LONDON CALLING

A global capital of culture, history, theater, and design, London offers luxury accommodations, iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and vibrant neighborhoods.

London has always called me. The hum of black cabs, the glow of theatre marquees, the cheeky remarks of its citizens, and the quiet pageantry of its streets exert a steady, unmistakable pull. This past April, I returned to visit my daughter during her semester abroad at University College London. Experiencing the city through her eyes—at once newly discovered and already beloved—offered me a new perspective on one of the world’s most compelling capitals.

WHERE TO STAY

One Aldwych is a five-star London address defined by impeccable design, exceptional location, and a distinctly modern sense of luxury.

Set at the crossroads of Covent Garden and The Strand, the hotel occupies a striking 1905 Art Nouveau building that once housed the Morning Post (a wonderful nod to my current occupation). At the entrance, top-hatted doormen greeted us with warm smiles, a reminder that in London, tradition still has a place.

With its circular living room, dining area, two bathrooms, and refined millwork, our corner suite felt less like a hotel room and more like a private residence. Oversized windows overlooked the Novello Theatre, where Mamma Mia! played to delighted audiences each evening, lending a lively energy to the street below.

Art is the hotel’s defining language. Original works fill every room and suite, while sculptural pieces are found in the public spaces. The collection includes both emerging British artists and established names, giving the interiors both freshness and gravitas.

A recent update has the property feeling newly radiant, and this polished surface is grounded in a thoughtful operational approach. One Aldwych is the first and only five-star hotel in London to earn B Corp™ certification, an achievement reflected in details you might not immediately notice: beehives on the roof, a chlorine-free swimming pool, and long-standing relationships with local suppliers that root the hotel firmly in its community.

This sensibility carries over to Indigo, the hotel’s restaurant. Here, mornings begin with ease in an atmosphere that strikes a sophisticated yet relaxed balance, and evenings feature a menu that leans into fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

With Indigo closed on Sundays, our first dinner was enjoyed in the Lobby Bar with beautiful views of the Lyceum Theatre’s bright yellow placards celebrating The Lion King, which has played there since 1999. With a sightline to the bar’s floor-to-ceiling floral installation, reimagined weekly by the hotel’s resident floral artist, I enjoyed one of the best salads of the trip: fresh, vibrant, and layered with herbs, tasting as if the ingredients had been gathered moments before reaching the table. Years ago, finding a vegetable in London felt like a challenge; this dish upended that memory, especially when paired with a perfectly chilled glass of bubbly. For those in the mood for a cocktail, the Gallery Menu uses the hotel’s art collection as inspiration for sip-worthy libations.

If you are traveling with children, don’t miss the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea inspired by Roald Dahl’s iconic tale. With color-changing teas, delicious tea sandwiches (Coronation Chicken was our favorite), and exquisitely themed confections—it is teatime with flair.

WHAT TO DO

Central London, Day 1:

London itself is vast, a city of more than nine million people moving in constant rhythm, and while the Tube carried us efficiently from one corner to another, it was on foot that the city revealed its character. We began our sightseeing close to the hotel with a stroll through Covent Garden with its eclectic mix of charming cafés, street performers, and luxury boutiques (step into Penhaligon’s, a perfume house founded during Queen Victoria’s reign, for a heavenly spritz that will carry you through the day). The scene felt distinctly British with Barbour jacket-clad citizens striding past red telephone booths.

We then headed to a private tour of The National Gallery arranged by One Aldwych through its museum partnership. There we slipped in before the museum opened, granting us a rare moment alone with the works of Monet, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Botticelli. Our brilliant guide introduced us to several outstanding works. Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, with its message that “love triumphs over war,” was a particular favorite of my daughter. Both of us were immediately drawn to Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait (one of the museum’s most popular paintings). Finally, our guide introduced us to a striking self-portrait by an artist I was unfamiliar with—Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun. Miss Le Brun, born in 1755, was Marie Antoinette’s favorite artist and painted more than 30 portraits of the queen. Quite a feat for a female artist of her day.

Stepping out into Trafalgar Square, we enjoyed a view of the square’s monumental lions. We continued to the Elizabeth Tower (better known as Big Ben), where sunlight catches the clock’s gilded detailing magnificently. We passed Westminster Abbey, Churchill’s War Rooms, and the Supreme Court (you can sit in on a hearing if you have time).

Just beyond, St. James’s Park beckoned us. We followed its winding paths to Duck Island, where an enormous variety of waterfowl gathered in charming disarray. We were especially impressed by the feathered folks whose plumage resembled a cap nicked from a fine British haberdashery.

At the park’s edge, Buckingham Palace appeared almost surprisingly intimate, its famed balcony closer than I remembered. We stood there for a moment envisioning the countless historic gatherings that had happened in this very spot—the pageantry of the Queen’s Jubilee came to mind.

Afterward, in proper British fashion, we paused at a pub for a pint before returning to our neighborhood, where we stepped into The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House. There, Renoir’s La Loge and Degas’ Two Dancers on the Stage provided a graceful end to the day.

Day 2:

We spent our time moving between London’s storied past and its ever-evolving present, where centuries of history sit comfortably alongside a modern, kinetic energy. Our morning began within the walls of the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enduring symbol of royal power. Inside, we explored the imposing White Tower and marveled at the brilliance of the Crown Jewels.

From there, we made our way to Tower Bridge, its Victorian-era blue accents gleaming against the sky, a detail refreshed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1977 Silver Jubilee. Crossing the bridge, we arrived at the lively South Bank and continued westward along the Thames until we reached Hay’s Galleria, once a bustling Victorian wharf and now an airy enclave of shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces. Beneath its glass canopy, we stumbled into an unexpected highlight: a spirited game of padel.

Continuing along the river, we popped into the Tate Modern. The museum is housed in a former power station; this industrial grandeur provides a striking backdrop to an astounding contemporary art collection. Here you’ll find works including Salvador Dali’s famed Lobster Telephone, Roy Lichtenstein’s Whaam!, and Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, which shocked the art world in 1917.

As the afternoon slipped into evening, we crossed back over the Thames toward the financial district and Lamb Tavern, located within the ornate Leadenhall Market. There, amid the hum of “Thirsty Thursday,” we joined the after-work crowd for a pint.

On our walk back to the hotel, we passed the magnificent dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. We paused on a bench surrounded by a sea of tulips and a gentle waterfall. I found myself reflecting on Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ 1981 wedding—how was that so long ago and yet still so fresh in my memory? Dinner at Ivy Asia allowed us to continue admiring the view of St. Paul’s while enjoying the vibrant Asian cuisine that has become such an integral part of London’s dining scene.

Notting Hill & Kensington, Day 3:

To the west, Notting Hill hums with charm. Blooming wisteria covers the pastel façades lining residential streets, while Portobello Road Market offers a lively mix of vintage treasures and cozy cafés. Visitors still gather outside The Notting Hill Bookshop, a never-ending homage to the 1999 romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.

Next, we walked to Kensington Gardens, eventually arriving at Kensington Palace, once home to the Princess of Wales. We rested here for a moment under a vine-covered arbor in the sunken garden, admiring the statue of Princess Diana that had been commissioned by Prince William and Prince Harry. After a bit of shopping, the day ended atop Primrose Hill, where London revealed herself in all her glory as the sun set just beyond the city. In the distance, the London Eye turned slowly, a reminder that this immense capital is always in motion.

Whether you visit this dynamic city for the theatre, the art, the food, or simply the feeling of being in one of the world’s great capitals, London has a way of ensuring you’ll have a grand time.

And long after you leave, you’ll feel it calling you to visit again and again.

For more information, visit onealdwych.com, nationalgallery.org.uk, hrp.org.uk, novellotheatre.com, thelyceumtheatre.com, and courtauld.ac.uk.