What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's London

London is the most volatile and ever-changing city in Europe. "The scene" is constantly shifting. Here are some of the latest developments:

Accommodations

Unlike most of the capitals of Europe, London continues to open some new and exciting hotels in the heart of the city, even in the staid financial district.

One of London's most famous districts, Holborn, now has a top-rated place to stay. It's the Renaissance London Chancery Court, 252 High Holborn, WC1 (tel. 020/7829-9888; www.marriott.com), which The London Times deemed "one of the most exciting hotels in the world." A landmark 1914 building was successfully converted into this citadel of luxe comfort.

Following a multimillion-pound renovation, London's most prestigious lodging address, Claridge's, Brook Street, W1 (tel. 020/7629-8860; www.the-savoy-group.com), has reclaimed its crown as queen of London hotels. Its rebirth has made it an even more stylish place to stay than The Connaught and The Dorchester. Hollywood divas are often seen walking its halls.

In a more modest category, New England, 20 St. George's Dr., SW1 (tel. 020/7834-1595; www.newenglandhotel.com), has been completely refurbished and is now one of the finest choices in the Pimlico area around Victoria Station. The 19th-century exterior has been overhauled, and the interior brought completely up-to-date.

London's most famous duo of hoteliers, Kit and Tim Kemp, have brought style, glamour, and grand comfort to the tired Knightsbridge Hotel, 10 Beaufort Gardens, SW3 (tel. 020/7589-9271), between fashionable Beauchamp Place and Harrods department store. Many luxurious touches that are usually found only in upscale hotels have been added to this reasonably priced and beautifully furnished hotel.

If you can afford it, the three-room West Street, 13-15 West St., WC2 (tel. 020/7010-8700; e-mail weststreet@egami.co.uk), is the talk of the London hotel industry, drawing well-heeled devotees of luxury. It evokes the coaching inns of yesterday with its small number of rooms. The cool Britannia crowd checking in will find exclusive, trendy, super-deluxe living in an incredibly spacious interior.

The renaissance of the South Bank, "the other side of the Thames," has led to the opening of the 138-room London Bridge Hotel, 8-18 London Bridge St., SE1 (tel. 020/7855-2200; www.london-bridge-hotel.co.uk), a government-rated four-star hotel.

Dining

The explosion of top-notch restaurants in London continues with the opening of Club Gascon, 57 W. Smithfield, EC1 (tel. 020/7796-0600), which brings a slice of Southwestern France to London. Chef Pascal Aussignac, a darling of London food critics, presents such delectable treats as foie gras, Armagnac, and duck confit.

Celebrity chef Ken Hom is now cooking up his excellent spicy cuisine at Sri Nam, North Colonnade, 10 Cabot Sq., Canary Wharf (tel. 020/7715-9515). Hom is acclaimed as the finest Thai chef in London. After a meal here, you'll know why.

At the British Museum, The Court Restaurant, Great Russell Street, WC1 (tel. 020/7323-8978), presents its affordable, top-notch continental cuisine. The dining room overlooks the famous round Reading Room. You get culture and good food at the same address -- what could be better?

TV chef and ex-Armani model Ed Baines is luring the hip "Sex in the City" crowd to his new Soho eatery, Randall & Aubin, 16 Brewer St., W1 (tel. 020/7287-4447). Baines serves some of the district's best seafood dishes. His fish soup is acclaimed as Soho's best.

Modern British cooking doesn't get much better than the dishes served at Lindsay House, 21 Romilly St., W1 (tel. 020/7439-0450). The Irish-born chef, Richard Corrigan, presents an array of tantalizing dishes that will wake up the taste buds of even the most jaded palates.

Paul Rhodes, who was awarded three stars by Michelin as head chef at Chez Nico at Grosvenor House, has struck out on his own with the opening of Deca, 23 Conduit St., W1 (tel. 020/7493-7070). He brings culinary magic to his French brasserie-style restaurant, which features market-fresh ingredients.

Aussies such as Nicole Kidman are showing up at E&O, 14 Blenheim Crescent, W11 (tel. 020/7229-5454), to sample the Asian cuisine at this spot run by Melbourne restaurant guru Will Ricker. This is currently one of the hot dining tickets in London. You can dig into the succulent cuisine while celeb-watching.

On a constant search for the "Holy Grail of British meats," Anthony Worrall-Thompson has opened Notting Grill, 123A Clarendon Rd., W11 (tel. 020/7229-1500). From Ruby Red to Aberdeen Angus, this place serves the best beef in London.

Don't just take our opinions on these establishments. A great online resource is London Eating (www.london-eating.co.uk). You can read fellow diners' comments about their own experiences dining out, get maps, contact information and more.

Exploring

The first major crossing over the Thames in a century, the formerly wobbly Millennium Bridge (www.arup.com/millenniumbridge) is once again accepting foot traffic. The bridge closed after its millennium opening because it was feared unsafe. Now, after 100 dampers and shock absorbers have been installed, the (315m) 1,050-foot span sees thousands of pedestrians every day.

On the South Bank of the Thames, London's new City Hall, The Queen's Walk, SE1 (tel. 020/7983-4100; www.london.gov.uk), has opened as the new office of the Lord Mayor. Visitors can explore most of the controversial structure. Don't miss the rooftop gallery, with its panoramic views over London.

One of London's newest attractions is the Dalí Universe, County Hall, Riverside Building, South Bank, SE1 (tel. 020/7620-2720; www.daliuniverse.com). Featuring more than 500 works by the late Surrealist artist, the collection is filled with surprises ranging from his Mae West "lips sofa" to a monumental oil painting used in the Hitchcock movie Spellbound.

After Dark

London continues to maintain its reputation as the European capital with the most cutting-edge after-dark scene. Here's the latest of what's new and hot: In ultra-trendy Hoxton, Cargo, Kingsland Viaduct, 83 Rivington St., at Shoreditch, EC2 (tel. 020/7739-3440), there are fun and funky live bands and dancing. Propaganda, 201 Wardour St., W1 (tel. 020/7434-3820), draws the young and hip to its stylish precincts near Oxford Circus in the heart of the West End. Recorded music plays for dancing, and patrons lounge with their drinks on the cushy white sofas. A supper club adjoins the dance club. The area around it may be risky at night, but Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd., King's Cross, N1 (tel. 020/7833-2022), is one of the hottest, most happening venues in young London. A former movie house was converted into this successful dance club.

A bustling pub and restaurant, Cantaloupe, 35-42 Charlotte Rd., Shoreditch, EC2 (tel. 020/7613-4411), is luring trendsetters over to increasingly fashionable Shoreditch. It's been called a "gastro pub/pre-club bar" -- it boasts a relaxing bar vibe and first-rate food. Match EC1, 45-47 Clerkenwell Rd., EC1 (tel. 020/7250-4002), is at the epicenter of London's trendy scene. A chic bar, it draws a fashionable crowd who probably have never set foot in the district of Clerkenwell before.

Sides Trips

At Windsor (www.windsor.gov.uk), site of Queen Elizabeth II's favorite castle, the new Jubilee Garden is drawing thousands of visitors. The 2-acre gardens were created inside the castle's main entrance to honor the Queen's Jubilee. For more information on visiting other royal residences, go online to www.royalinsight.gov.uk.

On another front, her Majesty is selling her homemade jams and even her specially brewed beer at the Windsor Farm Shop, Datchet Road, Old Windsor (tel. 01753/623-800). The Queen also sells pheasants and partridges bagged in royal shoots.

If you're heading to London, don't forget to pick up a copy of our just-released Frommer's London 2004 guide.