London, in all its brilliance, never really stops evolving — its rhythm, its flavour, its way of reinventing the familiar. Just when you think you’ve found your places, the city reveals a few more, sometimes fully new or just new to you — tucked behind leafy streets, down glowing side alleys, or within quietly humming neighbourhoods that feel both new + nostalgic. As an extension, this is a second edition of my first guide of Essential Dining; The London Edition + is exactly that: an extended exploration of the spaces that continue to shape my love affair with the city’s dining scene each time I’m there. From soulful kitchens where heritage meets heart to modern classics rewriting the rules of comfort, these are the restaurants that linger long after you’ve left the table — each one its own little love letter to London’s endless appetite for beauty, flavour + story.

JIKONI

Ravinder Bhogal’s “no-borders kitchen” is a love letter to heritage + home. Influenced by the flavours of East Africa, India + the Middle East, Jikoni is warm, soulful, + deeply personal — a place that reminds you food is about connection as much as taste. It’s comfort elevated — storytelling through spice, memory + care. Bhogal was one of the first chefs in London to introduce a true fusion of migrant cuisines, rooted in emotion rather than trend. The restaurant’s feminine energy + textured interiors reflect her approach — heartfelt, nurturing, + quietly radical. (My image here is, as always my own but not one from my time in JIKONI as I was too busy eating)

BOOK here at — JIKONI
19-21 Blandford St, London W1U 3DH, United Kingdom

CARLOTTA

Big Mamma’s Marylebone outpost brings Italian-American glamour to London in signature style — think plush interiors, red velvet, + unapologetic indulgence. A dinner here is less a meal, more a mood; playful, sexy, + made for evenings that unfold slowly. It’s pure theatre — deliciously over-the-top in all the right ways. From the same group that gave us Ave Mario and Gloria, Carlotta channels 1980s New York glitz with a dose of Italian drama. Oversized martinis, glossy pasta, + a soundtrack that practically insists you stay for dessert — it’s all perfectly, intentionally extra.

Book here at BIGMAMMAGROUP
77-78 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5JX, United Kingdom

NOPI

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Soho restaurant is where texture, colour + flavour collide. Each plate feels like a work of art — layered, vibrant, yet entirely grounded in fresh produce. Elegant without being fussy, NOPI is that rare balance of sophistication + soul — a restaurant that somehow still feels intimate, even in the heart of Soho. Known for its communal marble tables + impeccably composed vegetable dishes, NOPI embodies Ottolenghi’s signature celebration of abundance. It’s also one of the few places where you’ll genuinely leave inspired to cook again — the flavours linger, as does the joy.

Book here at — OTTOLENGHI
21-22 Warwick St, London W1F 9LD, United Kingdom

OPSO

(I usually get better photos but this one is all I got. BEST scrambled egg ever I will say).. Modern Greek dining gets a London twist at this Marylebone favourite. OPSO — meaning “a delectable morsel” — serves up fresh Mediterranean fare with creative flair. Bright, social, + beautifully designed, it’s ideal for long lunches that stretch gently into evening + the feeling of being somewhere that could just as easily be Athens. Founded by the team behind Athens’ Michelin-starred Funky Gourmet, OPSO bridges classic Greek hospitality with cosmopolitan London energy. Expect taramasalata that could convert the unconverted, refined meze, + an atmosphere that somehow balances refined and relaxed all at once.

BOOK here at — OPSO
10 Paddington St, London W1U 5QL, United Kingdom

CANTEEN

Down on Portobello Road, Canteen hums with the easy rhythm of West London life. Italian-leaning plates meet a buzzy, communal atmosphere — all energy, laughter + excellent food. The sort of place where a casual lunch can stretch into golden-hour drinks + the conversation always feels good. From the team behind The Pelican and The Hero, two of London’s most sought-after pubs, Canteen carries that same effortlessly cool, convivial spirit but with a little more polish. Expect comforting pastas, robust flavours + a neighbourhood crowd that feels like they’ve known each other for years.

BOOK here at — CANTEEN
310 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TA, United Kingdom

ACRE

In the heart of Notting Hill, ACRE is Thomas Straker’s ode to simple food done beautifully. It’s the kind of spot that feels familiar yet quietly elevated — where local produce + casual elegance meet in harmony. Think sunlit breakfasts, rustic lunches, + unfussy dinners that celebrate real flavour + the art of uncomplicated cooking. There’s an honesty to the menu — a confidence in letting ingredients speak for themselves. Having cut his teeth in some of London’s best kitchens before going viral for his butter recipes, Straker’s return to restaurant form feels refreshingly grounded, with a distinctly local soul.

BOOK here at — ACREDELI
60 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PR, United Kingdom

THE RIVER CAFE

Few places define London dining quite like The River Café. Perched along the Thames in Hammersmith, it’s a masterclass in understated elegance — the kind that doesn’t need to shout to be unforgettable. Founded by Ruth Rogers + the late Rose Gray, it has long been a training ground for some of the city’s most celebrated chefs, from Jamie Oliver to Theo Randall. The food is simplicity at its finest: wood-fired, ingredient-led, deeply seasonal Italian cooking that somehow tastes like sunshine. But what makes it truly special is the feeling — the hum of conversation — think being seated next to Jemima Khan — the light dancing off the river, the sense that you’re part of something timeless. It’s more than a restaurant; it’s a piece of London’s soul.

BOOK here at — RIVERCAFE
Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA, United Kingdom

THE BARBARY

Tucked away in Neal’s Yard, The Barbary feels like one of those secret London finds you only ever hear about through word of mouth. Inspired by the flavours + stories of the Barbary Coast — from North Africa through to the Mediterranean — it’s a space where smoke, spice + fire collide in the most beautiful way. The kitchen is open, the counter seating intimate, the energy magnetic. Every dish arrives with that slightly primal, flame-kissed depth that only true open-fire cooking delivers. It’s one of those places that’s hard to get into for good reason — small, buzzy, + full of heart — but absolutely worth the wait once you’re there.

BOOK here at THEBARBARY
16 Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP, United Kingdom

Universal Providers by Kokon to Zai

October 28, 2025Travel 3, Style 3Rebecca O'ByrneComment

There are places in London that hold a certain electricity — not loud or obvious, just quietly charged, alive with creative pulse. Golborne Road is definitely one of them for me. It’s the kind of street that resists regular definition or the typically obvious cool that most of London is so swept with: Moroccan cafés beside antique stores, faded façades giving way to bursts of colour, sound, + scent. And somewhere along its enigmatic curve sits a space that feels as though it exists slightly outside of time, less a boutique + more a living, breathing installation. Universal Providers.

Founded by Marjan Pejoski + Sasko Bezovski, Universal Providers feels like a natural continuation of the duo’s boundary-defying universe — one that began with KTZ, the cult fashion label long synonymous with London’s avant-garde, streetwear, + music scenes. But KTZ was never simply about clothes; it was about culture, conversation, + energy — and that same pulse runs through Universal Providers. Their physical space on Golborne Road, which I visited for the last time recently as it closes after more than two decades, marking the end of one chapter and the evolution into another — an online presence + new projects that promise to carry forward their unparalleled, multi-sensory vision, shaped by a lifetime of creating + collecting extraordinary interior pieces + objects from around the world.

After 20 years on the Golborne Road, I feel the continued evolution of everything Universal Providers is about will continue whatever Pejoski + Bezovski do next. To step inside is to enter an experience that transcends retail. The air hums faintly with sound — sometimes ambient, sometimes ritualistic — while objets, garments, + sculptural forms line the space in quiet dialogue with one another, not forgetting their three little pugs who greet you. There are pieces here that feel like armour, ceremonial in nature, alongside handcrafted artefacts, exquisite furniture, decadent incense, + sound instruments. Everything here has intention. It vibrates with presence + creative intention.

There are stores that sell things, + then there are portals that sell worlds. Universal Providers belongs firmly to the latter. It’s a space that doesn’t shout for your attention; instead, it invites you to tune in. To slow your pace, open your senses. To truly feel something. There’s an alchemical quality to the curation, to every creation — as though the worlds of art, design, + spirituality have been distilled into one unified offering. Every corner reveals something unexpected: a mirror that distorts perspective, a talisman resting beside a book on sacred geometry. The lighting: also designed + created with utter genius — sculptural pieces that feel almost celestial, casting a glow that transforms space into atmosphere. Everything feels like temptation, something to take home.

What’s most striking about Universal Providers to me is its refusal to separate aesthetics from meaning. Here, beauty is not decoration; it’s devotion. And I respect that unreservedly. The entire space functions as a kind of living organism — part gallery, part temple, part creative lab — honouring the idea that art + fashion are not products, but conduits + it represents Pejoski + Bezovski’s collective energy impeccably.

In a city known for its relentless tempo, Universal Providers is a sanctuary. It’s the rare kind of place that asks nothing of you but presence. A place where you can remember that creativity is not an accessory to life — it is life. In short + as the duo move on to what’s next, beyond this physical space, Universal Providers is more than a store + that will live on wherever they create from. It’s an energy field that will continue to vibrate — a frequency for the curious, the seekers, the makers, + those who value the quietly radical.

Visit UNIVERSAL-PROVIDERS.com

HSF Wellness Travel Guides; The London Edition

January 25, 2023Travel, WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

An HAUTE so FABULOUS Wellness Guide; The LONDON Edition

M O V E M E N T as M E D I C I N E

Basic Space - Jaime Hepburn can literally do no wrong when it comes to yoga + aesthetics so when she opened her own studio in London, it quickly became the hottest studio in town for the aesthete’s out there looking for authentic yogi embodiment with a major touch of chic // The Rogue Room - ok this is one of the coolest yoga concepts out there. Look out fir their pop-up classes + their bigger events which are held at FABRIK London - SUCH a vibe! // Love Supreme Projects - I have found some incredible new teachers by attending this beautifully loving + welcoming studio. Always on the look out too for online workshops or classes to attend, this is the perfect place where teachers from all over the world tend to come to share their magic // Indaba - this is my home studio for London, it holds a special place in my heart as it is where I trained for my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, the array of classes available are incredible. Teachers I love there are Amrab Vallo (my teacher trainer), Stewart Gilchrist (be prepared for a whopper class) + any of the Forrest Yoga teachers // Nobu Pilates - for a super boujee but authentically classic reformer, Nobu is my go-to for reformer in London // Barry’s - as always, my favourite high intensity class whatever city I’m in. I’m admittedly fully addicted // Psycle - OK, this is my London vibe! I absolutely adore this brand when I’m in town. Any of the early morning spin classes are just epic + if you appreciate a beautiful Sunday afternoon flow, do your mind, body + soul a favour + book into Alanna’s yoga class at the Mortimer St. location. It’s absolute weekend heaven // Soul Cycle - an obvious classic but always a good idea to get a serious sweat on, I love Soul Cycle + my go-to location in London is the Nottinghill one // BLOK, ok BLOK is a viiiiibe. I first fell in love with it when we lived in Manchester for a year a while back + the classes are so diverse. One of my favourite barre teachers is Ellya Sam who is head of barre at the brand + who’s classes will set your glutes on FIRE. Also I highly recommend trying out some of the more unusual discipline of classes on offer, I’ve tried them all + it’s amazing to step outside your comfort zone. I literally had to stand there in calisthenics as I couldn’t do a thing, entirely humbled watching people do inspirational things with their strength // BXR - for HIIT classes this is a real kick in the butt.. so worth it though.

O U T D O O R S

London is so vast; expansive like few other cities. Because of this, I adore walking everywhere I possibly can when I’m here. My average steps go way up in my London days. Running in Regents Park is one of my favourite ways to get a good sweat in on a sunny day. Or strolling from one side of the city to another, taking in all the different neighbourhoods along the way. Hyde Park, of course is a classic but in fact, Regent’s park is my personal preference.

S H O P S

ilapothacary - in Notting Hill is an entirely wholesome obsession of mine. This beauty + wellness brand is a dream come to life with the most amazing products that work to heal from all angles. Try Beat the Blues Pulse Point Roller or the Beat the Blues Room Spray. Oh + the SOS Body Balm is BEYOND // Planet Organic - such a great classic for all things healthy for // Daylesford Organic - another British classic, the Marlybone + Notting Hill locations are my preferred in the city. A perfect point of country-chic reference in the city for all things organic, healthy + beautiful.

W E L L N E S S P R A C T I C E S

Roscop Practice - Frederic Roscop is an Osteopath + founder of Roscop Practice who has been bringing health to a whole new level in London long before it was ‘cool’ to care about what it actually feels like to be well. Covering many aspects of health including acupuncture, movement, massage + osteopathy, all from the core concept of integrative health measures being the ultimate way to live well + prioritise well-being at all levels. I believe in this concept so deeply so it’s one place that always draws me in // FaceGym - I’ve been doing FaceGym on + off for years now having dipped in + out of their in-person facials in different cities, attending their Zoom classes throughout lockdown for Gua Sha + the FaceGym at home tutorials + of course their tools.. their tools are wonderful! // Get A Drip - Great + affordable IV drips + vitamin shots with several locations around the city, it’s a welcome boost when you’re feeling in need of a little energy lift // The Mandrake Hotel - Here you can find an incredible offering of wellness + spiritual gathering including sound baths + varying sound healings, Reiki, breathwork, yoga + more. I have loved anything I’ve gone to here + Barbra May + Maria Lodetoft from Mystic Sisters host much of their energetic classes here which are literally a hug for your soul // RE:Mind Studio - OK this is one of my favourite places to take the pace down in London. RE:Mind is a luxe level unwind for your mind, body + soul. Everything I’ve gone to here has taken me down to earth while simultaneously taking me far from anything earthly. It is HEAVEN // Last but most definitely not least is Ricari Method - the OG of lymphatic drainage + it coming into my psyche some years back. I’ve been to the ones in London + New York + it is always a dream. Try to book with Anna if possible but if not, anyone in NYC +

C A F É S + R E S T A U R A N T S

Sunday in Brooklyn - literally lines down the street, it’s exactly as it suggests, as though you’re out for brunch on a Sunday.. in Brooklyn. It’s a thing + must be tried // Ottolenghi - ANY + ALL of the Ottolenghi locations. Just anything he does really food wise. He can do no wrong // Farmacy - a chi-chi haunt made famous by the Notting Hill crowd, Farmacy is a great one to do just once. Healthy, fun + great people watching // Rovi - Another genius Ottolenghi creation. Divine on all levels // Wild by Tart - Founded by Jemima Jones + Lucy Carr-Ellison created Wild by Tart after the success of their bespoke catering company Tart London. Seasonal dishes with a strong focus on sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s a really nice girls lunch spot with a fun aesthetic // Farm Girl - With locations in Notting Hill, South Ken, Belgravia, Fitzrovia + Soho, you can be sure to find a healthy (with twists) option whichever Farm Girl you stumble upon // Island Poke - One of my go-to Deliveroo options when in London, you can never beat a great Poke bowl // Rika Moon - OK the complete opposite of Deliveroo style nights, this is your next must when in London. I was introduced to this incredibly cute, chic + VIBEY Japanese-fusion dinner spot + fell in love at the first bite. The food is OUTRAGEOUSLY divine + the vibe is so on-point. Sushi + champagne, yum // Atis - My idea of salad heaven. Literally all there is to say: this is me in a meal - SO good // Kol - Impossible to get into, this is one I’m yet to experience in person but it’s top of my list to check every time I know I’ll be in town. Think Mexican but elevated!!! //

J U I C E S + C O F F E E

Gails - I love my morning coffee at Gails when I am staying with my gorgeous cousin Jess. It’s my little go-to. And I will admit that their salads were my everyday lunchtime choice (literally on repeat) while I was over doing my Yoga teacher training last year // The Monocle Cafe in Marylebone is another of my go-to favourites for a coffee + some time spent watching the world go by if you’re lucky enough to catch a seat outside. Plus the matcha here is insane // Daylesford Organic - Any of the London locations are just as chic as the brand’s first location in the Cotswolds - a perfect little spot to grab a coffee + a moment to recharge // LIFT Coffee - I love this spot in Notting Hill for really really great coffee + a laptop day // Shreeji Newsagents - I love grabbing a coffee here + sitting outside watching the world go by. It’s right by Chiltern Firehouse (+ next door to Monocle) + is the perfect little spot to pick up the best magazines + let the hours pass you by

Rhian Stephenson's London Hotlist

May 31, 2022TravelRebecca O'Byrne

Way to spend a day alone? // Workout, walk, amazing food, and massage

Best cocktail spot? // Chiltern is fun, or for a London classic, the Connaught

Breakfast? // Our grain free granola with almond yogurt and fresh berries. Can't get enough

Brunch? // Shakshuka

Dinner? // I love seafood and sushi, so literally anything involving either!

Date night spot? Liz Boetta

Gallery? // David Zwiiner or Victoria Miro

Exercise class? // Karve

Yoga studio? // Indaba

Beauty or wellness treatment? // I'm a treatment junkie so I love anything massage related. But a few I love are - wellness rituals at Aman, facials at Fern Skin Clinic, acupuncture and Mesotherapy - not pleasant but amazing for skin.

Weekend escape? // Oh definitely Artah in Spain!

Working Out in London

March 9, 2020TravelRebecca O'ByrneComment

T H E L O U I S A D R A K E M E T H O D

Although one can’t quite avoid taking note of the fact that she’s trained stars like Gwyneth Paltrow + Victoria Beckham Louisa Drake is much more than just celebrity trainer made famous by her client list. As a dancer, choreographer + expert trainer, Drake is now an authority in her own unique method, a mix of all her years of movement. Her combination of multiple disciplines brought The Louisa Drake Method to life + people can’t get enough. Merging all the best parts of dance, yoga, pilates barre she has created a full body workout which thoughtfully targets exact muscle groups to ensure a longer, leaner + stronger form. Her boutique offering, located in her delightful Fitzrovia studio where you can be sure to find Louisa herself often leading the classes, is sure to put you through your paces + leave you ready for whatever the day throws your way.

BOOK // louisadrake.com

B A R R Y’ S

In a word, Barry’s is K.I.L.L.E.R. Killer as in the most insane ass-kicking workout you can do, in any city you might find yourself in (they have locations all over the planet now). Working from the second you step inside the Red Room to the second you leave, the session is different every time with a focus on a different body area each day of the week. However what remains the same is the treadmill to weights format and the fact that whether it’s your first time or your a Barry’s seasoned pro, you will leave on a naturally occurring endorphin induced high - not to mention a stiff and sore body (in all the good ways though of course). My favorite London location has to be the London Central or London East.

BOOK // barrysbootcamp.com

S O U L C Y C L E

From city to city, SoulCycle is a go-to staple in the life of anyone who moves on the regular. A workout of sweaty proportions, this bike based session is build to make you feel like you’re on the night out of a lifetime - the music is loud + absolutely vibe-ing, the lights are low + moody, the instructors are hot AF + the experience is a whole entire thing. It’s all about peddling your way to an inner happiness + the body of a SoulCycle-r. The London outpost is situated in Soho + a definite scene..

BOOK // soul-cycle.com

B O D Y B Y S I M O N E

Created by Aussie trainer + dance extraordinaire Simone De La Ru, Body by Simone, known as BBS to those in it’s ‘inner circle’, is a favourite of major celebrities like Reee Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karlie Kloss, Sandra Bullock and of course Chrissy Teigen. BBS consists of five class varieties, including Dance Cardio, Trampoline Cardio, ABC (Arms, Back and Core), HTB (Hips, thighs and Buns) and Full body. No matter the class or the location, any of the signature classes are the perfect time to leave all your inhibitions at the door and get your sweat on, dancing your way through the graceful and powerful BBS method.

BOOK // bodybysimone.com

H O U S E O F V O G A

Voga is like nothing you’ve ever tried. Trust me, it’s the dream workout + perhaps one of the only styles of movement that you look + feel as fabulous doing it as you do in your head. Taking the core elements of yoga + merging them with fabulosity of vogueing, Voga is all about channeling your inner goddess + getting your body flowing. Voga was by Juliet Murrell, a successful set designer in the fashion, film + design industry who qualified as a yoga instructor in 2011 to restore her natural energy levels, which had been depleted by post-viral chronic fatigue + if ever there was an inspiration to get your ass moving, Juliet’s class is it! With trained instructors across the globe from London, Paris, Barcelona and Ibiza to New York, Rio, Buenos Aires, Edinburgh + Mexico City, you can be sure that catching a Voga class in London you’ll get all the feels of what it’s meant to feel like to workout. V fab!

BOOK // houseofvoga.com

Image Credits 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Where to Stay.. The London Edit

March 3, 2020TravelRebecca O'ByrneComment

T H E L O N D O N E D I T I O N

Primely situated on the edge of Soho and just a seven-minute walk from Oxford Circus, The London EDITION is a faultless blend of edgy elegance. The brainchild of American entrepreneur Ian Schrager, the once co-founder of Studio 54, it’s a bucket list London stay that doesn’t disappoint. Upon stepping inside, one is left somewhat open-mouthed at the splendour of the lobby. Swiftly captured by the sheer opulence, it’s a room within itself, doubling as a meeting space come day or night with it’s statement, low-lit bar and stylish seating area. A destination of sorts, the hotel conquers the quintessential magnificence of London with it’s social hub spirit. Rooms at The Edition are a minimalist affair; one that lovers of contemporary interiors will really appreciate. Cosy in a chalet way, the rooms are a true escape.

The London Edition is a new generation of luxury with an attainable feel at the heart of exactly what makes London have that London feel.

Rooms from £288 per night // Reserve at editionhotels.com

T H E S T A N D A R D

If you know, you know and knowing starts and ends at the Standard’s latest addition in London. With existing locations in New York, California and, now, the Maldives, The Standard’s British outpost was it’s first outside the the US, opening in 2019. It has quickly and undoubtedly become thee place to wake up to and party at till the lights go down for those who know.

Founded by hotelier André Balazs - who’s other properties include Chiltern Firehouse in London, The Mercer in New York City, and Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles - the Standard is located directly across from King’s Cross Station, towering above Euston Road. Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex the building boasts a very distinct Brutalist architecture of the 1970’s. Inside too plays homage to those 70’s vibes. Designed by Shawn Hausman, with the aim to be in complete contrast to the greyness of London, visitors are treated to bright red ceilings met with striped wooden walls in the ground-level offerings and can treat themselves to any of the many themed areas specifically designed to lounge around in.

The lobby lounge with its library setting plays homage to the buildings original use where the Sounds studio (yes the hotel’s VERY own recording studio) holds weekly talks and live music. Next door to the lounge is the now infamous Double Standard bar, headed up by executive chef Adam Rawson where guests can expect a casual - yet always cool - drinks and dining experience. Also part of the hotel’s restaurant offerings is Isla, also headed up by Rawson and the recently launched Decimo by Michelin-starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias who merges the Spanish cuisine of his family with his deep love of Mexico, created for his first ever London restaurant.

The rooms are witty, in a sense playfully lighthearted - they are bright (AF) and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From the typical London small to suite size, there’s something common to all and it’s the outlandish swanky kitsch vibes - think curved walls, retro style lighting, bold Wallace Sewell geometric-patterned bedspreads, deep blue carpets and the bathrooms which are adorned with pink-and-black tiled walls. It’s V seventies without fail.

Whether you’re there to stay or just to play, The Standard London is the absolute chic!

Rooms from £198 per night // Reserve at standardhotels.com

T H E N E D

This 11-floor hotel and member’s club bares some family resemblance to it’s founders now infamous ability to create a vibe with each new Soho House opening.. however, The Ned is really it’s own thing. Mature and more decidedly grown-up than it’s younger, party-lover counterparts, it’s Edwardian grandeur plays into a more opulent clientele looking for London glamour at it’s absolute best!

The £200 million creation took four years to complete and was worth the wait.. and every penny it seems. It’s a vibe-seekers haven with everything apart from the rooftop and underground Vault Bar open to non-members. The rooms themselves ooze opulence and elegance and are adorned with magnificent intricacies. There are armchairs and big luxurious sofas in lavishly appointed colours like rose and chartreuse and the four-poster beds come in mahogany, while the light situation is rather on point - think palm-tree shaped chandeliers and uniquely shaped lamps bringing the mood to another level. It’s luxury chic, in the true sense of the meaning.

It’s got plenty to see and do, with 252 bedrooms to chose from, nine restaurants, 15 bars, a spa, a barber shop, a boxing gym, two pools and as one would rightly expect at The Ned, a vintage cabinet is situated at the door to the old Tapestry Room, with specifically designed compartments to ensure the highly secured storage of one’s bowler hat. I mean.. what else could one want, right? It would seem The Ned has it all.

Rooms from £208 per night // Reserve at thened.com

A C E H O T E L

Whether you’re a trendy traveller or simply on the lookout for somewhere to ‘co-work’ with the too-cool-for-school Shoreditch crew, the Shoreditch outpost of the Ace Hotel is definitely your first stop in London. Located on Shoreditch High Street and just a 10 minute stroll north of Liverpool Street Station, the hotel is a hotspot for the cities achingly cool crowd. Upon entering through the main entrance, you’re met with a fetching first impression: the lobby with it’s concrete walls, dark wood floors and chipboard ceilings set the tone around the main feature of the lobby which is the endless array of hipsters holding meetings and working away on their laptops in the hotel’s, a space that has infamously become that of a co-workers heaven.

From NYC to LA, Chicago to Palm Springs and Seattle to Pennsylvania, staying the night is always a treat at the Ace. Upstairs, with seven different categories, rooms are in complete contrast with the lobby’s dark characteristics and are enveloped in the freshness of stark white walls and industrial style lighting, all adorned with Ace appropriate mid-century modern furniture. It’s innately and authentically Ace at it’s core, yet very East London in it’s detailed eccentricities - there are acoustic guitars on the walls with each room hosting it’s own quirky elements, think fun amenities like record players and vinyls.

Hoi Polloi is the hotel’s independently popular brasserie style restaurant and is typically buzzing with a vibe-y atmosphere. The menu is extensive, serving everything from oysters to burgers. For coffee lovers too there’s Bulldog Edition which serves (delicious) coffee and on-the-go pastries, small bites and juices.

Rooms from £151 per night // Reserve at ACEHOTEL.COM

T H E H O X T O N

With three locations in London - Shoreditch, Holborn and Southwark - The Hoxton has quickly become a favourite of trend seeking travellers in appreciation of a quality hotel stay at reasonable price points. No matter which of the groups London settings you decide to frequent, you’re sure to fall in love with each destinations ability to fit right in with it’s selected surroundings. From Shoreditch to Holborn to Southwark, each Hoxton has it’s own interesting finishings while collectively boasting a combination of old-fashioned elegance alongside elements of bold playfulness.

Like The Ace, it’s very London. Each lobby is full of creatives hosting power breakfast meetings and click-click-clicking away on their Macs. Sitting for a morning coffee makes for very good people-watching. On the food front, each hotel has it’s own in-house restaurant, the Hoxton Grill in Shoreditch, Hubbard + Bell and Chicken Shop in Holborn and Albie and Seabird in Southwark.

In Shoreditch, the rooms come in four different sizes, from smallest to biggest, the ‘shoebox’, ‘cosy’, ‘roomy’, and the nine ‘concept’ rooms, each of which have been designed by a local artist. The nine ‘concept’ rooms cannot be booked however, only requested upon reservation, so fingers crossed you’ll be luck out when booking. In Holborn and Southwark, the room sizes are a similar system with one or two more sized rooms available.

All-in-all the group attracts a loyal repeat customer for it’s atmosphere and attractive prices.

Rooms from £155 per night // Reserve at THEHOXTON.COM