London's collision of cultures and its frisson of old and new create an electric charge unlike any other city in the world. With nearly 8 million residents, it's better to think of London as a collection of little villages (Chelsea, Soho, Notting Hill) otherwise it can all be rather daunting. With a heady mix of clubs, pubs and fashionable places to pose and party this is one of the nightlife capitals of Europe, while the cultural range and hot restaurants make this without doubt the greatest city on the planet.
West End
With over 10 Karen Millen stand-alone stores in central London and the surrounding areas, you are sure to come across one on your travels. Do make sure you visit our flagship store at 247 Regent St, W1. Check the store locator for all other locations.
Karen Millen, 247 Regent Street, London W1 (+44 (0)207 629 1901)
Offering everything from luxury and high street fashion outlets to the flagship Apple Store, Regent Street is a must. It is flanked by the west end's other major shopping arteries, Oxford Street and Bond Street
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a short walk from Leicester Square and is a haven for individual fashion and accessory shops, funky bars, cafés and small, independent theatres. In summer, the cobbled square of the Covent Garden Market becomes more Florence or Seville than central London. For a blissful body treatment make sure you check out the AHAVA Essential Dead Sea Treatment Store & Spa, 39 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden (+44 (0)20 7240 8815) www.ahava.co.uk
Mayfair
Mayfair is the opulent centre of Old London and is home to the world-famous Bond Street with all the top fashion houses jostling for attention.
Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea are popular with ladies who lunch, and have many of the designer boutiques and restaurants necessary for such an audience. Its main thoroughfares are the King’s Road, Fulham Road and Sloane Square. Nearby Knightsbridge is one of the smartest areas in London, with many designer boutiques along Sloane Street, Walton Street and Beauchamp Place. Come with a fully armed credit card.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is home to the famous Portobello Market which takes place every Saturday. This can get a bit touristy, so head for the cool cafes and shops that line Westbourne Grove which draw in a gorgeous looking crowd. It sometimes feels more LA than London in this trendy little enclave, and you are sure to spot a few models/actors/celebs.
Recommends
Blakes
33 Roland Gardens, South Kensington
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7370 6701
Find out more about Blakes Hotel
Book Blakes Hotel with Mr & Mrs Smith
The original London boutique hotel and the perfect example of pure modern decadence. Each room designed by style maven, Anouska Hempel, has its own style inspired by far-flung lands: Russia, India, Turkey - the overall effect is incredibly seductive.
Browns
Albermale Street, Mayfair
Tel: +44 (0)20 7493 6020
Find out more about Browns Hotel
Book Browns Hotel with Mr & Mrs Smith
One of the most historic hotels in London, its recent refurbishment by Olga Polizzi (sister of owner Rocco Forte) mixes classic English style with contemporary cool. The Grill serves traditional English fare with a twist while afternoon tea continues in the hotel's English Tea Room and the Donovan bar plays a mix of Latin and Bosa nova jazz. It’s hard to check out of this place.
Haymarket Hotel
1 Suffolk Place, West End
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4000
Find out more about The Haymarket
Book The Haymarket with Mr & Mrs Smith
In a landmark building by the legendary John Nash – the master architect who developed most of Regency London – this new addition to the Firmdale stable is ultra-central and super-chic. The downstairs pool is a major draw, and throughout the building the mix of hand-picked antiques with original artworks creates a unique space.
The Pelham Hotel
15 Cromwell Place, South Kensington
Tel: +44 (0)20 7589 8288
One of the prettiest hotels in London, this charming boutique property is a perfectly pitched combination of traditional Brit style (sumptuous wood-panelled drawing rooms, fireplaces with a real fires and original oil paintings) with cool contemporary touches. The sister hotel, the Knightsbridge, a chic B&B, is nearby.
J Sheekey
28-32 St Martin’s Court, Strand
Tel: +44 (0)20 7240 2565
J Sheekey is a London institution. Discrete and plainly decorated with a similar lack of frills on the menu, fresher fish would be hard to find.
Scott’s
20 Mount St, Mayfair
Tel: +44 (0)20 7495 7309
Recently opened sister restaurant to J Sheekey, expect to rub shoulders with the likes of Thandie Newton and other A-listers.
Suka
Sanderson hotel, 50 Berners St, West End
Tel: +44 (0)20 7300 1444
The beau monde of London town was out in force for the launch of the Sanderson’s new destination restaurant Suka, which replaces Spoon at this still hip Ian Schrager hotel. With one of the few terrace gardens in London, the location is dynamite. This contemporary Malaysian addition looks set to be a winner.
Skylon
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Southbank
T: +44 (0)20 7654 7800
Skylon recently opened inside the newly revamped Royal Festival Hall. Taking its cues from the building’s ’50s modernist origins, the restaurant from D&D London (formerly Conran) has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking London’s skyline and the Thames. The seasonal European menu comes from Helena Puolakka (ex-Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant). Eat in the casual grill room or formal dining room, or perch at the spectacular raised bar for finger food and cocktails.
Claridge’s
Brook Street, Mayfair
Tel: +44 (0)20 7629 8860
This iconic hotel delivers impressive standards of luxury, style and service while its sleek cocktail bar is a popular meeting place for London’s movers and shakers.
Artesian
Langham Hotel, London
1 Portland Place, Regent Street, West End
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 1000
Another hotel bar worth noting is star designer David Collins' deeply glamorous Langham hotel. The gorgeous bar specialises in yummy rum cocktails designed especially by the award-winning mixologists of the Gorgeous Group, the London hospitality experts. The new interior is deeply glamorous combining a whiff of exotic Orientalism, the romance of new nostalgia and some very sexy, contemporary touches.
Mahiki
1 Dover St, Mayfair
Tel: +44 (0)20 7629 8860
Princes Harry and William are regulars at this West End tikki-themed, Polynesian-inspired posh pit where smiley waitresses deliver drinks in voodoo-skull goblets. If you fancy having a hula with the hooray crowd, this is your spot. Party girls Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton have set the dance floor alight after sinking the infamous Treasure chest cocktail (meant for 8 to share).
Arts
The South Bank Centre on the south side of the Thames www.southbankcentre.co.uk is the cultural hub of London. A whopping £111 million has been spent on sprucing up the Royal Festival Hall, a modernist concert and dance venue originally opened in 1951 for the Festival of Britain. The Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens www.serpentinegallery.org is hop and a well-heeled skip from the High Street Kensington branch of Karen Millen and presents world-class contemporary art. From August-November big name architects are invited to design a temporary pavilion for the lawn in front of the pavilion.
