Happy Sunday my loves!!

I’m still reminiscing about my trip to London! It has quickly become one of my favorite cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, and I’m already planning my next trip back! I wanted to put together a travel diary and guide to all of my favorite spots, including my hotel, new restaurants and locations to shoot for those of you who are thinking about going! Hope you enjoy :)

Where To Stay:

St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London

Every corner and detail of the St. Pancras hotel took my breath away!! The building is a piece of art in itself.. so beautiful and romantic in every way possible. The ceilings and walls of the hotel were covered in hand-stencilled art, metalwork and gold. Not to mention, you may recognize the grand staircase in the lobby from the Spice Girls ‘Wannabe’ music video (such a memorable moment for me!!) And the rooms are so dreamy and have an amazing view of the city..on some days I just wanted to lounge in the hotel all day!! Our suite had high ceilings, beautiful drapery, fireplaces, art deco lamps, and beautiful marbling in the bathrooms (perfect for IG photos!)

Since we spent a lot of our time working in the hotel, we ordered quite a bit of room service. I normally don’t like to dine in my hotel, but every dish they brought to our room was incredibly delicious and beautifully presented!

Lastly, on one of our final days in London, we visited the hotel spa which is located in the underground kitchens of the original hotel making it a really unique experience. The hotel spa is the epitome of luxury, with its victorian-inspired space, soft lighting, arched windows, and relaxing treatments.

 

Where To Eat:

Swan

Swan was one of the best restaurants we visited throughout the entire trip. It’s an iconic restaurant located right above the river with an amazing view of the London bridge and River Thames. What to order? The Beef Wellington and Pot Roast Rosso Chicken are both amazing dishes on the menu. I also highly recommend coming to Swan for afternoon tea and enjoying their exquisite tea, pastries and champagne while looking over one of the best views of the city.

Granger & Co.

Before shooting in Notting Hill, we stopped to grab breakfast at an Australian cafe, Granger & Co. This restaurant is great for a casual brunch, simply decorated with cute outdoor seating and nicely presented dishes (great for those IG pics!) I ordered Ricotta hotcakes with a twist.. banana and honeycomb butter!! So incredibly delicious and decadent, you guys won’t be disappointed!!

The Booking Office Restaurant & Bar

This restaurant was conveniently located in the lobby of our hotel, but many tourists also come here from outside the hotel to visit the beautiful decor and try out some of their popular menu items like the Steak Tartare, Pumpkin Gnocchi and Duck Sheppard’s Pie!!

 

Where To Go:

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a must-see in London, especially if your a first-timer. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to take a tour of the inside of the Palace. But exploring the royal grounds and standing in-front of the huge gold gates is truly an experience in itself.

Harrods

One cannot leave London without a trip to the world-famous Harrods! Not only does Harrod’s have the best and most unique selections for fashion & beauty, but the store itself (interior and exterior) is ART!!! Every section of the store is stunning..with it’s metalwork walls, luxurious finishes, and beautiful displays. I couldn’t help but do a bit of damage here..and had to restrain myself from doing anymore shopping the rest of the trip lol ;)

High Tea

Fancy high tea in London is tres cliché..but very necessary if your going for the whole British experience! To me it’s the perfect combination..warm scones, tasty pastries, mini sandwiches, different flavors of tea (and maybe a bit of champagne) all served to you on beautiful antique tea saucers and 3-tier plates. I wish this was more of a thing in la so I could go every weekend!!

 

Where To Shoot:

Notting Hill

One of my favorite neighborhoods in London with its unique charm, quaint streets, and colorful antique shops. If you’re looking to walk through a fashionable neighborhood with tons of photo-worthy spots and victorian houses, then this is it! Not the mention, Notting Hill houses Portobello Road which is known to be one of the best markets..think small spice shops, tea emporiums and vintage book stores. We came back here quite a few times to shoot, I couldn’t get over how pretty all the pastel-colored houses were..it’s so hard to walk past any door without taking a photo!

Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge is one of the most central parts of London and conveniently one of the best places for shooting all my streetstyle looks! This area of London is very posh..housing all the luxury boutiques as well as Harrods! If you’re taking a break from shopping, take a stroll to Trevor Square which is a small and quaint neighborhood across the street from Harrods, behind the iconic Topshop. This is where you will find the famous pink & white house, lucky #14 (can I live here already?!)

St. Dunstan in the East

The ruins and gothic architecture of the St. Dunstan grounds make it one of the most unique places to shoot in London. Hidden away in a discreet area of side streets, this is one of London’s hidden gems and a place you can visit to escape the flocks of tourists and busy centre. The grounds have also been turned into a public garden..perfect for photos!!

What are some of your go-to places to visit in London?! Let me know in the comments below :)

Xoxo, Jessi