Across the pond, in the global city of London, there are reminders of royalty at every turn.
From grand monuments of past monarchs to royal family members living in palaces, their presence is inescapable.
If the thought of queens, dukes and duchesses luxuriating amid opulent surroundings and receiving the royal treatment makes you green with envy, we have a solution: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em – by living the luxe life in the city.
London is more than happy to oblige, with countless opportunities for pampering and indulgence, including world-class shopping, VIP experiences, Michelin-star dining and more. So, join us as we explore everything the capital city has to offer.
After all, when in London, do as the royals do.
Shopper’s Paradise
Why drool over the royal jewels when you can buy your own baubles? London offers some of the finest shopping in the world, and its retail landscape is anchored by its historic department stores: Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty London and Selfridges.
If the prospect of navigating Harrods’ 330 departments – spread across seven floors and more than 1 million square feet – makes your head spin, a personal shopper will gladly show you around. The department store, established in Knightsbridge in 1849, has one of the largest personal shopping teams in the world.
The other three retailers offer personal shopping services as well, some with private suites so you can have your own personal fashion show. Liberty, famed for its iconic floral prints, first opened in the West End in 1875 and is known for its slightly eccentric style. Since the 1830s, Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge has been synonymous with luxury (check out the fifth floor, dedicated to food and restaurants). And Selfridges, on Oxford Street, is equally posh, with its famous Wonder Room, comprising unusual high-end items, like bejeweled iPods. It’s the newcomer of the group, having opened in 1909.
Get some fresh air by taking a stroll from Selfridges to Bond Street in Mayfair, a historic avenue known for its high-end retailers since being founded in 1700. Offerings include Chanel, Cartier, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and more.
Nearby is Regent Street, a shopping district in the West End, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. It’s chock-a-block with designer labels, including the flagship Burberry store, where you can grab a bite to eat at Thomas’ – a café named for the brand’s founder, Thomas Burberry. While you’re there, pick up one of their signature checked scarves to fit in with the crowd.
If, on the other hand, you want to stand out from the crowd in fashions tailor made for you, London has plenty of bespoke shops for just that purpose. Savile Row, a street in Mayfair, is world-famous for men’s tailoring. It’s so renowned, in fact, that the Japanese word for suit, sabiro, is a derivation of Savile Row. Since the late 18th century, tailors have been plying their trade there and suiting London’s elite. Have a custom suit made as a souvenir to last you a lifetime.
Another unforgettable experience can be enjoyed at Floris in St. James’s, a perfumer to the queen that’s been in operation since 1730. Enjoy a two-hour session customizing your own bespoke fragrance. Your finished eau de parfum will come complete with a certificate of provenance.
Affluent Activities
Whenever you visit a foreign locale for the first time, it’s smart to take a city tour first thing to orient yourself with the geography. We recommend booking London in One Day, a private tour with Evan Evans, the oldest and largest sightseeing company in London. While you cruise in a Mercedes-Benz, a professional guide will customize the tour to your interests and introduce you to all the historic attractions, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. You’ll also get to observe the traditional Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace; to cap things off, you’ll take a cruise down the Thames for panoramic views of the skyline.
Feel like getting out of the city for a bit? Evan Evans’ group tours are just as enjoyable and educational. One trip allows you to visit Stonehenge, Oxford University and Windsor Castle – where you can view Meghan Markle’s wedding dress and Prince Harry’s wedding suit – all in one day. (The "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex" exhibit is on view until Feb. 17.)
Toast to the high life and enjoy sweeping vistas of London on the Coca-Cola London Eye, the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel, at more than 440 feet high. The Champagne in the London Eye package allows you to sip a glass of chilled Pommery Brut Royal Champagne during your 30-minute ride. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy a personal London Eye host and priority boarding through the Fast Track entrance.
Skipping the line is a luxury few can afford – which makes it all the more enjoyable when you can do so. Potterheads (fans of the British fantasy series “Harry Potter”) will not want to miss the photo opp at the King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground station. Just like the young wizard, you can take a run at the wall at Platform 9 3/4 with a luggage trolley. Purchase a VIP pass to skip the line and get complimentary print and digital copies of your shot.
If it’s entertainment you seek, you’re in the right place. London’s theater scene, in the West End, rivals that of Broadway.
Catch a show at Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, one of the most treasured buildings in the entire United Kingdom. Since 1871, it has hosted the likes of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones (on the same bill), Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie. It exudes Victorian grandeur and even has a lovely afternoon tea.
Indulgent Dining
Speaking of tea: When visiting London, it’s a requisite to partake in afternoon tea. And, while there are many opulent choices available, tea at The Ritz London is an institution. The five-star hotel in Piccadilly has been revered as one of the finest in the world, and its tea service reflects that history of excellence. In fact, it’s the only hotel in the UK with a certified tea sommelier. Nattily attired guests choose from more than 18 varieties of tea to accompany the selection of finger sandwiches, sweets and scones with Cornish clotted cream. It’s an absolute delight.
If you think British cuisine is just fish and chips and bland pub food, you’ll be gobsmacked to see how much the culinary scene has evolved. The city is home to 70 Michelin- starred restaurants, including 10 two-star venues and three three-star venues, which is the highest ranking.
Those who know Gordon Ramsay as a screaming, red-faced chef on “Hell’s Kitchen” might be surprised to know that his eponymous Chelsea restaurant is one of those three-star winners. Opened in 1998, it features modern French fare with seasonal ingredients.
For a distinctly different experience, try The Araki in Mayfair, an intimate nine-seat venue with some of the best sushi on the planet. The three-star venue offers a two-and-a-half-hour seating with a chef’s choice menu.
Finally, there’s Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester – which feels every bit as fancy as you’d expect a three-star restaurant to be. Located in Mayfair, the venue serves contemporary French cuisine accompanied by first-class service. Sequester your party away from the hoi polloi at the Table Lumière, a private dining area enclosed in 4,500 shimmering fiber-optic strands. Trés chic.
Also in Mayfair, Sketch is a hip dining destination comprising several venues: The Gallery; The Glade; The Parlour; and The Lecture Room & Library, which holds two Michelin stars. Whether you’re stopping by for tea, a cocktail or a full-blown dinner, this Instagram-friendly spot is one of the most beautiful restaurants in all of London.
Don’t worry: We haven’t forgotten about the tipples. Pubs abound in London, but the art of mixology is alive and well – particularly at The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych hotel in Covent Garden. Its Showtime Cocktails, inspired by West End productions, are unlike anything you’ve seen or tasted before. Each is creatively presented for your sipping pleasure. For example, the Ce Soir, inspired by “Moulin Rouge,” is a blend of Babicˇka Vodka, homemade pomegranate shrub, homemade fennel syrup, mint bitters and Lallier Champagne – served in a dual-spouted absinthe fountain. We think Henri de Toulouse-Latrec would approve.
It’s the perfect way to toast to the high life in London. O
Lap Of Luxury
Three London Hotels For The Discerning Traveler
At Brown’s Hotel London, the service is so personalized, attentive and friendly that you’ll feel like a regular – even if it’s your first visit.
You’ll be so comfortable in your stylish new home-away-from-home that you may forget its storied history. The hotel, the first in London, was opened by Lord Byron’s butler in 1837 and has hosted the likes of Rudyard Kipling and Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first ever phone call in London there.
The sophisticated, five-star Mayfair property – a Rocco Forte hotel – blends traditional touches, like mahogany paneling, with cosmopolitan flair, such as modern artwork and furnishings. It comprises 82 guest rooms. The English Tea Room hosts an award-winning afternoon tea, and Beck at Brown’s showcases classic Italian cuisine by the acclaimed Chef Heinz Beck.
Tucked away on a cul-de-sac in Mayfair, the five-star St. James's Hotel & Club honors its heritage as a gentlemen’s club while offering modern amenities and top-notch service. It’s an elegant retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the St. James's offers 60 rooms, outfitted with Murano glass chandeliers and silk wallpaper, including the St. James's and Westminster Suites, which can be combined to create an ultra-spacious penthouse.
Executive Chef William Drabble helms a one-Michelin-star operation at Seven Park Place, the hotel’s signature restaurant. The cozy dining room can accommodate just 26 guests, who enjoy attentive service and exceptional seasonal British cuisine – along with a few surprises between courses. Don’t pass up the six-course gourmand menu with paired wines.
Mere steps from the British Museum in the literary neighborhood of Bloomsbury, The Montague on The Gardens is a four-star boutique hotel with the intimacy of a private townhouse.
Guests lounge on the terrace or by the fireplace in the sitting room, enjoying complimentary newspapers and beverages. The Leopard Bar is another popular gathering spot, decorated in a colonial style and serving cocktails and light bites day and night. The hotel also hosts special events that change from season to season, like a ski-lodge-themed bar during the winter. Of course, visitors looking for a quintessential London experience can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at the hotel, too.
The Montague’s 88 rooms and 11 suites are individually designed. High rollers will appreciate The Guv’nor’s Suite, a grand two-bedroom apartment with faux suede walls, under-floor heating and a marble corridor.
