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An Executive visiting the London Olympics is bound to run into swarming crowds, diabolical debauchery and primordial displays of physical brawn and rigor. So if Executives are to compete for glory against the noisy Olympian show, they need to focus on their strength -- and take the London Olympics as an opportunity to show off their sophisticated sense of class and wealth like never before.
Undoubtedly, London is the birthplace of western civilized indulgence. Elite alcohols, dapper architecture, and refined style permeate the City’s culture, elevating the City to an unmatchable scene of glamour and prestige. For a firm grasp on Londoners’ inherent sense of refined lavishness, we talked to the leading experts from the City’s grandest hotels, fanciest restaurants and most luxurious nightlife hotspots and got the scoop on how to live large in London. Let the games begin!
STAY
Bulgari Hotel and Residences London combines the diamond elegance of Bulgari’s famous design with the hospitality genius of The Ritz Carlton brand. The first luxury hotel to be built in the City in the last forty years, the opulent sophistication of the Five Star Hotel will still be in pristine condition for Olympic visitors -- the hotel’s fresh doors opened for the first time June 1st, 2012. Built with the aim of honoring the glamorous nostalgia of Bulgari’s luxury roots, the hotel’s design is iconic, lavish and elegantly refined.
The boutique hotel promises privacy with just 85 rooms and suites. After a long day at the games, guests can relax at the sprawling two story spa, which was crafted out of onyx, teak and Vicenza stone. Or go for a rejuvenating dip in the hotel’s 25 meter pool crafted from Vicenza, and featuring a hand detailed green and gold mosaic tribute.
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DINE
For those Olympic visitors eager to indulge in an outlandish display of overt wealth and opulence, full of oversized chandeliers, plusher than plush sofas for dining chairs, and an overall glitzy atmosphere reminiscent of a roman royalty myth, then look no further than Aspleys: A Heinz Beck Restaurant, which is nestled in the prestigious hotel, The Lanesborough. The Michelin star awarded restaurant is the London outpost of acclaimed chef Heinz Beck and is famous for its fine modern Italian cuisine. Rave reviews mention Beck’s signature à la carte dishes, noting the perfect crispness of the Roasted Pigeon, and bacon-rich creamy decadence of the Carbonara Fagotelli.
DRINK
London is historically known for boasting some of the world’s greatest brandy, and there is no bar in the City that carries an extensive historical collection of cognacs like The Library Bar at The Lanesborough, a St. Regis property overlooking Hyde Park. The bar’s ‘Liquid History’ is a collection of beautifully matured cognacs that date as far back as two hundred years. The guest can sip the elite priced spirits in leisure, as the bar’s regent, mahogany décor summons up feelings of relaxation.
CELEBRATE
MyYacht is an entirely unique, lavishly mind-blowing experience for yacht aficionados with a pension for high-class luxury. Managed by three-time Bobsleigh Olympian Nicholas Frankl, the forty million dollar yacht will be moored on Canary Wharf for an eighteen day stretch during the Olympics. The mooring will invite only the most exclusive guests on board to mingle with choice Olympic athletes, while enjoying 5-star hospitality with gourmet food and an open bar serving premium wine, champagne and top shelf liquor.
Another fringe benefit of the MyYacht experience is that Olympic guests can beat the transportation congestion of the games’ traffic, as guests can enjoy a private tender service on the River Thames, with various pick-up locations throughout London. Guests can also watch the games from the yacht’s hi-definition LCD TVs, and enjoy an exclusive pre-opening ceremony gala with the HSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, who are both patrons of the World Olympians Association and former Olympians.
SHOP
The best of London luxury can be found on the Grosvenor estate which includes four key shopping streets including Mount Street in Mayfair, Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street and Pimlico Road in Belgravia. The most luxurious shopping experience in London is undoubtedly found on Mount Street which features such quintessentially British brand stores as Purdy, Dunhill and William & Son, as well as the elite fashion must-haves including Christian Louboutin, Lanvin, Balenciaga and Goyard.
For executives looking for London art, antiques, interiors and high couture brands such as Philip Treacy, look no further than Buckingham Palace’s backyard. Elizabeth Street gorgeously integrates high fashion, elite art and delicious decadent bakeries into a traveler’s paradise.
While the Olympics should stimulate the visceral parts of what it means to be a human, these London hot spots express the luxuriously intoxicating perks of civilized society.
