London
London rewards curiosity more than certainty. The UK capital is not one city but many: a collection of villages, high streets, parks, markets and cultural institutions stitched together by black cabs, the bustling tube and the occasional walk across the Thames.
Its great pleasure lies in the contrasts – Georgian houses next to glass towers, old-school dining rooms and new neighbourhood wine bars. “What I love most is the unique contrast between vibrant urban energy and the tranquility of beautiful parks,” says Silvio Forino, head concierge at Park Hyatt London River Thame. “I always recommend that guests experience both sides of London.” Here, Forino shares his local recommendations, followed by Monocle’s own favourite addresses across the city.
Park Hyatt London River Thames, Nine Elms
The first British outpost of Park Hyatt opened in late 2024 between Vauxhall and Battersea. Rooms are generous by London standards, with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble tubs and a calm palette of soft greys and dark wood. On the river-facing ground floor, Cantonese restaurant Yú Gé brings a sense of occasion, with chef Eng Soon Yeo drawing on Song dynasty traditions in a contemporary setting. Battersea Power Station, the Tate Britain and riverside paths are all within easy reach – though VIP-floor guests, with their own lift access, might be tempted to stay put.
Chelsea
The neighbourhoods of Chelsea is an eternal favourite, as it feels like its own charming village within London. Visitors will enjoy strolling along Kings Road and through Duke of York Square, or stopping by Sloane Square for a quick drink before heading to Pavilion Road for a relaxed brunch at either The Three Darling or Granger & Co. And do not miss Bottarga, for an authentic mediterranean culinary journey – the bottarga orzo is a must.
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead
This is the perfect escape to step away from the busy streets of central London, offering a unique feeling of the English countryside but only four miles away from the city. This expansive park provides everything from scenic walking trails with breathtaking views to cultural highlights, such as Kenwood House. For a truly local experience, complete the walk with one of London’s best Sunday roasts at The Spaniards Inn.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel, Westminster
There are few London addresses with a backstory quite like Great Scotland Yard Hotel. Set in the historic heart of Westminster, the building has served as a residence for Scottish royalty and later as the headquarters of Britain’s police force. Today, it is a characterful hotel with a sense of intrigue still intact. Síbín, its whisky bar, is the place for rare labels and low-lit conversation, while Ekstedt at The Yard brings Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt’s wood-fired Nordic cooking to the UK. For those requiring a little extra discretion, there’s even a bookable five-storey Georgian townhouse hidden behind private doors.
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Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, Marylebone
This hotel sits in a handsome pocket of Marylebone, overlooking Portman Square Garden while close to Hyde Park, Oxford Street and Soho. The Churchill nods to its namesake without laying it on too thick: rooms feature discreet references to the Prime Minister’s life, including playful artworks of animals in homage to his many pets. A rare London inclusion includes all the hotel’s access to Portman Square’s private garden (usually locked off to the public), where guests can step away from the city’s bustle – or book a match on its tucked-away tennis courts.
Monocle’s top picks…
Bars and restaurants
The River Cafe, Hammersmith
Co-founded by the late Rose Gray and the inimitable Ruthie Rogers, the latter of whom still runs it, this classic started more than 30 years ago as an office canteen for Rogers’ late architect husband, Richard Rogers. Today, diners still spill out onto the terrace to enjoy menu staples such as chargrilled squid with chilli and wild rocket. For pudding, don’t forget to order the Chocolate Nemesis cake.
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Arlington, St James’s
Regal restaurateur Jeremy King returned in 2024 with a new restaurant exactly where his old one sat – down a lane in the shadow of The Ritz. Le Caprice is dead. Long live the Arlington. This sequel with nostalgia for the 1980s original is all monochrome shimmy between the mirrored bar and the black-and-white David Bailey portraits; plus an easy transatlantic menu of dressed crab, steak tartare, rib-eye and lobster Thermidor soufflé.
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Brawn, Columbia Road
Central London’s destination restaurants are under siege from low-key, reliable neighbourhood numbers. One charming east London favourite is Brawn: Ed Wilson and Josie Stead’s quaint two-room space on the fringes of Columbia Road (closed Sundays when the flower market takes over the Victorian parade). Sometime options on the ever-changing daily menu include pappardelle smothered in an unctuous pork-and-fennel ragù; velvety burrata with courgette, basil and hazelnut; and Cantabrian anchovies. Best of all? No arduous “concept” in sight.
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Culture
Sir John Soane’s Museum, Holborn
There’s nothing quite like the house and museum created by Sir John Soane on the edge of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London’s largest public square. Throughout his life the great Georgian architect and collector worked on the buildings that he bought between 1792 and 1823, transforming them into a home and a repository for his extensive collection of art and antiquities. A kaleidoscope of light and dark, the museum marries disparate styles and traditions and is brimming with architectural models and an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Tate Modern, Southwark
If you only have time to hit one museum, the Tate Modern is hard to beat. Since it opened in the former Bankside Power Station in 2000, it has become one of the world’s most famous modern and contemporary art galleries, with permanent residents including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Keep an eye on its spangled roll-call of temporary shows, as well as the blockbuster installations that take over its mighty Turbine Hall.
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