The latest edition of the Lonely Planet Guide to London says that
London has become “dynamic and forward-looking” full of
great places to visit, eat and stay, chic inner-city
neighbourhoods, excellent architecture and is therefore richly
deserving of its Olympic success. Previous editions of the London
LP have criticised London for being the home of dirty pigeons,
lager louts and hotels so awful “they made Fawlty Towers
look like a documentary''. London, according to the LP
appears to have become revitalized and buzzing. Did you notice?

The LP describes the following areas as being “new hip”
neighbourhoods such as Haggerston and Borough/Bermondsey, with
their foodie markets and creative communities. Hhhmm. Where is
Haggerston?

The Guide says eating out in London is as “diverse, stylish
and satisfying” as anywhere in the world and singles out the
“dazzling” eating of Marylebone High Street and the
culturally diverse Stoke Newington.

The downside: the London LP criticizes decaying districts like
“unattractive” Victoria and “plain” Pimlico,
while Chelsea has “lost much of its stylish oomph” and
Mayfair has become “the first port of call for tabloid
paparazzi”. They say that overpriced attractions such as the
London Dungeon – “a camped up gothic gore-fest rather more
underwhelming than even sceptics might suspect” and
“overrated” Madam Tussauds. And here's what all
Londoners already know: the Underground remains
“horrendously overpriced and crowded in the rush-hour”
while the new “Bendy-buses … lack style and grace”
and have fewer seats.