A Mid-Week Getaway to London

Fly into Heathrow or Gatwick and treat yourself to a private transfer into the city. Check in at The Londoner, a sleek, design-forward hotel that is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts, with all the comforts of a luxe boutique property wrapped in the scale of a grand one. The location in Leicester Square puts you right in the action, with the West End, Soho, and Covent Garden all close by.

Start your stay with a welcome treat (and a view!) before heading to 8 at The Londoner, the hotel’s elegant izakaya-style lounge, for an early dinner. Afterward, catch a show—this is the West End, after all—then sneak into Nipperkin, a fabulous mixology spot. It’s delightfully coy, with a moody, tucked-away vibe and cocktails like the garlic and truffle martini that feel experimental yet elegant and successful. Stroll back to the hotel and soak up London’s evening vibes. Finish the night upstairs at the hotel with a rooftop nightcap. Try the wagyu old-fashioned. Yes, it’s a thing.

Ease into the morning with a walk through Leicester Square and the National Gallery (all the Monets and Van Goghs). When you’re hungry, head to Seven Dials Market, a vibrant indoor food hall with indie vendors and global bites. Don’t miss the rotating cheese bar, Uzbek dumplings, and Indian kati rolls.

Spend the afternoon wandering the charming little alleys and shops around Seven Dials. Later, pop into the American Bar at The Savoy for a pre-dinner drink. It’s iconic and old-school in all the best ways, with martinis that feel like time travel. For dinner, make your way to NOPI, one of Ottolenghi’s upscale outposts, where Middle Eastern flavors meet London culture.

Start your final day with a spin on the London Eye, still the best view in the city—unless you count the rooftop at The Londoner. From there, head to the Corinthia London for a high tea moment that’s luxe, classic, and very British. Then stroll across the bridge to the South Bank, a lively stretch along the Thames with pop-up food stands and riverside energy, especially lovely in the summer.

Cap it off with cocktails at Lyaness, inside the Sea Containers London, a playful and design-led hotel that’s part of the cool-kid Lore Group. Mr. Lyan (aka cocktail wizard Ryan Chetiyawardana) runs the bar, and the drinks are as inventive as they are fun. Stay for the golden hour glow over the Thames and toast to a few well-spent days in London.