A Thoughtful London Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do
London is one of those cities we keep coming back to, and every trip somehow feels familiar, but a little different. We’ve visited for both work and fun many times over the years, and I’ve slowly collected a list of the places we genuinely LOVE to stay, eat and wander on back to.
This one isn’t meant to be an exhaustive guide to London. It’s more of a thoughtful quick edit of the special places that most stood out to us- the kind of spots I’d text my friends when they tell me they are making the trip.
Where To Stay
NoMad London
We’ve stayed in several different parts of the city over the years in many of the notable hotels, but NoMad London has been our favorite thus far. It’s incredibly chic, but in a way that still feels full of character rather than overly polished. There’s an artsy energy, and the open garden atrium is beautiful. We also loved the restaurant enough that it became part of the experience, and not just a convenient place to eat.
The location is also convenient-right on Bow Street in Covent Garden. You’ve within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops, theaters and so much of central London.
What really stood out, was the service. For such a luxurious setting, it never felt stiff or pretentious, just warm and thoughtful. Genuinely welcoming.
One thing to note: the standard rooms are on the smaller side. If the budget allows, the suites are fabulous and much more spacious, with little details like heated bathroom floors that make the stay feel extra special.
We actually booked this stay using our Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which makes luxury hotels feel more doable. We have tried many cards over the years and this one is the best if you want to utilize it for travel. If you’ve been thinking about earning points for travel, I do have a Chase referral link HERE.
(I may earn referral points if you apply through my link.)
Things to Do
One of my favorite ways to experience London is simply to give yourself a day to walk. On one trip, we started with breakfast at Hide, then walked through Green Park directly across the street toward Buckingham Palace before continuing on through St.James Park to Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the London Eye.
From there, we wandered back through to Covent Garden and the surrounding markets. It ending up being one of those easy, unhurried days that let us see so much of the city without feeling like we were rushing from one reservation to the next.
Pro tip: wear really good walking shoes. We split this route up, took our time, and stopped along the way, but it still added up to several miles. London is such a fun city to explore on foot, so comfortable shoes are a must.
Where To Eat
BREAKFAST
Hide
Hide is such a beautiful way to start the day. It overlooks Green Park. The space feels polished, but warm. It features a grand wooden staircase the feels like art. It’s a great option if you want to start the day with something that feels a little more special. The truffled scrambled egg toast is such a standout. They also have a huge array of high end coffees and teas. The restaurant has a well deserved Michelin star, which makes it feel like a bit of a destination without being overly formal.
26 Grains
More casual in Covent Garden. Perfect for something cozy and unfussy. We sat outside and it was lovely. It’s a great stop before a busy day because you can get a great breakfast without it being a whole production.
LUNCH
The Mayfair Chippy
For something more casual, The Mayfair Chippy is a great pick for classic fish in chips. We have an exhaustive list of restaurants we’ve tried fish & chips, but this one was a standout.
TĪNG at Shangri-La The Shard
If you want lunch with a view and an experience, this is such a fun one! Sitting on the 35th floor it’s got panoramic views of Tower Bridge and is a unique way to do high tea and light bites as lunch.
DINNER
Bob Bob Ricard
It’s glamorous and a little theatrical. Truly and experience rather than just another dinner reservation. Each table has the famous “Press for Champagne” button. Press it, and someone comes over to take care of the champagne service- which is SO fun. It’s a great night for a celebratory night. If you are wanting to try distinctly London cuisine, their Beef Wellington is great.
