london hotel in lively neighborhood

Sue-
Close to "everything" is not possible in a huge city like London, but if you mean centrally located, the area around Tottenham Court Road would be it. Unfortunately, it can be very pricey. Since there are three of you, I highly recommend an apartment. There are lots on airbnb.com and I have had excellent results with them. My favorite neighborhood is Spitalfields-a pretty youngish neighborhood with lots of shops, restaurants, and a community market. It's very close to Liverpool Station and the Aldgate East tube stop, so getting across the city isn't difficult at all.

There isn't a whole lot fashion wise in London that isn't in Chicago-a result of globalization and easy world-wide travel, internet and otherwise, has made European fashion available in minutes to us Americans. But Topshop on Oxford Street is worth a visit, as it isn't terribly expensive and usually up-to-the-minute with trends. Marks and Spencer is also lower priced and cool to visit. The shops on Bond Street are fun to look at but out of us mere mortal's realm to buy. Harrods is also nice to look at and some of their food and perhaps accessory items aren't too expensive to purchase. Remember, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world and everything (with the exception of a few museums) is priced accordingly. I usually like to save my money for delicious food and beer I can't get here, but to each their own :) Now, if you want good restaurant recommendations, I got ya covered!

Emily

Thanks for the advice, now I have some areas to start my search. And Emily I would love to hear your recommends on restaurants.
sue

Not a big shopper and no longer in my teens or 20's but a couple of spots to consider enjoying eye candy includes Liberty, Jermyn Street, Primark, Carnaby Street. Be forewarned cheap is not a term used to describe those shopping options.

If you take the recommendation at stay in Shoreditch then I'd definitely investigate http://www.boxpark.co.uk. Might have one or both of the daughters check out http://www.stellaswardrobe.com I also recommend a visit to Camden Lock Market. That's where I do my minimal amount of shopping.

Very exciting city. Costly but can be done on a budget. Pub grub, Wagama, Pret a Manger, all good for filling the tummy. Enjoy your trip.

Sure. Here's just a few:

Poppies: a British version of an American malt shop serving freshly golden-fried fish and chips. It has tables but get there early or be prepared to wait or you can skip the line all together and eat take away. Located right off Commercial Street in Shoreditch/Spitalfields.

Da'Paolo on Charlotte Street: Italian, a little pricey but good for a splurge. Located on Charlotte Street near the Tottenham Court Road tube station, with lots and lots of other restaurants. A good cluster of pubs are near this location as well, as the advertising/telecommunications industry has many of their offices here and its employees fill the pubs after work on the weekdays.

Tayyabs: A solid Punjabi barbecue that has been in Whitechapel since the '70s. Skip Brick Lane and make an online reservation or you might end up in an insanely long line. Most famous for their no-nonsense service and unbelievable lamb chops. BYOB. 89 Fieldgate Lane, right off Whitechapel Road-near Britain's largest mosque, The East London Mosque. If you do eat here, taking a walk around the area can be fun afterwards, as this was Jack the Ripper's haunt 130 years ago. Jack the Ripper tours frequently come through this neighborhood at night (don't worry, it's very safe).

Wagamama and Pret-A-Manger and EAT have been mentioned. All are good. Wagamama's is a noodle place and Pret-A-Manger and EAT are freshly made sandwiches, salads, and soups. Sainsbury's groceries also have good choices of healthy soups and sandwiches if you are looking to take away.

Have a wonderful time. PM me with any questions.
Emily

Carluccio's (Italian) ££ and Wasabi (Japanese) £ are also reliable places to eat, all over London. Westfield White City, and Stratford also have a wide variety of good quality food outlets (50+ each) if you are into trying various foods, ranging in prices but nothing expensive. I'm going to take a super rare opportunity to correct Emma (officially London's wisest resident), the Dim Sum place is Ping Pong, who do a Sunday Special, all you can eat for £22 / person (that's a special!!! I hear you say) but it's an experience if nothing else, Dim Sum isn't cheap generally. Don't get me started on food... I could talk for days.

Actually dim sum doesn't always have to be too expensive. I often eat at the New World near Shaftesbury Avenue on Gerrard Place opposite the Fire Brigade.

Plenty of Chinese patrons, service off trolleys so you can point at what you like, decent (but not spectacular traditional dim sum but plenty good enough for me) food, quick service and no matter what we eat it almost always winds up in the low to mid £20s. That is for Chinese tea and no booze.

You can go fancier and more expensive at one of the chains but I would never be happy at £22 per person.