One: The Chinoiserie at Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Welcomed by a colourful display of fresh flowers in ornate vases, and plush orange and blue velvet decor, The Chinoiserie, is a glamorous lunch splurge in the city. A rounded, white corrugated showcase holds a dizzying array of patisserie, elegantly displayed as if they were prized jewels.
Karel, my young waiters’ service throughout the meal shows both care and precision, as would be expected and the menu at the all-day dining restaurant, adheres to popular international bites with hints of the Middle East and India. Roasted prawns with delicately spiced mayonnaise and chimichurri is finger licking, and a cold mezze plate with hummus, moutabal, tabouleh alongside Arabic pickles, olives and pitta whets the appetite. But, lunch peaks with The Carlton Tower Biryani (available with either prawn, chicken, lamb or vegetarian), an array of perfectly cooked, perfumed rice with a jolt of heat and studded with cashews. It’s a signature dish of the hotel with well-deserved accolades, heightened by a glass of stunning English Roebuck Estate classic cuvée.
And, don’t think about leaving without ordering at least one mouth-watering dessert, though you’ll be hard-pressed to choose just one. Each intricately decorated sweet treat seems to beckon from behind the glass – the hazelnut caramel finger (a financier with salted caramel, caramel whipped ganache and almond chocolate glaze) and pecan Paris Brest (crisp choux filled with pecan crémeux, pecan confit, topped with pecan diplomat cream) are a perfect end to stellar meal. Service at the front desk and restaurant is impeccable, with staff that are both helpful and warm.
Two: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
It’s a mere tube ride away to feel like you’ve escaped the city and entered another world for a few hours. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a spectacular array of beauty in the form of 50,000 living plants. Visit the Prince of Wales Conservatory to spot desert and tropical species, or get up close to the kitchen gardens growing everything from carrots to artichoke and, no visit is complete without a visit to the Temperate house, the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse with rare and endangered plants. From learning about plants that help cure disease to how a pond weed can be used to power homes in the future, or chatting with the friendly gardeners, visitors will be enthralled. kew.org
Three: Train Travel
Despite its appeal, sometimes you just want to see other parts of the country. The easiest way to do so is to begin in London (sort of like how all roads lead to Rome). The capital makes for the easiest connection, the fastest routes and often, the shortest journeys.
Britrail Easily travel across the whole National Rail network (England, Wales and Scotland) with a BritRail Pass. Choose either a flexible pass (2,3,4 or 8 days) or consecutive pass (2,3,4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month) to suit your own itinerary.
Heathrow Express Easily get to and from Heathrow airport to London.Booking seats is seamless and airport signs are easily visible. The train is spacious, and guests arrive at Paddington station in around fifteen minutes, with no traffic.
GT Railway (Govia Thameslink Railway) UK’s largest railway franchise, (operating Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern) in the south of England. Download the app for each rail operator to check for real-time updates and fare offers.
Avanti The most efficient and comfortable (reclining seats, wi-fi and power outlets) way to travel from Birmingham New Street to London Euston. Download the app and sign up for ticket alerts for the cheapest and best seats.
This original article first appeared in the WINTER 2025 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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