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London

London

Overview

From Andrew Harper

London remains one of the world’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities, despite the Great Recession and the calamities that have befallen the financial world, on which its economy is heavily reliant. The period of the year to see the British capital at its best is probably from mid-April, when the parks and garden squares burst into colorful bloom, until early July and the conclusion of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. London can boast some of the world’s most legendary grand hotels, many of which have been extensively modernized in recent years. The quality and variety of London’s restaurants is astonishing, with recent years having seen a robust revival of authentic British cuisine. 

London can boast an unusually large number of fine smaller hotels, many of which offer refined comfort, high levels of personal service and exceptionally welcoming atmospheres. The Stafford, a Harper favorite for many years, is ideally located on a quiet street at the heart of St. James’s and continues to appear close to the top of our annual Reader Survey. Its legendary American Bar is crammed with U.S. military and sporting memorabilia and is a home-away-from-home for the capital’s many expatriates; in the opinion of many, it also serves the best hamburger in Britain. Tim and Kit Kemp’s Firmdale Hotels group has contributed enormously to the capital’s hotel scene, and all six properties have merits. When obliged to choose, our vote is cast for Covent Garden Hotel.

Hotels

All recommended hotels in London

London, United Kingdom
Claridge's
Claridge's

Distinguished 203-room art deco landmark hotel in fashionable Mayfair, near designer shops, auction houses, museums and art galleries.
Covent Garden Hotel
Covent Garden Hotel

Gracious boutique hotel in the heart of the theater district, near the Royal Opera House. The 58-room property has a tranquil lobby with plank floors, wood paneling and swathes of heavy rose-patterned fabric.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Recently refurbished 198-room hotel opposite Harvey Nichols department store. Exceptionally comfortable and well-appointed rooms overlook Hyde Park, Knightsbridge or a quiet interior courtyard.
One Aldwych
One Aldwych

Gracious 105-room contemporary hotel at the edge of Theatreland and convenient to the City financial district.
The Athenaeum
The Athenaeum

Sophisticated enclave of apartments [18 units] in a row of Edwardian townhouses between Piccadilly/St. James's and Hyde Park.
The Berkeley
The Berkeley

Distinguished Knightsbridge grand hotel overlooking Hyde Park, and close to the famous department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
The Connaught
The Connaught

Comprehensively restored 121-room hotel, near Mayfair’s antique/art galleries and specialty shops.

The Dorchester
The Dorchester

Refurbished 250-room hotel on busy Park Lane. Gracious lodgings overlook the park or the hotel’s landscaped terraces and are individually decorated with patterned fabrics and rich wood furniture.
The Goring

Delightful small hotel, run by the same family for four generations and located within a stone’s throw of Buckingham Palace. The classic English atmosphere is complemented by outstanding personal service.

The Halkin Hotel
The Halkin By COMO

Chic and understated 41-room boutique hotel in a tranquil and stylish Belgravia location near Hyde Park, galleries, shops and restaurants, and within walking distance of the famous Knightsbridge department stores.

Villas

All recommended villas in London

London, United Kingdom
Phoenix House
Cheval Residences Phoenix House

Tucked behind a beautiful Victorian facade just a two-minute walk from Chelsea's chic shops are the rich and welcoming apartments-studio, one- or two-bedroom - of Phoenix House.

London

Dining

All recommended restaurants in London

Amaya
This elegant restaurant draws a well-dressed crowd for some of the very best Indian food in the world. Chefs working in the attractive open kitchen prepare wonderful dishes such as lobster in masala sauce, chicken biryani, and a sublime pomegranate sorbet for dessert.
Halkin Arcade, Motcomb Street, SW1.
London SW1X 8JT
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$65
Bar Boulud
The Adam Tihany-designed restaurant of chef Daniel Boulud on the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is ideal for lunch after shopping in Knightsbridge (Sloane Street, Harrods and Harvey Nichols). Diners enjoy delicious charcuterie, coq au vin, salads, grills and hamburgers.
66 Knightsbridge
London SW3 1
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$65
Dabbous

Though it’s located in fashionable Fitzrovia, Dabbous has a post-industrial style more in keeping with evolving east London neighborhoods. A committed locavore, chef Ollie Dabbous strives to make the natural tastes of his produce as eloquent as possible. A perfect example is a starter of coddled egg with wild mushrooms and smoked salt butter served in an open eggshell on a nest of hay. It’s simple but delicious, like all of Dabbous’ signature plates, including braised halibut in beurre blanc with sea “herbs” (seaweed), and a dessert of fresh milk curds with birch sap and winter fruit.

39 Whitfield Street, W1
London W1T 2SF
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
$80
Gauthier Soho

French-born chef Alexis Gauthier has opened a terrific restaurant in a handsomely renovated Georgian townhouse in Soho. His menus change with the season, but run to dishes such as Scottish langoustines with tarragon, and Highland venison and pears with celeriac and black truffles in a light pepper jus.

21 Romilly Street, W1
London W1D 5
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$80
Green's Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Conveniently located in St. James’s, this traditional English seafood house is just the place to sample indigenous pleasures such as Colchester oysters, smoked Scottish salmon, Dorset crab, and grilled Dover sole with Hollandaise sauce. It has a nice selection of wines by the glass.

36 Duke Street
London SW1Y 6DF
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$75
Hakkasan Mayfair

This sumptuously decorated establishment sets the highest standards for Chinese food in London. Terrific dim sum, plus a peerlessly imaginative menu that includes the likes of stir-fried black pepper rib eye, jasmine-smoked pork ribs, and stir-fried Australian lobster and baby bamboo in a spicy black-bean sauce.

17 Bruton Street, W1
London W1J 6QB
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$120
Hibiscus
French-born chef Claude Bosi created a major stir when he opened his Michelin-starred restaurant in the Shropshire town of Ludlow in 2000. Now he’s moved back to London, and his dining room just off of New Bond Street is a sensation all over again. Expect dishes such as pork pie ravioli with a fricassee of Puy lentils and apple; roast Cornish sea bream stuffed with wild mushrooms, lime, peanuts and ginger; and a fine selection of British and French cheeses. Excellent value prix-fixe lunch menu.
29 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PA
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$110
Hix
Chef Mark Hix’s place in Soho is perfect for a pre- or post-theater meal. The kitchen works exclusively with British-sourced produce, as seen in dishes such as Cornish fish soup and ham hock with piccalilli to start, followed by roasted red-legged partridge with buttered curly kale and rowan berry jelly, or hanger steak with baked bone marrow.
66-70 Brewer Street
London W1F 9
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$70
J. Sheekey
It is always a pleasure to feast on a first-rate catch of the day at this Victorian-style seafood house in Covent Garden (which makes it ideal for pre- or post-theater dining), with its softly lit, wood-paneled décor. Look for English classics such as potted shrimp and fish pie.
32-34 St. Martin’s Court
London WC2H 0
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$85
Le Café Anglais

This pretty modern brasserie has an art deco décor and is run by talented chef Rowley Leigh, who writes a food column in the Financial Times. The set price lunch and dinner menus are excellent values. Alternatively, order à la carte and savor Maldon oysters followed by Leigh’s wonderful roast chicken with tarragon.

8 Porchester Gardens
London W2 4DB
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
US$55

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From the Member Community

Brown July 30, 2011 | 8:59:43
We are currently booking our first trip London for five days. Where is the best location to stay to see London.
June 6, 2011 | 17:40:00
Just returned from London where we stayed at the newly remodeled Four Seasons Park Lane. We were very disappointed in the new decor, finding it garish and cold. The room was extremely small as was the bathroom. Definitely not worth the high room rate.
Gorbeh May 20, 2011 | 7:10:22
Type your comment here. The Renaissance St. Pancreas has just opened their doors in early May. Although I would not normally recommend a Marriott brand hotel to my fellow Andrew Harper members I have been pleasantly surprised by the property. The hotel tells me that this property is designed to set the new standard in service and quality for the entire Renaissance brand. They have spent millions of pounds and several years restoring the hotel to its former glory as a elegant hotel situated above the St. Pancreas train station. " An architectural masterpiece, as designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and described by many as the most romantic building in London, the former Midland Grand Hotel has now re-opened as the St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel." The hotel bar is located in the former Booking Office of the train station. Judging from the traffic each night, there are no empty tables. The hotel contains two separate and distinct room categories, of which AH members would prefer "Chambers Rooms." There are only 38 rooms in the Chambers category. I'm sure that once people realize the standard they will be considering switching to the hotel . The primary drawback is location (not in Mayfair and the adjacent area lacks good restaurants) and noise( above the train station) We booked a suite and found ourselves directly on the corner facing King's Cross train station. The room was absolutely stunning. High ceilings with large windows on two walls. Beautiful ceiling moldings and wainstcoating on the walls. Full marble bath with separate sinks, tub and shower. Wonderful decorating throughout the Chambers side of the hotel. I could not believe we were at a Marriott property. The Chambers rooms come with a floor butler adding to the level of service available in the hotel. There is a separate Chambers lounge that provides a full English breakfast. Again, we were impressed with the quality of food and beverages having stayed for several weeks this year at other Marriott properties for business (JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane and Renaissance Chancery Court). Highly recommened if you are o.k. with the location and potential noise (request second or third floor).
Peterbarrett October 29, 2010 | 11:22:26

My wife and I will be in London for a few days next month and would welcome some restaurant suggestions. We will be staying at The Stafford in St. James Square. We favor the smaller, chef owned ,boutique places as opposed to the much publicized, large and glitzy ones.

Gorbeh May 20, 2011 | 6:53:35
Type your comment here. I recommend the River Cafe for Italian. The food is excellent quality and they have a nice wine list. They are located on the Thames River. Make sure you book in advance via their web site. Another great restaurant is Gavin La Chappelle. It is located in the City about a 3 block walk from the Liverpool Station. The cuisine is French. It is chef owned. The duck and lamb entrees are very good as is the apple tart tatin (always on the menu). Their entree and starter menu changes frequently. Best to book any London restaurant far in advance via phone or web. The good tables fill up quickly and unless you want to eat at 10PM you will want to take the extra time to plan. I've been living here for 5 months.
Travel Office November 10, 2010 | 15:57:38

Hello,
 
Mr. Harper recommends a wide range of restaurants, ranging from classic British to modern British to international, here. Two of our Travel Advisors, Bonnie and Teresa, recently returned from some time in England, and they would be happy to assist with travel arrangements and discuss their experience.
 
Best Regards,
 
The Travel Office
ph: (630) 734-4610 or (800) 375-4685
reservations@andrewharper.com

Peterbarrett August 17, 2010 | 15:15:20

We will be in London for four days this November and are looking for suggestions for a centrally located, smaller hotel with charm.
   Peter

Cvh80 February 21, 2011 | 13:33:39

We stayed at The Stafford at the end of 2010, our second visit and this time in the newer Mews quarters. This was far and away the most comfortable we have been at a hotel in London for some time. The mews is separated from the main building by just a few footsteps, yet one feels whisked away to their private apartment in the city. The suite retains a sense or English authenticity, yet it is large and gloriously luxurious with a delightful living area, and sumptuous bed and an enormous bathroom you must forcefully and begrudgingly pry yourself from.

Emhef January 15, 2011 | 9:54:14

The Halkin is always our destination when in London. Every stay there has been superb. Especially recommended is our favorite room, the Belgravia Suite, which has just been refurbished. We are looking forward to our upcomng stay there next month.

Peterbarrett September 9, 2010 | 20:32:46

Thanks!
  We have made a reservation at The Stafford.
    Peter