36 Hours in London; Where to Eat, Sleep and shop

Happy New Year. My first post of 2017 and I thought I’d share with you my recent trip to the big smoke. Here’s how I spent my 36 hours in London including where we ate, slept and my favourite shops.

Although it was such a short trip we did manage to cram in a lot. so I have decided to break this up into 2 posts for you. Grab a cup of tea and snuggle in, it’s a long one…

Where to Sleep

I’d always advocate a stop over in the city, even if as we did, it’s just for one night. London is so vast and fast paced. It is exhausting but in the best kind of way. I always like to know I can sink into soft clean sheets at the end of the day.

This time around we stayed at the St James Hotel and club. A delightful 5 star boutique hotel in St James, just a stones throw from Buckingham Palace and the enticing shops and eateries of Piccadilly and Mayfair.

About the Hotel

The St James hotel was originally a members club founded in 1857. The building has a beautiful red brick facade and holds all the charm of this industrious and architecturally beautiful period.

The club boasted many famous members and visitors including Sir Winston Churchill and the author Ian Flemming.

It is tucked away neatly at the end of a quiet culdesac  next door to the Overseas club. The hotel is beautifully decorated and furnished, the renovations were originally undertaken in 2008 by renowned designer Anne Maria Jagdfeld and the sumptuous interiors boast Murano glass chandeliers and Loro Piana cashmere lined walls. It is a haven from the bustle of the city and envelopes you in utter decadence.

We visited in late December and were traeated to a very festive greeting. In my humble opinion December is THE best time to visit London.

St James is an ideal location for exploring the sites the city has to offer. You are within walking distance of Buckingham palace, the Ritz hotel ( great afternoon tea!), Fortnum and Mason, Bond Street, the beautiful Burlington Arcade, Regent Street and Leicester Square. And if you’re feeling energetic ( as we were) In 15 minutes or less, depending on your pace, you can be in Covent Garden. We have stayed in several spots around the city, including Bloomsbury (also a great spot), Chelsea and Tower Bridge, but by far St James has been the best and most central location.

The hotel really was very beautiful and had an intimate private club feel. Very decadent but cosy at the same time.

 

Yes, those are shoes in the giant glass baubles! Every girls dream at Christmas.

Our room was a good size (by London standards), was again beautifully decorated and comfortable. Our bathroom had a full size bath as well as shower which is always bonus points in my opinion. Who doesn’t want a deep hot soak after pounding the streets of London all day.

Bathrooms have delightful Floris amenities, just incase you had forgotten yours. There is of course as you’d expect with a 5 start hotel, the fluffy robes and slippers as well as TV air conditioning a well stocked mini bar etc. However, to my utter horror, the St James hotel and club do not have in room tea or coffee making facilities. Room service are happy to bring you your body weight in hot beverages in just a few short moments, however at £11 for 2 cups of coffee, this is not at all what I would expect from a 5 star establishment. Especially us brits who are partial to a fair few cups of tea after a day out on the mean streets.

My only other gripe is to do with noise. The hotel is built looking in on itself and there is some sort of ventilation unit in the centre which makes a heck of a noise, all day and all night. Luckily I had brought ear plugs otherwise I would not have gotten any sleep. When I mentioned this on checkout I received a bit of a fumbled apology but more of a dismissal as the hotel has “buildings surrounding it” Well so do most hotels in any large city my friend, but this was certainly the first time I have been this disturbed by the noise.

These 2 minus points shouldn’t however deter your from staying at this hotel. If you are a light sleeper, bring ear plugs and if you’re a heavy tea drinker, bring a flask! Otherwise the fantastic location and the hotel itself more then make up for these few shortcomings.

Where to Eat

The choices are quite literally endless. London has some of the best eateries the world has to offer and some are right here in the St James/Picadilly/Mayfair area.

You can keep it classic and elegant and have afternoon tea at the beautiful Ritz Hotel or the Diamond Jubilee Tearoom at the British institution that is Fortnum and Mason. Both a little on the pricier side but worth every penny for the memories made.

The Beautiful Balcon is a wonderful and elegant French dinning room which also serves modern British cuisine. A little on the pricier side and a slightly longer walk towards Pall Mall but again worth the effort.

Le Caprice is in the heart of St James and serves a delicious European menu, only rivalled by its elegant and comfortable interior.

Cichetti is always an interesting spot with a seasonal Italian Menu. I love the window display at their Piccadilly dinning room, it always makes me hungry and keen to wander on inside.

A little more laid back with an Northern Italian Cafe feel, the beautiful Cafe Murano in St James will satisfy your inner Michelin star seeker.

Avenue in St James is a wonderful contemporary space that retains a certain elegance. The menu is a mixture of flavours mostly influenced by the good old USA and includes wonderful grill options for the carnivores amongst you.

Where to Shop

As if you need to be told!! But just in case…

One of her majesty’s favourites. What can I say, she has impeccable taste. Stop by this little slice of England and soak up the beautiful and elegant interiors. Frequent the extensive food hall and well stocked wine department. Indulge in a spot of afternoon tea or if it is a warm day the ice cream parlour is a must.

The beautiful and ornate Burlington Arcade is a wonderful example of mid-century shopping gallery in the heart of Mayfair. Begin in Piccadilly and end on Bond Street. The arcade has a wonderful selection of high end and individual retailers to meet your every shopping whim.

It is particularly beautiful during the festive season but most certainly worth a peruse any time of the year.

Head to the beautiful New Bond Street for a touch of real elegance and luxury. Keep your eye’s peeled you may even spot the odd celebrity!

Continue on foot towards Regent street by way of Conduit street. If you can and I’d suggest you defiantly do, book in for afternoon tea at Sketch. Give your tired feet a rest and admire the splendour of the delicious pink tea room at this fantastic place.

From Sketch you’re just a hop skip and a jump from shopping mecca, which is of course Liberty London. You can of course make a left or right onto Regent street to peruse some hughstreet favourites, Massimo Dutti, Zara, Banan Republic, Jo Malone, Molton Brown, Longchamp and so many more. There really is something for everyone.

Liberty London however is my spirit animal and I always visit this elegant old lady whenever I am in town.

Again December is always my favourite time of year to visit not least because of the wonderful window displays. This years theme was the beautiful Royal Ballet and the Christmas institution that is The Nutcracker.

You could quite easily spend a whole day in this delightful store, however you’ll need to get a move on to ensure that you get as much into your short visit as possible.

Again head off on foot ideally so that you can take in the sights and sounds, or better still, nip into any one of the many shops that take your fancy, on route to Covent Garden.

While away the hours listening to the open air Opera singers, watch the street entertainers or go for a bite to eat. There’s usually street food aplenty and we certainly enjoyed a few glasses of mulled wine.

If you fancy something more upmarket there’s the lovely Ivy Market Grill or if you really want to impress, the most romantic restaurant in London the world, Clos Maggiore. If it’s good enough for Prince Harry…

A lighter option would be a macaroon in the world famous Laduree. Arrive early to ensure you get a good seat.

Take your time and above all, enjoy yourself. Covent Garden has something to satiate all the senses. If you hurry you may still just catch a glimpse of the festive season too.

I adore London at Christmas. Every retailer seems to make an effort and you are transported by the beauty and splendour of the place! Other then New York City, I feel London has no equal at Christmas time. She really is a beauty!

I’ll be back soon with part two of my London adventures. But that’s enough for today. Time to soak those weary feet in a nice hot bath…

 

Amellia Mae