I am off to london in july for the weekend with my friend to chill out before my wedding?

Question

we want to eat at some really good restaurants like the ivy maybe or ramseys place can anyone recommend? also want to do a spa day while we are their can anyone recommend a good place to go?

Answer 1

Spa day...The Sanctury..lovely.  It's females only and you book any treatments you want before you go.  Ultimate relaxation!

How about tea at the Ritz?  I went for the first time this week...a great experience.  You get plenty of scones, pastries and sandwiches and endless tea!  You need to book.

Answer 2

Both the spa and the restaraunt at the mandarin oriental (Park Lane) are very lovely - otherwise for food go to Albannach on trafalgar square for brunch with bloody marys (do NOT eat there in the evening though - its the wrong atmosphere). The conrans at tower bridge (la Pont De La tour) and poultry (Coq D'argent) in the city are both great for their views - as is the Oxo tower Brasserie - (but the staff are snotty) . For the very best curry in the western world take a walk down Brick Lane in east london (nearest tube aldgate east) and take your pick. Le Comptoir De Garcon (close by - near spitalfields) is very nice.  Have sunday lunch at Smiths of Smithfield (the top floor restaurant is fabulous) and at some point, go and drink tea in the cafe at the british library. have a fabulous time - and you can check out more restaurants and book at toptable.co.uk

Answer 3

Sorry, but London will be the LAST place that I would go to chill out. Why not go for Prague, or Barcelona???

Answer 4

You'll have a great time.  At the very top of the culinary tree the Gordon Ramsay is very good but very hard to get a reservation also.  Try Pied a Terre, which has 2 Michelin stars and for me is at about the same level as Ramsay these days.  

Personally I think you can do a lot better than the Ivy, which is fine but only 4/10 in the 2007 Good Food Guide (and also very hard to book.  A few other ideas:

Best Italian - Zafferano

Best Chinese - Hakkasan

Best Indian -  Haandi

You MUST book well ahead in London for good places. Even now is not too early in some cases.

Details of these and more are on my web site below.

I can't comment on the spa personally but the Sanctuary, as others have mentioned,  has an excellent reputation.

Have a lovely time.