Summer in the city: London
What to see and where to be seen in the British capital this summer
The icon reborn
Knightsbridge’s formidable Mandarin Oriental began life in 1889 as a block for affluent bachelors, opened as a hotel with a private Royal entrance in 1902 and reopened this spring after a more than two-year-long rebirth under interiors expert Joyce Wang. The restoration’s changes include a new Adam D. Tihany-designed spa, art-deco-accented rooms, two spacious new penthouses that can be linked to create one of London’s largest hotel rooms, and still the best park terrace in London.
The cultural heart of ‘old’ London
In the heart of London’s Bankside, which mixes heritage with modernity, the stylishly contemporary Bankside Hotel is the place to go for gallery-like installations and an inspiring artistic-events calendar. Artists from Contemporary Collective are shipped in for residencies which immerse guests and outsiders in talks and events. This summer it’s the artist Michael Wallner, whose latest work celebrates the beauty of London. Apart from the buzzy Art|Yard bar and kitchen, cute touches include vending machines in the corridors flogging the most bizarre of offerings, from CBD drops and Charlotte Tilbury face masks to glittery knickers and temporary engagement rings for those ultra-spontaneous proposals.
The urban sanctuary
Knightsbridge may not be the most obvious choice when it comes to mindfulness, but the Bvlgari Hotel London offers it in spades. A case in point is Workshop Gymnasium’s June 4th panel of wellness experts including yogis and beauty editors discussing breath work as a means to control stress. It’s another string to the bow of the London hotel with the best retinue of complementary therapists.
The iconic rooftop
The rooftop of The Berkeley hotel on the cusp of Hyde Park Corner has been the glamour puss summer hangout since anyone can remember, particularly beloved for its film nights. This summer, it will morph into the ‘world of La Dolce Vita’: think stripy yellow sunbeds; a poolside menu that includes fritto misto, arancini and limoncello sorbet, as well as bellinis and negronis; and Acqua Di Parma candles flickering in the dark. Plus, you’ll be able to indulge in a brand new spa treatment, which involves soaking tired feet in lemon salts, a facial revival and a body exfoliation infused with lemon and rosemary oils. La vita e bella indeed.
The talk of the town
The new jewel in the crown of well-bred Chelsea is the 54-bedroom Belmond Cadogan. It has revitalized a weary local petite dame to create the group’s second UK opening after Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Everything about the four-year renovation screams Old England, from the bowler-hatted doorman to the 400-plus pieces of art, mostly by British artists. Room 118 was Oscar Wilde’s abode (and where he was infamously arrested). Now it’s a suite with butler service, a gorgeous balcony and a marbled bathroom overlooking the gardens. Ex-Gleneagles star chef Adam Handling commandeers the kitchen – ridiculously good afternoon teas, which include homemade pastries, are one of his hallmarks.
The artsy weekender
Mayfair, home to more than 145 top galleries and auction houses spanning Old Masters and contemporary art, is the artistic heart of London. During their Mayfair Art Weekend (June 28-30th) the area explodes with free events, talks and special exhibitions. Stay at Brown’s Hotel, official partner of the weekend and sine qua non of Mayfair boutique hotels, with its elaborate Heinz Beck restaurant and oodles of old-school style.
The al fresco bar
Summer’s best outdoors fun will be found this season at The Ritz. The new Secret Garden Bar does what it says on the tin, offering al fresco parasol-shaded fun between 11am and 11pm. Imagine candlelit nights amid foliage, topiary, flower boxes, olive trees and flowing lavender plots. After too many whiskeys and limited-edition cigars, tuck into seafood platters or the Ritz Classic Club Sandwich.
The Instagram gold
Already one of the Royal Borough’s most blissful boltholes close to the V&A and the Natural History Museum, Town House at The Kensington Hotel now has an adorable afternoon tea set on a London Eye cake stand and inspired by the capital’s architectural landmarks. Served alongside a bespoke map of London illustrated by Eleni Sofroniou, it starts with a skyline of scones and sandwiches, followed by terribly British snacks: a steak and London ale pie; a Colston Bassett Stilton and broccoli quiche; coronation chicken on brown bread. Then it goes sweet: the Gherkin, a red phone box, Big Ben and the Shard rendered in chocolates, lemon curds and ganache.
The fun musical
Kit Kemp’s artsy Firmdale portfolio of contemporary, vibrant-hued hotels offers accessible style and amazing centrality. The West End’s Regency-era outpost, Haymarket Hotel, is offering a laid-back weekend for musical lovers this summer. Catch Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre, which tells the story of Jenna, a pie-maker and waitress who dreams and bakes her way out of small-town marital woes, with desserts such as ‘Betrayed By My Eggs Pie’ that reflect her topsy-turvy life.
The in-crowd hotspot
The much-lauded restoration of the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences last year included the creation of a private members' club – where your membership is your room key – on the top floor, which was previously reserved for those in the penthouses. The View has one of the most spectacular skyline panoramas in London and offers cocktail masterclasses, mindfulness sessions overlooking Green Park and tapas from Chris and Jeff Galvin (of The Hilton’s Galvin At Windows fame) who have taken over the whole food operation at the hotel.