Stunning Docklands riverside hotel is perfect spot to enjoy trip with ‘Friends'
WHEN people head for a trip to London, it's usually to take in iconic sights like Big Ben or Buckingham Palace.
But when I booked a surprise trip for my sister Lorna's big 50, having already seen the Big Smoke's most famous landmarks a few times over, we decided to check out a different side of the city.
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Lisa and Lorna lived out their 'Friends' dream in Monica's kitchen at the ExCel
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The Docklands area of the capital is perfect spot for seeing all the city gems
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The sisters are HUGE fans of the hit TV show Friends
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So, I arranged an afternoon of comedy and capers at the incredible Friends Experience in the ExCeL Centre and after flying down to Heathrow we headed for London's Docklands.
Our base for the weekend was the Crown Plaza London Docklands — and what a beautiful one it was.
The hotel sits right on the water's edge, sharing its peak spot with some quirky street food vendors.
After a quick selfie by the funky flower wall, we headed upstairs to our superior room which offered plenty of space, TWO king-sized beds and a cracking river view.
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The Crowne Plaza is in the heart of London's Docklands right on the River Thames
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The Crowne Plaza's flower wall was a perfect selfie spot
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The room had two kingsize beds and was lovely and spacious with a river view
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Trendy Fremantle bar and restaurant does a roaring trade from both hotel guests and passers-by
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Fabulous food at Freemantle
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Dinner was at stylish in-house restaurant Fremantle, where the menu offers tastes from around the globe and the drinks are just as varied.
We both opted for the tempura prawns for our starters, which were deliciously crisp and juicy.
I followed that with the BBQ steak flatbread with bourbon chipotle, tomato salsa and szechuan crunch which was a delight.
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Sis enjoyed the chicken katsu sando with pickled shallots, peppers and Thai chilli jam, all washed down with a beautiful bottle of Malbec.
Next day, after tucking into Fremantle's massive hot buffet breakfast we went exploring after deciding to stay local in the Docklands.
Just a stone's throw from the hotel is Heroica, a unique bar and dining experience where you can enjoy a beer and a pizza inside an old London bus.
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Still too full from breakfast, we enjoyed a refreshing pre-lunch Aperol Spritz.
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Nearby is the IFS Cloud Cable Car which takes you (as the name suggests) into the clouds, 90 metres above the River Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula and home of the Millennium Dome — now known as the O2 — where between shops, bars and restaurants and various different experiences, you won't be stuck to fill your day.
Birthday celebration
As it happened we had a date with some 'Friends', so after a bite to eat at Gordon Ramsay's Street Burger, we hopped back on the cable car and headed to the ExCeL London, which was, conveniently, a five- minute walk from the hotel.
After watching Friends together over and over (and over!), for more than 30 years the Friends Experience was the perfect way to spend a big birthday celebration.
We ambled through the set recreations and interactive displays reminiscing about all the moments over the last three decades that have made us laugh again and again.
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Walking into Monica and Rachel's and Chandler and Joey's apartments was so surreal and so special.
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The sisters took the cable car to the exhibit
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Tea at Monica and Rachel's was surreal and all part of the Friends Experience at London's ExCeL
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The girls enjoyed a tour of the iconic Friends set, including a rest in Joey and Chandler's loungers
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Joey, Ross, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe in the episode 'The One Where They All Turn Thirty.'
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We sat by the big window, hoping not to catch a glimpse of Ugly Naked Guy, played some fusball in the boys' kitchen and had a go on Phoebe's guitar and Ross's keyboard in the world famous Central Perk, before enjoying a glass of bubbly watching the world go by.
After that we jumped on the Elizabeth Line and headed just one short stop to the thriving Canary Wharf for some dinner at Wahaca — an authentic and trendy Mexican restaurant set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers, which serves up the best nachos and margaritas I've ever had.
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Some refreshing margaritas served up at trendy Mexican restaurant, Wahaca - set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers
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Once a hub for shipping and industry, London's Docklands has made a name for itself as a vibrant, fun place to both live and visit.
The Crowne Plaza is the perfect spot to stay for a gig at the O2 or ExCeL or even if you're looking for an easy way to get in and out of the Big Smoke's more bustling parts.
It's also a great place to unwind away from the crowds and enjoy London at leisure.
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