London Heathrow Airport (LHR): Approximate driving time is 29 minutes and distance is 27 miles.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW): Approximate driving time is 59 minutes and distance is 52 miles.

Express trains serve both airports into the center of London, for transfers to taxis or the Underground (subway). The closest Underground stations to the hotel are Edgware Road (1 block) and Paddington (3 blocks).

The hotel lies outside of the zone where new tolls apply for driving into central London, and offers parking facilities (fee). Still, navigating traffic is difficult even for the seasoned driver. Best bet: taxis or the Underground.

The Lounge - The Lounge features leather sofas, a marble-and-teak bar, glass lamps, and views of busy Edgware Road through wooden Venetian blinds. In its lower section, the seats surround a large fresh flower display in a wrought-iron stand. Open daily for drinks and snacks, from early morning until the early hours.

Caffe Cino - Part of the lobby, Caffe Cino is informal, with bistro-style steel tables, and steel-and-wicker chairs. It's the ideal place to people-watch and enjoy a coffee, pastry, or panini. Open from early morning to early evening.

Amenity highlights: The Hilton London Metropole has a fitness center with a sauna, steam room, 40-foot indoor pool, and cardio and resistance machines. A restaurant with an adjoining sports bar, a café, and a bar-lounge are located just off the lobby. In addition to 44 conference rooms that can accommodate up to 3,000 delegates, a business center (fee) offers two dial-up Internet access terminals and full office facilities.

Insider tip: Little Venice is one of London's loveliest districts, a tranquil oasis in the Paddington area. Located a half-mile from the hotel, the neighborhood beckons strollers with its tree-lined streets, paved tow path along Regent's Canal, and narrow boats available for hire.