Where: Bayswater Road, London W2

What: Bayswater, at the top of hyde park and within the circle line (the unofficial boundary of central london) has neither the fashionable status of Notting Hill to the west, nor the respectability of Marylebone to the east. The handsome early 19th-century stuccoed buildings give a glimpse of its fashionable past and whilst the area is not seedy, a question mark still hangs over it and the eyesore that is paddington.

This lack of fashionable status works to the traveller's advantage; bayswater is an ideal base and location for a stay in london. Because of the lower property prices, Bayswater is a cheap place to stay, and yet it is with walking distance of central london.

For 2, 3 and 4 star hotels, bayswater is hard to beat. For example, you can pick up a room in a 4 star hotel with a view of hyde park from under £100. Move around the park (to park lane a mile to the east or knightsbridge a mile across the park) and you'll pay 4 or 5 times the price for a similar room.

Another relic of Bayswater's low cost of living is that it has always been one of the most ethnically diverse London neighborhoods. As a result it boosts a wide array of cheap ethnic restaurants, all perfectly placed for the travellers staying nearby.

Nearest underground stations: Bayswater and Queensway for the western side, or Paddington and Lancaster Gate for the eastern side.

Attractions and things to do in london bayswater: Bayswater is close to shopping on Oxford Street, Mayfair, Kensington, bond street and saville row, trendy Notting Hill is nearby, as are the Portobello Road Market, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Marble Arch. The queensway district, with its late-night shopping, cosmopolitan restaurants and the famous whiteleys shopping center is within walking distance and all of london's attractions are within easy reach.