Is London the ultimate city for a luxury lifestyle?

Destination dining and big-hitting hospitality

London is one of the world’s great gourmet cities, with more than 300 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide and an exciting private-dining scene. William Drew, director of content for 50 Best, the annual awards for the world’s finest restaurants, bars and hotels, attests to the city’s buzz. “London continues to be a global hub for luxury hotels, innovative restaurants and genuinely outstanding bars,” he says. Drew singles out Ikoyi, “where chef Jeremy Chan combines West African cuisine with British ingredients to brilliant effect. He’s garnering global attention.”

Other recent openings include Carbone in Mayfair, offering classic Italian-American cuisine, and Serra, which serves up southern Mediterranean dishes in the new Chancery Rosewood Mayfair, a mid-century architectural gem that was previously London’s American embassy. This is one of more than 120 luxury hotels in the city: other recently opened standouts include Raffles London at The OWO on Whitehall, The Peninsula London in Belgravia and The Six Senses London in Bayswater.

Join the club

London is the spiritual home of the private members’ club. In a hyperconnected world where wealth gravitates towards wealth, the city leads the way in providing stylish multifunctional spaces that offer privacy and an opportunity to recharge in the company of like-minded people from across the globe. Alongside the original Soho House and longtime favourites such as Annabel’s, Oswald’s and 5 Hertford Street, the edgier House of KOKO in Camden, The Twenty Two in Mayfair and Kensington Roof Gardens top the list of places to be seen. With wellness now central to the HNW lifestyle, the city offers cutting-edge health clubs, longevity clinics and silent spas too. Spaces such as Lanserhof at The Arts Club and the KX gym blend fitness with medical-grade diagnostics, while wellness-focused hospitality is redefining luxury stays.

Country playgrounds on your doorstep

For an easy weekend escape, visit the gorgeous Cotswolds countryside, which is attracting a well-heeled international crowd thanks to chic country-house hotels such as Estelle Manor and the newly opened Hyll. Or head to The Newt in Somerset, an elegant retreat near the contemporary-art hotspot of Bruton. World-class golf courses near the city include Wentworth, Sunningdale and St George’s Hill.

Urban villages that bring the country in

Offering a unique mix of bustling community, glorious architecture and vibrant local life, London’s urban villages are increasingly the top choice for relocating families. On the leafy fringes, Hampstead, Highgate, Chiswick, Richmond and Wimbledon are prime spots offering green space, great schools and good transport links; more central are Notting Hill, Marylebone and Connaught Village.

London ranks sixth globally for international schools, with 64 establishments offering curriculums that include the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-levels and Advanced Placement (AP). The city is also home to top-ranking universities such as University College London (UCL), Imperial and the London School of Economics (LSE).

Bags of shopping

One of the world’s big fashion capitals, London leads the way as a meeting point for top designers, stylists and photographers, and as an incubator for bespoke collaborations and limited-edition collections – Dover Street Market in Mayfair showcases dozens of leading labels. The city is also embracing private shopping experiences, including trunk shows and invitation-only previews. Bond Street, Sloane Street and Knightsbridge are globally renowned for their designer boutiques and iconic department stores, while Savile Row and Jermyn Street are synonymous with traditional tailoring. For boutiques with a contemporary buzz, head to Eccleston Yards in Belgravia, Marylebone High Street, Redchurch Street in Shoreditch and Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.

Connectivity and convenience

London currently features in the top three European locations for HNW individuals, alongside Monaco and Geneva. A global magnet for people from all over the world, it is perfectly placed for both North American and Asian time zones, while still being at the heart of Europe. Heathrow, the city’s flagship airport, offers nonstop flights to more than 200 destinations – from Austin, Texas to Changi, Singapore – while compact London City is perfectly placed for short hops to European hubs.

Big-ticket events

There’s always something to see in and around London, from arts and fashion to music and sport. The city’s thriving social mix is something Matthew Slotover – co-founder of the Frieze art fair and co-owner of Toklas restaurant, an art-world hub – attributes to an enduring culture of creativity. “Whether in art, music, fashion or food, London leads the creative world, and I think it’s down to our independent spirit – and the quality of the art schools. The language helps too.”

Key summer society events include the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta and the Serpentine Summer Party. In the autumn, London Fashion Week and the Frieze art fairs top the bill, while London remains a world-class destination for collectors throughout the year, with leading galleries such as White Cube, Gagosian and Thaddaeus Ropac. Meanwhile Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Oasis and Beyoncé are among the megastars who have recently played multiple stadium gigs in the city, and the sporting offering is second to none, with three football teams in the Champions League, Grand Slam tennis at Wimbledon, Test cricket at Lord’s and international rugby at Twickenham. Whatever your cultural preference, London remains top of the global lifestyle table.