You are slowly starting to realize that I like to focus on fun hotspots. So it was really a paradise for me the past few days in London. Imagine, you are there for a weekend with your boyfriend or a girlfriend, then I will give you some tips. The only thing you need to do is bring your wallet. That’s it.
Sleeping
Our hotel St. Martin’s Lane was absolutely amazing. Quite small, but incredibly comfortable rooms, everything white and nice and fresh, and it’s located in a busy, fun area. The nice shops are all around you. A lot of fashion people (at least during fashion week) stay there, so there’s no shortage of interesting crowds.
On the other side of the city, you come to East London, which is currently the most upcoming neighborhood. That’s where the Ace Hotel and Hoxton hotelis, very young hip London is heading there. In principle, you don’t even have to leave the hotel. Bar, restaurant, gym. It’s all there.
Day 1
Breakfast
The Breakfast Club. You have a few locations in London. I like the one in Soho the most (also close to St. Martin’s Lane). You can expect a queue, but it’s worth it. Go for a full breakfast (you know, sausages, beans, bacon), pancakes, scrambled eggs with avocado, or yogurt with granola. Everything comes in large fresh portions on your plate.
Lunch
Everything Jamie Oliver does, I find fun and tasty, so also his restaurant Jamie’s Italian at Covent Garden. A nice spot on the terrace to watch passersby. Order a glass of Pinot Grigio (you can choose between a large or small glass) and some small dishes from the snack menu. The homemade focaccia and crispy squid are favorites.
Shop
Without The Shoe Heaven in department store Harrods is something you can’t leave London without having seen. You don’t even have to buy anything, just looking is enough.
Dinner
Jak’s on Kingsroad is the place to be. A huge place with many cozy corners. Long wooden tables, all different chairs, benches, high tables, lounge seating. The menu is Italian. You order pizza or walk over to the bar to choose a pasta, fish, or salad that is presented very tastefully in the display. There’s a lot of candlelight and a nice jazz band was playing in the corner. And also very nice, it’s incredibly affordable.
Cocktail
You have to put in a little effort to get in, because you can only enter if you’re on the list (so know the right people): Barts. A members-only cocktail bar hidden in a very unremarkable boring hotel. But once inside, you enter a wonderful world full of small tables, nice music, beautiful people, and just enough light to make it hard to read the menu but gives a lot of atmosphere. Or go to The Soho Hotel, my favorite hotel. You can easily get in, as long as you wear high heels, of course.
Day 2
Gym
A bite here, a glass of wine there, you’re not going to stay dry. If you feel like sweating it out, go to the Gymbox. A huge gym under the St Martin’s Lane hotel where you can also buy a day pass. Make sure you wear something nice because there’s a high concentration of good-looking men.
Breakfast
On the recommendation of Anouk Bos. “The best breakfast is at L’eto in Soho, people queue for it. They have everything. Besides delicious pastries, also nice egg dishes. But what really helps against a hangover is a (savory) Japanese pancake.”
Lunch
Scandi Kitchen is a Swedish place. Everything is super healthy and you can create your own salad. There’s also a nice little shop where you can buy the tastiest healthy snacks. This is definitely my favorite.
Shoreditch house hotel is a private members club and I believe you pay at least 1000 pounds for a pass, so that’s a bit too much. If you’re smart, make friends with someone who has a pass. Then you can get on the list. There’s a swimming pool on the 7the floor and they have a delicious lunch menu.
Aperitif
Gordon’s Wine bar you buy a bottle of wine (and a cheese platter) at the bar and find a spot on the terrace. Around six o’clock it’s already packed, but very cozy. Men in suits, girls in sneakers, but you can also go in a fancy dress and high heels if you plan to continue to a fancy restaurant afterwards.
Dinner
Since I dined at Hakkasan I dream about it every night. Crispy duck, black cod, chicken with truffle, Wagyu beef. So incredibly delicious. It’s a very hip and chic place, so you definitely need to dress up. And oh yes, you will be shocked by the bill, but really, it’s worth it.
At Pizza East the bill is surprisingly reasonable. The restaurant is nothing compared to a normal pizzeria. This is really hip stuff. Especially a spot at the bar is very nice. Sometimes a band plays downstairs in the basement.
