The Dorset Square Hotel has opened, with thirty-eight individually appointed bedrooms tucked inside an historic Regency townhouse. Many guest rooms overlook the property’s private garden—the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground. What many don’t realize is that the Dorset Square Hotel joins the ranks of other exceptional boutique London hotels: the Charlotte, Covent Garden, … Read more
Christmas is upon us, heralded by dismally dark days, festive lights and gingerbread lattes topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. This time of year is one of my favorites in London. I love meandering along Regent Street beneath dazzling lights, where I can’t help but indulge my inner child at Hamleys before building an age-appropriate … Read more
I was never given much decorative leeway over my childhood bedroom, so going to college was my first real opportunity to harness whatever inner design or style existed. I can’t say that I discovered much, nor did I progress with any sense of originality: my dorm room looked like that of every Southern sorority girl. … Read more
An old friend and former expat recently loaned me her collection of City Walks: London which has quickly become my new best friend on quiet Saturday afternoons. The collection of hand-sized cards recommends routes across central London and beyond, each with historical and cultural information alongside neatly presented directions. I should, at this stage, anticipate … Read more
London is a city of parks, and I’ve long been a fan of lazy meandering walks through Hyde Park, among others. Despite my appreciation for the city’s central green spots, it took me nearly a year of living in London before my first visit to the Heath. Hampstead Heath shouldn’t really be discussed in the … Read more
Big house, nice car, spacious yard, and a private pool: such dreams propel many people forward. The safety and privacy that go along with a nice home and backyard are worthy goals, and the constant shuffle of city life often makes me long for a solitary drive or an afternoon spent reading in a quiet … Read more
Spending genuine, extended time in a particular place affords you the benefit of feeling like a local. You come to discover favorite destinations and learn how to avoid the traps. Despite the obvious advantages involved with this position, I would submit that there are a few, discreet disadvantages. The first is snobbery (“I would never … Read more
Harrods is the most famous department store in the world; it also serves as one of the best and worst destinations in London. I should know: I lived nearby Harrods for nearly a year and made countless visits to the store to gaze at unobtainable items, purchase much-needed American groceries, and buy outfits for weekend … Read more
