Where to stay:
Should you have the means, The Stafford Hotel on
St. James’s Place in central London is the perfect set-
ting for a gentlemanly “Pretty Woman” escapade of
shopping, dinging and exploring. Located near Jer-
myn Street and world-recognized as one of London’s
finest small hotels, The Stafford presents accommo-
dations in three distinct settings. While the modern
amenities and décor of the The Mews suites offer an
understated elegance that our dear Beau Brummell
would appreciate, the neighboring Carriage House
and Main House deliver similar amenities in a much
more traditional British atmosphere. Rest your tired
wallet practically in the shadows of Buckingham Pal-
ace in The Stafford Hotel’s Guv’nor’s Suite, a beautiful
loft-style apartment with cathedral ceilings, dining
room and library, two bathrooms and a full kitchen.
Other more modest suites start around $1,000 per
night, with standard rooms running around half that
Where to drink and dine:
price. Standard amenities include satellite television,
Head to The Grenadier (pubs.com) for classic fish-n-chips. Tucked away down a little quiet cobbled
wireless Internet and Bose CD players. Regardless
mews, the pub used to be the officers mess for the Duke of Wellington’s Grenadier Guards. Nowadays you’ll
the level of accommodation you choose at The
find homemade burgers, sausage and mash and the iconic fish-n-chips. A light dinner for two, including
Stafford, you can count on warm, sincere service and
several rounds of pints will set you back around $75. Julie’s Restaurant and Bar (juliesrestaurant.com) in
a progressive attitude for same-sex travelers.
Holland Park is a romantic hideaway, with loads of candlelit alcoves and hidden treasures. Romantic al-
fresco dining is also available under the “electric roof cover,” a nice surprise for a city not known for its good
weather. Dinner for two will run about $100, without wine. Afternoon drinks and civilized nightcaps have
been the order of business at The Stafford’s world-famous American Bar for many years. It’s purported that
the Queen Mum used to sneak through a series of underground tunnels that once connected the hotel
with Buckingham Palace, in search of her favored gin and tonic. Adjacent the American Bar is a centuries-
old wine cellar, with a small shrine-like museum, dedicated to the American soldiers who took refuge
Where to shop in London?
there during the war. Gentlemen please do not forget your jacket.
The new Alfred Dunhill (dunhill.com/en-us/
thehomes/london) flagship store in London is not
located on Jermyn Street, but it’s well worth the visit.
Housed in the Duke of Westminster’s old home, this What to do:
beautiful setting dates back to 1720. Along with a It’s safe to say that London has no shortage of
featured humidor and bespoke tailoring, there is a attractions. Chelsea Physic Garden (chelseaphys-
wonderful range of stylish clothes and accessories
icgarden.co.uk) is an oft-overlooked oasis of calm
for the English Gent, or those in search of “the look.” in the middle of London. The garden dates back to
The Spa and Barber at Alfred Dunhill is a new venture. 1673 and was originally founded with the purpose
Now you can stop by for a close shave or massage, of identifying plants for medicinal applications.
followed by some light fare and coffee, or English tea Another outdoor hidden gem in London is Highgate
in the courtyard. And if the mood strikes you, treat Cemetery (highgate-cemetery.org). This grand Vic-
yourself to that $10,000 lighter and $5,000 swank torian cemetery beautifully blends history, culture
cufflinks. The discerning man about town can find and wildlife in what would otherwise be a rather
everything he needs on Jermyn Street. The shops morbid setting. The Queen’s Gallery (royalcollection.
here are too varied and numerous to attempt to list, org.uk) by the side of Buckingham Palace is a lesser-
but be sure to visit Crockett and Jones (crockettand- known gallery that houses the private collection of
jones.co.uk) for quality English shoes with a chic the Monarch. The gallery currently has a wonderful
Italian style. Also on the corner of Jermyn Street at exhibition of French Porcelain. Backstage Tours
Piccadilly is Fortnum and Mason (fortnumandma- at The Royal Opera House (roh.org.uk) include an
son.com), the quintessential English department introduction to the colorful history of the theatre, an
store. With tail-coated staff to guide you in your insight into the redevelopment of the Royal Opera
shopping desires, anything can be found in this vast House and a look at aspects of current productions.
retail Mecca. Shoes, travel trunks, stationary, ice As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre,
cream and wine to prosciutto and port wine; if you each tour is a unique experience, and may include
can’t find what you’re looking for at Fortnum and opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the
Mason, it’s probably not worth having. magnificent backstage technology in operation.
OctOber 2009 | RAGE monthly 53
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