London; The Capital of Class

Bleary-eyed and stepping off our flight into Heathrow Airport, we knew things were going to run like clockwork as soon as we spied our chauffeur waiting. The chauffeur effortlessly loaded our Edison leather bags from Korchmar into the gleaming brand-new Mercedes and together we swept seamlessly through London’s silver drizzled streets.

We had journeyed to London to seek out the best under the radar experiences for the world’s elite travelers. We understand that jet-setters want to step outside of the periphery. Whether on a first visit to the capital or returning a thousand times, our goal on this trip was to skip out on Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and instead, opt for inside access to the cities most exclusive high-class hotels, divine dining spots, and exquisite places to play.

Sophisticated Living at Grosvenor House Suites

Grosvenor House Suites is a high-class offering from the elegant Jumeirah Living, not a hotel, but rather a secretive collection of premier penthouse suites standing proudly on the corner of Mayfair and delivering jaw-dropping views of hip Hyde Park. As the concierge welcomed us, we were first struck by the simple elegance of the reception. No crystal chandeliers, soaring pillars, or light-footed bellboys, just a tidy apartment block entrance. We whizzed up to the second floor and there -the sleek and sophisticated entrance was waiting for our arrival; all gleaming greys, onyx blacks, and strategic splashes of color. Our luggage had long been whisked away to our room, and marketing executive Peio Elustondo greeted us warmly before handing us over to be shown to our apartment.

A well-dressed space finished in soothing mute blacks, whites, and greys – following the color scheme from the lobby, the apartment oozed luxury at every turn. Two bedrooms, a sprawling lounge, kitchen, and dining room for six – as expected, there was no doubt about compromising on comfort and space. To heighten our enchantment even more; the table was set for breakfast with piles of freshly baked pastries, steaming hot coffee, gourmet preserves, and even a bottle of iced champagne to celebrate our arrival.

Further digging saw the apartment was more than well-equipped with all the mod cons, including the latest technology gadgets, self-drawing blinds, Nespresso machine for a pick-me-up coffee on call, and jacuzzi tub and more.

Paying Homage to Aristocratic London

Our windows looked out onto the green glory of Hyde Park with its soft-lit strolls and summer festivals. Being right on the doorstep of Mayfair, we knew that as soon as we stepped outside, we would be well-placed in the heart of the action to explore the best boutiques, exclusive restaurants, and well to do wine bars. Mayfair is a vision of aristocratic London, with its ornate mansions, leafy parks, and fashionable shopping streets.
But back to Grosvenor Suites and we were keen to explore the rest of the beautiful building. Stashed in the center of the building and soaked in natural sunlight, you will find The Atrium – the in-house restaurant exclusively for residents of the Grosvenor. Being only privy to apartment dwellers, this must make The Atrium one of the most private restaurants in the whole of the capital, perfect for delectable dining far from prying eyes.
The same chic black and white color scheme flowed throughout the restaurant, accentuated with bursts of deep green flora bringing a bold statement to the design. Glass separated sections further added to the feel of privacy, and the soaring interior apartment walls made you feel as though you were in a city within a city.
Keen to soak up the sophistication of Mayfair, we headed out for dinner – booking a highly coveted table at Beck’s at Brown’s Restaurant. A five-course dinner complete with signature sommelier experience welcomed us into the world of the RoccoForte Hotel. Starters included glorious Gillardeau Oysters with Matcha tea jelly and yuzu. The dressed crab with creamy avocado, bright papaya, violet potato chips was a riot of color and taste, and the burrata with baby onions melted on the tongue. The buttery Fagotelli a la Carbonara made us weak at the knees, and the Roast Pigeon with parsley cream and wild berries transported us to the finery of England’s regal farmlands. Sommelier choices led us to sip and swirl glasses of Trento Spumante Brut 'Perlé' Ferrari 2013, PINOT GRIGIO SOT LIS RIVIS, Meursault, Le Limozin 2016, Domaine Rene Monnier, and many more exceptional names in the world of wine.

Supercars and Superyachts in the English Countryside

A divine dinner, a soak in the tub, and a night sleeping in sheer bliss with top of the line linens and plump pillows made for a restful start to a wonderful stay. The next morning after another bountiful breakfast, we decided to take the new Maserati Levante S GranLusso out to explore the grace of the winding English countryside. An outstanding vehicle of comfort and cool, the Maserati purred through the streets as we left the city, before opening up to her full potential and hugging the tight beds as we sailed through the charming backcountry lanes that led down to the dazzling Dorset coast.

The Maserati Levante is, without a doubt - a flagship car for the connoisseur of the open road. There’s a sense of Italian style sewn throughout the interior with tactile Pieno Fiore leather. Electronically assisted steering lends itself well to driving efficiency, and the car feels gloriously comfortable in its own skin. The gearshift paddles are cool and crisp, the suspension akin to floating on air (without the fuss), and the whole mood is one of a sleek and sophisticated ride that seems to blend the past pleasure of driving with all the glory, guts and magical mod-cons of the future.
Being close to Poole, we couldn’t help but swing by to get our fill of superyacht action at the shipyard Sunseeker. Here, some of the world's most iconic superyachts are being built, and the team was more than welcoming, leading us through the construction process and allowing us insider glimpses into the creation of the 116 and 131 models. Seeing these yachts up close is a treasured experience for any yacht fanatic, especially from a company that combines innovative technology with English heritage.
Back at the Grosvenor House Suites and the team were waiting to escort us to The Atrium for a private dinner event. The chef whipped up an imaginative tasting experience, weaving in inspiration from middle eastern cuisine with market fresh ingredients and precision like technique.

Castles, Cullinan’s and the Cotswolds

Inspired by our jaunt across the English countryside, our next adventure would be courtesy of the new Cullinan from Rolls-Royce - a superb supercar that took us on a smooth ride to enjoy the picturesque beauty of The Cotswolds. We were so smitten with the charms of the Cullinan that we decided to publish a feature piece on the car, which can be found in this edition of NAVIS. The whole day was one of nostalgic charms, especially in Castle Combe where we nibbled through platters of cucumber sandwiches, sweet cakes, and delicate pastries as part of the dainty high tea. The Cullinan was every inch the prince to drive, even coming complete with crystal whiskey bottle and glasses for a sunset tipple and massage chairs to soothe aching muscles after a long drive.
A wonderful weekend in the Cotswolds came to a welcoming climax with lunch at The Halfway Inn close to Newbury. For centuries this old travelers inn has been welcoming weary wanderers with hot food, cold beers, and a warm smile. Surprisingly, we stumbled upon a table of MG owners taking their cars out for a test drive, and soon we were all sharing highlights of the road over locally sourced freshly cooked dishes and beautiful bottles of wine from the Rickety Bridge Boutique Winery in South Africa.

A Room with a View; Sumptuous Sleeps at The Shard

Back in the Big Smoke and we didn't have time to miss the sweet serenity of the countryside, as the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London were waiting to welcome us. The 1016ft high Shard is one of the most iconic sights on London's silver glinting skyline, and the hotel occupies the staggeringly high space between floors 35 and 52.
The super sleek hotel is a vision of marble paneling, soft and dark woods, and muted color schemes that lend a sense of luxury one comes to expect with a name of this magnitude. The 52nd floor boasts a beautiful infinity pool that no hotel in the world could match – offering skyline views of England's eclectic capital as you relax in the shimmering blue hues of the water.
Sprawling out on the 44th floor, our room boasted epic sunset views across London, which seemed to fit the smudged blue and cream color scheme with absolute precision. Comfort abounded at every turn, with high thread count bedding, Nespresso machine, pillow menu, and even binoculars for admiring the capital at a closer distance. Butlers were ever on hand to bring us our heart's desire, and rotating cocktails at The Gong made for an exceptional aperitif plan prior to dining. You can find a full coverage editorial piece on The Shard also available in this edition.

Tasting Menus at the Top of the World

Speaking of dining, we sat down to an elaborate yet laid back dinner at the Shangri La’s Ting Restaurant. Crystal walls deliver dreamy views across the Thames, and you can easily tick off all the finest sightseeing spots before you finish your starter – from Tower Bridge to the turning London Eye. We were served the tasting menu, complete with paired sommelier wines. The menu prepared by Head Chef Scott Paterson held magic in every morsel.
A melody of taste and texture oozed through the Dorset crab with cucumber and granny smith apple paired with a delicious David Traeger Maranoa Verdelho from Australia. The Sussex cow with anchovy ketchup and purple broccoli met its match with a Valpolicella Superiore, La Give, Tuscany, Italy 2016. The Guanaja Chocolate Tart paired with a delicious Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port Unfiltered was a melt in the mouth fantasy.

Literal High Tea and the Legacy of Goodwood

The next day a guide accompanied us around the hidden delights of the neighborhood, especially the Borough Market with its fascinating history and tantalizing tales all set beneath the former 1860’s railway viaduct. Expect worldly foods, mountains of spices, and a fabulous ambience that oozes style. In keeping with our gourmand journey through the capital, we were invited to enjoy afternoon tea back at the Shangri-La. A delightful experience, the Ting Lounge Afternoon Tea serves their sweet treats with a perfect view of the city. Asian influences are woven throughout, swapping the usual finger sandwiches for delicate spring rolls. For the sweeter tooth, fear not, we also enjoyed chef-prepared dishes like Blueberry Cheesecake and Strawberry Mousse Rhubarb Jelly.
One of our final days in the city and a silver Rolls-Royce Black Badge passes by the hotel entrance. To our delight, it’s waiting to take us sailing through the English countryside and to Goodwood where a private tour of the Rolls Royce Factory had been organized just for us. It was truly an honor and a privilege to witness the prestigious history of this iconic luxury car, admiring the depth of bespoke creations this world-class company can create. At the end of the trip, we were fortunate enough to be presented with a sneak peek at the new Phantom. A ghost of a car. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to the Rolls-Royce, and anyone interested in purchasing an automobile legacy should be sure to visit the factory.

London; Centuries of Culture and Class

London truly ups the ante when it comes to capital cities that know how to serve culture and class on a silver platter. From innovative restaurants to historical hotels, mesmerizing museums, ornate theaters, the buzz of the west end, artistic markets, and everything in between – it’s a place that continues to inspire and delight for centuries.