Every time I visit London I still get that excitable buzz as if I was a tourist - and in a way I guess I am. I’ve never lived there and only visit sporadically, and I’m still useless at getting the Tube. I still expect people to be as chatty as they are up north and I forget that I can’t get gravy with my chips. So, jumping on the train and travelling south to explore this ever-changing and buzzing capital city really is special and exciting, even for an English girl!
The last time I visited the Big Smoke I stayed over in Marylebone. The folk at the incredibly elegant Ten Manchester Street Hotel kindly offered to have me stay so I could explore the area’s leafy parks, beautiful boutique shops and quintessential English pubs that line the Georgian streets. Just a five minute walk to Baker Street tube station, the hotel was central enough to easily explore the main tourist sights of London as well as being quiet enough for one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages - something that’s not easy to find in a capital city!
Something that makes this boutique hotel different to any other hotel I’ve stayed in isn’t just its great location, friendly staff or comfy beds, but just off from the small all-weather terrace is a special room. A clue to what lies in this room is hanging from the walls…
A cigar-tasting room, filled with hand rolled Havana cigars from all over the world cased in special humidors! I’ve never smoked a cigar in my life and I would have no idea where to start - but for those that do, you can sample and taste the cigars inside. They even have cigar sommeliers who will run through everything you need to know, as you try before you buy. I never even knew such a job existed!
Away from the smokers’ terrace, the rest of the hotel is tastefully decorated with light and airy bedrooms that contain all the essentials you need including a loofah in a golden box that got me very excited. You can also request an in room spa experience with a massage, now THAT is luxury! I didn’t have the time (or budget) for this as I had to get my glad rags on and head to meet my amazing bunch of writer friends.
I feel so lucky I have these women in my life who have been invaluable in my writing career so far, I would advise anyone looking to become a writer to make sure they hang around with like-minded creative people, they will be your best cheerleaders and vice versa.
We met up nearby in The Real Greek restaurant to get us in the mood for the party later that evening. I’d heard great things about this place but personally I didn’t love the food as much as I’d enjoyed Opso, who I believe are a lot more inventive with their menu. At The Real Greek the halloumi wrap was dripping with oil, making it greasy and difficult to eat and the tapas style servings of humus and dips were just so-so, I know which I’d return to if I was in the area again.
Thankfully the company was better than the food and we soon caught up on everything books, babies and brain-storming. Before we could smash any plates it was time to get another taste of Greece as we headed to Isabelle Broom’s book launch taking place in the stunning bookshop Daunt Books nearby (travel book lovers need to check this place out!).
Isabelle’s debut novel, ‘My Map Of You’, is set in the stunning country of Greece. Books about travel are always going to be winners in my eyes and I cannot wait to get stuck into this beauty. I mean, just look at that front cover! Dreamy or what?!
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