Ask Joe Fox, the head concierge at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill about the most Insta-worthy spot in London, and without batting an eyelid, he says Neal’s yard — a hidden treasure close to Covent Garden, adorned with brightly coloured buildings and cobbled lanes. As someone who is considered to be the MVP in making a guest’s experience memorable at the hotel, Fox’s job as concierge is not limited within the confines of the property, but encompasses all of London.
Although, the English capital has no dearth of unconventional sites and avant-garde locales, it takes experts like Fox to guide you on what’s worth your time.
Hence, we catch up with the head concierges at leading luxury hotels in the city, to give you insider tips on the unseen and the unexplored.
Gastronomical delights
If the signature flame-grilled peri peri chicken at Nando’s doesn’t excite you anymore, then Christophe Caron, head concierge at The Beaumont suggests you try black cod marinated in yuzu miso at Roka. Their outlets are located in Aldwych, Canary Wharf, Charlotte Street and Mayfair among others.
Next on Caron’s list is Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair for craft cocktails. He suggests you try their silk sojourn, a jasmine flower-infused Bombay Sapphire gin concoction with white aperitif blend, lavender syrup, fresh lime juice, electric bitters and matcha green tea soda.
Another place you must visit in this affluent London neighbourhood according to Caron is NAC (North Audley Cantine), a French bistro where you can enjoy seared tuna tostada with avocado and black sesame mayonnaise.
If you’re around Kensington Gardens, Oscar Fernandez, head concierge at Intercontinental London Park Lane recommends The Orangery Restaurant. Located next to Kensington Palace, this dining space, set in a garden pavilion was built for Queen Anne in 1704. Today it offers British fare, tea and cakes in a sophisticated setting. Pique your senses with their Orangery afternoon tea with special lemon and raisin scones served alongside Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve.
For those looking for options in Maida Vale and regions around it, Mahmoud Bakri, concierge manager at London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale suggests Morso. At a walking distance from the hotel, the restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The Waterway, a gastro pub with a gorgeous terrace overlooking a canal; and The Summerhouse, a floating seafood restaurant in Little Venice are some of his other suggestions.
Retail guide
Whenever I am on a business trip, the question that bewilders me the most is what to shop for my folks and friends back home. Especially in a shopping Mecca like London, you are bound to find yourself in a fix.
However, Charles Maw, supervisor for the concierge desk and rooms division manager at Millennium Hotels and Resorts that manages Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington has a host of tips for retail debauchery.
According to him, “Portobello Road Market is an exceptional venue that offers everything from vintage products to food and current fashion.” Here, the antiques market is held on Saturdays with shops and restaurants in the area open all week. Post a satisfying purchase, relish delicious food here which according to Maw is quite possibly one of the best street food markets that you can find in London, closely rivalling Camden Town.
He also recommends King’s Road, Chelsea. Once a private road for King Charles II, this is now an exciting area for shopping. Walk for a mile through five districts and check out over 300 stores, restaurants, cafés and galleries. Lastly, for high-budgeted travellers, according to him, Harrods would be a good choice, where you can find diverse designer fashion labels inside this circa 1849 Knightsbridge departmental store.
Additionally, Fernandez directs us to Dover Street Market, a multi-storey clothes emporium with luxury labels; Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, a modern shopping mall; and Fortnum and Mason, known for its gourmet groceries including tea and posh preserves.
Must-visit neighbourhoods
Have you been to Hampstead village? A personal favourite of Fox and Fernandez, this stunning urbane village in London is hemmed by its quaint little alleyways and beautiful Georgian houses. Take a walk across Hampstead Heath, London’s largest ancient parkland, and visit some nearby attractions such as Keats House and Freud Museum London.
Bakri’s options of interesting neighbourhoods include Little Venice which is an endearing spot with its beautiful canals, narrowboats and restaurants; Abbey Road Studios famed by The Beatles; Lord’s Cricket Ground and the world’s oldest scientific animal establishment, London Zoo.
Pretty walks
London’s transport system is one of finest in the world, but sometimes, when the weather permits, locals and tourists prefer jaunting through the city on their two feet. The city is filled with lovely walking routes and one amongst these is Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk. This is a seven-mile-long walk charted by 90 plaques set in the ground takes you through four royal parks — St. James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. “With sights of famous must-see buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life which is the Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St. James’s Palace and Spencer House, this walk is an exceptional tribute to her,” says Maw.
Caron believes a walk along the South Bank, from Tate Modern to the London Eye, is something you should try. Grab an espresso at one of the coffee trucks by the Southbank Centre and continue towards the London Eye while soaking in the views of Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben.
One For The Gram
The most Instagrammable locations in London, as per head concierges
- Barbican Conservatory: Glass-roofed sanctuary filled with tropical plants, trees, birds and exotic fish.
- Sky Garden: With spectacular city views as the backdrop, this is London’s highest public garden.
- Kew Gardens: Situated in southwest London, this is where you find a diverse collection of botanical and mycological specimens.
- Coal Drops Yard: This is a shopping complex and an urban public space where you can have the perfect picture taken by the canal.
- Notting Hill: The soothing pastel-shaded buildings make Notting Hill one the most popular neighbourhoods among social media buffs.
- Shoreditch High Street: The site is illuminated with vibrant street art and graffiti, making it a must-visit for art lovers.
- Sketch: The 18th century townhouse tea room is an artist conceived gastro-brasserie space.
