London, the capital of understated elegance and rare experiences
As long weekends loom and begin, L'OFFICIEL has prepared a refined itinerary for you to discover the English capital under the sign of hushed luxury and the unexpected.
London , a true crossroads of discreet elegance and refined pleasures, reveals, through its narrow streets, its prestigious hotels and its exceptional restaurants, a universe where each moment becomes a memorable experience. During the May Bank Holidays, the British capital is transformed into an ideal backdrop for experiencing unique and extraordinary moments. From an unforgettable stay at One Aldwych , where the art of hospitality combines with an intimate and designer atmosphere, to a lunch at Mount St. Restaurant , a true temple of haute cuisine, London invites you to rediscover luxury in all its forms . Between a suspended stroll on London's High Line and a tête-à-tête dinner at the Rotunda Bar & Lounge , facing the majesty of Tower Bridge, the city offers moments where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. And to end this London escapade on a theatrical note, The Devil Wears Prada – The Musical will immerse you in the glamorous world of fashion, for a dazzling finale. London , a city of subtle contrasts, thus offers rare experiences, combining sophistication, serenity and a touch of creative madness. Guided tour.
Settling down at One Aldwych
There are addresses that embody the essence of a place. In the heart of the vibrant Covent Garden district, One Aldwych reveals itself as a discreet haven of refinement, ideally located at the crossroads of London's artistic and cultural worlds. Housed in an Edwardian building of understated elegance, this five-star hotel combines architectural heritage and contemporary design . Just a short walk from the West End theaters, the Royal Opera House and the shopping streets of Soho, it is the ideal base for an urban immersion that is both dynamic and luxurious. The rooms and suites, redesigned by the Robert Angell studio, combine clean lines, noble materials and muted palettes in tones of greige, slate and aged brass. Every detail exudes serenity. The carefully selected works of art, the sumptuous fabrics, the subdued lighting: everything here invites the soul to rest . The experiences on offer are no exception—from afternoon tea inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the spa tucked away from the hustle and bustle, to the indoor pool with underwater projections, every moment is an ode to voluptuousness. One Aldwych is an urban refuge for busy aesthetes, a promise of uncompromising comfort for a short stay in London.
Lunch at Mount St. Restaurant
Nestled in the chic Mayfair district, on the corner of Mount Street and South Audley Street, Mount St. Restaurant stands out for its rare artistic audacity, merging great British cuisine with a museum aesthetic. The original building, a Victorian edifice with a sculpted red brick facade, has been restored with panache by the team at Artfarm—the aesthetes behind Hauser & Wirth. Upon entering, the eye is drawn to the frescoes, works by Matisse, Andy Warhol, and even Alexander Calder, which adorn the walls, subtly interacting with the modernist curved furniture and Art Deco lighting . The space, bathed in natural light thanks to vast bay windows, overlooks the incessant ballet of Mayfair, offering a chic perspective on British elegance in motion. The menu, designed by a chef who claims a contemporary interpretation of English tradition , showcases exceptional products: grilled sole with brown butter, Wellington revisited with almost academic precision, or even game pie with old-fashioned flavors. The Mount St. Restaurant is a living tribute to London's heritage; a lunch here becomes an immersion in a reinvented England, where culture, gastronomy and elegance meet.
Treat yourself to a suspended walk on London's High Line
Few visitors suspect the existence of this celestial haven, perched 15 stories above the City. The Garden at 120, an oasis suspended atop 120 Fenchurch Street, is a free-to-access public garden that defies the laws of urban tumult. Surrounded by sculpted boxwood, dancing grasses, and subtly scented fruit trees, one strolls between sky and skyscrapers, one's gaze gliding from the dome of St. Paul's to the silhouette of The Shard, with Tower Bridge in sight. This aerial garden reconciles the London of yesterday and tomorrow in an almost dreamlike composition. The rustling of the leaves echoes the murmur of the city below, and each step becomes a breath taken. It is a precious, confidential stroll, offering the rare luxury of elevation —both literally and figuratively.
Treat yourself to a romantic dinner overlooking Tower Bridge at the Rotunda Bar & Lounge
When the sun sets and the Thames takes on a golden and steely hue, few places rival the majesty of the Rotunda Bar & Lounge , in the heart of the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, just steps from the capital's most famous (and Instagrammable) bridge. This circular space, an architectural homage to geometric perfection , opens 360° onto London's icons. Dominated by a monumental dome, set in polished marble and dark wood paneling, the lounge unfolds a hushed and solemn atmosphere, worthy of the great English clubs of the turn of the century... but with the contemporary lightness specific to the Four Seasons brand. The plates, as precise as they are inventive, magnify local products with a perfectly mastered touch of exoticism — elegant pan-roasted Scottish salmon, a tasty generous lobster roll, a healthy salad to fill up on green vegetables, or even a traditional Eton Mess with chestnuts and mandarin orange. The cocktails flirt with alchemy, crafted like liquid works of art. A dinner becomes a declaration of love to London, to its grandeur, to its eternal capacity to surprise and seduce.
Closing in style with The Devil Wears Prada — The Musical
To complete this London escape, there's nothing like a night at the theater, full of glamour and derision, with The Devil Wears Prada – The Musical , currently playing at the Dominion Theatre . Adapted from the cult film and driven by flamboyant staging, this musical shines with its frenetic pace, meticulous sets and stunning wardrobe. The music, by Elton John , injects electrifying energy into this sharp satire of the fashion world, while the chiseled dialogue hits the mark with every line. The character of Miranda Priestly, the absolute icon of ruthless elegance, is played by Vanessa Williams with majestic authority and an unexpected hint of tenderness. More than a show, The Devil Wears Prada – The Musical is irresistible entertainment, a shining mirror held up to our times, where humor and haute couture dance together on a dazzling London stage.
