London Calling!

London Calling! (Again, and again, and again!) – The city is so easy to get to from everywhere – I guess that is why it is home to Greenwich Meantime, but more importantly it just never gets old!

There are a dozen fabulous neighborhoods that will make for a merry time exploring London and there are many more wonderful hotels! Matching the right one with the right client is my job and therefore taking the time to do some research is always important on my return visits.

The Milestone:

What is has to offer: Classic and authentic English charm, small and quaint with very personalized service, beautiful attention to detail in furnishings and character, a fabulous traditional British restaurant, afternoon tea and a breakfast to die for. Location: residential Kensington just across the street from Kensington Park and Palace and walking distance to many of the museums and South Kensington, Harrods, Hyde Park Corner.

Fabulous nearby restaurant –

Launceston Place – tiny neighborhood charmer with incredible tasting menu and wines that will blow your socks off!

Dreamy and Classic British Residential Feel –

One of the lovely bar areas to enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail. We were invited to try “Breakfast at the Milestone” (pictured below) with Fabrizio the barman (for the record the Milestone Old Fashion was also top drawer!)

The Regency Suite was absolutely gorgeous with wonderful space, a four poster bed, and a big copper bathtub!

The heart and soul of any great hotel is always the staff, and it all starts with leadership. The Milestone’s General Manger, Andrew Pike, has always been a true hotelier and gentleman, and always bends over backwards to take care of my clients!

Here we are having a cocktail and enjoying some piano music with Andrew.

Dinner at the MIlestone is meant to be a special evening enjoy the best of classic British cooking in a simply charming and romantic setting –

London is not London without a little rain – here we are for a night out for dinner in the neighborhood at Launceston Place – exceptional!!

What a gorgeous surprise arriving back to our suite, oh the Milestone is full of surprises!!

And breakfast in the library, a perfect end to an exceptional stay –

Claridges:

This is the place to see and be seen. Classic English with a touch of sizzle. Exceptionally polished staff where nothing seems out of place. If you can splurge for the Royal Suite, this sits just above street level on a corner with views to the posh Mayfair Street life below. The suite has tons of light and is perfectly designed, yet cozy as can be. You will want to move in!

Nice fitness center and spa where fresh coconut water and healthy homemade protein snacks are offered on arrival. The bars and restaurants here are perfection and you will want to linger. Location is in the heart of Mayfair with superb shops, pubs, people watching a stones throw away. This is the most central place to get to it all Hyde Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, theater district, museums both South and North.

I expected this gorgeous arrival to Claridges –

BUT I never expected to be welcomed into the breathtaking ROYAL SUITE –

How could we not invite friends in to merry-make?

Fabulous restaurant nearby:

Michelin Star Indian Food at Gymkhana

Authentic Lebanese Food at Noura Central

At lunch time and after work the Running Footman is always a great pub stop in Mayfair, and I have always loved how pubs and bars just spill out into the street in London –

Work your way up to nearby Marylebone for cocktails and dinner at Chiltern Firehouse – you will definitely spot some hotties, and the drinks and food are terrific.

Maybe it was the His and Her Burberry jackets in our suite that inspired me to head down and find some shoes at Burberry – these are the perfect city comfort shoes! When in Rome!

The Corinthia:

One of the newest hot spots in London, this much larger and modern hotel could not be better located for all of the most important tourist attractions in London including the London Eye, Theatre district, Churchill War Rooms, Imperial War Museum, South Bank, Tate Modern, House of Parliament, Big Ben, and the list goes on. For families, the Corinthia is perfect because of its many connecting room options and rooms with Queen/Queen bedding. The spa is spectacular, as is the fitness center. Guests who seek to rid themselves of jet lag can sit fire side in the soothing water of the pool and hot tub, or even try the sauna (for no extra cost!). The fitness center will impress those who take their workout seriously.

ALL of the top tourist attractions of London are in walking distance from the Corinthia –

Terrific bars, restaurants and even dim sum at breakfast. The concierge specializes in finding just the right thing for your London stay.

Fabulous nearby restaurants (These are especially good for pre or post theatre):

Dean Street Townhouse for British food with a great scene –

Punjab for authentic, flavorful and affordable Indian Food –

Still my favorite things to do:

Theatre – Never disappoints, in tiny old theatres with great seats and the most unique shows. It is always accessible and no need for pomp and circumstance. I would suggest any visit is worth at least two shows!

Churchill War Rooms – Fascinating! We can get you in privately with a guide who will get you and only you access insider the command room where the actual war was conducted.

Burrough Market – One of the most impressive food markets in the world. Stand and eat or even better book at table at Roast or Fish.

My new favorite though is insanely good Spanish Tapas and wines by the glass at Bedales.

And yes, the line is really worth it for a cup of coffee at Monmouth Coffee.

Yes, this is the usual 30 minute line for a cup of coffee at Monmouth, and yes it was most definitely worth it!

The most special thing about London is that every neighborhood has its own character and style, and I could literally spend each day in a different neighborhood. And a visit to London is never complete without visiting our old home on the Thames in the fabulous Fulham neighborhood of SW London.