It could be a romantic weekend or a splurge with the girls. Whatever the occasion, a luxury weekend in London is the perfect way to relax. Once you’ve arrived, though, where are the best places to go and how can you get the most out of your time there?
From the hotel you stay in to the places you eat, everything about your weekend has to create the perfect atmosphere. There’s so much to see and do in the city that you could never fit it all in. However, here are a few ideas of the best places to have afternoon tea, sip champagne and shop till you drop, to help create the perfect luxury break.
Tea and Sandwiches
There’s nothing more luxurious then sitting down to a proper afternoon tea and London certainly has a great choice. Whether it’s in luxury stores or 5 star hotels London has some of the best venues in the world. Just remember that you may need to book in advance and you should check the dress code beforehand. The Langham has been serving afternoon tea since 1865 and was voted the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea in 2010. At Claridges you can choose from 30 teas to accompany your sandwiches and pastries and see why it was voted the Tea Guild’s choice for 2011. However, the quintessential afternoon tea has to be served at The Ritz.
Sipping the Light Fantastic
Champagne has to be the drink of choice for any luxury weekend and to accompany the 5 star hotels London has a great variety of champagne bars. From train stations to shopping centres, there’s never a wrong time to stop for a glass or two. The St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar is the longest in Europe and even includes heated booths for some extra comfort on chilly days. Westfield London is the capital’s luxury shopping destination and you can enjoy a glass of champagne after a hard day’s shopping or if you just want to watch the world go by. If you want to experience the classic champagne bar, then pay a trip to Kettner’s in Soho, which was established in 1867. It now serves 100 different varieties from well known names and small family businesses.
Blow the Budget
A weekend in London wouldn’t be complete without a spot of retail therapy. There’s plenty to choose from, including all the leading high street names, as well as designer stores, independent outlets and quirky markets. Oxford Street is the destination of choice for many tourists to the city. There are over 300 stores including Selfridges, John Lewis and Debenhams. If you want something more upmarket, then head to Bond Street and Mayfair. Here you’ll be overwhelmed with designer brands, including Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. Westfield London is Europe’s largest urban shopping centre and houses both high street and designer stores, from Jimmy Choo to Ted Baker.
There’s so much that you could do on a luxury weekend in London, but if you plan wisely then you can pack a lot in. Decide on whether you want to completely relax or take in the sights and then base your itinerary around this.
AUTHOR BIO : Diyana lobo writes regularly on hotels and holidays for a range of travel and lifestyle websites and blogs. She enjoys travelling the world to see what’s on offer, including cruises, 5 star hotels london breaks and family friendly holidays.
