How London Became Our Editor’s Preferred First Stop for Every European Adventure

While I typically prefer to choose a different neighborhood each visit for my accommodations, I’ve become increasingly attached to Mayfair. Perched on the edge of Hyde Park, The Dorchester has long been one of London’s most iconic grand hotels. Since opening in 1931, it has been synonymous with glamour, discretion and a rarefied kind of British hospitality that has attracted royalty, film stars, world leaders and discerning travelers for nearly a century.

Recently enjoying a complete design renovation, the hotel’s interiors blend classic English elegance with Art Deco flourishes: sweeping marble halls, gleaming chandeliers and plush lounges where afternoon tea is practically a ritual. Its guest rooms and suites—many overlooking Hyde Park—are sumptuously appointed with silken fabrics, deep armchairs and bespoke furnishings, offering a retreat that feels both opulent and warmly residential. Gathering spaces showcase bold, eclectic art and statement pieces—most notably Liberace’s mirrored piano in the Artist’s Bar. Another highlight, Vesper Bar offers a sleek retreat that channels the effortless sophistication of the 1930s.

Across the street, 45 Park Lane presents a refined, boutique gem in London’s luxury hotel landscape—an Art Deco-infused sibling to the storied Dorchester, yet boldly modern in its sensibility. With just 45 spacious rooms plus a dramatic penthouse that occupies the entire top floor, the hotel manages an exquisite balance of intimacy and grandeur.

Beyond The Dorchester’s beautiful afternoon tea, my caffeine-fueled wanderings have revealed a couple of other beloved spots. In elegant Belgravia, The Goring  hotel offers tea on a garden terrace that’s as atmospheric as it is indulgent. Back in Mayfair, the Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel—purportedly long favored by Queen Elizabeth II—pairs its excellent sandwiches and buttery scones with the charm of a refined, library-like setting.

A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a handful of museum visits. A personal favorite, the National Portrait Gallery offers a history of the U.K. through the visages of its most notable people. With works in constant rotation, it feels fresh and inspiring each time I return. This fall, guests can enjoy an exhibit on famous British photographer and costume designer Cecil Beaton, who captured some of the 20^th century’s most iconic faces.

The world’s largest museum dedicated to applied arts, design and decorative arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum (the V&A) in South Kensington holds over 2.8 million objects spanning 5,000 years of human history, from ancient times to the present day.

Tate Modern, opened in 2000, is dedicated to international modern and contemporary art from the 1900s onward. Built within the former Bankside Power Station, the space itself is striking—industrial, raw and dramatic. It houses works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama and many others.

One of the most impressive dining discoveries I’ve made in recent years is Mercato Mayfair, a food hall set inside the deconsecrated St. Mark’s church. Beneath soaring vaulted ceilings, you can wander among stalls offering sustainable global fare, fine wines and more—all in a space as glorious as its history.

Tate Modern, opened in 2000, is dedicated to international modern and contemporary art from the 1900s onward. Built within the former Bankside Power Station, the space itself is striking—industrial, raw and dramatic. It houses works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama and many others.

One of the most impressive dining discoveries I’ve made in recent years is Mercato Mayfair, a food hall set inside the deconsecrated St. Mark’s church. Beneath soaring vaulted ceilings, you can wander among stalls offering sustainable global fare, fine wines and more—all in a space as glorious as its history.

Layover Within a Layover

Not far from Heathrow Airport in Ascot, Coworth Park may entice you to enjoy a country-house respite before hitting the big city. Originally built in 1776 for William Shepheard, the Georgian mansion passed through aristocratic hands until being acquired by the Dorchester Collection in 2010. The estate spans approximately 240 acres of quintessential English parkland—complete with wildflower meadows, sunken gardens and polo fields.

With around 70 rooms and suites, guests can choose between the elegant main Mansion House or more private settings in converted stables and cottages. Michelin-star cuisine at Woven offers refined dishes that celebrate local British ingredients with creative flair.

The recently renovated spa, conceived with sustainability at its core, is built partially underground with lime-hemp walls, crowned by a living herb roof and powered by an eco-friendly biomass boiler fueled by willow grown on the estate. Inside, this welcome retreat features a heated indoor pool with underwater music, treatment rooms, a steam room and a gym. Your jet lag doesn’t stand a chance.