The welcome can sometimes be as soggy as the weather, and the prices remain as high as The London Eye itself, even with a stronger Australian dollar. But Australian travelers' love affair with the English capital remains undiminished. Here's a selection of your favorite places, plus some useful tips.

STAY

The Royal Lancaster

"This hotel, with wonderful Hyde Park views, is amazing value. It's in a great location and features luxurious and spacious rooms. Reasonably priced room service was a plus."

Cardiff Hotel

"A lovely little B&B, just a block from Paddington Station (where you can catch the Heathrow Express to the airport). Rooms are basic, with some overlooking the peaceful gardens of Norfolk Square."

Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel

"At first we hesitated at the cost, but once there we never regretted it, as we could walk everywhere, to places such as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Regent St. A cut-price theatre ticket booth is opposite, as are many restaurants."

Generator Hostel

"Close to the Tube and nightspots and you can walk to the British Museum. It's clean, full of lots of other travelers and the bar is a good place to make mates."

Dean Street Townhouse Hotel

"If you want to be in the thick of it all, this is the place. The rooms range in size and price but are all very special. There's a restaurant downstairs for breakfast, lunch and dinner and everything in between.

EAT

The Ebury Wine Bar and Restaurant

"It's walking distance from London Victoria Station and offers a great-value three-course set menu, including a glass of champagne."

The Ritz

"You must have morning tea at The Ritz at 11.30am. Don't go for afternoon tea you'll never eat it all. It's a wonderful experience to sit in such opulent surroundings and be treated like a VIP."

Lahore Kebab House

"An East London institution serving amazing curries at amazing prices. Great atmosphere and service, though there can be a bit of a wait to get in."

The Ivy

"An absolute must near Shaftsbury Ave. It is often full of celebrities but it's not too expensive and the menu caters for a variety of tastes including old staples such as curry and shepherd's pie."

Gordon Ramsay at Coleridge's

"The service was spectacular, with all of the dishes brought simultaneously to the table by waiters who unveiled them from covered containers in one choreographed motion."

Borough Market, Southward

"There's an amazing array of food here, including cheeses, coffees and teas, Spanish leg hams and more. Grab a parcel and do a picnic in St James Park if it's not raining."

SEE

The Guards Chapel and Guards Museum

"At Sunday morning services the music is by the band of one of the Guards regiments, with the lesson read by a guardsman in full dress uniform. The music is unbelievable as the little church has its own professional choir. The Guards Museum provides a wonderful history of the various Guards regiments."

London Walking Tours

"A fantastic and affordable way to see the real London two-hour walks with an experienced guide. I can highly recommend the Jack the Ripper Tour as well as The Beatles tour."

Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge

"Built by Henry VIII as a hunting lodge, there are good views and walks in the Epping Forest area. About a kilometer from the Lodge is Co naught Water, a water bird haven, within the forest. There are no charges and the Royal Forest Hotel provides a variety of good pub food."

Museum of Early Childhood, Bethany Green

'Part of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the toys on display here go back hundreds of years and there's also a cafe."

Gardens of Westminster Abbey

"The Abbey itself is undoubtedly grand but a little-known secret is the College Gardens, among the oldest in London which served as the Abbey's first infirmary gardens and were established in the 11th century."

The Wallace Collection

"The Wallace Collection is in a magnificent upstairs/downstairs-style house on Manchester Square. It features the original Laughing Cavalier painting, beautiful art, jewelry and armor."