london

one of my favorite city, london is sometimes overlooked by travelers. london is a city for history lovers, adventurers, and those looking to get lost in quaint streets and diverse neighborhoods.

Where to stay

London is home to some of my favorite hotels. Renovated manors and members club favorites- you can find something for everyone:

• The Twenty Two (Mayfair) $$$ – A luxurious haven set in a storied Edwardian manor on Grosvenor Square, offering opulent accommodations and a private members' club atmosphere.

• Charlotte Street Hotel (Fitzrovia) $$ – A chic boutique hotel reflecting the area's artistic heritage, featuring original artworks and a vibrant Oscar Bar & Restaurant.

• Dean Street Townhouse (Soho) $$ – Housed in two Georgian residences, this hotel offers cozy rooms with vintage charm and a restaurant serving British classics.

• The London EDITION (Fitzrovia) $$$ – A blend of historic architecture and modern design, featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, stylish bars, and a dynamic social hub.

• The Ned (City of London) $$$ – A grand hotel housed in a former bank, boasting multiple restaurants, a rooftop pool, and vintage-inspired rooms.

• Ham Yard Hotel (Soho) $$$ – A vibrant hotel with eclectic interiors, a rooftop terrace, and its own bowling alley, offering a unique urban retreat.

• The Hoxton, Shoreditch (Shoreditch) $ – A trendy hotel with industrial-chic design, comfortable rooms, and a lively lobby perfect for socializing.

• The Lanesborough (Hyde Park Corner) $$$ – An opulent hotel offering Regency-style rooms, personalized butler service, and a renowned spa.

• The Connaught (Mayfair) $$$ – A blend of classic elegance and contemporary art, featuring Michelin-starred dining and a world-famous bar.

• NoMad London (Covent Garden) $$$ – Set in a former magistrates' court, this hotel combines rich history with modern luxury, centered around a stunning atrium restaurant.

Where to eat 

More than just fish and chips and sunday roasts. Here are rapid fire reviews:

• Gymkhana (Mayfair) $$$ – Michelin-starred modern Indian dining inspired by colonial-era clubs, with rich, bold flavors and a swanky, intimate interior.

• Berner’s Tavern (Fitzrovia) $$$ – Grand, glamorous dining room inside The London EDITION serving modern British cuisine under ornate high ceilings.

• Chiltern Firehouse (Marylebone) $$$ – Celebrity-favorite hotspot with a garden terrace and California-meets-British menu inside a converted fire station.

• Delamina (Marylebone) $$ – Warm and modern with inventive Eastern Mediterranean dishes, blending Tel Aviv vibes with London cool.

• The Palomar (Soho) $$ – Lively and intimate with Jerusalem-style dishes, a counter bar, and music that gets louder (and more fun) as the night goes on.

• Granger & Co (Notting Hill, Chelsea, King’s Cross) $$ – Aussie all-day spot known for bright, fresh dishes, ricotta hotcakes, and a light, beachy feel.

• Sessions Arts Club (Clerkenwell) $$$ – A cinematic, barely-marked restaurant inside an old courthouse, with faded grandeur, velvet banquettes, and seasonal, artistic plates.

• Luca (Clerkenwell) $$$ – Italian cuisine with a British twist in a beautifully designed space, complete with a hidden courtyard and moody lighting.

• Maison François (St. James’s) $$ – A chic brasserie serving modern French food with a killer wine list and an ultra-stylish downstairs bar (Frank’s).

• Townsend (Whitechapel) $$ – Tucked inside the Whitechapel Gallery, this minimalist spot offers inventive, British-forward cuisine with surprising depth.

• Native at Browns (Mayfair) $$ – Inside the Browns fashion boutique, this quietly sustainable, beautifully plated restaurant is the definition of fashion-meets-food.

• Lisboeta (Fitzrovia) $$ – A soulful, contemporary Portuguese restaurant by Nuno Mendes, with warm service and a killer custard tart.

• Orasay (Notting Hill) $$ – Coastal European with a seafood focus, low-key elegance, and a devoted neighborhood following.

Tea Time

Nothing hits quite like afternoon tea. make a reservation in advanced at one of these spots and plan to nibble on tea sandwiches, indulge in scones with clotted cream and jam, and even up your game with a glass of champagne to complement a teapot of english breakfast.

• Claridge’s (Mayfair) $$$ – Quintessential luxury with Art Deco glamour and impeccable service; a London legend.

• The Ritz (Mayfair) $$$ – The most traditional of all—jacket and tie required, with live piano and gold-gilded everything.

• The Savoy – Thames Foyer (Strand) $$$ – Served under a grand glass dome with live piano and river-adjacent prestige.

• Brown’s Hotel – The Drawing Room (Mayfair) $$$ – Cozy, timeless, and beloved by royalty and literary legends alike.

• Sketch – The Gallery (Mayfair) $$$ – A whimsical pink velvet fantasy with contemporary art and playful twists on tea.

• The Connaught – (Mayfair) $$$ – Refined and serene with a modern edge and perfect pastries.

• The Wolseley (Piccadilly) $$ – Grand European café vibes with smart afternoon tea service and people-watching potential.

• Dalloway Terrace (Bloomsbury) $$ – Instagram-worthy terrace that feels like a secret garden, ideal for a relaxed tea.

Pubs

Brits never need an excuse to have a drink with friends. pub culture is multi-generational and welcoming and not to be missed. on sunny days you will find people spilling out of pubs drinking on the streets. grab a pint at one of these spots:

famous and iconic

• The Churchill Arms (Notting Hill) $$ – Covered in flowers outside and Thai food inside—an unforgettable London classic.

• The Audley (Mayfair) $$$ – A beautifully restored 19th-century pub blending heritage charm with chic Art Deco details.

• Gordon’s Wine Bar (Embankment) $$ – London's oldest wine bar—candlelit, cavernous, and oozing atmosphere.

• The Wigmore (Marylebone) $$$ – A modern take on the British tavern with craft beers and elevated pub food.

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Fleet Street) $ – Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, this maze-like pub is steeped in literary history.

• The Lamb & Flag (Covent Garden) $ – A rickety old pub with ties to Dickens, tucked away on a narrow alley.

• The Spaniards Inn (Hampstead) $$ – A wood-beamed country-feel pub on the edge of Hampstead Heath dating back to 1585.

• The French House (Soho) $$ – Famous for serving wine by the glass and being a bohemian haunt for artists and writers.

hidden gems

• The Footman (Mayfair) $$$ – A cozy, upscale pub with 300+ years of history and a killer Sunday roast.

• The Fable (Holborn) $$ – A whimsical, multi-story gastropub inspired by fairytales—great for groups.

• The Cavendish (Marylebone) $$$ – Chic interiors and classic British fare tucked away off a posh high street.

• The Stag’s Head (Hoxton) $ – A cool east London spot with a secret garden and excellent craft beer selection.

• Ye Grapes (Mayfair) $$ – Traditional and tucked in Shepherd Market, this pub feels like a true London time capsule.

• The Seven Stars (Holborn) $ – One of the few pubs to survive the Great Fire, complete with a resident cat in a ruff collar.