Let's be honest, finding the right place to stay in London can feel like trying to pick one perfect star from the sky. The city is sprawling, brimming with so many fantastic, distinct neighborhoods, each calling your name. And then, there's the sheer number of hotels and inns – it's enough to make your head spin! But here’s our secret, forged from a truly fortunate chapter in our lives: we actually got to live in London for four incredible years, from 2012 to 2016. Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to return several times, always feeling that pull back to its vibrant energy.

So, where do we lay our heads when we go back? Well, after all those years of exploring and becoming pseudo-locals, we've discovered our favorite approach is to divide our time. It’s like getting the best of both worlds, enabling us to soak up all the awesomeness that London has to offer, from its bustling heart to its tranquil, leafy outskirts.

Part One: Living It Up in Covent Garden – The NoMad London Experience

For the first half of our London adventures, our go-to is the NoMad Hotel. This place has history practically oozing from its walls. The old Bow Street Magistrates’ Court, a venerable Covent Garden landmark, once witnessed everything from Oscar Wilde’s prosecution to countless other legal dramas. What’s most impressive, though, is how the former magistrates’ offices, clerks’ quarters, and even old jail cells have been transformed into warm, inviting, sunlit rooms and suites. Each space feels thoughtfully curated. We absolutely adore how they’ve managed to blend such rich history with modern luxury.

Why We Keep Coming Back to the NoMad:

Location, Location, Location! Seriously, this place is unbeatable. It’s literally one block from Covent Garden, the adorable Seven Dials neighborhood, and nestled right in the heart of the theater district. We find ourselves in the middle of everything, making it super easy to walk to many of our favorite spots or hop on the Tube to anywhere else we wish to explore in the city.
Classic British Charm with a Posh Twist: The fact that the building was a former police station just adds to its classic British feel. But step inside, and you’ll find yourself transported into what feels like a posh, members-only club. We love that blend of historic grandeur and exclusive comfort.

Fabulous Public Spaces: The public spaces here are divine. Our absolute favorite is The Library. Think of it as the hotel’s incredibly chic living room. We love gathering here for a quiet drink or a bite to eat, sinking into one of the plush chairs, and enjoying the hundreds of books lining the shelves. It’s also a perfect spot to meet up with friends or just sit and relax while soaking in the sophisticated atmosphere.

The Dining Room is a Showstopper: We've always been captivated by the hotel’s main dining room. They ingeniously covered the building’s central courtyard with a towering greenhouse-style ceiling and filled it with lush plants, creating an amazing, light-filled oasis. We've enjoyed many fantastic breakfasts here. We've tried everything from the hearty full English breakfast to the trendy avocado toast, and we especially love their signature breakfast, which comes with a delightful array of nibbles. Here’s a little pro tip from our London days: have a big breakfast (or even brunch) here, and you’ll be set until you’re ready for an afternoon pint and a snack at your favorite pub around town. While we haven't had the chance to try their lunch or dinner yet, we’ve heard wonderful things.

Side Hustle Bar – Bartending as Art: The bar, aptly named Side Hustle, is truly great for a nightcap when we return to the hotel in the evening. Do yourselves a favor and try to sit at the bar itself. That way, you can be up close to the true stars of the show: the fabulous bartenders. We were completely mesmerized watching them craft their cocktails, using all handmade mixers, bitters, garnishes, and infusions. We loved chatting with them, trying to learn as much as we could while watching them work their magic. They are genuinely artists at their craft.

Comfortable Rooms, Heavenly Beds: While the rooms aren't huge by any means, we find them beautifully appointed with charming antiques, interesting art, and luxurious touches like heated floors in the bathrooms. And the beds? Oh my goodness, the beds are totally to die for! Which, incidentally, is a huge blessing when you're battling jet lag from the flight over. We always get an incredibly restorative night's sleep here.

Part Two: Escaping to Richmond – Our Beloved Riverside Retreat

After immersing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of central London, we always crave a totally different side of the city. This is where our second base comes in. We simply hop on the District Line tube – it's about a 45-minute journey from central London, all the way to the last stop. And just like that, you’ve arrived in a magical town called Richmond. Now, we’ll totally admit upfront that we are completely biased; after all, Richmond is where we lived for four wonderful years. But hear us out about everything it has to offer.

Richmond, of course, gained recent fame thanks to Ted Lasso as the home of his fictional football club, AFC Richmond. And while the team might be fake, the charming town depicted in the show was completely real – and just as wonderful in person! From the small, winding lanes brimming with boutique shops and cozy cafes to the large, inviting green in the middle of town (perfect for a picnic or kicking a football around), to the wonderful Thames riverside where we love to get a drink and simply watch the world go by. Speaking of which, the Thames is still tidal in Richmond, and when there's a really high tide, we always try to stop by the White Cross pub. That way, you might just get "stuck" in the beer garden with water all around you. Oh well, just have to order another pint!

And that’s just central Richmond. Slightly further afield, there’s so much more to discover:

Kew Gardens: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a truly magnificent place to walk and enjoy nature. We love exploring its vast grounds, discovering beautiful royal cottages, a serene Japanese pagoda, and impressive greenhouses scattered throughout. Don't miss the gift shop; we always find some great souvenirs there.
Richmond Park: As the largest of London's eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park is a sprawling green oasis. It was first created by King Charles I in the 17th century for his herds of deer, and guess what? They’re still here! We always enjoy spotting them roaming freely. Also, be sure to check out the stunning vista right outside of the park, which holds the unique distinction of being the only English landscape view protected by an act of parliament. It’s truly breathtaking.
Hampton Court Palace: For a dive into history, we highly recommend Hampton Court Palace, the former home of Henry VIII. You can genuinely go back to the world of the Tudor court and see how Henry, all his wives, and his children lived. It’s a fascinating glimpse into royal life.

Okay, have we sold you on Richmond yet? If so, you’ll definitely need a place to stay. Look no further than our beloved Orange Tree Pub and Hotel. Located across from the Richmond Train Station, where you’ll arrive from Central London, it’s incredibly easy to find. The Orange Tree is a classic British pub at its best, with several excellent ales, bitters and lagers on draft. The place truly comes alive on a sunny day when the crowd spills into the beer garden, or when there’s a big Rugby match on the telly – we’ve spent many a happy hour there.

They have 13 unique bedrooms, each cozy and comfortable. And don't worry, there’s great soundproofing in case you're ready to slip up to bed while the party is still continuing downstairs. Don’t forget the amazing full breakfast that is included in the mornings – we always make sure to indulge! The food in general is great, so feel free to enjoy some classic British pub food all day long.

Speaking of which, if you happen to be around town on a Sunday and you want to partake in a truly classic British tradition, settle into your pub of choice for a proper Sunday Roast. Gather with friends and family for several hours and get ready to stuff yourself with roasted meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables, stuffing, and gravy. Sunday Roast is as much about the company as the food, and we absolutely cherish these gatherings. Two of our favorite spots for a Sunday Roast in Richmond are Lass O’Richmond Hill and White Swan.

London holds such a special place in our hearts, and we will always cherish the time we spent living there and the joyous times we get to return. We would absolutely love to guide you through this magical city and all the hidden gems that truly only residents (or former residents like us!) know about. Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to have your own incredible adventures, using the NoMad and The Orange Tree as perfect bases from which to explore and enjoy everything that London has to offer!

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