Hotel near the Palace Theatre

Palace Theatre,172 Drury Lane, London, W1D 5AY
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square

Standing proudly at the top of Shaftesbury Avenue with one of the most impressive facades in all of theatreland, the Palace was conceived as the home of grand English opera back in 1891 - the splendid theatre certainly lives up to that billing, but impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte only created one work to open the then-Royal English Opera House before he ran out of money. Thus, the theatre fell into the hands of Arthur Morton, and renamed the Palace Theatre of Varieties, became a major music hall and a favourite of audiences seeking the hot new entertainment fad, cinema.

By 1911 it was simply called the Palace Theatre, and musical comedy was the standard fare: No, No, Nanette, The Girl Friend and Fred Astaire's stage farewell, The Gay Divorcee were major inter-war hits.

An eight-year run of Jesus Christ Superstar throughout the 70s provided current owner Andrew Lloyd-Webber with one of his first huge West End successes, and Les Miserables found a perfect home for its operatic grandeur in the Palace, running here from 1985 to 2004 before downscaling to the nearby Queen's Theatre - it's still the longest-running musical in the world.

Monty Pythons Spamalot recently gave way to Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical, and its blend of good-time pop hits, shriekingly bitchy dialogue from the hit film - and not to mention Jason Donovan in stillettoes - is sure to prove a smash, not least with London's massive antipodean community.

Such outlandish behaviour would go down a storm in Old Compton Street, running just behind the Palace and the central nerve of Soho's gay quarter. It's a laidback treat whichever way you swing, with outdoor cafes, cosmopolitan bars and the institution that is Ed's Easy Diner, an authentic 1950s burger bar with milkshakes and a jukebox to die for.

Directions: Cambridge Circus is the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. Parking: National car park at St.Martins Lane. Street parking very difficult. Strongly advise public transport.

Nearest tubes: Nearest underground station is Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines). Hearing: Infra-red system with headsets. Induction loop at Box Office. Headsets available in foyer.

Nearest Rail: Charing Cross.

Bedford Avenue, West End, London WC1B 3AS
Tottenham Court Road

Our most popular tried and tested 3 star hotel in the West End of London. The St Giles is only a short walk away from the Palace Theatre

372 Strand, West End, London WC2R 0JJ UK
Covent Garden

The Strand Palace is only a very few minutes easy stroll to Covent Garden, the London Eye and Drury Lane. The hotel is located on the Strand in the West End and is close to many theatres, restaurants and bars. To its north lies Holborn and Russell Square, an area that is home to the British Museum, whilst to the east lies Tottenham Court Road, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.