THEGAYUK

Category: Review

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Band

    ★☆☆☆☆ | The Band


    The new show The Band is not, as you might think, a musical about Take That – but it damn well should’ve been.

    What we get is a show about four forty-something women who reunite after not having seen other for a long time to see their favourite boy band (now of course no longer a boy band) at a reunion tour concert in Prague. Why Prague you might ask? Because one of the women won a competition to see the band perform there. Why couldn’t one of them have bought tickets to a more local show if they loved the band so much? Well, that would’ve been too easy and would’ve left out one of the major plot points of this show – a broken penis.

    Yes, a broken penis. You see, while the women are in Prague, they get a bit carried away and break the penis off of a priceless statue. Now, if this would happen in real life the women would’ve gotten heavily fined, and perhaps jail time. But when said penis, which is attached to a statue that actually does come to life (before the said penis is broken off), with the penis visible for all the audience to see, it makes for one of the most unintentional laughable moments in the West End. It’s not just laughable – it’s shockable! Who signed off on this scene? And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Take That’s big hit ‘Relight My Fire’ is sung while the characters (while still schoolgirls) are on a bus heading home from a concert, with the carefully hand-picked cast of the boy singers dressed up in bondage gear (with horse helmets). And then all of a sudden out of nowhere one of the girls is killed. Hmmm?

    Another head scratcher is when the song ‘Never Forget’ is sung by the fab five in an airport lounge. There is also a bit of fat shaming in the show (one of the women is obese). Did I mention that the boys can’t really hold a tune and sing in harmony? Or in tune? Not once is the band introduced as characters, meanwhile, they glossfully sing in the background to scenes that have no real connection to the songs.

    This is a jukebox musical that is as empty as a machine with no quarters in it. Sure the songs are great (who doesn’t love a Take That song or two), and one of the women happens to be lesbian, and AJ Bentley has the strongest vocals of all, but what do you expect from a musical show where the singers (boyband) were chosen from a reality television show?

    Whoever signed off on this mess should be really ashamed of themselves. Robbie, Howard, Gary and Mark – you listening?

    The Band plays at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. Book tickets now

  • FILM REVIEW | 1985

    FILM REVIEW | 1985

    ★★★★★ | 1985

    The year is 1985. AIDS had already started to rear its ugly head. It’s also the year that Adrian comes home for perhaps the last time.

    1985 is a tear-your-heart-out film about one New Yorker’s journey back home to see his family at Christmas. Cory Michael Smith is just incredible as Adrian, a young man going back home to Texas after a three-year absence to see his father, mother and little brother. But it’s really not a festive time for him – for all the lies and deceits that Adrian tells his family – that his life in New York is just amazing, with a good job and great friends, all this couldn’t be further from the truth. Adrian’s friends back in NYC are all dying or dead – including his partner. Adrian has been to six funerals in that year alone, and he faces the grim fact that he is not immune to the disease that has slowly crept up on gay men like himself. With a doting mother who takes care of all his needs while he is at home (a graceful and saintly Virginia Madsen), a tough religious father who lives his life by the Bible (Michael Chiklis), and a soft younger brother who is into theatre (Aidan Langford), it’s up to Adrian to secretly say goodbye to everyone (including his best friend Carly, played by the wonderful Jamie Chung).

    Directed and co-written by Yen Tan, 1985 is a small film that packs quite a punch. It’s one hour and 25 minutes that will hold your attention throughout, with gripping performances, and an equally stunning soundtrack, and will have you reaching for the tissue box many times. Reminiscent of Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only the End of the World (where a terminally ill writer (assumed sick with AIDS) returns home to tell his family he is dying), 1985 is a much much better film.

    With a perfect cast, including Madsen who is just simply amazing, as well as Chung, 1985 is a great film in every sense of the word, and excellently captures that time in 1985 when President Ronald Regan had yet to utter the word ‘AIDS’ and when hundreds of young men were dying and there was no treatment available, nothing could be done for them. Tan, along with the cast and crew, in a film beautifully shot in black and white (by Hutch, who also co-wrote the film), has pulled off quite an achievement with this film. Every gay man under 50 really needs to watch this film to understand what gay men over 50 were dealing with in the 1980s and early 1990s.

    Order this film now from our online shop and support THEGAYUK

  • Concert Review: Ms Lauryn Hill: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour

    Concert Review: Ms Lauryn Hill: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour

    Lauryn Hill may have a reputation for being a difficult, and sometimes wayward artist but seeing her perform, even if it meant travelling to another country to do so, could not have been more comfortable or more enjoyable.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Eurostar recently launched it’s direct service from London to Amsterdam.

    Their services has become one of the most convenient and pleasant ways to travel for a lot of my European jaunts, and the process of checking in, clearing security, scanning tickets, and all the other rigmarole associated with travelling abroad seems much smoother than most airports I have experienced.

    This journey was more than just a live gig, it was the 20th anniversary of Ms Lauryn Hill’s iconic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album was written in exasperation and hope after the dissolution of the Fugees and documents the relationship between Ms Hill and her bandmate Wyclef Jean. Soon after making this defining album she left the music industry to raise her children.

    Her returns to the live arena have often been marred by stories of a difficult personality and a reputation for lateness, but tonight nothing seems to be further from the truth. Many fans have commented on such tardiness as being disrespectful to those who buy tickets to watch her shows, but I would say that it is more disrespectful to loyal supporters if they turn up to find their favourite artist lip-synching through the performance. Not that Ms Hill would ever need to resort to such cheap tricks and by contrast, her vocal delivery is both impressive and sublime.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The arena was full with a crowd made up of all ages, parents and children, family and friends, fans from back in the day, and those who have come to the artist more recently. They were all united by one common cause. As Ms Lauryn Hill reminded us just why this album and her performances had become the stuff of legend, the audience had only two real choices; To stand and stare at this iconic artist; To dance along, and stare at this iconic artist. She is known for freestyling through her set, often meaning that singing together is not the easiest thing to do, as she delivers unique takes on her music and wanders from the lyrical script. But as the better-known numbers occurred towards the end of the set, the whole arena could be heard singing the words to `”Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not”.

    Ms Lauryn Hill proved that all she needs is a stage, a collection of sublime songs, and her awesome vocals. The Dutch crowd lapped up every moment. Ms Hill carried the audience through memories and nostalgia, a tribute to 20 years of this fantastic album, and the equally amazing women who made it and proving that music, like fine wine, can also age gracefully.

    After such an inspiring musical experience, the last thing I wanted to do was jump on a train and rush home again, so I stayed at The Toren Hotel.

    The hotel seems to be stuck in another world, a mixture of the elegance and opulence of the past, a blend of original features and modern convenience. A few humorous touches to keep things exciting and offbeat, it works! A perfect place to compliment Eurostar and my comfort needs.

    Livenation lists a string of dates for Ms Lauryn Hill: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour, including Wembley SSE Arena on 17th December 2018.

    Written by: Ray Si – member of IGLTA

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker – Leeds Grand Theatre

    ★★★★☆ | Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker – Leeds Grand Theatre

    Everyone has their own event which confirms to them that the festive season has arrived, and for some, Christmas isn’t Christmas until they have had their traditional trip to see Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The ballet tells the story of Clara, a young girl who is given a gift of a nutcracker which comes to life, and the handsome Nutcracker Prince transports her on a magical journey to battle The Mouse King, to sweep through a snow-filled forest and on to a celebration in an enchanted garden.

    There are a number of things to recommend this production, there is humour in its presentation, with some well-timed moments of comedy, whilst the scene in the snow-filled wood was enchanting. David Nixon has choreographed a thoroughly enjoyable ballet which simultaneously feels both traditional and fresh, and which has benefitted enormously from its new look and costumes.

    Northern Ballet is well known for their theatrical presentation and their storytelling; both of which combine to make this revamped production ideal for all. Young families will be charmed by the magic and spectacle; ballet novices will find the story accessible and enjoy the well-paced number of short set pieces which provides plenty of variation; and for those with a love for ballet, there are the technically impressive performances. Throw into the mix a live orchestra performing a score which you will instantly recognise and you have all the elements of a beautifully presented ballet.

    The Nutcracker is an utterly charming, enchanting and high-class production which is full of sparkle; and if the end of the first act doesn’t leave you feeling festive, then very little will.

    Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is at Leeds Grand Theatre until the 16th December 2018. Visit www.northernballet.com for more details

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rock of Ages – National Tour

    ★★★☆☆ | Rock of Ages – National Tour

    (C) JEREMY DANIEL

    A number of years before TV series Glee rekindled people’s love of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”, Rock of Ages had been using the song as its centrepiece for some time; as the show tells the story of a bunch of misfit characters who battle to save their favourite bar, fall in love and work their way through a catalogue of eighties soft rock classics.

    Beautifully held together by narrator, Lonny (a deliciously camp performance from Lucas Rush), and with a strong ensemble cast, the show’s humour is a little close to the bone on occasions but proves to be immense fun, with plenty of laugh out loud moments, some great ensemble set pieces and some excellent vocal performances. Luke Walsh stands head and shoulders above the crowd as Drew, belting out the musical numbers with, seemingly, no effort whatsoever and never once having to strain or force a note.

    The production has certainly benefitted from a makeover, especially in the excellent lighting design; the musical numbers come at you thick and fast and the cast gets the audience involved from the outset. Whilst underneath it all, the show has a message about following your dreams, it’s the party atmosphere, energy and enthusiasm of the cast that sweep you along as the show heads towards its rousing finale and brings the crowd to their feet.

    Rock of Ages cranks up the comedy, camp and chaos to eleven, and proves that “sex, drums and rock ‘n’ roll” are still very much alive.

    Rock of Ages is on National Tour. For details visit the show’s website at http://www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk/ 

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Magic Mike Live, Hippodrome Casino, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Magic Mike Live, Hippodrome Casino, London

    ★★★★| Magic Mike Live, London

    Expect to be titillated, turned on, terrified (a bit) and perhaps tortured when you go see the newest, and hottest, strip show in town.

    Channing Tatum presents Magic Mike Live, on stage in London at The Hippodrome Casino. And while Channing Tatum won’t be on stage taking his clothes off for the audience’s pleasure (though he did attend last week’s opening night), you can guarantee that what you’ll get is exactly what you saw in Tatum’s Magic Mike films where Tatum, and several other hot actors, played male strippers (Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015)). Both films made lots of money – and so will this show (tickets range from £29 to £95).

    Magic Mike Live is 90 minutes of pure adult entertainment (for the ladies) where more than a dozen good-looking, sexy, hot, and did I mention sexy? men perform for the screaming crowd in a dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and literally above their audience. But things get better when the men strip off (to their black undies) and give lap dances to the lucky audience members for performances that are unforgettable and breathtaking.

    What is forgettable is the emcee for the evening – Sophie Linder-Lee. Her task is to talk the audience through the action – but it is really necessary? The action, and the male flesh, speaks for themselves!

    The theatre at the Hippodrome Casino has been transformed into an intimate, state of the art, magical new home just for Magic Mike Live. And the show is booking all the way to October 2019 – this is how popular the show is!

    Just remember, it is strictly an over 18 only event, and sure the audience members are allowed to touch the men, but just be careful that your hands don’t wander to parts unknown!

    And after 90 minutes, your heart and blood, will be racing for what is being billed as ‘the sexiest, steamiest show in town.” And while it’s mostly for the ladies, on the night I saw it there were about 6 guys in the audience – a couple were accompanying their missus but the others were gay. So don’t be intimidated – go see the show. And hopefully one of the boys will give you a lap dance!

    Magic Mike Live plays at the Hippodrome Casino, London until Sunday 27 October 2019. Book now

     

     

     

  • Here’s the top ten places to eat in Bangkok

    Here’s the top ten places to eat in Bangkok

    With so many choices and places to eat in the wonderful city of Bangkok, you’ll need a guide. Here travel expert Ray Si lists his favourite haunts.

    AdenArdenrich / Pixabay 

    1) Of course, Thai cuisine is one of the most famous in the world, a bright blend that places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge and when you emerge from the train into the heart of the city it is all around you. And like all intricate and creative foods, the joy is more than just in the eating it, it is also in the preparation, and to that end, you should take a cooking class at Blue Elephant Cooking School.

    Not only great practical experience and great fun you, will be fully immersed in the art of Thai cuisine. You get to visit the local market to shop for the ingredients, learn the subtle skills of blending them together to make a variety of delicious dishes and then have the experience of eating them in a Michelin star restaurant.

    Bangkok Flea Market

    2) There is a vibrant food area at Bangkok Flea Market close by the MBK centre, and I have to admit that I have experienced some of my favourite Thai dinners here. Particularly look out for the fish, at only £4.00 per person you can’t go wrong.

    The Banyan Tree

    3) Visit The Banyan Tree rooftop for a drink but only eat here if you want boring and expensive non-Thai dishes. 5-star hotel prices for the inexperienced tourist, why pay that when there is so much better to be found all around you?

    Paragon Shopping Centre

    4) The food court at Paragon Shopping Centre which will leave you feeling rich in flavours and rich in the wallet, £1.17 bought me my main course… so I had 3! Well, why not?

    Chinatown

    5) If you visit Chinatown wander away from the main street and eat wherever you see a crowd of locals, which is always a good rule of thumb anyway and again value for money is the name of the game and £1 – £3.00 will get you a main dish that 2-3 can share.

    Rosabieng Restaurant

    6) Rosabieng Restaurant on Sukhumvit 11 is renowned for Tom Yum soup and deep-fried fish, and I can guarantee that you will visit more than once at only £10.00 per person.

    Mango Tree

    7) Mango Tree near Patpong Night Market has the best Thai Green Curry served at little more than a fiver a go.

    LeBua Hote

    8) The International Breakfast Buffet at LeBua Hotel offers all 3 meals at breakfast time at only £14.00 per person.

    Banana Roti stalls

    9) Hunt down Banana Roti stalls throughout the city and I suggest that you order without the egg as it is sweeter. One is enough to share but again at these low prices, less than a quid, buy two and give one to a passing stranger – it will make someone’s day.

    Thip Samai

    10) If you check out the tourist websites and travel guides they will try to convince you that Jay Fai’s Street Food with its Michelin star is the place to go but with a four-hour wait to be served and £23 for a crab omelette it is everything that you don’t visit this city for. Better still head a few doors down to down to Thip Samai for their legendary Pad Thai.

  • GAY TRAVEL | A visit to Luxembourg, a country led by a proud gay Prime Minister

    GAY TRAVEL | A visit to Luxembourg, a country led by a proud gay Prime Minister

    Luxembourg might not jump out at you as the most obvious place to head to for a European break. After all, France boasts Parisian style and world-renowned wines, Belgium and Germany are the beer destinations of choice for those with a taste for the hop, and if you are looking for sun, sea, sand and …well, shenanigans, then you probably head for the Mediterranean.

    pvdv63 / Pixabay

    But if you are a cultural explorer looking to see just how much fun can be had on the pink pound, then this little country has something that no other European state can rival. So the question is, ‘how vibrant is Luxembourg, a country where their Prime Minister is openly gay?’

    The Grand Duchy, as it is more formally known is encompassed by Germany, Belgium and France and the capital, Luxembourg City has a population of only 115,000, a city where languages are as trendy as their chic nightlife. I have to admit that Luxembourg was not high on my list of must-see places, but when I started to research how easy and affordable direct flights were from London City Airport with Luxair, I packed my overnight bag and off I went.

    Photo by visitluxembourg.com

    The real draw of Luxembourg, both the country and the capital city, is that it is small but perfectly formed and offers a charming and manageable slice of northern Europe. It is also one of the wealthiest countries in the world and also features high on the list for global wine consumption.

    Arriving at Luxembourg airport is probably going to one of the best immigration experiences you will encounter; 7 minutes or less to disembark from the plane and speed through customs is about par for the course. The city of Luxembourg is easily accessible by local bus, and it says much about a place when you learn that buses are free of charge on the busiest day of the week, Saturday.

    Photo by visitluxembourg.com

    Luxembourg City has been involved in European politics and war since Roman times due to its location, and as such there are vast swathes of fortification integrated into the fabric of the urban layout. But today that same location means that it is a weave of Gallic and Germanic cultural influences and has twice been named the European City of Culture. As expected it offers a wealth of museums and theatres, galleries and historic buildings and a gentle but friendly nightlife.

    Photo by visitluxembourg.com

    On the advice of visitluxembourg.com, I opted to stay at Le Place d’Armes, a hotel that would offer the same chicness and style as that of the city around me. I found myself booked into a luxurious two-story suite, which like all the rooms in the hotel are a mixture of ultra-modern and restored 19th-century original features. The carpets felt so plush it was as if they were changed daily just to keep my feet happy, and the bath was so deep that even an inveterate shower lover like me was briefly tempted to change my habits. The hotel has its own Michelin star restaurant and is in the perfect location as a base from which to explore the city, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

    Photo by hotel-leplacedarmes.com

    Xavier Bettel is Luxembourg’s first openly gay Prime Minister and, worldwide, only the third openly gay head of government. He has stated that increasingly in Luxembourg, “people do not consider the fact of whether someone is gay or not,” and this is precisely how I would describe this liberal and welcoming country. The visitor who wants to find the ‘gay scene’ in Luxembourg will have quite a challenge as there is only one gay bar in the country. But that could be because Luxembourg does not need to have an identifiable and separate ‘scene’ when the whole country wants to celebrate the diversity of LGBT people, and frowns on the idea of people being excluded.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The compact and bijou nature of the city means that you can comfortably explore it on foot, and there are plenty of official tours to guide you through its most exciting and endearing features. My tour guide Sascha, kept me captivated that the four hours I spent in his company seemed no more effort than relaxing in the hotel’s sumptuous bath.

    The city is full of cultural attractions from museums dedicated to everything from Roman occupation to The Battle of The Bulge, which raged through this area towards the end of World War II. From ancient cloth manufacturing to modern art to literature, industry, aviation, and of course wine.

    Photo by visitluxembourg.com

    Luxembourg is a well-kept and wonderful snapshot of Northern Europe through the ages. It is hard to find a destination that can hold a candle to this beautiful city and this tolerant and welcoming country.

    Written by Ray Si – a proud member of IGLTA

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Wizard Of Oz, Birmingham Rep

    ★★★★★ |The Wizard Of Oz, Birmingham Rep

    • a marvel spectacle matching the West End

    This seriously was the most fun I’ve had at a theatre for a long time. My jaw dropped countless times at the set, costumes, effects and the talent of the ensemble. The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg, is a story that has been part of every generation, and The Rep pulled out all the stops with this gem.

    From the start, you were gripped by Dorothy’s plight, and we highly sympathised with her not wanting to give such a cute dog away. The first scenes, our hearts melted with the use of a real dog who just looked adorable as the scenes moved and swished around him. Chisara Agor played Dorothy with much sweetness and love, making for a very heart-wrenching story live on stage. Chisara was very dexterous with her singing and movement abilities; it made for an unstoppable watch.

    The three main characters, Scarecrow (Ed Wade), Tin Man (Dillon Scott-Lewis) and Lion (Kelly Agbowu) were surreally brilliant; sublime in their characterisation. Other than the original film, their portrayal was my favourite, and I felt like a kid again. I was a little nervous that the show may have been more for children, but every generation was in awe and drawn in with the magic and illusion. Ed was superb as the scarecrow with mannerisms being truly identical to the film, but with his own twist, rolling around and walking differently. Dillon was a movement mastermind. His dance ability resulted in a masterpiece performance of Tin Man – the way he walked and moved was an eye-popping effect on its own. I would watch it again purely to watch Dillon as Tin Man. Lion, played by Kelly, though lacking in courage, had vocal chords of an Angel, seriously what a voice! I can see why Lion had many songs as Kelly‘s voice was heavenly.

    The set, designed by Angela Davies, was honestly spectacular. I have seen many shows now, but this show really made me feel like it was my first time experiencing new wonders. I can’t imagine how excited the children must have been in the audience.

    The character of Oz was incredible – a massive head with eyes and mouth that moved as Oz spoke, and it made to appear like it was a real giant’s head. This was worth the wait.

    The highlight of the show for me was the Munchkin dance when Dorothy arrives into the land of Oz and crushes the Wicked Witch of the East. The puppets, designed by Samuel Wyer, together with performers puppeteering them, dazzled the audience, and I just kept hearing ‘wow’ and ‘oh my god’ from all around me. The detail of the characters and the versatile movement of each character was a stroke of genius. I could watch that routine over and over again.

    Never have I wanted to recommend a show as much as The Birmingham Rep’s The Wizard of Oz.

    Running: 24 November – 13 January

  • FILM REVIEW | Postcards from London

    FILM REVIEW | Postcards from London

    ★★★☆☆| Postcards from London

    A young handsome man from Essex travels to the Big Smoke and encounters unusual situations in the new film Postcards from London.

    Harris Dickinson, who was so sexy and memorable in last year’s critically-acclaimed film Beach Rats, is again sexy in this new role, a role where he again plays a gay character.

    Dickinson is Jim who winds up in, of all places Soho, where he falls into a crowd of male escorts, but these are not the typical kind of escorts one would encounter in any big city – these escorts are of an artistic bend. They, strangely, have a thing for the paintings of Caravaggio – paintings that are all so homoerotic and sexy. And Jim becomes, for one of his paying clients, a character right out of one of Caravaggio’s paintings. But It’s a premise that’s very unusual, including the fact that Jim seems to have some sort of hallucination of planting himself in the paintings, it’s a premise that just doesn’t work.

    A film called Postcards from London should show part of London, especially Soho and all its nooks and crannies.

    But Postcards from London was shot on a soundstage, so there’s actually very very little (just in the beginning) shots of the city it’s named after. And while most of the other actors are good, and while Dickinson does his utmost best to try to keep a straight face, I guess the only reason to watch this film is because most of the actors are scantily clad most of the time.

    Postcards from London is available to pre-order now.

  • Here’s where you should stay if you’re looking for a gay-friendly hotel in Bangkok

    Bangkok offers a wealth of experiences and as this was my fourth time in the city, I thought that I should spend eight days away from the tourist trail and seeing the sites and instead soak up the other indulgences that the city has to offer.

    Apparently, in such a city as Bangkok, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay, you can find something that will cater to even the most unusual or exacting tastes, but as a general rule, there are three areas of the city that make for a great base. Whichever you chose it is best to ensure that there is a BST station nearby. A single trip is only 58 pence and trying to navigate the Bangkok traffic via a taxi ride can really ruin your day.

    Three great areas to stay in Bangkok

    Sukhumvit is popular with visitors; it is a mix of bars and restaurants, and more residential areas and contains both some of the richest and poorest districts giving you a broad glimpse of all aspects of the city.

    Silom is the closest Bangkok gets to Wall Street and contains many cultural and historical attractions. It is a quieter district but makes a perfect base from which to visit the hustle and bustle of the city without being surrounded by it when you want to relax.

    But for me it is all about Siam as this is the heart of the city’s social scene, shopping, nightlife, food, and fun and with the tourist trail all ticket off via previous visits, this area was perfect for my needs this time around.

    Gay-friendly hotel in Bangkok

    I chose The Aspira Skyy as my home for the duration and no matter what the nature of your stay or the budget you are working with, this hotel chain, which are found all across the city and beyond, have something that will match your needs. And even the cheapest end of the options will result in the height of luxury.

    My own room I found to be clean, spacious and perfect for an eight-night stay. The room includes all mod-cons, a large television, Wi-fi and mini-bar, hair-dryer, air conditioning, complimentary bottled water, bathrobes, and safety deposit box. But the highlight had to be the walk-in shower! The room does come with a balcony, but I found that it didn’t get used, after all why sit out in the humid air when you can relax in a temperature controlled room?

    Overall it was a deluxe three-star hotel with a service more in keeping with a four-star location. More than adequate for my purposes.

    Breakfast at the hotels was also adequate but uneventful though that doesn’t matter as it gives you the perfect excuse to check out the myriad street food stalls and restaurants that are within easy distance of the hotel. And of course, you are only ten minutes gentle stroll from the BST for when you want to really explore the city.