Over the past few weeks, the team here at the Amsterdam Hotel in London have been getting ready for one of the biggest events in the city’s calendar; the annual London Marathon.

Each and every year, literally thousands of professional and amateur runners race through the capital, raising millions for good causes across the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, countless more will descend upon London, lining the streets to cheer on the runners and revel in the feel-good atmosphere which permeates the city on marathon day.

With so many visitors descending on the city, hotel availability for the London Marathon is always at a premium, meaning time is quickly running out to secure quality accommodation close to the heart of the action.

If you’ve already booked yours, or if you’re planning to come and stay with us at our Earls Court hotel for the big race, here’s everything you could possibly need to know to make it an enjoyable visit.

When to Arrive:

This year’s London marathon takes place on Sunday, April 23rd, but both runners and spectators alike will need to arrive before the day in order to really make the most of the occasion.

Arriving in the capital as early as possible is always advisable if you want to beat the worst of the crowds. This is especially true if you’re participating in the race itself, as you’ll have to get to the London Marathon Expo at London’s ExCeL centre to register and collect your running number at least 24 hours in advance.

How to Get Around:

As busy as it gets, travelling around London is never usually a problem. With a vast network of tube stations and bus routes, the city truly does boast one of the best public transport systems in the world, but when it comes to marathon weekend, things are a little different.

Guests at the Amsterdam Hotel in London will find many road closures throughout the weekend, particularly those that are on -or close to- the marathon route. The London Marathon website has information on all the road closures taking place during marathon weekend.

Whilst most trains and underground tube lines will be in operation, there are some notable exceptions this year.

Organisers of the London Marathon tell us that there are no trains to Greenwich or Maze Hill stations from London Bridge, so runners starting at the Red Zone will need to make their journey using Cannon Street, whilst those starting in the Blue Zone should travel from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, or Victoria to get to Blackheath.

The good news for runners is that travel is one again free to all competitors. Simply have your running number ready to show to station staff. Spectators will still need to pay on London Underground, Overground, and Docklands Light Railway journeys.

Where to Get the Best View:

Getting the best view is all about avoiding some of the more popular spots during the race. Areas like Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and central Greenwich may offer beautiful surroundings, but they also attract the biggest crowds, meaning getting a good viewing spot is difficult, if not impossible.

The same goes for the last two miles on the run up to the finish line in The Mall.

Canary Wharf and The Highway are both advisable spots.  Neither one will be too busy and, with the course doubling back on itself, both offer a chance to see the runners in action twice.

Where to Stay:

Booking a hotel in London for marathon weekend presents its own unique challenges. Stay too close to the main tourist spots in the capital, and not only will you’ll end up paying the highest nightly rates, but you’ll also find yourself dealing with the worst of the crowds.

Stay too far outside of the city centre, and that means missing out on the kind of premium quality accommodation you only get with a top London hotel, all whilst dealing with crammed trains and long journeys to the route.

At the Amsterdam Hotel in Earls Court, we offer the best of both worlds; first class luxury accommodation at exceptional rates, located outside of the busiest areas, but only a ten minute tube journey into the City of London itself.

Given the popularity of the London Marathon, availability of our spacious, modern hotel suites is limited, and we advise booking well in advance to secure your room at our best available rates.

Book your London Marathon hotel accommodation online today, or call our dedicated team now on 020 7370 5084