The Hotel: The Soho Hotel

The Soho Hotel - London city guide Fiona KOTUR

 

Brought to you by the brilliant Firmdale Group, this boutique hotel is all comfortable yet modern interiors. An oasis in the cool chaos of Soho, it’s central, cosy and extremely chic.

The Pub: The Cow

The Cow Pub - London city guide Fiona KOTUR

 

Situated on Westbourne Park Road, in the heart of Notting Hill, this old fashioned Brit style boozer serves up Guinness and oysters, fresh crab and delicious pates along with the odd celebrity or two.

The Bar: The Martini Bar at Dukes Hotel

The Dukes Hotel famous Martini Bar  London city guide Fiona KOTUR

dukes Martini Bar London city Guide by Fiona KOTUR

 

 

Nestled in a tiny corner off bustling Picadilly, just round the corner from the Ritz, this tiny boutique hotel has a tiny Martini bar that serves up some of the best you’ll find anywhere. So strong they’ll only let you have two, here’s where you go for that quick sharpener.  Legend has it that it’s here where Ian Fleming coined the catchphrase “shaken, not stirred” for his James Bond character

The Restaurant: La Bodega Negra

La bodega Negra London city guide by Fiona KOTUR

 

This cooler than cool Mexican joint feels more like a nightclub than a restaurant. All about the atmosphere, it’s tequilas, tacos and bad behavior all round in this place. A brilliant start to a night out on the tiles.

The Club: 5 Hertford Street

With it’s Rifat Ozbek interiors, this super plush, super intimate members club in Mayfair is a must visit spot on the London trail right now. Whether its downstairs to the nightclub Lou Lou’s or upstairs for a power breakfast, it’s cool crowd and super chic interiors have made it the place everyone wants to be.

The Shops

When you count Kate Moss as a fan, you know you’re doing something right as a vintage shop. Rellik, in Notting Hill, is one such place. Known for it’s selection of vintage Alaia, it’s a must do for the fashion magpie (http://www.relliklondon.co.uk). For interiors, we love to head to Talisman London, a treasure trove of Art Deco finds from sculptures to coffee tables to fountains (www.talismanlondon.com) and for books, a stroll around Daunt on the Marylebone Road makes a perfect Saturday morning. (www.dauntbooks.co.uk)

The Market: Borough Market

This food market south of the Thames is full of the most delicious fare. From wholesale fruit and veg to delicious meals courtesy of the likes of Roast, a restaurant perched above the hustle and bustle of the covered market, it’s mix of stalls and eateries is a must. From chorizo baguettes from the Spanish deli Brindisa to paella on tap, Duck confit sandwiches from La Marche du Quartier to amazing cheeses, here’s a different kind of shopping to whet your appetite.

The Secret Spots: The Serpentine Gallery and Petersham Nurseries

For a slice of London life that feels more like the beautiful country, Petersham Nurseries is the ultimate urban escape. Located in Richmond, this chicer than chic garden centre has a Michelin starred cafe serving locally sourced food, all presented in a giant, shabby chic greenhouse. Delicious. For a weekend stroll, take time winding your way from Notting Hill gate through Kensington Gardens to the Serpentine, where this tiny contemporary art gallery almost always has a show on worth seeing. It’s the perfect morning mix of culture and outdoors.