202 Modern Service Apartments, London

Advantages: It's free, vast and diverse collection, spectacular building
Disadvantages: Cafe and restaurant prices are steep

...The Tate Modern is housed in the former Bankside power station, (the building has to be seen to be believed), and was built during the Millennium year. Since that point it has developed into one of London's most sought after attractions. The artworks are spread over 100,000 square feet and are based around a massive turbine hall that serves as the building's entrance, a most spectacular sight! Access to the gallery is provided by two tube stations, London Bridge & Blackfriars, and I took the former route which involves a pleasant ten minute walk along the bank of the river and I combined it with a quick trip across the London Bridge for a truly stunning view of Tower Bridge, shimmering in the haze in the distance. The gallery is also served by numerous bus routes, so there really is no excuse for missing this magnificent attraction... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Free, Fun, Educational
Disadvantages: Special exhibitions cost extra

...The building of the Tate Modern was a truly incredible project. Strictly speaking not built from scratch but rejuvenated from the gutted shell of the Bankside power station. The Tate Modern is part of a larger regeneration scheme going on, on the south bank and is the flagship project from that area. The Bankside building is relatively unremarkable from the outside, a very Modernist structure built for function rather than aesthetic beauty, though I think it has a minimal elegance, a functional and economical simplicity of design which makes it an Icon of a previous industrial age, and an excellent choice for a repository of 20th C and contemporary art. It was built as a utilitarian building, and though it still has a utilitarian purpose its modernist profile and iconic aesthetic set it apart from its surroundings. An ideal choice... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Location, location, location
Disadvantages: Out of date, overpriced.

...its own more modern timezone. If you have children I think there are more appropriate areas of London to stay in but it was otherwise, clean, comfortable and functional, a little overpriced but that was down to the central location. My advice....go for the more modern hotel side rather than the apartments.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful