We've traveled the world to bring you a selection of fabulous luxury destinations over the past few years. We began that journey in Switzerland, Glion's home, and now for episode #11 we're taking you to the host city of our other international campus: London. And as we're in the UK capital, it seems only right to adopt the local expression "autumn" for this season of falling leaves...
Where to stay – old and new London
London has so many incredible places to stay, with rooms and experiences to suit the most demanding luxury traveler.
Let’s start with one of the most talked-about luxury openings of recent years: Raffles London at The OWO. Located in the former Old War Office in Whitehall, the hotel combines the history of this extraordinary building with the signature Raffles butler service, beautiful interiors and excellent cocktails.
Insider’s tip: you must try the Operation Mincemeat Afternoon Tea, inspired by the famous Second World War deception operation. The Old War Office played an important role in British intelligence at the time, making the experience particularly fitting. You might also know the story from the film Operation Mincemeat, starring Colin Firth.
One of the most eagerly awaited openings is Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch. This iconic monument, located as centrally as one can be, is becoming the first Waldorf Astoria in London. After remaining closed to the public for many years, the building is being brought back to life as a luxury hotel. It's expected to officially open its doors on 1 March next year, featuring 114 luxury guest rooms, signature suites and private residences.
Do you prefer something more intimate? Do you wish you had your own apartment in central London, with a cosy living room, comfortable sofas and a private-club atmosphere? Book a stay at Hotel 41. With only 28 rooms and suites and a residents-only lounge, it feels more like a private home than a large city hotel. Bonus: you are just next to Buckingham Palace. Royal tea, anyone?
No visit to London’s luxury hospitality scene would be complete without mentioning The Savoy. The hotel opened in 1889 and soon became one of the most influential luxury hotels in Europe, thanks in no small part to an extraordinary management duo: César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier. Ritz looked after the guest experience, while Escoffier transformed the kitchens and dining.
Would you imagine that in 1905, an American millionaire asked the hotel to transform its courtyard into Venice for his birthday? The space, now the Lancaster Ballroom, was flooded, gondolas floated across the water, and waiters dressed as gondoliers. As if that were not enough, a baby elephant appeared carrying a five-foot birthday cake. Luxury hospitality has certainly changed since then, but few parties today could compete with this one!
A little seasonal shopping
London and shopping go hand in hand, but let’s skip the obvious international luxury brands and look for places with a little more character.
Start at Liberty London, just off Carnaby Street, the centre of so many fashion and music changes in the 1960s. Liberty itself is a London institution and a wonderful place to look for distinctive designs, craftsmanship, beautiful fabrics and its famous printed silks.
Looking for specialty teas and a few items to make your home cosy as the evenings get longer? Head to Fortnum & Mason. Tea is, of course, at the heart of the experience, alongside beautiful food halls, gifts and home accessories. And don’t forget to check the windows before you leave – they have some of the most beautifully decorated displays in town.
If you, like us, love spending long autumn evenings with a blanket and a good story, there are two more stops to make. Established in 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in London and holds a Royal Warrant. Alternatively, head to Daunt Books Marylebone, with its wooden galleries and beautiful Edwardian interior. These two wonderfully cosy bookshops will put you in the autumn mood instantly.
Time for coffee
We usually recommend good restaurants in the places we visit. However, autumn is all about being cosy and keeping warm, ideally with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
At Sketch, you can enjoy not only your drink but also striking interiors and contemporary art. The different rooms each have their own décor and atmosphere, so even stopping for tea becomes part of the experience. And if you do fancy some fine dining while at Sketch, The Lecture Room & Library, headed by master chef Pierre Gagnaire, is one of just six London restaurants to hold three Michelin stars.
For something sweeter, try the highly Instagrammable London Parlour of German-born patisserie superstar Peggy Porschen (pictured). You will love the colourful cakes and famous pink surroundings. Autumn is a particularly good time to visit, when seasonal flavours and decorations make the café feel even cosier.
For real coffee connoisseurs, we recommend SHOT London in Mayfair, known for serving some very rare and unusual coffees. One of its most talked-about offerings is a Japanese Typica grown on Okinawa Island and prepared with almost ceremonial precision.
Definitely not your average morning coffee!
An autumn of art and fashion
London, of course, gives us plenty of reasons to leave our cosy hotel and explore.
You can still see the unique Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, which has been extended until 18 April 2027. The exhibition presents more than 300 pieces from the late Queen’s fashion archive and offers a fascinating look at the role clothing played throughout her life and reign.
For the romantics among us, this autumn brings something particularly special to the National Gallery: Renoir and Love. Running until 31 January 2027, the exhibition explores love, friendship and human connection through Renoir’s work and brings together some of his best-known works. These include his iconic painting 'Bal au Moulin de la Galette' (1876) from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, on display in the UK for the first time.
If your mind keeps going back to the warmer weather, we strongly recommend visiting Painting the French Riviera at the Royal Academy of Arts. This blockbuster exhibition, featuring the works of Picasso, Matisse, Klein, Dufy, Renoir and Cezanne among many others, is on until 31 January next year and is already a smash hit with critics and visitors alike. Insider Editor Martin Green, a longtime Friend of the RA, says it’s among the best-curated art exhibitions he’s ever seen in London!
One last autumn walk
Finally, after hotels, shopping, cakes and exhibitions, it is time for some fresh air. Take the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing autumn stroll in Richmond Park. With its open grasslands, ancient trees and free-roaming red and fallow deer, it can feel remarkably far removed from central London.
Autumn is also rutting season, so you may hear the deer before you see them. Admire them from a safe distance, enjoy the colors and, while you are there, don’t forget to pop into our Glion London campus, located just off Richmond Park, and say hello.
London in autumn does not need sunshine to impress. Sometimes a beautiful hotel, a new book, a warm cup of tea, a little art and a walk through fallen leaves are exactly what we need as the evenings begin to draw in.
Photo credits
Main image: Gary Yeowell/Getty
Savoy Hotel: paulafrench/Getty
Richmond Park deer: Aatur Ravani (www.aatur.com)/Getty
All our 'best luxury destinations' in one place
Here’s the complete set of Barbara Czyzewska's top luxury destinations for you to enjoy:
#1 - St. Moritz: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-1-st-moritz/
#2 - Zimbabwe: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-2-zimbabwe/
#3 - French Polynesia: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-3-french-polynesia/
#4 - American 'Great Outdoors': https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-4-american-great-outdoors/
#5 - Japan's spring blossom season: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-5-japan-spring-blossom-sakura-season/
#6 - Paris in private: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-6-paris-in-private-more-intimate-luxury/
#7 - Istanbul and the gateway between east and west: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-7-istanbul/
#8 – Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea Project: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-8-saudi-arabia-red-sea-project/
#9 - Sensory stimulation in Portugal: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-9-sensory-stimulation-in-portugal/
#10 - a little Irish inspiration: https://www.glion.edu/magazine/worlds-best-luxury-destinations-10-a-little-irish-inspiration/
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