Russell Square admittedly is a bit of an odd spot on the tube map. Running on the Piccadilly line between Holborn and King’s Cross it’s not somewhere I would necessarily stop. But the arrival of the Kimpton Fitzroy on London’s five-star hotel scene in 2018 changed all that for me. If you haven’t been, a trip to this jewel box of a place is highly recommended. From the outside, the frappe latte-hued Grade II-listed building, right on the leafy surrounds of Russell Square park and around the corner from the tube, makes for a fantastic site. It was originally built in 1898 by renowned archite...
Read more →London 9
I raised the blackout blinds in my room to one of the best hotel views I've seen in a good while.From my bed, I could survey the 900-year-old Tower of London's turrets and thick fortress walls.It was an overcast day, but the historic spot looks pretty epic on any given day.I had checked into the citizenM Tower of London. I like this hotel brand for being fun, funky and affordable with rooms starting from just £80.But the Tower of London location definitely boasts one of the best vistas of all the city spots.For those who aren't familiar with the Netherlands-based citizenM brand, it's motto is ...
Read more →I hadn't stayed in a London hotel since February so I was unsure what to expect in the times of the coronavirus. But after checking out the reopened The Resident hotel in Covent Garden, I can say with all honesty that I feel confident to go hotelling again. This slick hideaway, which is one of five in the brand's portfolio, is located just a short walk from Charing Cross station and opposite one of my favourite bars, Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration on Bedford Street. Before my visit, I received an email informing that a mask should be worn for check-in and a temperature check would be take...
Read more →If you're looking for a bit of escapism in the city with an adventurous twist, make your way to Mr Fogg's Residence in the heart of Mayfair. This eclectic and tucked away bar which notably features a hot air balloon and a penny-farthing hanging above the bar, has reopened much to our delight following closure due to the darned corona and it has a number of safety measures in place so you can concentrate on delicious drinks instead of worrying about hygiene. Firstly, temperature checks are performed on arrival with a little gun. Apparently I was 'hot' while my drinking companion was 'cool'. ...
Read more →AVA (Audio Visual Arts) Festival, returns to London this weekend for a two-day takeover at Printworks London. The festival celebrates and amplifies current trends and developments in electronic music and visual arts scene so if a deep dive with some of the best are your thing, you'll already have registered for a free (yes, FREE) ticket. If not, don't worry, there's still time, head over to AVA here. Friday 13th March will feature panels, workshops and Q&As from industry leaders as well as hands-on tech demos and networking drinks by BULLDOG Gin. You'll have a chance to hang with the li...
Read more →Flying to Amsterdam is pretty swift but the hassle of getting to the airport can turn the 45 minute flight time into a 4 hour venture, by the time you've travelled to the airport, waited in the terminal and flown to the other side. In a bid to test a less stressful method of transportation (not to mention more environmentally friendly), I recently ventured to Amsterdam from London via the Eurostar. I can testify that the journey - just under 4 hours - is pretty seamless and you feel a lot perkier not being subjected to aircraft cabin pressure! The Eurostar hub is inside the wonderful London...
Read more →Descendant chocolate pancakes in bed for breakfast, a deep bubble bath and leafy views outside not to mention perfectly chilled martinis… had I died and gone to heaven? Fortunately, I was still in the land of the living I discovered after giving myself a pinch, and instead I was enjoying the confines of the dreamy Franklin London hotel. Tucked away on a quiet backstreet in Knightsbridge this is now high up on my list of top boutique hotels in the capital. This is a jewel box of a place, with slick interiors courtesy of Anouska Hempel and faultless service at the heart of the operation. T...
Read more →For those of us clinging to the last vestiges of Summer, there’s hope this September from the most delicious Italian Supperclub hosted by Stevie Parle’s Palatino and super premium Italian Gin – O’ndina. Think beautiful, Mediterranean cocktails, expertly crafted and paired with stunning plates of Italian delicacies taking you on a culinary journey from Venice all the way to Sicily. There isn’t a pizza or spag bol in sight and your taste buds will tingle at every course. From the antipasti which is oh so fresh (zingy bream carpaccio, featherlight pane caruso, umami rich anchovies) followed b...
Read more →If you’re looking for a hotel that’s polished from top to toe, in a way that it speaks for itself and no boasting's needed, then head to The Hari. This tucked-away spot, consisting of 85 rooms including 14 suites and a penthouse, is well-worth checking out, not only as a place to stay but also for its classic Italian restaurant, cosy terrace and lively mezzanine bar. The ten-storey tower oozes luxury with a sexy edge, courtesy of interior designer Tara Bernerd (also behind celebrity-favoured Blakes Hotel). Think low lighting, warm colours, eclectic modern art, brushed brass and slabs of marble...
Read more →