LIVING HISTORY

London’s Old War Office reopened in 2023 after a meticulous eight-year restoration as the Raffles London at The OWO, with 120 rooms, including 39 stunning suites. Corner suites are named after notable female spies, with spacious circular living rooms located under the Edwardian Baroque building’s famous turrets. Rich dark wood paneling, majestic marble staircases, and breathtaking chandeliers evoke grandeur at every turn. Complimentary history tours are available each morning for in-house guests, delving into wartime stories and showcasing beautifully preserved heritage suites. Head straight to Guerlain Spa upon check-in for a guaranteed jetlag cure, then enjoy a healthy breakfast at Pillars Kitchen. Festive afternoon tea in The Drawing Room is inspired by Christmas carols and accompanied by live piano, while the NYE celebration at Spy Bar features glasses of Louis Roederer champagne. 57 Whitehall, raffles.com/london

SOHO CHEF’S COUNTER

Over the past 20 years, Simon Rogan has built a global farm-to-table restaurant empire. While his flagship restaurant L’Enclume is nearly five hours north of London in the Lake District, the 12-seat chef’s table at Aulis is Rogan’s only restaurant in London, led by amiable head chef Charlie Tayler. Most ingredients, including venison, Hispi cabbage, and Black Beauty courgettes, come from their 12-acre Cartmel Valley farm. The farm-driven menu is full of surprises, from a dainty beetroot, smoked eel, and blackberry parfait to a dense bite-sized truffle bread pudding topped with a flurry of sheep’s milk cheese. Rich sauces from roasted fish bones or smoked bone marrow add depth, while housemade vinegars and oils create subtle, sophisticated accents. 16 St Anne’s Court, aulis.co.uk/aulis-london

YULETIDE CHEER

Twinkling lights and the cozy scent of Diptyque’s wood fire Feu de Bois create a backdrop for seasonal activities at The Londoner, where guests can skate at Leicester Square ice rink across the street, shop the bustling Christmas market, then warm up with afternoon tea and a champagne trolley featuring Billecart-Salmon. The Opera Holland Park Choir performs Christmas carols the evening of December 13, too. The 350-room hotel has a theatrical f lair, including two private cinema rooms with Dolby surround sound. Commemorate your stay with a limited-edition sapphire blue Christmas ornament by Halcyon Days, designed exclusively for The Londoner. For New Year’s Eve, 8 at The Londoner’s izakaya rooftop bar offers prime fireworks viewing with Japanese-inspired cocktails, private booths for up to 14 guests, and jeroboams of champagne. 38 Leicester Square, thelondoner.com

MAYFAIR DELIGHTS

Chef Larry Jayasekara’s The Cocochine in Mayfair is one of London’s most exciting restaurants, housed in a glamorous four-story townhouse with Picasso and Matisse paintings on the walls. Jayasekara’s nuanced understanding of global flavors create indelible taste memories, with a distinctly British sense of place. More than 90% of the produce and proteins are sourced from a private regenerative farm just 60 miles away. His close relationships and deep respect for purveyors allow him to source exceptional ingredients like single-origin, bean-to-bar chocolate from rural Suffolk, pure coconut cream from the chef’s native Sri Lanka, and plump XXL Scottish diver scallops from Tanera Mòr, which he caramelizes on just one side and serves with pickled cloudberries and creamy smoked bacon sabayon. 27 Bruton Place, thecocochine.com

LONDON’S LEADING LADY

With restaurants in Paris, London, Marrakech, and Provence, Hélène Darroze is one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, but her eponymous restaurant at The Connaught is the only one with three Michelin stars. Exquisite plates highlight the best seasonal British ingredients, from Cornish crab and red mullet to Scottish langoustine and barbecued beetroot from West Sussex. For dessert, Darroze’s signature baba is drenched with her family’s famous Armagnac rather than rum. The Pierre Yovanovitch-designed dining room captures natural light with warmth from dark oak panelled walls, while Damien Hirst paintings and Hermès Blue D’Ailleurs tea cups add an artful touch. The Connaught, Carlos Place, the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/helene-darroze-at-the-connaught