When you stay in a boutique hotel in London, there are 7 things to do:
London continues to pull in tourist and business travellers alike, with an ever changing selection of attractions which range from the traditional and historic to the quirky and off beat. Even if you are a seasoned visitor who thinks they know London well, it is worth taking a closer look to find the capitals special secrets and hidden gems.
1 - Shopping
Sleep at the luxury Hotel Bulgari Knightsbridge
Everyone knows London’s temples of retail, exclusive Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. My favorite way to visit them is to swing by The Bulgari hotel for post shop cocktails. One of London’s newest and chicest hotels, Bulgari has a sweeping staircase reminiscent of a cruise ship/ But there’s more to shopping in London than visiting the big stores. Dover Street Market is a department store but not as we know it; its novel approach to consumerism combines a dynamic street market feel with a quirky, design-led department store surround. Piloted by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons fame, this place is cutting-edge and super-cool. A minimalist, functional interior - steel beams, brick walls, Portakabins - provides a suitably stark canvas set over six floors for the various fashion designs on display throughout.
2 - Reach the sky at The Shard
Sleep at the hip CitizenM a budget design hotel
London looks like a city in miniature from the viewing platform at the top of the tallest building in Western Europe, The Shard, designed by architect Renzo Piano. Lifts transport you from ground level to The View from The Shard, on floors 68 to 72 of the steeple shaped skyscraper which at 309.6 meters (1,015 foot) tall towers over London Bridge station and its neighbouring buildings. Visitors can take in exceptional views stretching for 40 miles After a visit to the top, come down to earth with a brisk walk around nearby Borough market, one of London’s oldest markets and a treasure trove of foodie delights. Nearby is the fashionable Bermondsey Street area, packed with small galleries, bars and restaurants including new gin and cocktail bar, 214 Bermondsey, which opened its doors at the end of March this year and is at the forefront of London’s gin revival selling over 50 gins some of them made down the road in Peckham. Tate Modern is a must for art lovers or just those looking to buy an original gift from its eclectic shop. Check into affordable luxury at Citizen M on Bankside
3 - Dine like the Stars
Sleep at Luxury Café Royal boutique hotel
Recently refurbished The Café Royal in the heart of London’s West End has been a favourite with visitors and Londoners alike for centuries. For a taste of romance eat at The Grill Room, originally established in 1865It's where Oscar Wilde fell in love with Lord Alfred Douglas, Aubrey Beardsley debated with Whistler, David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust and Mick Jagger, and the Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor have partied. The ornate Louis XVI decor has been exquisitely restored and the room recast as a champagne and cocktail lounge with live entertainment.
4- Rediscover Kings Cross
Sleep at the Zetter hotel or the Rough Luxe hotel
Visitors arriving in London by Eurostar will be familiar with the beautiful Gothic spires of St Pancras station, but for a long time the surrounding area was shabby and rather down at heel. Not anymore. The Kings Cross area is now firmly on the map thanks to Kings Place, a hub of music, performance art and food. The area is also home to the UK’s only dedicated sherry bar, the dainty Bar Pepito. Check out the enchanting Rough Luxe hotel which is connected to The Mews Contemporary Art Gallery, or head to The Zetter Townhouse in nearby St Johns square, Clerkenwell, a Mecca for food and culture lovers.
5 - Visit Shoreditch
Sleep at the Hoxton hotel or the Shoredich House
Walk around Shoreditch one of the most trendy areas in London, with a lively mix of shops, delis and cafes. Some of the capitals funkiest markets are here, great for picking up bargains, vintage clothes and jewellery Choose brunch at the Albion Café, or http://www.albioncaff.co.uk or have a coffee at the Shoreditch Grind.
6 - Take a fresh look at Soho..
Sleep at The Soho hotel or the Saint Martin's Lane
Afternoon Tea is still a beloved tradition here, but there are an increasing number of ways to enjoy the national drink. One is at the historic St Ermin’s hotel in St. James’ which in the 1930s was used by officers of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6) located close by. . They offer a G and Tea which brings together London flavours of tea with Hendricks Gin. Don’t miss out on the honey which comes direct from the roof where 200,000 Buckfast bees have settled in to their hives, gathering nectar from the nearby royal gardens of St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace.
7- Champagne
Sleep at the Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel
Oh, and if you are passing by the City and Liverpool Street Station, make time to visit the newly opened Catch Champagne Bar & Lounge at the Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel. Old fashioned unadulterated glamour hs returned with the opening of the champagne bar which has a list of over 70 champagnes as well as a diverse menu of light bites and signature charcuterie boards served from the centrepiece vintage Berkel slicer. Sedate by day, the bar buzzes through the night with a resident DJ on Friday evenings By Judith Baker