Why Londoners Should Be Tourists in Their Own City
When was the last time you booked a hotel in your own city? Sometimes all it takes is a change of perspective to see it with fresh eyes.
Have you booked a hotel in your home city? It’s something many of us rarely consider. We dream of long-haul adventures and countryside escapes, yet one of the world’s greatest cities is sitting right on our doorstep.
That’s exactly what crossed my mind during a recent preview of the newly unveiled View Suites at The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences. I hadn’t come to spend the night, just to take a look around, but within minutes I was mentally planning the luxury London staycation I’d happily book for myself. As a born and bred Londoner, not something I’ve really ever done.
Perched on the tenth floor above Piccadilly, the two new suites offer a front-row seat to one of London’s most iconic views.
Through floor-to-ceiling windows, Hyde Park stretches away in a sea of green, Buckingham Palace peeks through the trees and the skyline unfolds in every direction. It’s a surprisingly tranquil setting considering the buzz of Mayfair below. Binoculars have even been thoughtfully placed by the window, encouraging guests to slow down and take in the ever-changing cityscape from sunrise to dusk.
The suites themselves have been designed to feel less like hotel rooms and more like elegant London apartments. Warm British fabrics, bespoke furniture, marble bathrooms and carefully chosen details create a calm, residential feel. Technology is discreetly integrated, while a personal concierge is on hand around the clock to arrange everything from restaurant reservations to unforgettable London experiences. Standing there, I found myself imagining exactly how I’d spend a weekend.
There would be an early evening stroll through Green Park before returning to the suite with a glass of Champagne to watch the light fade over the trees. The next morning would begin with breakfast before wandering through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace, perhaps followed by a little shopping along Bond Street or a leisurely visit to one of Mayfair’s galleries. Back at the hotel, I’d settle by those enormous windows and simply watch London unfold beneath me, before ending the day with dinner at one of the capital’s many exceptional restaurants just moments away.
The beauty of a staycation isn’t trying to cram everything into an itinerary. It’s giving yourself permission to take it easy and appreciate a city you thought you already knew.
The Athenaeum‘s new View Suites don’t just offer somewhere luxurious to sleep. They offer a fresh perspective on London itself. Sometimes that’s all you need to fall back in love with your own city.
My Perfect Mayfair Weekend
Start the day with coffee at Hideaway
Just a short stroll from The Athenaeum, this charming café from the team behind HIDE is ideal for a leisurely coffee and pastry before heading into Hyde Park. Hideaway is elegant without being intimidating and perfect for people watching.
Walk through Green Park to St James’s Park
One of the best things about The Athenaeum is that London’s Royal Parks are literally on your doorstep. Wander through Green Park, continue into St James’s Park and you’ll have wonderful views of Buckingham Palace, the lake and resident pelicans, all without needing a taxi. DIRECTIONS
Browse the galleries of Cork Street
Instead of Oxford Street, head to nearby Cork Street. This historic street is packed with contemporary art galleries and always feels quietly sophisticated. Even if you’re not buying, it’s a lovely way to spend an hour.
Cocktails at The Donovan Bar
If you’re treating yourself, The Donovan bar is one of my favourite hotel bars in London. Glamorous without feeling stuffy, it’s the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail before wandering back through Mayfair. DIRECTIONS
Dinner at Murano
Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant Murano somehow manages to feel both special and wonderfully relaxed. It’s exactly the sort of place I’d book for a London staycation, outstanding food without any unnecessary fuss. DIRECTIONS
Five Reasons I’d Book This Staycation
- No airport queues.
- One of London’s most spectacular views.
- Hyde Park and Green Park on your doorstep.
- Everything from Bond Street to Buckingham Palace within walking distance.
- It reminds you why London is one of the world’s greatest cities.
Latest Travel Posts:
Hidden Garden Events in Bloomsbury: Why The Montague on the Gardens Should Be on Your Summer Radar
10 Reasons To Visit Birmingham
10 reasons to visit cambridge + two day itinerary
The Golden Age of Travel
The Belmond British Pullman is a luxury train experience departing from London Victoria, offering day…
