solairus aviation blog

As one of the oldest cities in Europe, London is an entanglement of history, tradition, luxury and culture. With some of the best high-end shops in the world and Bishop’s Avenue, the British Royal Family members aren’t the only regal personages in town. Boasting more than enough opulence to go around, one of the best things about London is that it’s only a short trip away in your private charter jet from Europe’s other luxury cities. 

Where to Sleep

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel:  If you love shopping and great views, the Mandarin Oriental on Knightsbrige offers the best of both worlds at one of the most prestigious addresses in the city. When staying at the Mandarin Oriental, consider booking the 2,045-square-foot Imperial Suite, one of the largest luxury retreats in London. In addition to butler service, you’ll enjoy a pillow menu, Ormonde Jayne bathroom amenities and a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system. (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/london/)

Dorchester Hotel: Situated on Mayfair’s Park Lane, the Dorchester Hotel is one of the most highly reputable hotels in the city for its traditional values, sumptuousness and charm. During your stay on your private charter jet, get a haircut at the Barber shop or from one of the Charles Worthington hairdressers, dress up your room with the help of the in-house florist or have the hotel’s Medical service cure your ailments. Stay in one of the Dorchester’s “roof suites,” which channel Hollywood’s retro glam era, come with a team of dedicated butlers and provide outside terraces that provide exclusive views of the city. (http://www.thedorchester.com/)

41: When you want to get away from the bustle of downtown, book a room at 41 on Buckingham Palace Road. The boutique accommodations give the hotel a London club feel. The bespoke services provide you with staff members who always remember your favorite drinks, newspapers and guest room. With its trademark black and white décor, the Conservatory Master Suite is a secluded penthouse with an open ceiling, views overlooking the Royal Mews, dining area, double Jacuzzi bath, business services, fireplace and Penhaligon amenities. (http://www.41hotel.com/)

Sights to See

Tower of London Jewel House: The Tower of London is rich with history and the Beefeater-guarded Jewel House always has something that will catch your eye. Serving as the secure storage area for the Crown Jewels and other Regalia, the collection includes crowns, scepters, swards, bracelets, robes and orbs. The most famous piece is the Imperial State Crown, which incorporates over 3,000 gems, including the Second Star of Africa, Stuart Sapphire, Queen Elizabeth’s Pearls and the Black Prince’s Ruby. (http://www.royal.gov.uk/The%20Royal%20Collection%20and%20other%20collections/TheCrownJewels/Overview.aspx)

London Eye:  The best place to get a view of the city, the London Eye on the River Thames was once the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. Book a Champagne Experience and enjoy priority boarding, Pommery Brut Royal Champagne, a 30-minute ride and the London Eye View 360.  (http://www.londoneye.com/)

Shop at Harrods: Located on Brompton Road in the Knightsbridge area, Harrods is seven floors and 4.5 acres of exquisite collections of fashion, fine jewelry, home décor, accessories, beauty treatments, fine foods, travel accessories and sports equipment. (http://www.harrods.com/)

Where to Eat

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester: Earning the coveted three Michelin stars, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester hotel brings the modern influence of Executive Chef Joycelyn Herland to the table. This exclusive dining experience requires a reservation. Serving seasonal English and French dishes, private dining is available upon request. (http://www.alainducasse-dorchester.com)

Hélène Darroze: Located at Connaught Carlos Place, the Hélène Darroze restaurant is a two Michelin star-rated eatery that serves up foods inspired by the southwest region of France. Enjoy a three-course business lunch in the span of an hour and come back during the weekend for Hélène’s famous brunch. (http://www.the-connaught.co.uk/london_restaurant.aspx)

Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s: Dishing out modern European cuisine, the hot-tempered TV chef serves up his passion at Claridge’s Hotel. To experience the food at the ultra-exclusive, Art Deco-inspired eatery, a reservation is a must. Private dining options are available upon request. (http://www.claridges.co.uk/gordon-ramsay-restaurant.aspx)

The new Aquatic Center at Olympic Park in London. Photo © London 2012.

The Olympics have the power to transform cityscapes with state-of-the-art infrastructure and spectacular new stadiums. After all, in 2008 it appeared that Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” would steal the show … that is, until Michael Phelps won eight gold medals.

So, with just a few weeks until our private charter jet passengers fly to the opening ceremonies of the 30th Summer Olympic Games in London, we started wondering: how will the landscape of London be changed for the games?

New Venues

Most of the major development for the Olympic Games in London is centered around the 500-acre Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is located in the Stratford area of East London. Occupying a former industrial zone, the park will bring a splash of green and gleaming white venues to this part of the city’s landscape.

But whereas most Olympic developments take on Herculean ambition, London has opted to take a more conservative approach. Call it a reluctance to spend extravagantly in a lean economy, or a desire for sustainability, but most of the new sporting venues are relatively modest affairs by Olympic standards. Then again, when your city already has facilities like Wembley Stadium and Wimbeldon to utilize, who can blame the British for being sensible?

Planners for these games were adamant that the plans exclude “white elephant” projects. As a result, every venue has a legacy plan for after the Games, meaning Londoners — and travelers alike — will have plenty to enjoy once the Olympic flame is extinguished.

Here are some of the top new venues that will crown the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park:

• Olympic Stadium – As the third-largest stadium in Britain, the Olympic Stadium will host both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events. Plans for the stadium after the games are still up for bid, but they include reconfiguration plans to be the new home of West Ham United Football Club.
• The Aquatic Center – Designed in 2004 for the London Olympics bid by Zaha Hadid, this facility will host swimming and diving. From afar, the structure is reminiscent of a white dove landing on the park.
• The ArcelorMittal Orbit – Orbit by Anish Kapoor — the genius behind Chicago’s Cloudgate (aka “The Bean”) — is not only the largest piece of public art in Britain, but will serve as an intriguing observation tower during and after the games.
• The Basketball Arena – Its straightforward name belies a straightforward purpose: to be taken down. As a temporary structure — the largest ever in Olympics history — the Basketball Arena will most likely be disassembled after the Olympics, but could potentially be used in the 2016 games in Rio de Janiero. Perhaps no other venue better captures the spirit of sustainability for these London Games for our private charter jet passengers.

Transportation Improvements

Transporting visitors to and from events will be no small task, particularly since the London Underground — already the second most extensive metro network in the world — handles 3 million passengers on an average day. As a result, upgrades have been implemented to several lines, including those serving East London and the Docklands.

Published with permission from Inspirato.com

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