London is luxury encapsulated and the options for pampering yourself here are limitless.
Luxury shopping
Designer labels a-plenty can be found in Knightsbridge, Bond Street or in the major department stores such as
Selfridges,
Liberty's,
Harrods and
Harvey Nichols.
If you are seriously in the mood to luxuriate, then take advantage of the personal shoppers available at all of these department stores (Princess Beatrice has even been working as a personal shopper in Selfridges). If you prefer independent boutiques with upscale luxury labels, then Browns, Matches or Anna may be more up your street.
Aimé stocks the best in French fashion, while Start stocks Miu Miu, See by Chloe and John Smedley. Dover Street Market stocks some of the most avant garde and forward-thinking fashion to be found in the city, and KJs Laundry is a hidden gem, stocking Mike & Chris as well as upcoming American and Australian designers.
If you like good quality clothes but your tastes are a little more urban, then Beyond The Valley The Three Threads and No One will delight, stocking street labels such as Bi La Li, Won Hundred and Sessun.
Pampering
Spas abound in London. One of the very best is
Hydrohealing, which offers a range of water-based treatments, including lymphatic drainage massage, scrubs and wraps.
One of London's best known facialists is Vaishaly Patel, whose chic clinic offers signature facials from Vaishaly herself, or one of her assistants, as well as massage. Vaishaly and her team are also experts at threading, the Indian method of hair removal. She also has her own range of skincare products.
Covent Garden's The Sanctuary is one of London's best day spas and is a true haven, offering not only a wide range of treatments but also access to a pool and several relaxation areas.
Luxury food
Although not as well known as New York, London's delis are amongst the finest in the world.
The Grocer on Elgin is constantly name-checked in the press by chefs. Their
pain au chocolat are the best in London, and their pre-prepared meals use the finest ingredients and include Thai curries and gourmet soups.
Directly across the road, Mr Christian's does London's finest sausage rolls, as well as muffins, pastries, mini bagels and fresh bread. Nearby Ottolenghi's is undoubtedly one of the best delis around. Choose fresh salads, whole grains, fresh produce and predominantly vegetarian ingredients, and follow it up with baked goods that include meringues, savoury muffins, cakes and cookies.
Tavola is another fine deli in the area that offers a huge selection of fresh olives, oils and meats. Neal's Yard Dairy has one of the absolute finest selections of cheeses in London, including plenty of English cheeses.
Next: Where the locals dine
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