Venue
This time around, the @media conference will be held at the UK's premier conference venue - The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, in central London.
With Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in your face on one side and Westminster Abbey across the road on another, it's quite a stunning location.
Getting There
London can be easily reached by plane, train or automobile.
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports serve frequent flights into London and have direct rail links into central London.
There are numerous major railway stations in Central London linking the rest of the country and Europe via EuroStar.
Once you're in London you can reach the venue by taxi, bus or by the underground. The nearest underground station is Westminster, on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines, which is a short walk away from the venue.
The QEII is on Broad Sanctuary in Westminster. It's very hard to miss it - it's a beast of a building.
The Local Area
The historical, political centre of the UK, Westminster is one of London's most famous areas.
Conference Venue
Hotels
The Sanctuary House (3 stars)
33 Tothill St. (app. 3 minute walk from venue) / 020 7799 4044
An intimate English hotel that boasts king size four poster beds. Traditional in style with home cooked food with and a range of award winning ales and fine wines.
Jolly St Ermins (4 stars)
2 Caxton St (app. 5 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 7888
An original hotel offering classical elegance and style combined with modern facilities. This hotel commands a relaxing atmosphere with its roaring fires, deep armchairs and traditional carvery menu.
Crown Plaza St James (4 stars)
45 Buckingham Gate (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7834 6655
Deluxe hotel offering supremely comfortable and elegant Edwardian accommodation and every modern convenience from business centre and spa and fitness centre to cocktail bar and tranquil, fountain courtyard.
City Inn Westminster (4 stars)
30 John Islip St (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 020 7630 1000
London's largest new deluxe hotel. Contemporary, stylish and spacious offering stunning views. Luxurious facilities include free wireless internet, fitness suite, LCD flat screens, the acclaimed City cafe and alfresco dining.
Vandon House Hotel (hostel)
1 Vandon Street (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 020 7799 6780
Affordable accommodation for those on a budget. Welcoming atmosphere and a variety of rooms to suit all. Facilities include internet, TV/video and continental breakfast. Ideal for students.
Thistle Westminster (4 stars)
49 Buckingham Palace Rd (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 0870 333 9121
A modern hotel with a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel cafe serves English and French cuisine in an informal atmosphere with a street terrace where you can dine al fresco.
Hesperia London Victoria (4 stars)
2 Bridge Place (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 020 7834 81 23
A hotel with extensive luxurios facilities including boasts an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, solarium, gym and a Danish and a Silver Service a la Carte menu.
Thistle Victoria (4 stars)
Buckingham Palace Rd (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 0870 333 9120
A modern, spacious Victorian hotel with high speed internet in all rooms and in-house restaurant, lounge and bar.
Victoria Park Plaza (4 stars)
239 Vauxhall Bridge Road (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 020 7769 9999
A light and sophisticated hotel with modern decor and in-room technology. Other facilities include a business centre, Health Club, European cuisine restaurant and bar.
Comfort Inn Victoria (2 stars)
18-24 Belgrave Road (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 020 7233 6636
Comfort Inn Victoria has recently been renovated in a modern and comfortable style. This hotel has all the standard facilities and is styled to suit both business class and leisure guests.
Premier Travel Inn
Belvedere Road (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 0870 238 3300Situated near the London Eye and Houses of Parliament, this budget hotel features comfortable rooms, in-house restaurant and bar and WiFi internet access.
London Marriott Hotel County Hall (4 stars)
County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 020 7928 5200
Located opposite Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, this grand historic hotel contains spacious rooms with stunning views over the Thames.
Novotel London Waterloo (4 stars)
113 Lambeth Rd (app. 15-20 minute walk from venue) / 020 7793 1010
Upper mid market hotel with brand new 4 star Novation bedrooms. Facilities include Garden Brasserie, traditional English pub, fitness centre, sauna and WiFi Internet access.
Restaurants
Sorriso
10a Broadway (app. 4 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 3338
Soulless Italian. Price range: £10-£20.
The Brasserie at One Great George Street
1 Great George St (app. 5 minute walk from venue) / 020 7665 2340
Modern European. Price range: £20-£40.
Quilon
Crown Plaza St James, 41 Buckingham Gate (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7821 1899
Indian. Price range: £20-£30.
Bank Westminster
Crown Plaza St James, 41 Buckingham Gate (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7379 9797
International. Price range: £20-£30.
Bistro 51
Crown Plaza St James, 41 Buckingham Gate (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7834 6655French & British. Price range: £20-£30
Gourmet Buffet
37 Strutton Ground (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 5006
Chinese. Price range: Under £10.
Quirinale
North Court, 1 Great Peter St. (app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 7080
Italian. Price range: £20-£30.
Atrium Cafe & Restaurant
4 Millbank (app. 10 minute walk from venue) / 020 7233 0032
Modern Global. Price range: £10-£20
Pizza Express
85 Victoria St (app. 10 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 5270
Italian. Price range: Under £10.
Pubs & Bars
Westminster Arms
9 Storey's Gate (app. 2 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 8520
Two Chairmen
39 Dartmouth St (app. 3 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 8694
The Feathers
18-20 Broadway (app. 4 minute walk from venue) / 020 7227 0921
The Old Star
66 Broadway (app. 4 minute walk from venue) / 020 7222 8755
The Red Lion
48 Parliament St (app. 5 minute walk from venue) / 020 7930 5826
St. Stephens Tavern
10 Bridge St (app. 5 minute walk from venue) / 020 7925 2286
(app. 7 minute walk from venue) / 
Tourist Attractions
Westminster Abbey
Broad Sanctuary (app. 1 minute walk from venue) / 020 7654 4900
Spectacular big religious place full of famous dead people.
Houses of Parliament
Parliament Square, SW1 (app. 4 minute walk from venue) / 020 7219 3000
Officially The Palace of Westminster, with its clock tower housing the famous bell 'Big Ben'
Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms
Clive Steps, King Charles St, SW1 (app. 6 minute walk from venue) / 020 7930 6961
Fortified basement where Sir Winston Churchill worked duing World War II.
Queen's Gallery
Buckingham Palace (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 020 7321 2233
Opulent collection of dull paintings.
London Aquarium
County Hall, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Rd (app 15 minute walk from venue) / 020 7967 8000
Bored fishy things in big glass tanks.
London Eye
Nr. County Hall, Southbank SE1 (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 0870 500 0600
World's largest observation wheel.
Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace Road (app. 15 minute walk from venue) / 020 7928 8282
Official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since about 1200AD, the Tudor gatehouse is one of London's most familiar riverside landmarks.
