Forget Paris; the Big Smoke has long been a magnet for romantics. From sunset views over the city from Parliament Hill, to declarations of love on the South Bank, à la Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell, London is a city packed with ancient streets to amble along together, spectacular views and the best bars and restaurants to wine and dine the object of your affection.
Whether the pesky pandemic put a long-awaited honeymoon on hold, or if you have a special anniversary coming up, there’s no better place to celebrate than the capital.
Even if you simply fancy treating your beau to a night they’ll never forget (whether that means you need to start, ahem, limbering up or just get prepped with tickets for dinner and a show in the West End), we’ve rounded up some of the best places in the capital for lovers.
From sky-high stays with spectacular views across the city, to hotels with old-school charm or something a bit more fun, these are the romantic hotels we’d recommend fro a stay in London.
Neighbourhood: Clerkenwell
Snuggle into the Rook’s Nest
(The Rookery)
The streets surrounding this Smithfield establishment are particularly rich in history, with its famous meat market dating back to the 10th century. In the Georgian period, the word “rookery” meant “criminal area”, reflecting a part of town notoriously populated by gamblers, drunks and criminals. This former slum has cleaned up considerably and is, these days, more well known for its roaring restaurant trade, but The Rookery remains as a wonderful reminder of this colourful past.
The oldest sections of this collection of buildings date back to 1764 and it’s no stretch to say entering feels like stepping back in time. Period charm abounds, with Rococo cherubs, beguiling portraits, stone statues, open fires and antique furniture; aside from the mattresses, televisions, telephones, wifi and air conditioning, nothing in the hotel is later than 1900. Guests are welcome to relax with tea and cake or sample the gin honesty bar in one of three marvellously atmospheric public rooms presided over by resident cat Baghera.
All 33 bedrooms are named after historical figures who lived or worked in the area, from knights to sex workers – reading about these diverse lives in the accompanying guide is a history buff’s dream – but it’s the Rook’s Nest room that really delivers….
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…