London

London calling

When London calls, how can one possibly resist ? This pluralistic and magnetic metropolis has such a wide variety of attractions and personalities, that there is truly something for everyone. As the birthplace of legendary music styles, and Anglo-Saxon literature, as the capital of the music hall, the British theatre and fashion, and as an international finance center, no other city in the world can represent the spirit of rebellion and rock ‘n roll in total contrast to the stereotype of the “phlegmatic British”. Opulence and splendor characterize the palace hotels bordering the peaceful paths of Hyde Park and Buckingham, whereas the excitement of modern, avant-garde design hotels awaits guests in London’s trendiest quarters.

East-North : Arty London

Just a few hours via Eurostar from Paris takes you to King’s Cross St. Pancras station in central London. This superb train station with its famous Platform 9 ¾, transformed the entire quarter as a result of the station’s renovation. Originally a rough neighborhood, King’s Cross now possesses an arty population, an abundance of cultural activities, trendy restaurants and art-hotels like the Rough Luxe. In the same vein, the Shoreditch quarter, a former industrial area is now very fashionable. Its underground culture is a furious blend of Banksy type street art practiced on the old bricks of restored warehouses, making Shoreditch an exciting bourgeois-Bohemian enclave of the city. The Brick Lane market, the new look restaurants, mythical concert halls like the Rich Mix and design hotels like The Boundary, attract a style conscious population seeking the latest trends.

West End : authentic London

The West End, which includes Soho, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London is a city showcase. A myriad of reasons can encourage visitors to explore this relatively small area geographically and discover the wealth and diversity of the city. Tourists in this capital city in search of high fashion come here for the Covent Garden market, the elegant boutiques and the large department stores on Oxford Street.  

To spend an exceptional night after a hectic day of shopping, the Savoy, one of the world’s most luxurious palaces, possesses a magnificent view of the Thames. Another option is the less formal Soho Hotel, whose modern and glamorous style echoes the atmosphere of the mythical quarter in which it is located. Soho, home to London’s off the wall night life including its gay quarter and its legendary rock clubs, has both a steamy as well as an intellectual reputation. Also located here is cosmopolitan London with its Chinatown and its famous pagodas. Finally, around the majestic Trafalgar Square, we find London’s artistic and cultural life with Victorian buildings, theatres, cinemas and museums, especially the National Portrait Gallery. The W London Leicester Square hotel, a trendy site situated in the heart of the action, is the ideal place to stay in this quarter.

Mayfair : chic London

Just a few steps from the frenetic West End, bordering Hyde Park and Green Park, Mayfair is a calm and chic area with foreign embassies, luxury boutiques and palace hotels like the Connaught or Brown’s. It’s the quarter of magnificent Victorian style buildings and illustrates the British sense of class. The Claridge, a favorite of European royalty, is a jewel of traditional elegance, and sets the tone for the neighborhood’s other palaces. And be ready, since on the streets of Mayfair, you may well run into a celebrity or two.

Belgravia & Kensingston : romantic  London

South of Hyde Park, we discover the very British old world phlegmatic charm of the residential quarters known as Belgravia and Kensington with their classic architecture, small churches, secret gardens, white stucco and princely lanes. To take full advantage of this opulence while enjoying the sight of Hyde Park’s centuries old trees, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London and the Berkeley are highly recommended, just a few streets away from the legendary luxury department store, Harrods, the Royal Albert Hall devoted to the arts with its superb dome as well as the Natural History and the Victoria and Albert museums. At the southern end of the quarter, the three black slate facades of Blake’s stand out without revealing their cozy interior and an atmosphere of exotic travels.