LONDON

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.

SHOP

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 finder 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.

SLEEP

Dean Street Townhouse & Dining Room

69 Dean Street, Soho Tel: 020 7434 1775
www.sohohouse.com
This charming new hotel and dining destination from the Soho House Group is the latest offering from in-demand designer Martin Brudnizki, who echoes the Georgian sentiment of the building with reclaimed oak timber flooring, Georgian-inspired wallpaper and antique chairs. Great location and surprisingly un-pricey too.

Bermondsey Square Hotel

12 Bermondsey Sq, Tel: 020 7378 2450
www.bermondseysquare.co.uk  
Buzzy Bermondsey is humming with activity, Bermondsey Street itself being one of the coolest streets in the capital. This property is infused with Sixties retro styling and there’s an English menu at Alfie’s restaurant, with many of the ingredients being sourced from nearby Borough Market.

Boundary

2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch Tel: 020 7729 1051
www.theboundary.co.uk
Located in a former Victorian warehouse in Shoreditch, Boundary comprises a seventeen-room boutique hotel with three restaurants and bars – including comfort food “caff” Albion (packed with local fashionistas and the art crowd), while downstairs in the basement Boundary Restaurant and Bar is classic Conran (i.e. French) majoring on crustacea. Upstairs, the hotel’s rooms and rooftop bar and grill have created something of a roof-off with neighbouring members' joint Shoreditch House. Five suites have been styled by individual designers, including David Tang, the entrepreneur behind the Shanghai Tang clothing range.

EAT

Polpo

41 Beak Street, Soho Tel: 020 7734 4479
www.polpo.co.uk
Head chef Tom Oldroyd (ex Bocca di Lupo) excels at dishes like roast belly of pork with radicchio and hazelnuts, and roast pumpkin with prosciutto and ricotta at this new Beak Street ‘bacaro’, or Venetian-style wine bar, serving cichete, an Italian version of tapas. Inside it oozes charm, filled with the warm flickering glow of candlelight against the exposed brick and timber walls. Eat at the zinc-topped bar which is perfect for people-watching (and given that owner Russell Norman has worked at starry establishments like The Ivy and Scott’s you can expect a revolving door of glitterati).

Kettners

29 Romilly Street, Soho Tel: 020 7734 6112;
www.kettners.com
Hot interior designer Ilse Crawford (Soho House New York, Cecconi’s) was given the job of updating this Soho institution without losing any of its soul and she has succeeded. In addition to a Brasserie and the Champagne Bar, there is a Pudding Bar for breakfast, tea or late night treats and a club-like space 'The Apartment' upstairs. Gone are the old leather sofas and the shabby grandeur and in comes mismatched mid century furniture and lots of twinkly chandeliers.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Carlos Place, Mayfair Tel: 0207 499 7070
www.the-connaught.co.uk  
Brunch at The Connaught on Mount Street, the must-visit destination for fashionable folk, is the perfect conclusion to a chic Mayfair morning. Choose from dishes such as black and creamy Acquarello rice with squid, chorizo, confit tomatoes and a Reggiano parmesan foam or just tuck into the yummy pastries. The waffles from the waffle station are just too good.

Cha Cha Moon

15-21 Ganton Street, Soho W1 Tel: 020 7297 9800
www.chachamoon.com
Go for the crispy noodle with shredded chicken and the beef with black bean sauce. Once stuffed, gaze up and marvel at the interior design by Tokyo architect Kengo Kuma – it’s like eating in a beautiful bamboo spaceship.

ENJOY

Callooh Callay

65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch Tel: 020 7739 4781
www.calloohcallaybar.com
This kooky bar adeptly channels the original spirit of Shoreditch. The brainchild of hot young design duo Dtwo design Callooh Callay feels like it’s been around forever. In the main bar, where original 1973 wrapping paper adorns the walls, get stuck into the cocktails. The Hibiscusauraus (Casa Viejo Tequila muddled with fresh granny smith apples with hint of sweet hibiscus syrup and lime, shaken and strained, served as a martini) comes highly recommended and is guaranteed to give you wings.

Molton House

43 South Molton Street, Mayfair Tel: 020 7493 1688
www.moltonhouse.com
Formerly 43 South Molton Street, the new look from design outfit Blacksheep is dripping in Swarovski bling with fake snakeskin seats and lots of frou frou feathers hanging from the ceiling. There’s a fine cocktail list too so if ‘less is a bore’ is your design mantra and you’re up for an OTT night of frothy, feathery fun then this could be your place.

Harvey Nichols Champagne Bar

Fifth floor, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1
www.harveynichols.com
Need somewhere glamorous to go with the girls post shop? Shaun Clarkson has created a fresh new look for the Champagne bar at the flagship Knightsbridge store in collaboration with Champagne Perrier-Jouët. White dominates the room, creating a floaty feeling of serenity, while flashes of rosé and green on the backs of the high bar chairs and tabletops add a touch of drama. We love.

Arts

Sadler’s Wells

www.sadlerswells.com
Catching a Christmas show at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Islington is a festive must. The Snowman (2nd December – 10th January) is a captivating mix of dance, stagecraft and music and features Howard Blake’s beautiful Walking in the Air, while Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (10th December – 24th January), perhaps best-known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with an all male ensemble, is just fine by us!