The best of London travel guide by HOLRs Editor-in-Chief Ksenia Edwards.

One of the most dynamic cities in the world, London, England has something for everyone. From the rich history and architecture, to the top-notch food scene, markets, museums and vibrant nightlife. No matter how many times I’ve been back, I can never get enough of London. So when it came time to plan my bachelorette this year, I could only picture it here.

Me and 5 friends booked our flights from Toronto to London in January, and with a fairly easy 7 hour red eye over the Atlantic, it’s truly an underrated Bachelorette destination. If you’re looking for a fun vacation with plenty to do and see, then London is the city for you.

Where to Stay

Home to some of the best hotels in the world, we wanted something elevated with large rooms and that was central. After doing some research, The Traflagar St. James London was the perfect fit. Located in Trafalgar Square, the 5-star hotel is clean, aesthetically pleasing and a short walk from some of the biggest attractions and great restaurants. We booked 2 regular rooms and a Junior suite, which was great for 3 people.

Due to the split level nature of the room, it has a king size bed on the main floor and a pull out couch on the elevated portion. The hotel itself is beautiful and includes a gym and a rooftop patio that is great for pre-dinner cocktails. Just wait until you see the view! Booking rates are also favourable and I would 10/10 recommend staying here. Learn more about staying at The Trafalgar St James at Booking.com.

Where to Eat

Ave Mario 

15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QG, United Kingdom

Italian restaurant Ave Mario is latest from Big Mamma Group, the team behind Gloria and Circolo Popolare. You come for the great food but you stay for the aesthetic. I’m not one to take photos of much of anything when I’m out, but for those that love a good photo-opp, this place is an Instagrammable dream. The menu features fresh pastas and pizza’s, as well as a curated selection of delicious starters. From the the Fancy Burrata and selection of Italian Caviar, to the Mafaldine al Tartufo and Welcome to Utopia Pizza, your taste buds will thank you.

Tip: They accept walk-ins but this place can get busy so I suggest booking a reservation.

Yauatcha

15 Broadwick Street London, London, W15 0DL

An all-day dim sum tea house featuring cantonese cuisine with a modern twist. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere in this modern interpretation of an old Chinese teahouse. The Dim Sum is delicious with grilled and fried options available. It’s also located in the heart of London in Soho so it’s the perfect pit stop before a night out. Their signature dishes are the Scallop Shui Mai and Venison Puffs, and I highly recommend trying both. 

Tip: Book your reservation on Open Table ahead of time.

Sexy Fish 

Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BR, United Kingdom

Sexy Fish is an Asian fusion restaurant with a late night bar and a fun setting for a night out. The menu leans heavily on sushi and sashimi and the food was good but the people watching was probably the best part. It’s a bit of a vibe in here and frequently attracts celebrity clientele so it’s a great place to have some drinks and take it all in. If you’re looking for a fun restaurant in London, this definitely fits the bill.

Tip: Book your reservations well in advance as they fill up quickly.

London Nightlife

When it comes to going out in London, there are no shortage of places for all sorts of different likes and needs. London is notorious for Members-only clubs so if you have a friend that can get you in, I would suggest checking out Annabel’s. We went to a couple of different members clubs from Tramps to Arts Club but Annabel’s definitely resulted in the most memorable, fun night.

Outside of members clubs, there are also plenty of other fun places to frequent. Grab drinks at the downstairs of Novikov where celebrities like Tom Cruise, Ronaldo, Mariah Carey and Rita Ora have been spotted. We also had a great time having drinks at Sumosan Twiga where celebs like Kate Moss and Winnie Harlow have frequented. For a full night club experience we went to The Box, which always lends itself to a quirky experience and a great night out.

Otherwise if Pubs are more your scene, there is no shortage to choose from. I would suggest picking a neighbourhood like Kensington or Shoreditch and hopping around. If you’re looking for more of a hidden gem type experience check out: The Prospect of Whitby (Pelican Stairs London Pub), which is considered one of London’s oldest Pubs and is next to an alleyway that leads to a secret beach.

What to Do

Given that we were on a Bacherelotte, I would be lying if I said we did too many cultural things during the day. However, we did manage to walk around a lot, which naturally results in you seeing some of the tourist hot spots like the London Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. If staying at The Trafalgar St. James in London, it’s a scenic walk from the hotel to great shopping.

I suggest taking a walk to Harrod’s and Selfridge’s to relish in all both stores have to offer. Harrod’s, in particular, could take over a day to get through so I suggest coming in with a plan if you’re looking for something specific. If you’re looking for less Luxury shopping and more unique, boutique and vintage shopping, then head to Shoreditch on the weekend. Check out Old Spitalfields Market and The Brick Lane Vintage Market.

That’s it for this London Girl Trip Guide but if you’re looking to book a trip to London check out Booking.com for great rates.