Eurostar is a fabulous way to travel; it was everything expected and more. My colleague and I boarded the train at St. Pancras station in London with plans to go to Brussels, Belgium. St. Pancras was well organized making it easy to find our train. St. Pancras also offered no-charge “easy-cart’s” accessible, right at the station’s entrance.  When we arrived at the train we were ushered to our spacious seats and our bags were stowed away by the courteous staff. The food service started quickly after departure. The three course meal was delicious, including champagne and impeccable service. I was pleasantly surprised at how spacious the area was, leg space was very ample and for a tech savvy business traveler, there is plenty of room and plugs to set up a laptop and get right to work.

The Belgian and English country side that surrounded the high-speed train was soothing and the train was surprisingly quiet. In just two short hours the train was to arrive in Brussels, not before passing thru underneath the English Channel. The conscientious staff welcomed us to Brussels and helped us off the train, where our luggage was waiting for us. Returning to England was just as delightful as going. Everything went off without a hitch and they even changed our ticket times with no extra charge or hassle. If you are looking for economical, fast, comfortable transportation the best option for travel between London and Brussels is Eurostar.

www.eurostar.com

A name synonymous with fashion and popular culture, Jean Paul Gaultier has joint forces with Grande Maison Champagne Piper-Heidsieck resulting in two new exclusive bottles: Black Cancan and French Cancan. Champagne Piper-Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck. Since its creation, Piper-Heidsieck has always been associated with the greats and the goods from Marie Antoinette Queen of France, to Marilyn Monroe.

Piper-Heidsieck is one of the most awarded champagnes and benefits from the expertise of the celebrated winemaker Régis Camus. Regis was presented the “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year Trophy” in 2011 for the sixth time running by London’s prestigious International Wine Challenge. This reinforces Piper-Heidsieck’s status as one the most outstanding wines made in Champagne.

Black Cancan features a bottle of the Piper-Heidsieck Millesime Vintage 2000 seductively dressed in noir fishnets and crowned in dazzling Swarovski crystals. Presented in a beautiful coffret, the champagne comes alongside two Schott Zwiesel crystal glasses with the shape encapsulating Jean Paul Gaultier’s signature curves. Also created for the house of Jean Paul Gaultier, the French Cancan is available with the Cuvee Brut champagne. With a golden hue and iridescent reflections, the Piper-Heidsieck Millesime 2000 is a truly exceptional vintage and a true testament of Regis Camus’ talent and commitment to excellence. The Black Cancan is limited to only 10 coffrets and is available from 25th June exclusively from Selfridges for £535.

Clanricarde Gardens by onefinestay combines a charming stay with an excellent location.
The hotel alternative is in a perfect location. It is nestled near Hyde Park. A great display of classical Victorian architecture, which is illustrated perfectly by cornice and crown molding. A tasteful mix of traditional palatial accents with a modern twist.
A beautiful fresh floral arrangement warmly greets you as you walk in. It is easy to take notice of the breakfast bar which is brilliantly illuminated by plenty of daylight. You can instantly are aware of it’s neighboring kitchen counterpart. Great views of the Victorian neighborhood are abundantly though out. This flat grants you the style and comfort you deserve.

A piece of beautiful art ogles you upon entering the dining area as you walk on the flats original wood floors. Perfect use of the dining area is rendered with a carlyle style dining table and benches. The benches are accented with a generous use of throw pillows.

A healthy amount of light allows you to take notice of all the eclectic details of distinction, with the great use of floor to ceiling glass doors and windows. The King size bed is crowned with a lovely pediment that Zeus himself would be proud of.

The bathroom is no stranger to detail. It displays classic black and white checkered floors in addition to hunter green walls. Bristan Mixers that adorn the bathroom and kitchen sinks. Soft cloud like bath towels and fine linens are plentiful and readily available.
A short walk away from a neighboring restaurants (two Italian, modern chinese tapas and a lovely pub)
This gorgeous flat is equipped with a washing machine, dryer, and gas oven. A great stay for business and for a relaxing holiday!

http://www.onefinestay.com/

http://www.onefinestay.com/london/clanricarde-gardens/

Grosvenor House, A JW Marriot Hotel is truly one of London’s most iconic hotels, and, centrally located on Park Lane in exclusive Mayfair; it holds one of the capital’s most desirable addresses. Built to the designs of L. Rome Guthrie between 1927 and 1929, and embellished by Sir Edwin Lutyens, Grosvenor House has always been premier among Central London luxury hotels. Its light and well-proportioned rooms, unrivalled entertaining space and breathtaking views of Hyde Park are advantages which will stand any test of time.
The hotel stands on a site once occupied by Gloucester House, the London home of King George III’s brother, the Duke of Gloucester. In 1806 the mansion was bought by Robert Grosvenor, second Earl Grosvenor, later first Marquess of Westminster, who, in the custom of the times, renamed it after his family. In 1927, investor Albert Octavius Edwards began building work for a luxury hotel fronting Park Lane. Open to the public in May 1929, Grosvenor House’s original design was inspired by the ample proportions of American hotels. The only London hotel ever to have had a skating rink, it immediately attracted the smart, the fashionable and the sophisticated. In 1933 the seven year old Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, learnt to skate at the hotel.
With such a rich past, Grosvenor House’s future as a JW Marriott Hotel is likely to be as splendid. Through the years, many iconic personalities including Orson Welles, Jacqueline Kennedy, Henry Kissinger and Ella Fitzgerald have been beneficiaries of the Grosvenor House tradition of style, service and warmth. Presidents, Ambassadors and Foreign Ministers from all parts of the globe continue to visit in both private and professional capacity ensuring a regal continuation of the hotel’s extraordinary history.
Today, the fully renovated hotel has become a European flagship, distinguished by understated elegance and approachable luxury that is both timeless and current and with service that is attentive without being intrusive it makes a natural home for both business or leisure travellers.
The hotel features 494 luxurious guest rooms including 74 suites, meticulously appointed and in a classic contemporary décor style for the utmost in comfort. Remaining true to the hotel’s 1920s history and grandeur, the bedrooms use rich muted colours in the furnishings contrasting with cream walls. Many original features of the period have been retained and marble bathrooms acknowledge an Art Deco influence. An executive floor & lounge is also available and offers extended facilities to guests.
Grosvenor House offers a broad range of guest room facilities and additional services that include 24 hour room service, treatments at SanRizz Spa, unique Star Trac equipment at the Grosvenor House Fitness Centre and many more. For the business traveller, the hotel offers 100MB high-speed Internet, a large work desk and a laptop-size safe.
Premier among hotels near Oxford Street, the Grosvenor House offers a wide array of mouth-watering culinary experiences. From glamorous award-winning afternoon tea or a glass of champagne in the Park Room to an evening cognac at the Library Bar, the hotel has the place to match everybody’s mood. For a fantastic dinner, the recently opened JW Steakhouse allows one to indulge in London’s finest steaks or enjoy one of the many Bourbons on offer at the Bourbon Bar. If you are in a party spirit, experience the famous Red Bar and celebrate with unique cocktails. If you fancy a more traditional British setting, enjoy a delicious international meal at Corrigan’s Mayfair.
Its location, in the heart of the capital, overlooking Hyde Park, one of the city’s most beautiful parks, is only one of Grosvenor House’s undoubted draws. Near to everything, convenient for everyone, the hotel has an unrivalled range of entertaining space. With 26 meeting rooms in 86 Park Lane including the famed Great Room & the Ballroom, totalizing 5,660 square meters, it is one of the most flexible and elegant venues in London for a business or social event. Whether entertaining on the grandest scale or working one to one, the hotel will guarantee an experience to remember.

Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, Park Lane, London, W1K7TN
www.londongrosvenorhouse.co.uk

Design rules in this gorgeous yet cozy Firmdale hotel located in the outskirts of Soho within Bloomsbury. The Charlotte Street Hotel feels like a separate oasis in the extremely busy city of London.  It’s a fitting location for a hotel that was once a dental warehouse and draws upon traditional English decor and themes along with Kit Kemp’s signature interior design.  The location also plays a big role in the theme of the hotel with Bloomsbury antiques, artwork and handmade furniture. When designing the interiors for the hotel Kit Kemp made specific reference to the Sussex home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.  Wallpaper was printed with the details from a Hogarth press wood print. Pieces of hand painted furniture were specially designed for the hotel and a collection of original art by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Roger Fry and Henry Lamb.

In “Oscar”, the hotel’s brasserie with its open plan kitchen, there are murals painted in the style of 1916 frescoes entitled “Scenes of Contemporary London Life” by Roger Fry and his Omega Workshop. Kit has taken this idea and commissioned a work with the scenes of 21st century London
as inspiration.  A large chunk of the design budget was spent on the art collection. In the lobby there is a bronze sculpture by Botero and two abstract landscapes by Welsh painter Roger Cecil. In the drawing room there is a beautiful still life of flowers by Roger Fry, Henry Lamb line drawings and a charmingly child-like flower painting by Winifred Nicholson.

Oscar, located right next to the main lobbby, is a relaxing venue for drinks, British influenced fare for lunch or dinner, It’s an ideal place to meet with friends after a day in the city even if you’re not staying in the hotel.

Rooms are spacious, clean as can be and comfortable. The spacious bathrooms (also a signature in all the other Firmdale hotels) includes a shower and seprate standalone tub. But what can be most notable about the room is the view. Thanks to the great Bloomsbury location you have views over Soho and London beyond all the way to the London Eye and iconic London rooftops.

Charlotte Street Hotel
15-17 Charlotte Street
London W1T 1RJ
020 7806 2000

The old adage of ‘location, location, location’ couldn’t be any more fitting than for the idyllic location of Brown’s Hotel. “Mayfair is in the heart of London, Brown’s is in the heart of Mayfair”. Situated in what appears to be the absolute center of the best that London has to offer, a stay here will have you endlessly entertained. The white glove service of Brown’s is immediately apparent upon arrival at this British gem of a hotel. Added touches such as packing and unpacking service, as well as a premier round the clock on-call concierge, are some of the many factors that contribute to Brown’s well-deserved 5 Star status.

As part of the prestigious Rocco Forte Collection it was no surprise that I was instantly made to feel as though I was a part of their extended family at Brown’s. With a distinctly British feel yet a warm and welcoming cozy charm, I experienced none of the snooty attitude that often accompanies most posh hotels.

The luxury deluxe room had a contemporary theme throughout and as I surveyed the modern bathroom, huge walk-in closet and gorgeous view, I instantly felt as though I had “arrived”. A set menu dinner in the three AA Rosettes Albemarle restaurant started with a pre-dinner glass of champagne followed by a tantalizing appetizer of shaved fennel and kohlrabi salad with blood orange. The main course was a cooked to perfection roast fillet of Loch Duart salmon with alexanders. The service was so efficient and attentive that I felt as though we were the only guests in the restaurant. This only served to enhance my already positive stance on the level of personalized attention one receives when staying at Brown’s.

Although I didn’t have time for a tea in the award-winning English Tea Room, I did enjoy a stiff drink in the Donovan Bar, aptly named after the British photographer Terence Donovan. The walls of the intimate bar are lined with a series of his iconic black and white prints, many depicting somewhat risqué imagery. This is the definitely the type of place that encourages you to simply relax into one of the comfortable banquettes and hold court for a full evening of drinks and great conversation with good friends. I recommend a visit to this quaint bar, even if you are not a guest of the hotel, as they warmly welcome both residents and non-residents alike.

To stay at Brown’s Hotel is to experience the seamless meshing of all the elements one comes to expect in an upscale hotel, with just the right amount of ‘homey’ vibe. I wholeheartedly echo the sentiments of a valued guests who was once overheard stating
“I don’t stay at a hotel. I stay at Brown’s”. In my personal opinion, it is definitely the gold standard by which to compare all other 5 star hotels.

Brown’s Hotel
33 Albemarle Street
Mayfair, London, W1S 4BP, UK
+44 (0) 20 7493 6020
www.brownshotel.com

British train travel isn’t as glorious as its continental European counterparts, but a trip on a Virgin Trains is as rock and roll as it gets on the island.
Services in Britain were privatized 15 years ago to mixed reviews: Higher fares resulted, as did safer services, longer repair times began, though customer service was also improved. Virgin has been equally criticised along with the competition. What sets them apart is that Virgin gets right so many things that other services get so wrong. As the red and silver-striped front of a Virgin train pulls into the station, it is clear that if train travel were a popularity contest, Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains are definitely ‘the cool kids’ on the block.
The staff is much more open and friendly than other train services; the announcers even show a sense of humor when and where appropriate. I have actually laughed out loud during many a trip.
Virgin trains also run frequently and reliably. All trains leave from London Euston station with Pendolino trains heading north to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow, and their Super Voyager trains which run northwest to Chester, North Wales, the West Midlands and Scotland. Trains to Manchester leave three times an hour, or every 20 minutes, which means that seats are rarely over-sold and there is plenty of space.
Fares are reasonable, seats are easy to book online, and if date of travel is known far enough in advance (3 months or so), seats to Manchester can sell for as little as £14 ($22) round-trip, though these tend to be windowless seats with no view.
Lucky enough to travel first class? The first class service offered by Virgin is rivalled only by that offered by Eurostar, a much more exclusive and expensive service between London and Paris/Brussels. Bottomless coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine (evenings only), genuinely delicious meals, spacious seating with all necessary plugs and free wi-fi services are all included, and on weekends anyone can bump their ticket up to first class for only £15.
During a trip from London to Liverpool last December, the apologetic train manager announced that our train would only be serving a snack service as it was considered an afternoon trip, and that any first class travelers who wished for a full meal should change at the next stop and board the following train, where the staff would graciously serve hot meals.
The snack was still delicious and I arrived on time, early even. As the trendy Virgin train arrived at the station, I couldn’t help but feel a bit smug that I chose to travel with Virgin to Liverpool. Hanging with ‘the cool kids’ made my travel in dead of winter an absolute breeze.
www.virgintrains.co.uk

For days in advance I was eagerly looking forward to visiting Arbutus, the Michelin starred restaurant located in the Soho media district of London.  The restaurant recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a slight revamping of the restaurant’s decor and the menu. Having visited Arbutus a few times in the past, the one thing that has kept ringing true to me is that Arbutus consistently demonstrates that they truly care about food and use of ingredients. Known for its daily updated menu and gastronomic twist on both British and French cuisine as well as for using thrifty, road-less-traveled ingredients such as tripe and pigs head in creative yet surprisingly healthy and in various gluten-free ways. The result is an affordable menu and a foodies dream. On a quiet and rainy day in London I was joined by famed jewelry designer and artist Kali Arulpragasam for a late lunch. As someone with a broad and sophisticated palette, she was the perfect person to join me at Arbutus.

I started off with the Potato ‘gazpacho’, served cold in typical fashion but this was no ordinary gazpacho; it was filled with potatoes, scallops and Maldon rock oysters surrounded in foam.  An interesting mix of ingredients that you wouldn’t normally assume would mesh well in gazpacho or any other way but somehow worked here so deliciously together. Somewhat rich but simultaneously healthy and light, a rare combination. Kali ordered the squid and macarel ‘burger’ which included parsley, razor clams and sea purslane -she mentioned how she had to take in each bite slowly to comprehend all the flavors together. Then out came the mains; I had the traditional bouillabaisse while Kali ordered the Roast Rabbit. The boullabaisse is traditional in a non-traditional way (an ongoing theme at Arbutus) in how it’s brought out in separate components for you to put together as you please. The fish and leaks are on one plate and the soup is in a separate bowl.  A little extra leek?  Less soup?  More fish?  Put together exactly as you like it.  You have your plate in the middle to combine all the ingredients and dig in. The herbs in the soup were absolutely perfect. I could taste hints of saffron and fennel -two personal favorites of mine. Dare I say this boullabaise was perfect? I had been to Arbutus in the past but had overlooked the boullabaisse (which is one of their rare menu staples), but I was so glad to have tried it this time around. I was in heaven with my dish and hoping that Kali wouldn’t have foodie envy for my lovely soup, luckily she was quite happy with her rabbit dish. She mentioned how tender and juicey and “oh la la” the meat was on the rabbit. She also mentioned her love for the side potato gratin dish and urged me to take a bite. I did and I understood what she meant. The potato gratin tasted like something straight out of my mothers oven, and that is a huge compliment.

All in all another excellent visit to Arbutus. This is the kind of restaurant you must visit again and again -and again; not only to re-enjoy favorite dishes but also to try all the new dishes they revolve on the menu.  This is also the kind of restaurant that is so inspiring that it makes you want to open your own restaurant and introduce this unique concept to places such as Los Angeles that lack restaurants anything like this.  I will be back again soon and you should visit too.

63-64 Frith Street
London W1D 3JW
020 7734 4545
arbutusrestaurant.co.uk‎

Located in the bustling and stylish area of Clerkenwell, the Rookery sits between The City and London’s main business district. Near the Tate Modern as well as the Barbican—Europe’s largest art and conference center—the hotel shares its neighborhood’s sense of culture, curiosity and comfort.  Dark wood paneling, stone floors and antique furniture evoke the sense of elegant history travelers to London seek, while glowing fires and friendly staff make one feel like they are in an exclusive club, rather than a hotel. Each room creates this sense of comfort and class, from the vintage pictures on the wall to the fresh baked croissants served to guests in their room.  The Rookery also has it’s own ‘house cat’, called Lady Grey, a friendly grey tuxedo tabby.

The Rookery offers two levels of room. The Club Double, with its 17th century carved oak beds or Georgian four-posters, as well as bathrooms with period plumbing fixtures and fittings. Superior Double rooms offer all of these luxuries in a larger room. While the rooms all create a sense of period charm, each is equipped with the latest technology, including complimentary Wi-Fi, flat screen television, and iPod docking station. Those looking to explore beyond their room can pop down to the conservatory, with its working fireplace, comfortable chairs and shelves of great reading material. For groups, there is the library, a distinguished meeting place for up to 10 people, with oak-panelled walls anchored by large bookshelves. Larger meeting groups can explore the Drawing Room, with a large stone fireplace, space for 14 guests, entered through a massive set of mahogany doors.

The Rookery offers top-notch service, particularly suited to travelers seeking to get the most out of London. The staff can arrange tickets to top London shows, set reservations at nearby restaurants including St. John or pull strings to arrange access to exclusive clubs. Those looking for a quieter evening are also in luck, as they staff can arrange for flowers, champagne or any other amenities guests could ask for to make the night truly memorable.

The Rookery
Peter’s Lane, Cowcross Street
London, EC1M 6DS
+44(0)20 7336 0931
www.rookeryhotel.com

Following on from the success of both Wild Honey and Arbutus Anthony Demetre and Will Smith have opened their third site, Les Deux Salons on William IV Street. A French Brasserie serving classic dishes such as Tarte Lyonnaise with organic salmon, Slow cooked pork belly ‘Petit Sale’ and Red mullet soup, green olive tapenade, as well as a wide salad selection and Plats du Jour from Monday to Sunday. Dishes are accompanied by affordable wines from all over the World including Malbec, J. Alberta, Bodegas Noemia, Patagonia, Argentina, 2008 and Grenache Blanc, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, Cotes du Rhone, France 2008 which in keeping with the successful formula at Wild Honey and Arbutus, are available in carafes as well as by the glass.

40-42 William IV Street
London WC2N 4DE, United Kingdom
020 7420 2050
www.lesdeuxsalons.co.uk

Located in Mayfair, among some of London’s most exclusive shops, hotels and restaurants, Bellamy’s Bruton Place brings classic French cuisine to the high-end area. Established in 2004, Bellamy’s management team comes from the well-loved Annabel’s, including Patron Gavin Rankin.  The décor exudes a traditional brasserie aesthetic, with paintings of the French countryside and colorful dancers dotting the walls. A wine bar anchors the large dining room, filled with white tablecloth–covered tables.

In developing the menu, Pacoud has sought to offer a classic French Brasserie selection, made with some of the most highest quality ingredients available. Entrees such as terrine of foie gras, lapin en gelée, and salad of lamb sweetbreads are masterpieces of texture and taste. A well-curated selection of seafood includes rock and native oysters, sea scallops au lardons, king fish a la catalane and grilled tuna with sauce vierge. Entrees like crab soup and smoked eel mousse put an unconventional twist on some of the classics. For diners looking for something truly special, Bellamy’s also offers three selections of caviar.

The adjacent Oyster Bar offers French Belon and Fines de Claire Oysters as well. Also Maine and Scottish lobsters, Dorset Crab, Caviar and Bellamy’s famous ‘open’ sandwiches. For something a bit more hearty, the menu includes steak tartare (with pommes pont neuf), roast cannon of lamb and sliced entrecôte of beef.

Desserts such as the Tunisian orange-and-almond cake and Iles Flottantes are an ideal way to finish the meal. Bellamy’s also has an extensive French wine list. It is particularly strong in its selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone, and surprisingly affordable. The restaurant offers five different champagnes including Billecart Salmon Rose and Dom Perignon 2002. Visitors who would like to take a taste of Bellamy’s home with them can stop by the shop, where cheeses, meats and bottles of wine are available for purchase. Run by Richard Cooper, recently of Fortnum & Mason and Paxton & Whitfield, it offers whole dishes such as Fish or Cream of Leek and Potato Soup can be bought by the jar to be taken home, heated and served.

Bellamy’s Bruton Place
18-18a Bruton Place
London, W1J 6LY
T: 0207 491 2727
www.bellamysrestaurant.co.uk

From its inconspicuous appearance in the center of busy Dean Street in Soho (If you blink while walking you could easily pass by it without notice), the appropriately named Dean Street Townhouse fits in perfectly in the neighborhood -a Georgian style boutique hotel which provides perfectly stylish and cozy accommodation, and yet one of the best added benefits of choosing to stay at this hotel is location, location, location with a dash of 5 star service and reasonable rates.

The building itself has historical relevance in Soho.  Built in the mid 18th century by John Meard, a carpenter, on land leased from the Pitt estate, the buildings were occupied by aristocratic families in an age when Soho was a thriving community of traders, artists and professionals in an age when Dean Street itself was considered somewhat of a cosmopolitan center in London. In 1928, socialite aristocrat David Tennant founded the Gargoyle club on the top floors of number 69 Dean Street, an at the time considered very socially radical club and well-known hangout for politicians, cosmopolitan intellectuals and artists. The space consisted of a vast ballroom, bar and drawing room, the Gargoyle dripped with decadence and lavish interiors, some by Henri Matisse.

With all of this history abounding the hotel, a cool atmosphere is all around from the moment you walk in through the doors and up to your room. The rooms have ample space, flat screen TVs with satellite channels, free wireless internet and big fluffy beds with Egyptian cotton duvets that beckon you to sleep in much longer than you intended.  The bathrooms are fully stocked with Cowshed shampoos, conditioners and bubble bath soap that you can use in the big tub or bath gel you can use in the massive stand up shower.  Each room in the hotel is designed uniquely from the other rooms which means that every time you stay at the Dean Street Townhouse you will have a different style experience. Each individually designed room has hand-painted Georgian wallpapers, upholstered vintage seats and antiques but you won’t find a stuffy or pretentious feeling here.

Back downstairs, the library style large lounge off to the side of the reception area is a comfortable space with couches and chairs, books, newspapers. Spending time in this room is like unwinding in your own living room. Right next door is the stylish fine dining restaurant which offers an extensive day and evening menu of British food with a contemporary twist. Start with a cuppa Earl Grey or perhaps a glass of champagne. The mince and potatoes are a good comfort food choice to match your comfortable experience at the hotel. The townhouse Burger might be a good although too typical choice, the Twice baked smoked haddock souffle is an absolute must try. After finishing your meal, make sure to check out the wallpaper in the back room. Take a very close look and if you look deeply enough into the flower and plant laden wallpaper you will see genitals sprouting out of the plants -subtle yet funny British humor.

Dean Street Townhouse is hands down one of the coolest hotels in London.

Kiwi Collection:
http://www.kiwicollection.com/hotel-detail/dean-street-townhouse

Nothing says “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” like a round bed, mood lighting, and gigantic mirrors. Soho Sanctum is like Austin Powers-meets-Brian Jonestown Massacre; kind of swanky, kind of space-age, with silver walls, purple leather settee, a smoky topaz mirrored wet bar, a ROUND BED! There’s even an escape route through the bathroom in case you have to sneak out!

The room was comfortable, the staff was very helpful and personable, the locale is smack-dab in the midst of uber-fashionable Soho, you really can’t ask for more. Especially when there’s Martin, the ‘Glasgy’ concierge. Handsome, helpful and hilarious, he was. Definitely a memorable character worth stopping by the Soho Sanctum just to get a hug and a smile out of him. If you do pop in, be sure to ask him if he owns the place!

20 Warwick Street
Greater London W1B 5NF,
United Kingdom
020 7292 6100
www.sanctumsoho.com

British Heritage Bespoke Tours aims to change clients’ understanding of a chauffer. Something of a boutique service, its small, elite team offers a wide range of tours that allow customers to tour London in style. The company’s tours include tastes of the city’s culture, entertainment and
culinary delights in the company of friendly and knowledgeable drivers.  But what really sets British Heritage Bespoke Tours apart is its connection to British culture. Mike Frye, the company’s owner, is a drummer who has performed with Paul McCartney, The Who and Elton John, to name a few. He served as the principal chair of the London Symphony Orchestra for several years, performing with Bernstein, Karajan, Levine, Mehta, Solti and John Williams.

Frye’s experience with top entertainers and love of travel informed his decision to create Bespoke Tours, with its offer of a VIP experience where a “personal driver guide” shows passengers around the city. It makes sense then that a number of prominent members of the entertainment industry as well as high-ranking business people have reached out to Frye’s company when looking for a special experience of London. Among Bespoke Tour’s tours on offer is the Treasured Houses of England, which shows guests some of England’s most elegant houses and palaces including the gorgeous Blenheim Palace and medieval Warwick Castle. Passengers can also check out a selection of London’s many heritage sites, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court Palace.

Those with particular hobbies or passions can sign on for one of the company’s special interest tours, including Golf, Fishing, Opera, Motor Racing, Shooting and Ballet. Those looking to get off the beaten path can check out the Highclere Castle, dating back 1,300 years, or the Chiltern Hills, where a Renaissance-style chateau sits near a picturesque village which boasts a 1,000-year-old pub.

Then there are the cars. Passengers can be transported in a selection of luxury cars, whether a long wheel base Mercedes S-Class, a long wheel base BMW 7 series, long wheel base Mercedes Viano MPV’s, or a Rolls Royce Phantom.  British Heritage Bespoke Tours can also recommend top-notch hotels, based on Frye’s personal experiences of the properties. He offers what he calls, “that most satisfying feeling of money well
spent, as opposed to good value for money.”

British Heritage Bespoke Tours
www.bhbtours.co.uk

Number Sixteen forms part of a row of gleaming white stucco mid Victorian townhouses. It originally opened in the 1980’s and instantly became popular with discerning travellers looking for an alternative to the larger Park Lane hotels. Now several years on, the hotel has a Firmdale point of view. Kit Kemp redesigned the hotel in her signature, fresh modern English style.  Number Sixteen comprises 42 individually designed bedrooms each containing all the facilities expected in a Firmdale property including desk, personal safe, voice mail and high speed wireless internet access, DVD players and mini bars. Bathrooms are beautifully designed in solid granite and oak. There are two ground floor drawing rooms. The first is light and bright and features a quirky mix of modern art and furniture. The second is more warm and cosy and incorporates a fully stocked honesty bar.

But it is Number Sixteen’s conservatory featuring an interesting mix of ethnic art, and private tree filled garden, that really sets it apart. The tree filled garden runs the length of the hotel and serves drinks and light refreshments all day. It is perfect for guests to relax in, dine or entertain friends or colleagues. Many of the bedrooms overlook the garden. The garden rooms have their own private courtyards and with direct access to the garden.

16 Sumner Place
London SW7 3EG, United Kingdom
020 7589 5232