[y.winter]

Hi everybody,
I'm planning on flying solo to London in about two weeks, for ~5 days.
It's also BB's launch week, so if I'm already in the area, I'm planning on going there at least for the launch night (and probably to Friday's one as well).
I've been to England (mostly London) for two times already, back in the late nineties and in 2013.
It's my first time on my own in London (and generally abroad) so I need any kind of advice, opinion or recommendation you can offer.

1. What do you think is better - Airbnb one-bedroom apartment/B&B hotel? An apartment could be less expensive and a nice "adventurous" experience, "living in the city"; hotel can be come-get-a-key-and-sleep-we'll-clean-for-you-it's-not-someone's-house easy and more close to the center.
2. In which area would you recommend staying in? Somewhere nice and close to the center/attractions and the tube of course. Zone 1/2.
3. Any must-go places? I think I'll be visiting again Borough market, covent garden, Big Ben. Never been to Brixton, looks nice. Maybe some not-so-mainstream places you know of?
4. Oyster tricks/tips? I think PAYG is better for me, since I'm going to Zone 6's Elstree at least once.
5. BB audience tips? best time to get there before/queue issues/good point of view (despite the set changes)/anything else good to know.
6. Weather this time of the year - cold/nice/hot/rainy? warm clothes or more like t-shirts? Evenings in Elstree are freezing cold?

Umm, I think that's it for now.
Thanks a lot!