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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