Whether you’re in London to work or play, base yourself in stylish, central Soho, ideal for accessing all areas…
Shop: Kick off at Liberty, on Regent Street, for a savvy edit of fashion, beauty and homeware labels. At 222 Regent Street, Swedish brand Cos sports graphic clothing in directional hues. Chic US store Banana Republic is at number 224, and creative New York interiors and fashion boutique Anthropologie (www.anthropologie.eu) is at number 158. Local icon Topshop (www.topshop.com), on the corner of Oxford Street, is fun for catwalk-inspired buys.
Snack: Pop to Princi, at 135 Wardour Street, an informal Milanese café-bar offering snacks, pizza and prosecco. For a sweet fix, indulge in macaroons and chocolates in Yauatcha’s chic tearoom at 15–17 Broadwick Street, or order high tea in the hotel library.
See: Ogle classic and contemporary faces, from the Queen to David Beckham, at the National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk), at St Martin’s Place. The rooftop Portrait bar is fab for a glass of wine.
Stroll: Wander south from buzzy Old Compton Street through China Town to Trafalgar Square. From here, veer right into St James’s Park or left across the river to the South Bank’s theatres, galleries and bars.
Spa: The Sanctuary (0845 521 4567), a women-only spa in Covent Garden, touts relaxing treatments, a pool and loungers flanked by carp-filled ponds.
Savour: Dine on tasty English fare at artily attired Dean Street Townhouse , nearby at 69–70 Dean Street. Eating alone? Bag a window table at contemporary Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai, at 106–110 Wardour Street.
Sip: The Soho Hotel’s sophisticated in-house bar Refuel is a popular perch for cocktails.
Sleep: A bubble of cool calm, the Soho Hotel enjoys an unbeatable location in sociable Soho, surrounded by restaurants, bars and boutiques. This sassy abode offers 91 wittily decorated rooms with high-speed internet, iPod docks and must-keep Miller Harris toiletries, as well as a screening room for Sunday movies.
To book any of Mr & Mrs Smith’s stylish hotels visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627. Smith guests enjoy exclusive extras at all stays.