London

By Jennifer Milano, traveled July 2023 and March 2025

My first time leaving the U.S. was when my mother decided to take me to Kenya at age 12. The trip was transformative for several reasons, one of which being the family with which we shared our safari vehicle for seven days. As luck would have it, an English couple and their 12-year-old daughter, Ali, were our travel companions for the week, and we became fast friends. Some friendships formed on the road fade, but Ali and I have been friends for over 40 years now. We wrote to each other weekly for years, on those foldable airmail letters. At 14, we started taking turns visiting one another in our home countries. My first time in London was with Ali and her lovely mother, Eileen, where I saw not just Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, but also the Royal Ballet and Les Misérables in the West End. One summer in law school, I moved to London to work for a firm for three months, and that’s when I really fell in love with the city. I found it as exciting as New York, but with more green space, although worse food. By the time I returned with my infant daughter and husband, the food scene had improved significantly, and on my two most recent trips in 2023 and 2025, I ate like a queen.

There is so much to do in London that you could just travel here for every vacation and never run out of things to see. In addition to world-class museums, theater, shopping, sites and restaurants, London boasts fascinating neighborhoods that you can spend hours walking and exploring, each with its own unique character. One of my favorite London activities is to join a free walking tour. I remember one walking tour I took years ago in Westminster introduced me to WWII bomb shelters I had passed dozens of times without knowing they were there. Even without a guide, wandering around London is never dull. The Tube. makes the city easy to navigate, and London black cabs are plentiful, as well.

The last two trips to London we have stayed in hotels. In 2023, my husband, and our friends Kristen and Scott, had planned to stay in an apartment rental. However, I got scammed and the apartment did not exist, despite being listed on airbnb. That same summer, my daughter was studying at London School of Economics and reported that several of her classmates had also been scammed. Word to the wise: if an apartment rental agent says they will pick you up at the airport or train station, this is code for “I am not giving you the apartment’s address because it does not exist.” Fortunately, Scott and Kristen had a hotel ready to recommend from a recent stay, and we secured a fair rate at The Bailey’s Hotel London, conveniently located right next to the Gloucester Road tube stop. Our room was small and a bit dark, but we didn’t spend much time in it. The staff was friendly and we enjoyed our stay. In 2025, we spent a bit more and stayed at the fabulous Egerton House Hotel, which I can’t recommend highly enough. From the London townhouse feel to the comfortable room and perfect service, this Knightsbridge hotel is my top choice. Years ago, my husband, baby daughter and I stayed at the Sofitel St. James, which we absolutely loved, but prices now exceed our budget.

Egerton House Hotel: we loved this hotel, which is set in a townhouse in Knightsbridge. Staff is perfectly friendly and well-trained. Our room was lovely, as was the afternoon tea service. Located about 10 minutes’ walk from the tube.

Bailey’s Hotel London: inexpensive with good service and an unbeatable location across from the Gloucester Road tube stop. Our room was small and dark, although we had booked last minute.

Sofitel St. James: if you are looking to splurge, this hotel is beautiful and centrally located, just near St. James Park. The tea room is beautiful. We still have the toy London black cab that the staff gave my daughter 22 years ago, when she was crawling around the tea room!

The list of London sites and activities is endless, and you know how to google what you are looking for. So I’ll list just a handful of some of my favorite things to do in London.

Walk St. James Park and the Mall to Buckingham Palace: St. James Park is where I’d eat my lunch every day when I worked in London for the summer, and it is so pretty. Walking along the Mall (the street adjacent to St. James Park) to Buckingham Palace feels royal.

Borough Market: Despite the crowds, I love visiting Borough Market and getting a bite, or two, or three, to eat. My son recommends the sandwiches at The Black Pig. I liked the sit-down lunch at Brother Marcus.

The View from The Shard: We had fun taking the elevator up to the top of The Shard for 360-degree views of spectacular London.

Boat trip on Regent’s Canal: We took a 2.5 hour dinner cruise with The London Shell Company on the Prince Regent down Regent’s Canal. It was a relaxing way to see a part of the city from a different perspective, and dinner was good, but overpriced.

Wander London’s unique neighborhoods: Our favorite activity in a foreign city is just to stroll the city. London neighborhoods I have enjoyed exploring include: Notting Hill, Kensington & Chelsea, Soho & Covent Garden, Westminster & St. James, Mayfair & Marylebone, Little Venice, and Hampstead.

Dishoom: Great for breakfast or all-day dining, this Bombay-inspired hotspot is a favorite of everyone in our family.

Borough Market: With plenty of fabulous food stands and nearby sit-down restaurants, Borough Market is a fun place to graze or have a full meal. My son and husband were happy with their pork sandwiches from The Black Pig. Friends and we enjoyed our lunch on the edge of the market at Brother Marcus. I thought the crumble at Humble Crumble was just okay. La Tua Pasta was pretty good, but I am an Italian food snob and can’t give it the highest of marks.

Delamina Marylebone: This might be my favorite restaurant in London, although it would be so hard to choose just one. My friend, Pauline, who has lived in London for 20 years recommended Delamina for Middle Eastern cuisine, and we absolutely loved it.

The River Cafe: Another recommendation from Pauline, where the Italian-inspired menu changes daily. We loved our dinner here.

Tamil Prince: Really good south Indian cuisine in a primarily residential neighborhood in Islington. Especially good for fans of spicy food!

Gold: Pauline does it again. We met Pauline and her husband Tim here for lunch one rainy Saturday, and the food was very good. Located right on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Gold is the perfect spot for a meal in between shopping and strolling this adorable (but touristy) neighborhood.

Pravaas: Another outstanding Indian dinner in South Kensington.

50 Kalò di Circo Salvo: I was thrilled when my favorite pizzeria in Naples, Italy, opened up a restaurant in Westminster. I did not think it was as perfect as the original location in Naples, but it still must be the best pizza in London.

Gelupo: After your pizza, stroll into Soho for an authentic gelato at Gelupo. Gelupo claims it has “the finest gelato this side of the Alps,” and they might just be right.

Tea time at The Egerton House Hotel: I can’t think of a better place to have a good cream tea than in front of the fireplace at the Egerton Hotel!