.

London Review Cake Shop 14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL
The London Review Cake Shop describes itself as ‘the modern literary London coffee-house’.  A selection of specialist teas from Jing and Mariage Frères, freshly-made sandwiches on artisanal breads, delicious salads and cakes make it a great place to savour afternoon tea surrounded by books and magazines. Using ingredients sourced from independent producers, the constantly-evolving menu promises “traditional with a twist”. The cake shop is connected to the bookshop by a passage in the History section.

Mo Café  25 Heddon Street , London, W1B 4BH
It may be far from the English tradition but Mo Café is well-loved by Londoners. Jewel-coloured lantern-light glisters over silverware wrought into delicate filigree and glows across the brass tops of low-slung tables. Sink into banquettes laden with plump cushions, bite into delicious Moroccan snacks and sip refreshing mint tea.  Staff members are charming and the music is groovy. Kick back, relax and savour the flavour of the Maghreb in Mayfair.

The Wallace Hertford House Manchester Square,London, W1U 3BN
This gorgeous Georgian town house is home to the renowned fine art collection. From 2.30 to 4.30pm daily, a French-style afternoon tea is served in the light-filled conservatory. Wrought iron garden furniture contributes to the al fresco feel, cushions make it comfortable and you sit, surrounded by sculpture. As well as cakes and tartlets, do try the delicious pâté, made on the premises.

Between an extensive network of red buses, the London Underground system known as ‘the tube’ and black taxis which seat 5 passengers in comfort, the public transport network will carry you anywhere you want to go around London.

To benefit from the lowest possible fare for your journey by tube or bus, invest £5 in an Oyster card before you start your first trip. Oystercards are available from every underground station; over the counter or from a vending machine.

Oyster is a plastic smartcard which will keep track of where you go and the fare you owe for every journey. When you travel by tube, you must remember to touch in, by placing your Oystercard against the circular yellow Oyster reader at the start of your journey. Then, touch out in the same way before you leave the station. At tube stations, these Oyster card readers are usually placed on the ticket barriers so that you cannot forget.

On buses, touch in once only. The Oyster readers are located by the driver’s window and, on single-decker or long, bendy buses, close to every door.

You will never pay more for your journey using an Oyster than you would if you bought a paper ticket or Travelcard. Travelling by bus, there is a considerable saving of £1 off the ticket price of every bus ride.

The London transport network is divided into six Zones, working out in rings from Zone 1 in Central London. Fares are calculated according to these Zones and also, by the time of day. Travel off-peak, from 9.30am to 4.30pm or after 6.30pm to avoid the commuter crowds and to pay the lower, off-peak fare.

On the tube or bus, if you are fully able-bodied and sit down in a priority seat (by a logo similar to the one shown, right) please be mindful that you should stand up and offer that seat to anyone who might need it. These priority seats are located close to the doors and enable people with less mobility or with visual impairments to travel more easily around London.

All Big Red London studios, flats and apartments are located within travel Zone 1, in the very centre of London. Staying in Zone 1, you will you save money on the cost of travel to all the major attractions, as well getting around town fast. Less time spent travelling means more time to enjoy your visit.

Rooted in peaceful protest, Notting Hill Carnival  began as an inspired response to apalling race relations in 1950s England, with the hope of promoting unity. Today, Notting Hill Carnival is, indeed, a joyful celebration of London multiculturalism, with a distinctly Caribbean flavour. The names of those first organisers, Claudia Jones and Rhuane Laslett (pictured, below) are now part of British history.

In the last Century, there were widespread reports of public order problems at Notting Hill Carnival but in the main, more than one million revellers enjoy a fantastic weekend. As well as traditional steel bands, there are approximately 20 miles of vibrant costumes, more than 40 static sound systems and hundreds of food stalls where delicious, traditional, Caribbean food has now been joined by kebabs, kibbeh, chips and much more.

Sunday is always designated as Children’s Day. It will be a little less crowded but the Children’s Carnival Parade is as impressive and spectacular as the main parade the next day. It’s highly recommended for kids of all ages. Whether you get down to Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday or on Monday, we advise getting there ahead of the crowds, by about 1230h, so that you can make yourself properly at home.

Carnival ends quite early on the streets but there are plenty of after-parties all over London. Our top tip is to head over to King’s Cross, to SCALALATINA and join in CARNIVAL CONTINUED, the massive Latin-American afterparty, until 6am. There will be live bands, dance showcases and loads of DJS across four rooms of hard, hot salsa, timba, hip-hop, reggaeton, zouk, samba and much more.

Full details on the Notting Hill Carnival website