If Love Actually is any indication, London feels like a movie set each winter, and no city does the festive season more festively. From cheerful carolers at Christmas markets and the menorah at Trafalgar Square to the glittering botanical light show at Kew Gardens, it’s easy to get in the holiday spirit. London has a lot to look forward to in 2025 as well: South by Southwest (SXSW) debuts in June, the Saville Theatre will reopen as the international home of Cirque Du Soleil theater and The Devil Wears Prada is drawing crowds to the West End theater scene.
Photography provided by COMO The Halkin
Stay
Belgravia has luxury hotels around every corner, but COMO The Halkin stands out from its neighbors with an understated Georgian-style brick facade on a quiet side street and just 41 rooms and suites. Doors blend seamlessly into glossy pommelé sapele wood walls, expressing the hotel’s discreet brand of quiet luxury with curved corridors and black marble bathrooms. With friendly 24-hour concierge service, the hotel feels more like an upscale apartment than a traditional hotel, and the central location is within easy walking distance of Harrods, Piccadilly’s theaters and Mayfair restaurants.
Although there’s no spa, the sister property, COMO Metropolitan London, a half mile away, welcomes guests to COMO Shambhala Urban Escape for Guinot facials and excellent massages to revive jetlagged bodies. The wellness theme continues with afternoon tea. Chilled almond and green grape gazpacho and zucchini rösti replace finger sandwiches for a healthy, contemporary twist on the British tradition.
Photography provided by Benares
Dine
London is known to have the best Indian food outside India, and Benares in Mayfair is a prime example. A London staple for more than 20 years, the food here is better than ever under the leadership of chef Sameer Taneja, a Delhi native with classical French training who puts a personal touch on traditional Indian flavors, from skewered morsels of fallow deer marinated in curry and coriander to coconut curry Scottish scallops baked on the shell.
Both a la carte and tasting menus are available at lunch and dinner, including creative vegetarian options like cavolo nero kofta dumplings in creamy cashew korma. Taneja considers menu development a team effort and invites his team to bring in their home cooking for inspiration. Sip a paan fizz or mango lassi while chatting with the friendly chef, who often greets guests in the dining room when it’s not busy.
Photography provided by Bicester Village
Shop
Every tourist has heard of Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Still, Londoners know the best designer deals are at this charming outdoor mall just outside the city in Oxfordshire, which is easily accessible via Chiltern Railways. With more than 150 luxury and lifestyle boutiques and prices at least a third off original pricing, it’s easy to spend an entire day browsing global favorites like Céline, Fendi, Zegna and the only off-price Dior in Europe, along with British style icons like Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, plus Penhaligon’s perfume and Bamford bath amenities.
Beloved London restaurants like Ottolenghi and Cecconi’s fuel your shopping spree, and personal shopping services are bookable in advance. Try on a curated wardrobe privately in four well-appointed personal shopping suites stocked with fresh fruit, Champagne and pastries. You may score an invite to the VIP Apartment upstairs if you are lucky. It feels like a British countryside home away from home.
Photography provided by KOL
Dine
Chef Santiago Lastra was born and raised in Mexico, and his food at KOL is imbued with childhood nostalgia (sweet and savory obleas, tamales and tacos all appear). Still, Lastra approaches cooking with the academic curiosity of a scientist and historian, combining diligent research with wild experimentation to recreate Mexican culinary traditions with British ingredients.
Before opening KOL, Lastra popped up in 27 countries, challenging himself by cooking Mexican-inspired recipes with local ingredients. He was instrumental in Noma’s 2017 Tulum, Mexico, pop-up as project manager. Remarkably complex pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan menus are all available — substituting dehydrated purple carrot for lamb saddle with rye koji mole, for example.
The wine list features biodynamic and organic bottles from Central and Eastern Europe, or you can discover a world of sipping mezcals. Downstairs, KOL Mezcaleria specializes in agave spirit cocktails and is undoubtedly worth a visit before or after dinner.
Photography provided by Moco Museum
Do
London’s newest art museum features a vibrant lineup of the most influential modern, contemporary and street artists under one roof at the northeast corner of Hyde Park next to the Marble Arch. Upon entering, you’ll recognize pieces by pop art king Andy Warhol, African-American street art pioneer Jean-Michel Basquiat and colorful Japanese legend Yayoi Kusama, alongside works by Jeff Koons, Pablo Picasso and Damien Hirst.
The Modern Contemporary (Moco) Museum was founded in Amsterdam in 2016. London is the third permanent location, continuing the museum’s mission to make art accessible for all while reflecting modern society. Bring headphones to enjoy a free audio tour. Children under the age of 7 receive complimentary admission. On the lower ground floor, large-scale multimedia digital art installations captivate the imagination with immersive multi-sensory masterpieces, while upstairs, British luminaries like singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, Hayden Kays and anonymous graffiti artist Banksy take center stage.
Photography provided by Hotel Café Royal
Stay
A dramatic Murano glass chandelier and mini Champagne coupes make for a glamorous greeting in the Piero Lissoni–designed lobby. Café Royal opened in 1865, hosting everyone from Winston Churchill to David Bowie before undergoing a multiyear restoration and reopening as a hotel in 2012. Historic elements like mosaic tile floors, elegant Carrara marble and ornate original lift doors (mechanized for efficiency) contrast with spacious, comfortable rooms, where a few tasteful pops of pastel accent an otherwise neutral palette.
The underground Akasha Spa facilities are a highlight, with a 60-foot lap pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and private hammam. Hotel guests can access complimentary fitness classes and unique spa treatments like a full-body massage with Theraguns. Indulge your sweet tooth with fanciful cakes and confections at Cakes & Bubbles by world-famous pastry chef Albert Adrià. Alternatively, linger for afternoon tea in the original Café Royal gilded with gold leaf.
