Classic London

Book your flights to London and get ready to touch down in one of our major London airports, all you need to do is find the flight time to suit you.

Is it your first time visiting? Be our guest and stay close to the centre of London so you can make your way around London’s most exciting sights with ease. Stay close to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and book a classically luxurious break at The Langham – the hotel’s Palm Court restaurant kicked off the tradition of formal high teas, after all. Alternatively, the four-star Rembrandt in Kensington is just opposite the intriguing V&A Museum, and is just a short stroll away from Harrods.

Once you’re checked in and freshened up, make the most of your first evening by walking past Big Ben and over the Westminster Bridge. You’ll be able to spot some favourite London landmarks, including: The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. On the south side of the River Thames, head for the Royal Festival Hall – get there before 19:00 and you might catch the end of a free concert. Go up to the second floor to the glamorous mid-century modern inspired Skylon Cloud 9 bar and order a classic glass of Möet or an Aphrodite – 12 Ketel one vodka, strawberry, Cointreau orange liqueur, citrus and sugar – with a view.

Discover more hotels in London

Get to the Tower of London just before it opens at 09:00 and head straight for the Crown Jewels – you might get them all to yourself. The big crowds descend later in the morning, but the first hour is still relatively peaceful. Join a Yeoman Warder (also known as Beefeaters) tour, which start every 30 minutes, and look out for the ravens, the historic guardians of the ancient castle.

Walk over London Bridge – not to be confused with Tower Bridge and discover Borough Market, a foodie paradise of artisan market stalls. After you’ve had your fill, whizz up to the top of western Europe’s tallest building and enjoy an unparalleled view of London from the Shard’s viewing platform, a dizzying 800 feet above the city.

Jump on the 521 bus to Aldwych – it will take you past St Paul’s Cathedral – then walk up to Covent Garden. Spend some time wandering the quaint streets and ornate market hall before walking west down Long Acre to Leicester Square to see if you can pick up last-minute cheap theatre tickets at the TKTS booth on the south side of the square.

From here, it’s a short walk to the National Gallery. You could spend weeks here, but this is a flying visit so pick up the Essential Audio Tour of 80 artistic highlights, including Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Have a cup of tea and a cake in the beautiful café to keep you going, before you take your seats at a West End show.

J Sheekey, a fish and seafood restaurant tucked away on a little street near Leicester Square, is the unofficial canteen for London’s stage stars. Its pre-theatre slots are renowned for their slick service to get you to curtain up on time, but go after the show and you may be dining with actors straight out of the stage door – but you’ll need to book ahead. The main restaurant is gloriously timeless, with wood paneled walls and crisp white tablecloths, but a seat at the bar (or in the adjacent less formal Oyster Bar) is better for people-watching.

One of the best times to see London is early on a Sunday morning, when the streets are empty of traffic and the city feels fresh and clean – definitely worth sacrificing a lie-in for. Head to The Wolseley for eggs Benedict or a basket of freshly-baked pastries in the glittering Viennese-style grand café – easily the most glamorous breakfast in town.

Book the first slot of the day to see the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The King's London home is a few minutes’ walk from The Wolseley through Green Park – and if you’re early, take a turn around beautiful St James’s Park over the road. Make sure you take note of which flag is flying – if it’s the Royal Standard, it means the King is in. Time it right and you should emerge from the palace just in time for the changing of the guard ceremony, which usually takes place at 11:30 every day during the summer and every other day the rest of the year.

It can take weeks to get an evening reservation at Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred restaurant 'Dinner' at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge, but it’s much easier to get a table at lunch. Blumenthal’s menu is historic and British, with dishes inspired by recipes going back hundreds of years. It could well turn out to be the priciest lunch you’ve ever had – but also the most exciting.

For a much more affordable option, the café at the Victoria & Albert museum is said to be the oldest museum café in the world and serves snacks and more substantial meals in three beautiful rooms, or the stunning courtyard garden in summer.

Just opposite the Victoria & Albert, the four-star Rembrandt offers a place to relax after active days out and about – unwind in the spa, then take afternoon tea in the lounge.

Book a stay at the Rembrandt

Take a break at the four-star Amba Hotel Grosvenor, close to many of London’s most iconic sights. Return after sightseeing days for a cocktail or glass of Champers in the Reunion bar.

Book a stay at Amba Hotel Grosvenor

For a slice of luxury, choose to stay at The Langham – for its fabulous location, opulent spa and award-winning afternoon tea.

Book a stay at The Langham