When it comes to cultural entertainment, London has few shortcomings, a fact that is evident in the city’s impressive calendar of theatre, music and dance performances, not to mention its spectacular number of concert halls and event venues, one of the most iconic and versatile of them being the Royal Albert Hall. Inspired by the success of the Prince Albert Great Exhibition, the Royal Albert Hall opened in 1871, ten years after the Prince’s death. Strongly influenced by ancient amphitheaters and notions of the arts, the terracotta walls of the oval structure are decorated on the outside with a frieze dedicated to “The Triumph of Arts and Sciences”. Today, the impressive site stands as a testament to the architectural and aesthetic achievements of the past, as well as the technological developments of the present; it even boasts the largest pipe organ in the British Isles.

The Royal Albert Hall hosts a wide variety of entertainment events, including classical, rock, pop and jazz music, sporting events, galas, banquets and balls and the world famous Proms series. It has a capacity of 8,000, but is usually packed during the summer months when the Promenade concerts take over. Thus, visitors have the option of queuing on the day of an event to get cheap, last-minute tickets to the non-seated “Gods” tier (the highest level of the room), or book in advance for seats in the front.

The Royal Albert Hall has a year-round lineup of traditional and contemporary theatre, music and dance events. Upcoming performances include: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on March 15, the 2007 Classical Spectacular on March 22-25, and the Cathcart Spring Prom concert on May 17. There’s even a Ballroom Dance Championships event taking place in the fall!

If you plan to attend an event at the Royal Albert Hall in London, make sure you book a hotel in South Kensington. That way you’ll be close to the venue and still well connected to other major London attractions including Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. Furthermore, South Kensington is right next to Knightsbridge, which, being home to the famous Harrods and Harvey Nichols department stores, is one of London’s main shopping districts.

So during your next visit to London, book a hotel in South Kensington and catch a performance at one of the world’s most iconic and atmospheric music venues: the Royal Albert Hall.