London, UK

TRANSPORTATION:

• Via plane: Heathrow - avoid if possible, constant delays. However, the train service from Heathrow to Paddington Station is very easy via Heathrow Express. Tickets can be purchased through automated terminals all the way to your final destination. If you have the option, fly to London City (LCY). Transportation into downtown isn't the easiest (cabs can take a long time), but you'll increase your chances for on time arrival/departure...
• Tube/Underground - look into an Oyster Visitor card, you can likely save on each fare if you ask for these. Otherwise check into an all day fare card for discounts.
• Taxis - pretty easy to get around for short rides.

HOTELS:

• Rubens Hotel - near Victoria Train/Tube Station and Buckingham Palace. Small rooms and in Jan 2008 they were renovating some of their rooms.
• Victoria Park Plaza Hotel - near Victoria Train/Tube Station and Buckingham Palace. Large lobby and many tech amentities. Service is not what you'd expect in London.

RESTAURANTS:

• Automat - great upscale diner with homefood. Some local expats explained that the restaurant here flies in USDA beef. Go with the burger or macaroni & cheese. 33 Dover StLondon, W1S 4NF, UK+44 20 74993033 - Near the Green Park Tube stop.
• La Poule au Pot - about a 5 min. walk from Victoria. French cuisine with a rustic country look to it. Located in the middle of square - 231 Ebury St 0207 730 7763
• Boisdale - also in the Victoria/Belgravia neighborhood. Good spot with English fare.
• Giovanni's - tricky to find, but worth the persistence. Closest tube stop is Leicester Square, but the restaurant is actually off of St. Martins Ct. (on Goodwin's Ct). You'll see the quaint restaurant from St. Martins, but you have to access the front through an alley. Its worth it!
• Kulu Kulu Sushi - locations in Soho (76 Brewer St.), South Kensington (39 Thurloe Place) and Covent Garden (51-53 Shelton Street). Bar/diner style seating. At top of bar sushi selections will come by on small plates via conveyerbelt. Grab your plate and eat. The restaurant has a sister restaurant - Ten Ten Tei Restarant in Soho (56 Brewer St).
• Cafe Panini - 20 Buckingham Palace Rd. - quick, cheap sandwich spot. Try the BLT.
  

PUBS:

• Ye Grapes - located in Shepard's Market. Flooded with bankers/hedge fund managers but makes for a solid happy hour pub with plenty of room outside. 16 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, W1J 7QQ. Green Park Tube stop.

NEIGHBORHOODS:

• City - Financial/business center of London
• Soho
• West End
  
• Belgravia
• Westminster
• Covent Garden
• South Kensington
  

ATTRACTIONS:

• Westminster Abbey - a must do in London.
• Cabinent War Rooms - one of the better WW2 museums you can come across. This was Churchill's bunker at one point, not turned into an excellent exhibit. Westminster Tube Stop...

GOLF DAY TRIPS:

• Royal St. George CC - take East trains from London to Sandwich. Journey time by taxi of about 8 minutes from Sandwich (they will not be waiting). Should you wish to try and organise transport in advance call Sandwich Taxis 01304 617424. The walk is long even if you don't have clubs. They just announced the 2011 Open Championship will be here. The wind will be brutal here, so no matter what time of year bring extra layers and extra golf balls. Caddy hire is highly recommended for first-timers. This is a haul from London for a day trip, but well worth it!
• Sunningdale CC - take the SW Trains towards Reading. Reading train from Waterloo Station, which comes thru Sunningdale, its approx 60 mins from London. The station is at the bottom of the hill, about 800 meters, a gentle walk. If you are coming straight from the airport, it will be easier to catch a taxi from Heathrow, about 30mins from the airport. Contact proshop directly via email several weeks in advance to see if there are any openings. The course is very easy to get around and is a great inland course. Caddy is not necessary here, but would be helpful to navigate the intricacies of HS Colt.
• Walton Heath GC - take the SW trains towards Reading. The nearest station is Tadworth - but you have to change at East Croydon. You can go to Epsom direct from London and then is a 15 minute cab ride. Contact proshop in advance for times.