off-the-beaten path in London

street art in East London (c) 2019 by David Ourisman

An experienced traveler who's been to London before posed this question:

I've seen all the major sites, including some further afield sights (Oxford, Bletchley Park, Windsor Castle), although I do plan to drop into the Victoria & Albert because I love it so. Exploring markets is another priority. 

But aside from that, what hidden gem parks or museums or neighborhoods have you encountered that warrant my time?

Here are some opportunities that are off the beaten path...

Take a walking tour of East London. While you can certainly walk through this neighborhood all by yourself, it's infinitely more interesting and informative to go along with a well-informed guide. You can join a scheduled public tour (google walking tours London), or for a tour at your own pace that's focused on your and your interests, we can find you an expert Blue Badge guide. East London is a mix of old and new. You'll enjoy shopping in the Old Spitalfields Market, walking past historic buildings, learning about the history of the neighborhood, and viewing some quite interesting street art.

Explore London's secret Underground. The Charing Cross tube station contains the entrance to a virtually unknown secret hideaway. Located behind locked gates, you can get a tour of an empty, unused subway station and tube. You've probably seen it on movies with London underground scenes, and one of the coolest parts of the exhibit is a video presentation of some of the movies that have been shot in this secret location.

Experience the Changing of the Guard inside the Wellington Barracks. Thousands of tourists per day crowd in front of Buckingham Palace to witness the daily 11 a.m. changing of the guards, perhaps London's most popular tourist attraction. But savvy tourists can watch the spectacle from inside the Wellington Barracks (where the guard lives). You'll be up close and personal with the guard, enjoy their daily band concert with literally no one between you and the soldiers, and watch as they march down the short spur to Buckingham Palace.

View the Ceremony of the Keys. An uniquely British Experience, this ceremony take place nightly when the Tower of London closes for the evening. While the limited public tickets are usually reserved far in advance, our contacts might be able to get you space to view this little-known example of royal pageantry.

Sit in Churchill's chair. The general public can queue up to buy tickets to see the Churchill War Rooms, and they'll be part of a long line of tourists peering through the plexiglass window into the room where Churchill's war cabinet met. Sometimes, they'll see a small group of tourists inside the room, actually sitting in Churchill's chair, and wonder, "Just who are those VIP's?" We can get make you one of those VIP's!

Want a ticket to a sold-out V&A special exhibition? If you've booked a stay at nearby Egerton House Hotel through a Virtuoso travel advisor, you get an exclusive pair of member tickets to all current exhibitions with full access to the members lounge. You'll also received a fully daily English breakfast daily for two, Afternoon Tea for two, a martini making lesson, an upgrade if available, and a one-way airport transfer for Suite bookings of three or more nights. (You can even book online using this link).

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Victoria & Albert Museum

V&A Medieval & Renaissance Galleries (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

What to do in Kensington? While I've usually stayed in Mayfair when visiting London, we are spending two nights this visit at The Milestone. Our hotel is right across the street from Kensington Park, and some rooms have a direct view of Kensington Palace, official home of Prince William and Kate Middleton and their brood of young royals. Many visitors enjoy touring the public areas of Kensington Palace and stroll its Gardens. I recommend that you book a priority-access ticket to avoid wasting time standing in queue.

The neighborhood is home to world-class museums. Yesterday we visited the Victoria & Albert Museum, the largest museum in the world devoted to decorative arts and design. With a permanent collection of over two million objects, it's impossible to see everything in one visit. Study the museum's website prior to your visit to determine the exhibits in which you're most interested ... or just wander and follow your eyes. I especially enjoyed the sculpture gallery in the Medieval & Renaissance area of the V&A, as the stunning natural light shows off the marble sculptures to their best advantage. My daughter especially enjoyed V&A's special exhibition of Frida Kahlo's art currently on display.

Pro Tip when visiting the V&A: stay at Egerton House, a Virtuoso hotel literally around the corner from the museum. Among the exclusive Virtuoso amenities we can provide — a pair of member tickets to all current exhibitions. Even though tickets to the Frida Kahlo exhibit were sold out for the day, my daughter was able gain complimentary access thanks to Egerton House's corporate membership.

copyright  (c)  2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit our website.

your chance to win £50 for food and beverage

this is just a facsimile — the original is printed on both sides (and is valid through 12/31/15)

Traveling to London or Ireland? Here's your chance chance to win a £50 certificate towards food and beverage at Red Carnation Hotels. I have one of these certificates, courtesy of Terry Holmes (whom we at Brownell affectionately know as Uncle Terry), and you can win it right now! Just be the first client to book a three night stay through me at one of the following Red Carnation hotels in the U.K. Each is a member of Virtuoso, and the great Virtuoso amenities are listed.

The Milestone Hotel
Located right across the street from Hyde Park, this is one of London's top-rated hotels for guest service. I had a great lunch at its restaurant (as I recall, it serves English "comfort food). Although the rooms themselves are small, I can definitely recommend the Suites at the Milestone. See this previous post from Travel Horizons.

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full English breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests 
•    Choice of two entrance tickets (per room booked) to Kensington Palace plus a $60.00 credit toward Afternoon Tea at the Milestone on one day.
•                  OR
•    A three course dinner in the hotel restaurant for two people per room booked, once during the stay.
• Suite Bookings 3 or more nights or any apartment bookings of 7 or more nights a one way airport transfer from London Heathrow to Milestone will be included as additional amenity
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Egerton House Hotel
For a true sense of place, you cannot do any better than the Egerton House. Consisting of two side-by-side London townhouses in a neighborhood with a distinct residential feel, you're still close to great shopping. While lead-in rooms are small, the larger rooms are absolutely wonderful. And the Virtuoso extra amenity is a martini making lesson from the King of Martinis!

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full English breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests 
• Exclusive pair of member tickets to all current Exhibitions at The Victoria & Albert Museum with full access to the members lounge
• Free Wifi throughout the Hotel
• Afternoon Tea for 2 on one day during your stay
• Martini making lesson with the King of Martinis,  Antonio, plus 2 dry martinis and a Certificate of Excellence signed by Antonio Pizzuto, Head Bar Man of the Egerton House
• One Way airport transfer for Suite bookings of 3 or more nights stay (cannotbe used in conjuction with any other promotions)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Ashford Castle

This Irish castle on the west coast of Ireland used to belong to the Guinness family. It has been lovingly restored and is one of the grandest estates experiences you could ever hope to enjoy. From Ashford Castle, you can go fishing, try your hand at falconry, or walk into the small town for a taste of local cooking or a pint at the pub.

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full Irish breakfast included in rates daily served in restaurant
• 85 Euro Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay  (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

the luxury hotels of London

The picture above was taken from the lobby of the Ritz London where I recently spent two nights en route to Prague and Budapest. During the course of several days, I made site inspections of 17 luxury hotels in London. While this is too much material to put into one blog article, I do want to highlight some top choices when it comes to London five star luxury hotels.

The Ritz London often offers the best values in a luxury hotel in London. A great central location on Picadilly, adjacent to Green Park, means an easy walk to Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, two popular tourist attractions. As a Virtuoso travel consultant, I can secure great amenities at the best available rate you can find at the Ritz — including a guaranteed upgrade at booking and a daily Full English Breakfast for two guests. I had mine by room service! The best rooms to book are on high floors overlooking Green Park — lots of natural light and beautiful views.

The Dorchester is a very impressive hotel located on the east side of Hyde Park, halfway between Marble Arch and Speakers Corner. This hotel has it all: an impressive marble lobby, spacious rooms decorated with beautiful English fabrics, and three celebrated restaurants including Alain Ducasse. Book an Executive Deluxe room (see picture above) or higher to enjoy the complimentary Virtuoso amenities - daily breakfast for two and one three-course set dinner in The Grill.

The Lanesborough is located at the southeast corner of Hyde Park, right by Marble Arch. The extensive use of dark mahagony, leather, silk wallpaper, and lovely fabrics creates a very traditional British feel. Lots of complimentary services (free internet, free in-room movies, free landline phone calls worldwide for Virtuso guests) make the Lanesborough a great value, and the Virtuoso rate (which gets you complimentary English breakfast for two) is always equal to the Best Available Rate.

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has the distinction of being directly on the park without a street between the hotel and the beautiful, open green space of Hyde Park. While the lead-in rooms face the hotel's courtyard or have a Knightsbridge view, the most desirable rooms and suites in the hotel have a perfect view directly into the park. With an impressive marble lobby and a great restaurant, Foliage, Virtuoso guests receive a complimentary daily continental breakfast and have the chance to experience a complimentary lunch for two from the Menu du Jour in Foliage.

The Berkeley is the perfect choice if you're looking for a great boutique hotel with a fresh, contemporary ambiance. Located in Knightsbridge, the hotel is right across the street from Hyde Park. Rooms are very attractive with one of three color schemes (olive, pale champagne, and aqua), and the rooftop indoor/outdoor pool makes the Berkeley a hotel to consider if swimming is part of your regular exercise. For a special treat, book the Chef's Table at the Berkeley's two-star Michelin restaurant. The Berkeley offers free internet for guests, and Virtuoso guests always receive complimentary English breakfast for two.

The Goring, located near Buckingham Palace, offers the ambiance of a London gentleman's club. There is a large comfortable lounge and bar just off the lobby. You will enjoy your complimentary Full English Breakfast (as a Virtuoso guest) in the attractive conservatory that overlooks the Goring's large garden - said to be the largest private garden in London (pictured above). Use your guaranteed Virtuoso upgrade to book a Garden Deluxe room overlooking the gorgeous garden. This is an attractively priced small hotel with an old British feel. Though the rooms and baths are smaller, the Goring is a great choice if you want to be in a beautifully maintained traditional London hotel.

Egerton House is the final hotel on the list of my highest recommendations in London. Like the Goring, this is also a good choice if you're looking for something with a traditional London feel. Located in a fashionable residential neighborhood in Knightsbridge, this 28-room hotel was fashioned from two side-by-side townhouses. While some of the rooms in this protected building are quite small, the rooms to book are #12 and #23. As a Virtuoso guest, you'll receive complimentary daily Full English breakfasts and enjoy a martini making lesson with the King of Martinis.

Want feedback or information on rates and exclusive amenities at these or any of the 15 Virtuoso hotels in London? Please drop me an email.


luxury hotels in London (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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