Sandra Soriano takes us through her favourite things to see and do in London.
London is a sophisticated, trendy, culture filled, cosmopolitan destination that has so much to offer both tourists and residents alike. Sandra Soriano has lived in this great city for years and just recently moved back home to The Philippines. We asked her to tell us all about her second home and to take us through her favourite things to see and do while in London.
STAY
www.the-berkeley.co.uk
When family come and visit, the BERKLEY HOTEL is the perfect place for luxurious and contemporary British hospitality, right in the heart of Knightsbridge. Closer to my home in Chelsea is the boutique property, BLAKES HOTEL, which is super chic, cozy and slightly eccentric. For those who want the comfort of staying in a private flat or home with full amenities, I highly recommend ONEFINESTAY for its wonderful service.
FOOD & DRINK
www.gymkhanalondon.com
Recently voted as best restaurant in London, my favourite is GYMKHANA in Mayfair. The Indian food is delicious and their slow roasted goat is something you must pre-order! PALOMAR in SoHo doesn’t take reservations so go for lunch – the Israeli inspired cuisine is definitely worth the wait in line. With the dimly lit and cozy interiors, the Argentinian plates and flowing wine make CASA CRUZ a fun Friday night out. Perfect for drinks, Andres Balaz’s trendy CHILTERN FIREHOUSE is always a great place to meet in the patio garden on a sunny afternoon or by the fireplace on chilly winter evenings. During the day I always run to THE GOOD LIFE EATERY for some coffee or green juice, while FARMACY in Notting Hill has excellent salads and vegetarian food in a bright and lovely setting.
SHOPPING
By-appointment at MODA MEWS is a delightful afternoon spent tucked away in a charming residential row of mews homes, browsing pre-order collections over a cup of tea! I love ALFIE’S ANTIQUE MARKET for unique furniture pieces; and the British classic, the CONRAN SHOP for everything from Scandinavian lamps to festive wrapping paper. Only open later in the week, BOROUGH MARKET is every foodie’s dream, while COLOMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET is a bright and beautiful early start to grey London days.
ARTS & CULTURE
There are always great exhibits at the TATE MODERN for contemporary art and the V&A for fashion, however I never miss the Museum of Natural History’s WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR EXHIBIT. A little gem of a museum is SIR JOHN SOANE’S home which has the most curious but interesting personal collection of art and antiques. If you happen to be in during the FRIEZE ART FAIR , usually held every October, this is something not to be missed! For those that prefer the stage, the two-part HARRY POTTER PLAY was the most recent and brilliant performance I have attended.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The best way to jumpstart the day is with a boxing class at the sleek BXR LONDON. For those who prefer something gentler, INDABA STUDIO offers an wide selection of yoga classes and transformative workshops – from gong baths to breathing sessions, that will leave you feeling lighter, brighter, and more energized! My favourite spa is RUSSIAN BANYA in the South Kensington Club, where you can you can book out the smaller sauna to enjoy a private Dance with Russian Leaves– getting beaten with dry birch leaves in a sauna followed by an ice bath doesn’t sound like fun, but it is one of the most rejuvenating treatments that leaves you feeling like a new person. Over at GRACE BELGRAVIA, I highly recommend Facial ReflexologyI with Ziggie as a natural alternative to Botox!
OUTDOORS
Known for its beautiful parks there is always something happening outdoors no matter the season: KEW GARDENS and ROYAL CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW come to life in the spring; Regent’s Park hosts an outdoor FILM FESTIVAL during the summer months; and Hyde Park is home to WINTERWONDERLAND during the Christmas season as well as the BRITISH SUMMER SERIES concerts.
OUTSIDE LONDON 
Just a short ride out of the city, private member's club SOHO FARMHOUSE, is the ideal weekend retreat! Set in Oxfordshire, there is no shortage of things to enjoy on the beautiful English grounds – from horse riding, boating to an afternoon at the Cowshed Spa there is something for everyone here. Not much further is the ALBION BARN, an exhibition space with outdoor sculpture projects by famed artists James Turrell, Richard Woods and Mariko Mori to name a few.