Spending time in London provides access to some of the finest experiences in the world. With sumptuous accommodation, exquisite dining, the very best in shopping, and world-renowned attractions, the range of luxury things to do in London is extensive.
Discover many of the best in this guide.
Best Places to Stay
Getting your accommodation right is key. Luxury oozes out of these exemplary locations, making them among the best places to stay in London.
Best Hotel Experience
Regency styling delights in this palatial five-star hotel that is located a mere few minutes walk from some London’s most desirable shops. No matter where you stand in this delightful building, your senses are inspired with the artful decor. Each of its rooms are a luxury experience of the highest quality and are coupled with the very finest service to create a stay like no other.
Rooms from £855.
Or consider:
- The Ritz, Piccadilly – The most famous five-star hotel with over a century of history.
- The Connaught, Mayfair – A true delight where service rules supreme.
Best For Pampering
With an exciting location on the Southbank, Sea Containers is a beautifully designed hotel that houses the impressive Agua Spa. Described as a “spa playground”, the hotel is one of the finest places to be pampered in the capital, featuring the “Mud Cure” body treatment for a traditional Turkish full-body exfoliation and “Hot Basalt Booster” rejuvenating hot stone therapy. Private treatment rooms and a couples’ suite are alongside steam rooms, nail and grooming lounge, and a fully-equipped fitness centre.
Rooms from £215.
Or consider:
- Langham Hotel, Marylebone – The home of Chuan Spa, suffused with calmness and peace.
- Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park – Enjoy revitalising massage and anti-aging facials.
Best Hotel Alternative
When looking for the best places to stay in London, Sanctum provide a five-star hotel alternative that is perfect for business travellers, families, and those looking for a longer stay. Their three serviced apartment locations offer fully equipped apartments with multiple bedrooms, separate private living room, and comprehensive kitchen facilities.
For luxury service and amenities combined with the size and convenience of a complete apartment, Sanctum is a pleasing hotel alternative.
Two bedroom apartments from £215.
Or consider:
- Andrew’s Houseboat on Airbnb – A unique offering on the Thames with a view of London Bridge.
- John and Ellen’s Chelsea Townhouse on Airbnb – A truly inspiring delight in the heart of London.
Best Places to Eat
The range of quality luxury London restaurants is staggering, catering to absolutely every taste. It’s not all about dining, either, as restaurants compete for awards and recognition in some truly unique ways. Eating out in London can be as much about the experience as the food itself, making the evening as much an attraction as anything planned for the day.
Best for the Food
BiBi, Mayfair
BiBi is a true luxury, an Indian restaurant brought to life by chef Chet Sharma, a veteran of the Ledbury, Gymkhana and Moor Hall. Dishes here are as tasteful as the surroundings, a place of polished wooden floors and delicately ornate ceilings. Each item on the menu is crafted to perfection, mixing an incredible range of spices with a master’s skill to indulge the tastebuds, sometimes into a fiery evocation, but always inspired.
BiBi is a sharing adventure, as every dish is intended to be split between two, allowing for a full range of tastes to be experienced throughout the night before leaving both sated and thrilled.
Approx £45 per head.
Or consider:
- Scott’s, Mayfair – A legendary seafood restaurant where the puddings delight.
- Bob Bob Ricard, Soho – Top quality French restaurant where you can press a button for champagne.
Best for the Experience
The Ritz
Dining at The Ritz is a complete fine dining experience. From the moment you step into the world-famous building, you know you are part of something special, with a dress code that insists that you take the place seriously – there are no jeans or trainers here. The food is a Michelin starred masterpiece, delighting every reviewer and critic to enter, not to mention the discerning diner. No matter what you choose from the menu, however, taking dinner at The Ritz means you are part of a long tradition that stretches back over a hundred and fifteen years. Here, kings and queens, politicians and celebrities, scientists and world leaders have all eaten – it is an honour to be among them.
Approx £75 to £125 per head.
Or consider:
- Dans le Noir – Experience eating in the dark for a unique night out.
- Inamo, Covent Garden – A fusion of Asian dining and love of technology.
Best for the Quirk
Not all posh London meals need to take place in an uptight environment. At Sexy Fish, the incredible Asian sea food is somewhat uniquely complemented by aquatic-themed artwork by Damien Hirst, an onyx floor and an internal water wall. The feeling of being submerged into a somewhat surreal undersea location is strong – here is a place where the very lucky can dine under an enormous mirrored crocodile.
It is the almost lunatic decor that makes Sexy Fish a quirky standout restaurant, but for all that, the food is apparently quite delicious, too.
Approx £50 to £75 per head.
Or consider:
- Restaurant Ours, Knightsbridge – Dine among huge indoor trees for quality food in an unique environment.
- The Windmill, Soho – Mix cabaret performance with top-quality food for an entertaining evening.
Best Places to Shop
London has some incredible luxury shopping. Shopaholics from around the world enjoying coming to the UK capital to find the very best in designer fashion, try some hands-on technology, or find specialised boutiques filled with unique gifts. With plenty of great locations, it’s easy to spend the day mixing heavy duty shopping with some great lunch and dinner.
Best for Fashion
Knightsbridge
Home of the world-famous Harrods department store, Knightsbridge also offers a range of designer boutiques and the entrancing Harvey Nichols. Unique designer clothes, beautiful bags, the latest in fashion footwear, and classy exquisite jewellery are all available from a range of posh London shops that include Gucci, Lulu Guinness, Cutler and Gross, and Ted Baker.
Or consider:
- The Royal Exchange – A luxury shopping centre in the midst of the financial district.
- King’s Road – The forefront of fashion in London since the swinging 60s.
Best for Family
Hamleys, Regent Street
Once upon a time, Hamleys was the largest toy shop in the world. With the advent of massive warehouse toy suppliers, that crown has since been lost, but where giant retail stores are filled with line upon line of unappealing towering shelves, London’s Hamleys is a true toy-centric experience for all the family. From an exciting welcome by a street performer or perhaps a giant monkey, through to the hands-on displays of the latest toy tech, through to the exciting life-sized Lego statues, Hamleys oozes the kind of childlike delight that thrills children and adults alike.
Or consider:
- Camden Town – Eclectic crafts and edgy clothes in a teenagers haven.
- Covent Garden – Mix street entertainment with specialist boutiques and delightful cafés.
Best for Food
Borough Market
Situated close to London Bridge station, Borough Market is a foodies’ joy. Though it’s not huge, the variety and unique character of this fabulous market bring a vibrant joy to the palate. Taste fine artisan breads dipped in unusually flavoured oils, enjoy a range of quality cheese or sumptuous olives, or try something crazy like a kangaroo burger. The tantalisingly fresh nature of the goods from Borough Market will have you creating dinners that burst with flavour and have you racing back for more from one of the best London food places.
Or consider:
- Ledenhall Market – The architecture alone makes this long-standing market stand out.
- Covent Garden – Enjoy afternoon tea and a wide range of specialist foodstuffs.
Best Places to Visit
London has more attractions spread through its streets than it is possible to list, but some definitely stand out. Simply walking around the capital of the UK brings its own attraction with street performers, centuries of incredible architecture, unique art, verdant parkland, and pop-up rides all simply part of the scenery, but for a full day out, why not visit the following luxury things to do in London:
Best for British History
The Tower of London
The home to the crown jewels (check out the size of the vault door!), ravens, and tight cells that held a range of famous villains throughout history, The Tower of London is an engaging attraction in the heart of London itself. The building itself has its roots back over a thousand years, with the early sections built after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and with ten centuries of history comes a wide range of stories to tell. The Tower of London is an enthralling education experience for all, featuring exhibits that have never been – and will never be – seen elsewhere.
Entry from £29.90 (adult).
Or consider:
- Hampton Court Palace – Once home to King Henry VIII – the kitchen is a marvel.
- The Clink Prison Museum – Learn about London’s underbelly – not for the faint of heart.
Best for Art
The National Gallery
Taking up the north end of Trafalgar Square, itself a location worth visiting, the National Gallery in London houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world. Marvel at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond, or da Vinci’s The Virgin on the Rocks, alongside hundreds of others. With something for everyone, the National Gallery has no pretension, presenting the art in an accessible way for all to enjoy. The space is vast, with perfectly placed benches to sit and muse over items in the collection, and easy navigation through galleries for those who pretend to ingest their art as they walk. For anyone unused to a gallery on this scale, the sheer immense size of the paintings in the gallery is often breathtaking, a feeling only increased upon closer inspection. The works here truly are masterpieces.
Entry is free for all.
Or consider:
- Tate Modern – Enjoy the surrealism of Dali and Pablo Picasso, alongside modern classics.
- The British Museum – From the Elgin marbles to the Rosetta Stone, the British Museum is a collection of priceless pieces from around the world.
Best for Family
Madame Tussauds
The world famous Madame Tussauds waxwork museum has long stood as one of the premier attractions in London. Each year the collection is added to, bringing contemporary figures into the mix to keep the sights relevant to everyone. With technology also aiding in the experience, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of the 4D Marvel Universe, be chilled in the Chamber of Horrors, or experience the huge monstrosity of and 18-foot tall King Kong in Skull Island.
An essential part of any visit to London, Madame Tussauds is a family outing beyond compare.
Entry from £32 (adult).
Or consider:
- The Natural History and Science Museums – A day’s adventure among dinosaurs and rocket ships.
- KidZania – Kids role play as adults in this job-centric educational funfest.
Enjoying Luxury London
With so much to offer, London is more than posh shops and luxury places to stay. There are plenty of parks and green spaces to enjoy and relax in, myriad specialist shops lining the streets, and an adventure in its own right exploring the city. Choose quality accommodation to make sure you have somewhere wonderful to return to each night, and enjoy your time in the UK capital.
