Crowne Plaza Londen - Kings Cross

The British Library, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, houses an extensive collection of more than 150 million books and documents spanning around 3,000 years. In the Sir John Ritblat Treasures of the British Library Gallery, which is free to enter, you can view historic documents such as the Magna Carta, the colourful Lindisfarne Gospels and lyric sheets handwritten by The Beatles.

Exmouth Market, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, is a thriving hub of independent stores and chic restaurants. You can browse the shops for books, designer homeware and eyewear. A weekday, lunchtime street market sees stallholders offer temptingly aromatic street food from around the world, ranging from African stews to freshly wrapped burritos.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the site of the London 2012 Olympics all-seater stadium, is a 30-minute cab ride from the hotel. If you enjoy swimming, why not take a dip in the futuristic-looking London Aquatics Centre's 50-metre pool? For outstanding views over the city's skyline, head up the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the looping, red tower sculpture with an observation deck more than 100 metres high.

At Madame Tussauds, a quick bus or Tube ride from the hotel, you can snap selfies with waxworks of A-list celebrities from the worlds of film, sport and music, as well as personalities like the Queen and Albert Einstein. As you wander through this long-established attraction, you also encounter the gruesome Chamber of Horrors, featuring death masks cast from original moulds made by Marie Tussaud.

You can search for vintage clothing, affordable artwork, vinyl and CDs in the shops and stalls of Camden Market, a short bus or Tube ride from the hotel. This lively area is also a great place to pick up paella or to tuck into a gourmet kebab from one of the global cuisine stalls or restaurants. You can sample craft beers in the Camden Town Brewery's tap room or take a tour of the premises.

Distance to hotel: 3 MI/ 4.83 KM West

Distance to hotel: 0.5 MI/ 0.8 KM Zuid