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London Calling!
Fly To: London Heathrow; the airport is a 45-minute car journey, or 15 minutes by train, from Paddington Station before an additional 15 minutes by taxi. Gatwick Airport; the Gatwick Express train takes 35 to 40 minutes to get to Victoria Station, a 10-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Alternatively take the tube to Green Park station and walk from there!
Flight Time: 12 and a half hours (direct)
Best For: A girly reunion
How much: £550 per night (approx. $5,520)
Born and raised in Asia, I couldn’t wait to get back to my roots and leave those cold English winters behind me after university. Swapping my coat for a bikini, I packed up my up my teeny tiny studio in East London and headed for warmer climes. Although I do remain partial to a Greggs’ Chicken Bake and pine for the days I could buy salad without it wilting on the way home, what I couldn’t anticipate was just how much I would miss the friends I left behind.
As your typical third culture kid I’m used to having friends spread far across the globe, but residing thousands of miles away from those I lived with throughout my time in the UK really hit hard. A late night Whatsapp call just doesn’t cut it, so when the chance does arise, flying back to London and gathering the girls is top of the agenda.
These opportunities are few and far between so we knew that we had to make it special and make the most of our time together (read: doing more than sinking a few bottles of wine!). Feeling fancy (and totally out of place) on the streets of Mayfair, we called COMO Metropolitan London home for the night.
Read more: Sassy’s City Guide to London
The Room
Looking out over London, the Park Suite catered to our every whim. A spacious living room and king-sized bed became our domain as we popped open bottles of bubbles and caught up on the last year of our lives. The rainfall shower and complimentary Nespresso capsules subsequently soothed our hangovers.
The Spa
With an eight hour time difference between the UK and Hong Kong in the winter, jet-lag can be a serious killer. Having just come off of a long-haul flight, although excited to see the girls, my back was aching, my eyes were stinging and my head was foggy.
A quick (too quick!) Shiatsu Massage (£115 for 75 minutes) for myself and a pair of signature COMO Shambhala Massages for the girls (£115 for 75 minutes) targeted my aches and pains whilst I caught up on some much needed rest before we got stuck in to the rest of the evening. The therapists were friendly, professional and really listened to our individual needs.
Cocktail Making Classes
What better way is there to celebrate a reunion than with cocktails?! Lots and lots of cocktails.
COMO Metropolitan London’s MET Bar, stepped the night up a notch with their expert cocktail masterclass, led by Head Bartender, Orestes Patsiatzis.
From gin to vodka and whiskey, we chose our boozy base and got to work behind the bar. Feasting on nibbles as we each took turns to shake (not stir) our creations before learning the secrets behind London’s sauve bar scene (like adding in an egg whites to make drinks frothy!). The entire experience was amazing from beginning to end. Delish drinks aside, it was definetly the highlight of our evening at COMO.
Sassy tip: Take full advantage of breakfast in the morning, the Full English is to-die-for, as are the fresh juices… and the pastries.
Planning a reunion of your own? Check out our money saving tips and picks for the best bars in London below…
Tips & Tricks:
– Buy an Oyster Card as soon as you arrive! Much like our Octopus, this will give you access to majority of transport links across the city (and is much cheaper than paying for a day pass!). Avoid flagging a taxi at all costs; the tube now runs 24 hours on Friday and Saturday night.
– Citymapper will be your best friend. Check the app for comprehensive directions and the best route from A to B.
– Cycle! Save some money at take advantage of London’s public bike sharing scheme! It costs £2 to hire a bike for 24-hour access with the first 30 minutes of your journey at no charge and an additional £2 for every 30 minutes thereafter.
– Save on the West End. It doesn’t have to be expensive! visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for cheap, last minute tickets. If you know what you want to see, try lining up at the theatre for stand-by tickets and returns!
Best Bars for a Girl’s Night Out in London:
Kensington Roof Gardens: An oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of urban London, this is the perfect place for sipping cocktails and catching up!
99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA (take the tube to High Street Kensington Station on the District and Circle lines)
Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum Parlour: If you’ve ever wondered what a 19th-century opium den might be like, here’s your chance! Add a touch of Hong Kong to your night out with baskets of steamy dim sum and delish cocktails. Reservations are a must!
The Jade Door, 15-16 Gerrard Street, Chinatown, West End, London, W1D 6JE (take the tube to Leicester Square on the Northern and Piccadilly lines)
The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion: Cheesy tunes and a fun lively atmosphere makes this trendy Soho joint the perfect reunion spot. They also have over 300 bottles of tequila…
25 – 27 Brewer Street, London, W1F 0RR (take the tube to Piccadilly Circus on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines)
Swingers: A 1920’s-themed golf course set in the English countryside, Swingers is a secret world of competitive crazy golf, old-school clubhouses, street food dining experiences and plenty of booze.
8 Brown’s Buildings, Aldgate, City of London, London, EC3A 8AL (take the tube to Aldgate on the Circle and Metropolitan lines)
Bourne & Hollingsworth: A tropical-themed, buzzing bar that will make the for the perfect ‘night out with my girls’ instagram post.
42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0HU (take the tube to Farringdon on the Hammersmith and City Line)
COMO Metropolitan London, Old Park Lane London, W1K 1LB, United Kingdom, www.comohotels.com/metropolitanlondon
