Luxury in London

London has become a home to many of the world's super-rich. It is easy to tell, as you drive round, where they live. The exclusive neighbourhoods are easy to spot, with huge houses and posh cars. But Londoners also need entertaining. So it is important that London offers its residents and its visitors a wonderfully luxurious lifestyle.

Before the Congestion Zone was introduced, driving in London was fraught with difficulty. So many people driving about in such a small area was bound to have its problems. Now London's roads are much less crowded. It is still busy, as any large capital city should be, but congestion has fallen, whilst air quality has improved. It is now an all together a nicer place to visit, with clean air made cleaner by the huge Royal Parks that spread out over central London.

 

London owes much of its attraction to the Royal Family. The exquisite palaces, royal houses and buildings that dot the city are a joy to visit. Some, like Kew and Kensington Palaces are open all year whereas others, like Buckingham Palace, only open for special occasions, but nothing can top a visit to London better than a tour around the houses and gardens of Britain's ruling family.

 

But luxury can be enjoyed all over London especially in the restaurants, shops and theatres of London's West End. There are two three-star Michelin restaurants in London (Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in Mayfair and Gordon Ramsay's restaurant in Chelsea), 11 two-star restaurants and a remarkable 53 one-star restaurants! The very epitome of style can be found at the doorsteps of Harrods, Fortnum and Mason's and Liberty but along the major shopping streets of Sloane street, Saville Row, St James's Mayfair and Bond Street, the pavements are also lined by flagship stores for luxury brands the world over.

 

Covent Garden, once a lowly flower market is a perfect example of the luxurification of London's West End. You can even download an app to help you find the very best shops around the area. Look for the Covent Garden Pass, where you can get the lo-down on Chanel, Burberry and Dior.

 

London's West End has long been known for its theatres. Over 40 theatres are scattered over a badly drawn rectangle around Covent Garden and Soho offering the best theatre-going in the world. From the Royal Opera House to the London Palladium, behind pillars and grand facades the famous musicals, plays, comedies and operas play to thousands of theatregoers each night.

 

Did you know that 23% of all visitors who come to London will see a show during their stay.

Currently Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera are the longest running musicals. Musical comedies like Kinky Boots and The Book of Mormon and family favourites like Matilda and Disney's Aladdin are more recent highlights, for theatre-going London residents and visitors on London theatre breaks to enjoy, alike.

 

For visitors, of course, luxury in London starts at the hotel. Nowhere can compare with London when it comes to its accommodation.

The top two luxury hotels must surely be The Ritz, which celebrated its 100^th birthday in 2006 and the world famous Savoy, which re-opened in 2010 after a multi-million pound renovation project. However The Goring, The Connaught, Claridges, The Langham, Browns, The Waldorf and the Dorchester all offer an excellent experience if the Savoy or the Ritz are fully booked! Truly an embarrassment of riches!

 

So whether you come to London for a short break, or to make it your home, you should know that your life here will be a luxurious one, so you better make sure that your car fits your lifestyle!