Tag Archives: London

City Guide: 72 Hours in London

The 72 Hours City Guide in London is finally here, just in time for London’s Fashion Week! As we follow the world of fashion around the globe, this week’s stop is none other than the city of the “hip royals”. London, being one of our favorite cities in the world, was especially important for us to find the best new restaurants and places to visit for you Posh travelers!

With the help of our dear friend Daphne, at Hotel Insider, we gathered the most ah-ma-zing hotels, restaurants, bars, and more. This hour by hour plan is the only guide you need to follow during your week in London!

Thursday:

12:00 pm- Check-in to our favorite hotel in London, The Connaught (article coming Friday). It is an ultra-stylish residence with a remarkable pedigree. There are certain standards that must be upheld in London hospitality. And thanks to a $140 million restoration, this landmark brick Victorian has reclaimed the glory of a golden era.

For another more fashionable options, try the May Fair Hotel: the official hotel partner for LFW, The Blakes Hotel and the Number Sixteen Hotel.

6:00 pm- Take a stroll around Mayfair, Bond Street and Piccadilly. They are all iconic places to visit and shop for your next London Fashion Week outfit.

8:30 pm– Looking for a delicious spot for dinner? Bar Bulud at the Mandarin Oriental is your stop. Although it’s not your typical brand spanking new spot, the food is to die for. Do not forget to order the boudin blanc.

If you are looking for something more fun, go to Berner’s Tavern at the London EDITION. The decor is super chic, and the cocktails are superb.

11:00 pm-If you feel like dancing after dinner, Bart’s is a speakeasy bar in Sloane Square camouflaged inside a residential building. As you get to the door, you have to knock, they then pull the panel from a tiny hatch, and decide whether or not you can come in, it is super-exclusive.

If you haven’t had enough fun, head over to Cuckoo, one of our favorite nightclubs. You can also try The Box. It is the same concept as the New York location: burlesque club with very risqué shows on stage.

Friday:

10 am- Stop for coffee and a delicious breakfast at The Botanist. This chic restaurant will definitely make you feel like you are in the heart of fashion week, and make you forget about your hangover.

2:00 pm- Check out the Saatchi Gallery near Sloane Square and look for a fun exhibit! The Times Newseum is the newest exhibition, it helps you discover the secrets behind delivering daily news stories since 1785.

6:00 pm- If you feel like burning off some calories to fit in your outfit for tonight, try the new Kicksana class. It is a hybrid of yoga and Thai-boxing fusion. After doing a series of hooks and uppercuts you’ll be doing tree and warrior poses. Kicksana also includes the ‘Piloxing’, cardio fusion of standing pilates, boxing and dance.

8:30 pm- For dinner head over to Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, the latest Andre Balazs property. Due to the fact that it is the most desirable hotel and restaurant in town, getting a table might be tricky, unless you call a few weeks in advance. Our favorite dish was the Ibero pork rib. After dinner indulge on a Nespresso martini with a twist of tequila to speed up the digestion.

If you didn’t have much luck in Chiltern Firehouse, another great place to try is Cecconi’s. This unmissable Italian spot is my first stop every time I set foot in London.

Hakkasan is also a great Chinese spot if you are in the mood for a scene-y dinner.

10:30 pm- Head to the Laddershed bar at the Chiltern Firehouse. If you still cannot get in, try the speakeasy Mr Foggs, which happen to be the same owners as Barts, in Mayfair.

Saturday:

10:00 am- Breakfast at my favorite place, the Pantechnicon in Knightsbridge. The free-range eggs Benedict and buttermilk pancakes are just heavenly.

2:00 pm- A perfect place for an afternoon High Tea is the Berkeley Hotel, also known as the fashionable afternoon tea Prêt-à-Portea at The Caramel Room. Prêt-à-Portea sweets are inspired by Manolo Blahnik, Oscar de la Renta, Jason Wu among other fashion designers. The menu is transformed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion.

5:00pm- Attend a fashion show. For over three decades JOSEPH has been at the forefront of fashion offering an authoritative view of the season’s trends embodied in the JOSEPH collection and reinforced with a select presentation from the key international designers.

Renowned for its knitwear, sharp tailoring and androgynous femininity, JOSEPH recreates classics with a cool modern edge.

7:00 pm- Saturday night is the night to check out the new IT restaurant Gymkhana, a modern Indian restaurant in Mayfair adored by critiques.

If Gymkhana is not your cup of tea, the stunning Shangri-La at the Shard just opened its doors to the public. It is located in a sky-high building offering great views for drinks at GONG or dinner at LANG.

8:30PM- If you finished dinner early, try to pop in to the Marchesa fashion show. Georgina and Keren’s beautifully crafted runway collections and accessories line fuse exquisite detailing with supreme femininity. Coveted not only by celebrities, but by women of all ages, Marchesa continues to be the centerpiece of iconic red carpet moments and high end fashion alike.

10:00 pm – Drinks at The Blue Bar at the Berkley Hotel.

Another great place for dinner is Bodegra Negra. The Mexican restaurant is hip and delicipus. The location is a tad questionable (behind the window of a sex shop), but the food reminds me of my hometown in Mexico. Do not forget that no suits are llowed, so make sure you change into a “cool” attire before you walk in.

Sunday:

10:00 am- Breakfast at The Wolseley, do not forget to book in advance. This iconic Picadilly landmark is next to the Ritz Hotel.

2:00pm- Lunch at the Portobello Road market, one of the most famous street markets in the world. It is a popular destination for Londoners and tourists. Portobello Road goes straight through the heart of Notting Hill.

5:00 pm- Sunset drinks on the rooftop of the Shoreditch House. The pool and the library are the perfect spots to relax after a hectic weekend filled with fashion, friends and great food. Keep in mind that you need to be a member or be accompanied by one to get in.

For the 72 Hours in New York City Guide, click here!

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The Langham Hotel. London, UK

October 30, 2013Hotel of the Weekbest hotel London, London, luxury hotel London, The Langham HotelStefanie

For Halloween week, we have selected the most beautiful haunted hotel. As you know, fear is an emotion that everyone is bound to experience throughout a life. For some reason, the adrenaline rush that accompanies this sensation is one unlike any other. As a result, various industries like film, entertainment and even travel, specialize in the notion of creating an experience out of fear. And for the Posh Voyage traveler searching for an enthralling Halloween getaway, look no further than the Langham Hotel of London.

Located in the heart of West End, this Victorian hotel is known as the oldest of London’s ‘grand hotels.’ The origin of the building dates back to 1797, even though the hotel opened its doors in 1865.Throughout the hotel’s history, various spooky stories have emerged, causing many people to believe that the Langham is indeed haunted.

The hotel is rumored to have seven different ghosts occupying the property. The most famous legend claims that the spirit of a Doctor, who murdered his wife during their honeymoon at the hotel, still haunts the room in which the two stayed.

In addition to its enticing history, the Langham is also one of London’s finest hotels. With a fabulous spa and award-winning dining, guests can find ways to distract themselves from the gruesome tale. And how fitting: during the month of October, the bar serves its signature cocktail, the “box-o’bones,” which consists of rye whiskey and tequila poured over a piece bone marrow.

Forget about Six Flag’s “Fright Fest.” Posh Voyage is all about mixing Halloween with luxury, and what better place to do so than the Langham?

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Browns Hotel. London,UK

October 14, 2013Hotel of the Weekbest hotels in London, London, Luxury hotels London, Mayfair Group, The Browns Hotel, UKStefanie

On my last trip to London, I found that the Brown’s Hotel was the British equivalent to the New York Plaza Hotel. With its classic style, elegance and attentive service, guests feel as if they were part of the Royal Family.

In 1837, the former valets of Lord and Lady Byron, James and Sarah Brown, decided that London was in need of better housing for travelers. Thus, the Brown’s Hotel opened its doors as London’s first hotel. Over the 175 years of its operations, the hotel has lodged a plethora of famous guests like, Alexander Graham Bell, Rudyard Kipling and Agatha Christie. In fact, Winston Churchill was quoted saying,” I never stay in hotels. I stay at Brown’s.” Today, the hotel has done a fantastic job maintaining the old-charm of the building while making sure to live up to its luxurious reputation.

Located in Mayfair, the Brown’s is in the heart of London. Only a few blocks away from Regent and Bond Street, guests are just minutes away from London’s best shops and art galleries. In addition, the hotel boasts gorgeous views of the greenery in Green and Hyde Park.

But before you leave the property to explore London-town, be sure to attend the award winning “High-Tea” served in the English tearoom. Guests are given the choice of 17 different teas to choose from in addition to scones with clotted jam, cucumber sandwiches and much more. And if you are overwhelmed by the amount of teas, the hotel has two “tea sommeliers” who are present to make sure guests chose just the tea they want.

And when it comes to rooms, the Brown’s does an excellent job living up to its standard of luxury within each of the 117 rooms. Each room is decorated to embody the traditional British formality with a touch of charm. And in terms of suites, it is no wonder that the Brown’s housed so many famous figures. In the Kipling suite, guests can sit back and relax while reminiscing on the fascinating history of the property.

Overall, the Brown’s was a must-see during my trip to London and should be for all Posh Voyage travelers out there!

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Number Sixteen. London, UK

October 1, 2013Hotel of the WeekBest Hotels London, London, Luxury hotels London, Number Sixteen, UKStefanie

One of my favorite discoveries during my rapid getaway to London was hotel Number 16. To pedestrians, this white-stucco Victorian terrace appears to be an upscale home to some Londoner, and not a quiet boutique hotel.

Enter the hotel’s warm and inviting lobby where guests can escape from the commotion of busy London town. Each of the hotel’s 41 rooms are individually decorated to make a stay at hotel Number 16 unlike that of any other. The décor is just the right mix of contemporary-chic and classic English, making for an aesthetically pleasing experience. Rooms vary in size and some even offer a private courtyard overlooking the property’s meticulously kept gardens.

Although the hotel has no restaurant, they serve afternoon tea in the garden, and have a simple yet yummy room service menu. The drawing room and library are the perfect common area for guests looking to unwind after a day exploring the city. Whether you are curled up by the fire with a cup of tea or enjoying a cocktail at the hotel’s honor bar, hotel patrons have the perfect balance of cozy and chic.

Also located in South Kensington, guests are closely situated to the tube station that connects to major travel hubs like Heathrow and Paddington Station. And for guests looking to explore the area, London ‘hotspots’ like Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Harrods and the Natural History museum are all within walking distance of the hotel.

When it came time for my stay to end, I was devastated leaving this London gem. But good news is, there will be plenty more trips to London which means, plenty of more stays at Number 16.

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Blakes Hotel. London, UK

September 28, 2013Hotel of the WeekBest Hotels London, London, Luxury hotels London, The Blakes Hotel, UKStefanie

During my journey to London, I searched the city high and low for new hotels to add to the Posh Voyage London guide. Through my travels, I discovered The Blakes Hotel- an incredibly unique property located between South Kensington and Chelsea.

The Blakes Hotel made its grand opening in the late 1970’s as one of the first boutique hotels. Where Asian-chic meets classic British design, the decor is eccentric and unlike that of any hotel in London. Rooms are individually themed- ranging from British Raj to Egyptian paradise-which makes for an exceptional stay.

Although the Blakes is located in the quiet residential area of South Kensington, guests are just seconds away from the hustle-and-bustle of London’s hip area, Chelsea. A five-minute stroll can take you to the stylist Brompton Cross where stores range from individual boutiques to high-end department stores like Harrod’s. In addition, the Blakes is closely located to some of London’s most famous recreational areas like Hyde Park or the Kensington Gardens.

Once you finish exploring the hotel, be sure to make a reservation at the Blakes restaurant for a dinning experience that mixes Thai cuisine with Mediterranean tapas. The walls of this stylist restaurant are lined with exotic bird feathers from regions like the rainforest of South America. But the highlight of my stay was afternoon tea in the Japanese Garden where guests are offered a variety of teatime classics like scones, petit fours and cucumber sandwiches accompanied with a wide-selection of teas.

Thus, for an unforgettable stay in London, be sure to check out the Blakes Hotel!

Photographs courtesy of the property.