Luxury London: Must-Visit Destinations this Autumn

We make it our business to discover new and revisit acclaimed lifestyle destinations in our regions and London’s ever-evolving offering proves a constant allure. Impeccable hospitality, exquisite dining experiences and restorative luxury; Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, shares his latest must-visit lifestyle destinations in the capital.

House 21 at Home House
Home House, Marylebone

Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2023, I was reminded of private members’ club Home House’s salacious history. Built in 1773 for the Countess of Home, nicknamed the ‘Queen of Hell’, Home House was designed by James Wyatt and completed by Robert Adam, who envisaged it as a shrine to hedonism.

The interiors of House 21, the Georgian townhouse adjoined to the main building, were redesigned by Russell Sage in 2020, best known for bringing The Goring to life. Sage’s studio team unearthed accounts of the countess’ most raucous activities during the renovations and filled the space with antiques and artwork designed to leave clues to the room’s epicurean past.

With opulent marble staircases, classic interiors and fine art in the drawing rooms, or the more whimsical modernism of House 21, Home House is not short of reasons to visit.

Having welcomed a new Group Executive Chef, Jeremy Brow, earlier this year, The Restaurant’s brasserie-style seasonal British menu, will not disappoint.

The Pan Pacific London, Bishopsgate

There are few things that The Pan Pacific doesn’t do well. If you’re looking for the ultimate in romantic hospitality, the luxury hotel near Liverpool St offers a spa package complete with 60-minute massage, bottle of champagne, and access to the Sensory wellbeing floor, with your overnight stay.

The Sensory space is a full wellbeing floor with 18.5m infinity pool with enviable views (and child-friendly opening hours), 24-hour gym, and a host of massage and wellbeing treatment options, including treatments suitable for children.

Wanting something more decadent, The Pan Pacific Suite boasts 300-thread count cotton linen, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Gherkin, a late afternoon cocktail turndown service, bespoke cocktail cabinet, and a butler’s pantry.

It’s Bagels, Notting Hill and Primrose Hill

In case you’ve missed it, the humble sandwich has seen a resurgence over recent years with #foodtok trends raving about the biggest, best, and most gourmet.

For example, The Black Pig in Borough Market offers 10-hour slow-roasted Suffolk Pork on fluffy ciabatta. Max’s on Stroud Green Road offers ‘Et to brute? Murdering the Caesar’, home-made focaccia filled with poached chicken, tarragon and pickled grape salsa, chicory and parsley, baby gem, anchovy mayo with croutons. Whilst Dalston’s Dusty Knuckle adorns sourdough with roasted aubergine, peach and kohlrabi amba, tahini, green sauce and chopped salad.

Set to deposition the sourdough, however, is the New York Bagel. Whilst it’s not new to London (Brick Lane Beigel Shop has been around since 1855), the New York Bagel is certainly having a moment.

Its rise in popularity was seemingly initiated by ex-pat American’s seeking a taste of home when travel was restricted due to Covid. Having perfected his recipe during lockdown, New Yorker come Londoner, Dan Martensen, opened ‘It’s Bagels’ in Primrose Hill in September 2023 to queues around the block.

The second store in Notting Hill is now open, and there’s already a rush on Dan’s classic NYC staples, including cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon), and capers, or bacon, egg, and cheese, or even peanut butter and jelly.

Man in chef whites and woman in black top sitting in a restaurant
Photograph by Marcus Cobden
Kitchen Table, Fitzrovia

Boasting two Michelin stars, the Kitchen Table is an intimate chef’s table dining concept offering a Modern British tasting menu, which changes daily based on meticulously sourced and foraged seasonal ingredients. With only 20 diners per evening, you’re guaranteed an intimate experience at the U-shaped dining table that surrounds the ‘kitchen theatre’.

Chef James Knappett has an impressive CV, having worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, The Berkley, The Ledbury, Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant, Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant Per Se in New York and the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen. He works alongside his wife, awarding-winning sommelier Sandia Chang, to ensure you are in the best possible hands for a uniquely intimate culinary showcase.

ESPA Life at Corinthia, Whitehall Place

A four-floor spa experience in the heart of the city, ESPA Life’s ‘sanctuary of serenity’ is nestled within the Corinthia, offering a convenient escape minus the travel.

The award-winning spa features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a stunning Thermal Floor with an indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated loungers and private sleep pods.

For the more active, there’s a fully equipped gym complete with leading equipment and group training classes, or personal trainers.

The Neo-Gothic Airbnb hidden in plain sight, Fulham

A formerly derelict old keeper’s lodge on the outskirts of a cemetery, Fulham Lodge, is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom, strikingly attractive property. It has been lovingly redesigned by Simon Gill Architects and is available for entertaining via AirBnb.

Spread over three floors, this property also boasts a 43-foot spa-like swimming pool and sauna accessed via spiral stone staircase, wine cellar, three reception rooms, private garden, and parking. Start preparing your VIP guest list for your next soirée!

Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list.

If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.

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