Luxury means so many different things to different people. For some luxury is as simple as having something done by someone else that one might normally be required to do without any assistance at all. For others, luxury implies decadence on a grand scale. And still for others, luxury means “best in class” –immersive experiences complete with those discreet elegant amenities that set a place or an experience apart from all other like options. In singular ways, each of the following five destinations subscribe to all of these definitions in such a way that they represent the penultimate vacation getaways for lovers of luxe.

Palma de Mallorca

In addition to providing a safe harbor for the mega-yachts of the uber-wealthy, Palma de Mallorca has long been known as one of the most popular playgrounds for the rich and the royal in Spain’s Balearic Isles. Former King Juan Carlos has often been spotted taking a break from his royal duties at the island’s swankier watering holes, while other bold-faced names ranging from Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, who until recently owned a 247-acre estate on the island, to Paris Hilton and Brad Pitt have all made the pilgrimage to this rustically luxurious Spanish destination. For the most luxe stay of all, the Belmond La Residencia in Deia is the leading choice for discriminating travelers. Once owned by Richard Branson, La Residencia is the luxury hotel in which Princess Diana famously took refuge when her marriage to Prince Charles reached its well-publicized breaking point, and also the site of Andrew Lloyd Webber 60th birthday celebration for which the entire hotel was hired.  How’s that for discriminating? [Tip: Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera are all just a short ferry ride from Mallorca, which is all just an added bonus.]

Las Vegas

Perhaps the most common misconception about Las Vegas is that it’s primary appeal is gaming. The truth, however, is that there is so much more to do in Las Vegas than taking turns among the plentiful craps tables and slot machines. In fact, with very little effort, you can treat yourself to a luxe holiday in Vegas that has nothing at all to do with any of the aforementioned activities and feel none the lesser for it – particularly given that there is probably more luxury per square foot in Las Vegas than almost anywhere else in the world. Wondering where to start? First of all, there’s pampering at a memorable array of spas like the sleek, modern BATHHOUSE Spa at the Delano, the massive 80,000 square-foot Spa at the Aria, and the serenely gorgeous Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, among others.

Combined with unique, upscale shopping experiences at the likes of the Wynn Esplanade and the Shops at Crystals, fine dining at restaurants helmed by revered chefs like Alain Ducasse (Rivea at the Delano), Julian Serrano (Lago at the Bellagio) and Michael Mina (Bardot Brasserie at the Aria), an assortment of shows featuring the biggest names in music and entertainment, and VIP limo service to and from any and everything, what could make for a more decadent getaway?

London

Does it not seem fitting that the home of the British royal family would also be home to an escape filled with royally, luxurious delights? Such would most definitely be the case. From the old world elegance of the Goring Hotel, where Queen Elizabeth II is a regular guest for afternoon tea, to the sumptuous retail offerings of Bond Street and Dover Street (where Victoria Beckham opened the flagship store for her wildly successful eponymous clothing line), to the five star hotels in May Fair and Knightsbridge (think the classically sophisticated Egerton House, the landmark Claridge’s, the esteemed Connaught and the Firmdale Hotel’s Knightsbridge outpost), luxury is London’s forte. Fill your itinerary with visits to the royal warrant certified providers of goods and services to the royal household and you’ll find yourself in luxe overload,

Carmel-by-the-Sea

If there is one word that best describes the seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, it might be surreal. Santa Barbara may be heralded by some as the California’s answer to the Riviera, but Carmel-by-the Sea is perhaps endowed with a better claim to the title. A charming boutique-filled town commingled with an unspoiled beach dramatically surrounded by bluffs and a rugged coastline evokes the feeling of la dolce vita best embodied by the likes of Capri and St. Tropez. Among the favorite stops for an elegant stay in Carmel is the Doris Day -owned Cypress Inn in the heart of town and the Clint Eastwood-owned Mission Ranch, where the vistas are jaw dropping and the Martinis (along with the company) at the bar are otherworldly.

Turks & Caicos

Extremely elegant accommodations specializing in privacy, pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, perfect weather year-round, a steady flow of rum-inspired cocktails and not a care in the world make Turks & Caicos a standout among luxe travel getaways. Moreover, if a destination is to be judged by the star power of its regular visitors, Turks and Caicos is a winner on multiple levels. Among the starry visitors of late to the islands are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who spent their holidays at Donna Karan’s villa in Parrot Cay, Justin Bieber, Christie Brinkley, and newlyweds Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello who spent their 7-day honeymoon holed up in a remote villa at the exclusive Parrot Cay Resort. Need I say more?

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That London’s Egerton House Hotel should be the first hotel named a LivingWells Icon will not at all come as a surprise to anyone who has had the distinct pleasure of a stay at this regal and historic property secreted away in the bosom of eternally fashionable Knightsbridge. Located just steps away from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and a gaggle of London’s smartest eateries, the Egerton House is, as I have often described to friends and acquaintances, elegance personified.

It has always been my contention that the very best boutique hotels are so identified because they excel the contrivances of a traditional hotel stay, however pleasurable, to create an exceptionally personal experience to which guests develop a unique attachment. It is primarily by this measure that the Egerton House Hotel earns its stripes as an icon in my humble estimation.

Since my first stay at the Egerton some eight years ago, I have considered the hotel which, through the end of the 19^th Century, served as the former private residence of everyone from consorts of the royal family to a breadth of London’s wealthiest residents, my personal home away from home in London.  In fact, rarely have I visited London in recent years and not spent at least a single night in one of the hotel’s exquisitely appointed, individually decorated rooms where antiques mix with original works of arts with a grace and harmony that many contemporary five star properties have unfortunately eschewed in favor of a more minimalist, less timeless look. It is for this reason that I never request a particular room or suite at the Egerton House, as hunkering down in a different room on each successive visit offers something new to marvel about and thereby keeps the experience fresh.

While many memories are made at hotels, few hotels are, in and of themselves, responsible for making indelible memories in the way that the Egerton House does. For instance, London is simply not London to me without a Martini prepared by the Egerton’s Head Barman, Antonio Pizzuto, a legend in his own right with whom I have found myself bantering into the wee hours of the morning about the London he has witnessed over the course of his 40-year career behind the bar at not only the Egerton House, but also those of some of the city’s most esteemed and highly-regarded establishments. It is these kinds of special connections with characters like Antonio and so many other members of the staff that are germane to making a stay at the Egerton such a singular experience.

It is the fact that I often crave the house Caesar Salad that I inevitably order upon arrival at the hotel, the way in which I compare the breakfast service at every other hotel I visit to that of the Egerton House, and the recognition that of all the hotels I visit around the world, few possess the ongoing compelling allure of a home in the genuine way that is the hallmark of the Egerton House, that underlines my frequent praise and recommendation of the hotel.

My endorsement of the Egerton House could fill a volume, but suffice it to say, that because of its quintessential Britishness, its unparalleled service and attention to detail, the 28-room Egerton House Hotel is a titan among London hotels and for that reason a LivingWells Icon.

The Egerton House Hotel is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. For more information or to make a reservation visit: www.redcarnationhotels.com.

Egerton House Exterior View

Egerton House Garden

Egerton House Drawing Room

Egerton House Lobby

Head Barman Antonio in his element

Egerton Classic Double Room

Egerton House Studio Suite

Another Egerton House Studio Suite

Victoria and Albert Suite, Bedroom

Victoria and Albert Suite, Sitting Room

(Scroll over image for description)

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Who says you need a tiara to live like a royal?

Sure…royalty may be to London, as Wall Street is to New York or as Hollywood is to Los Angeles but it does not necessarily follow that one needs either a crown or a royal bloodline in order to live like a queen in England’s capital city. In fact, all one actually needs is a modicum of desire, a speck of pluck and a few exceptionally well-documented connections.

Though many significant arteries may flow from London’s thriving core, all roads ultimately lead back to the seemingly inescapably regal force that feeds and energizes the city. From its museums to its street names to its numerous palaces and parks, threads of royalty are woven into nearly every turn one takes in Londontown.

So with that notion in mind, I set out to make my last visit to London all about living like a royal, with the first step being to explore that exclusive coterie of persons and companies who provide goods and services to the royal family “By Appointment”.

Officially known as Royal Warrant holders, this prestigious collection of purveyors, filled with brands whose pedigrees date back centuries, is personally selected by either Her Majest The Queen, her husband, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, or her son, HRH The Prince of Wales. Unremarkably then, given the source, the current roster of around 800 royal warrant holders represents not only a who’s who of commerce in the United Kingdom but also some of the finest products and services Her Majesty’s realm has to offer.

Armed with this prized list, the first and most important step on my agenda was to select a suitably royal hotel, which turned out to be a much simpler affair than I had originally anticipated because the only such warrant ever granted for Hospitality Services by Her Majesty The Queen (or any other reigning monarch since the Middle Ages) belongs to The Goring Hotel. Serenely tucked away on a quiet street adjacent to Buckingham Palace, The Goring has a rich and storied history that offers more than adequate explanation for its designation as the royal favorite.

Not only has the hotel served as an unofficial annex to Buckingham Palace by playing host to a cavalcade or European royals, its very existence has featured prominently in the lives of the Royal family. For instance, in the early 20^th century, when Lady Randolph Churchill frequently visited her son, the future Prime Minister Winston Churchill who would see England safely through World War II, it was at The Goring that she took up residence.  Fittingly then, when peace was declared at the end of the war, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth celebrated by dining on sausages and scrambled eggs at The Goring with the Princesses Royal in tow.

Years later, with the scourge of war behind them and a new monarch on the throne, the Royal kin engaged the pastry chefs at The Goring to mark the christening of Prince Charles with the creation of a christening cake. And when it came time for the intended of Prince Charles’ son and heir, Prince William, to settle down to selecting accommodations for her final night as a single lady, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, opted for The Goring’s Royal Suite, the bathroom shower of which is fittingly adorned with a painting of a watchful Queen Victoria encased in glass. Even the hotel’s dining room, right down to the glittering, much-talked about Swarovski chandeliers that dangle above it, bears the royal imprimatur in that it was decorated by Viscount Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and nephew of Queen Elizabeth II.

And that’s just an abbreviated history.

However, despite its very British-ness combined with the fact that it has been owned by a single family for more than a century, The Goring is not a hotel that finds itself stuck in a fussy, old-fashioned time warp. In fact, each of the hotel’s 69 rooms and suites has been individually decorated by one of London’s most acclaimed interior designers, with the result being an assemblage of rooms that, while all feeling quintessentially British, simultaneously represent a spectrum of styles that run the gamut from the very modern to the very traditional.

Likewise the Goring’s service, though thoroughly modern, also offers a nod to some of the better old traditions of English country estates. Honestly, I dare any guest not to be charmed by playful touches like the sheep that find their way into the décor of every room and suite or hear the echoes of a bygone Downton Abbey-esque era resound through their thoughts each night before turning in as they set their shoes outside the doors of their well-appointed rooms and awake to find them freshly shined alongside their daily newspaper of choice (compliments of the hotel, of course).

It is all quite enough to make one feel very noble indeed.

To find out more about Royal Warrant Holders, visit www.royalwarrant.org. For more information about The Goring Hotel, visit www.thegoring.com.

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Once safely (and royally) ensconced in my accommodations at The Goring, I set off to explore a few more of the more interesting names on my roster of Royal Warrant Holders, that grand coalition of people and companies whose products and services buttress the royal patina “By Appointment”.   At the top of my list was a bit of shopping at Fortnum & Mason, which was just recently graced by the first official joint appearance by The Queen, The Duchess of Cambridge (the former Camilla Parker-Bowles) and the Duchess of Cornwall (the former Kate Middleton). Does it really get any more royal?

Known simply as Fortnum’s to regular patrons, this emporium of high delights has supplied the Royal household with the finest wares and treats since a royal footman (Fortnum) opened the store with his friend and landlord (Mason) more than three centuries ago in 1707. From truffles, cheese and tea (specially blended of course) to jewelry, perfume and high fashion, Fortnum’s has served as the thoroughly elegant department store of choice for kings, queens and their titled flock since its inception. Still a fabulous place to be seen after all these years, Afternoon Tea at Fortnum’s remains a treat to all savvy enough to book a reservation.

From Fortnum’s I made my way to Piccadilly and the Princes Arcade to sample the sweet confections of Prestat, which I can only describe as the ultimate sugar rush wrapped up in ribbons of fantasy and stamped with the Royal seal of approval. At more than one hundred years old, this esteemed chocolatier has not only been awarded Royal Warrants by both Her Majesty the Queen and the late Queen Mother, but was also notably a favorite of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory author, Roald Dahl.

Small in area but outsized in whimsy and magic, all manner of chocolate commingles with everything from nuts, caramel and tropical fruit to Champagne, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt and gin in this fantastical little shop where brightly colored packaging embossed with the symbol of the Royal Warrant fills every corner of the space. Meanwhile, the counters are chock full of delicate creations, including a variety of truffles, which the family of Prestat’s original owner, Antoine Dufour, is credited with having created. That’s right…, the very first truffle was the creation of the Dufour family (and perhaps of Antoine himself).  And it was said to be so intoxicatingly delicious that it led Roald Dahl to formally express his predilection for the Dufour’s recipe by declaring “I also adore so-called truffels as Prestat makes them.” With such high praise, is it any wonder then that the Royal court has maintained such a longstanding affection for this precious chocolate shop?

The final stop on my Royal Warrant tour was in the Burlington Arcade at the Victorian era perfumer, Penhaligon’s which like Prestat also holds two Royal warrants from two generations of Royals – one from Prince Phillip and the other from Prince Charles. Venturing through the store is like taking a trip down through the history of scent, particularly as many of Penhaligon’s signature fragrances were created as much as (or more than) a century ago and as such reflect the sensibilities of a different time. If you have a hankering to smell the noblesse oblige of 1902, you need only pick up a bottle of the popular Blenheim Bouquet which made its debut in that year.  Or flash forward a few years and try 1910’s crisp, clean English Fern.

What makes the Penhaligon’s experience special is the uniqueness of the fragrances which stand apart in the world of cookie cutter scents that populate the market today. Anything but ordinary, a Penhaligon’s scent reeks of privilege and good taste and the wearers thereof feel a part of an exclusive club, membership to which can only be achieved by royal appointment, of course.

So again, I ask, ‘Who needs a tiara to live like a royal?”. As a commoner with no lineage to speak of I managed to sleep, eat, shop and even smell like a royal in a single day. And they say, you can’t turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Clearly the believers of that old wives tale are most unfamiliar with my favorite new saying ‘When in London, do as the Royals do.”

To find out more about Royal Warrant Holders, visit www.royalwarrant.org.

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The moment I stepped into the dining room of the restaurant on a recent visit, I was confronted by the sweep of time and history it represents. This is after all an establishment that has played host to Prime Ministers (Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George famously had some very heated wrangling in the elegant dining room) and inspired the meeting place for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. But even more than its history, it is the grandeur of the room that throttles the senses. Under a simply dazzling ceiling of golden mosaic tiles, rows of marble columns stand watch over the dining room, which is so authentically British, it almost feels like a set (which is precisely what it served as on the season 4 opener of Downton Abbey when Lady Edith sneaks into London for a romantic dinner with her oh-so-very married paramour). Quite frankly, it is one of the lovelier rooms in all of London, the like of which is most certainly unparalleled in Piccadilly Circus.

As for the menu, it is, as you might expect, a decidedly British affair. For starters, there are options like Colchester oysters dressed with apple, samphire, lemon and mirin (my choice); a Game terrine with wood pigeon, rabbit, partridge, pheasant, foie grass, pancetta, pistachio, red onion and cranberry and aFoie gras parfait with home cured duck breast, redcurrant dressing, ‘Melba’ pain brioche and red sorrel cress. Meanwhile the mains include more traditional English fare like ‘Bronze’ turkey fillet, stuffing, black pudding, sausage roll, brussels sprouts, ‘bread sauce’ and cranberry jus and ‘Hereford’ beef fillet, swede, baby turnips & carrots and braised ox cheek. It’s all perfectly fine, but if, I’m honest, the food only feels like a convenient (and completely palatable I might add) reason to experience the luxe and wonder of bygone era.

As an added bonus, if you’re making an evening of it and heading to the theatre as I was, the location of The Criterion makes it an optimal choice for a pre-theatre bite along with a cocktail or two, of course. Just be sure not to cut it too close because the Criterion in keeping with its storied history is an experience to be savored, rather than rushed.

To find out more about The Criterion Restaurant or to make a reservation, visit www.criterionrestaurant.com.

To read this and other stories from Duane Wells on the Huffington Post click here.

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I know that the holidays are supposed to be about family and friends, togetherness and all that jazz, but let’s face it—they really are also all about shopping and the sights and sounds of what is undeniably one of the most magical times of year (for most people anyway). As we head into the final harried shopping days of the season, I thought I’d take you on a tour of some of the best holiday shopping on the planet.

Jermyn Street, London, UK | jermynstreet.net

Make this a more royal holiday with gifts from Jermyn Street, which, along with St. James Street, holds more royal warrants (meaning that its shops supply goods or services to the HRH Queen Elizabeth II) than any other in all of London.

Johann Wanner – Basel, Switzerland | johannwanner.ch

I visited Johann Wanner’s year-round Christmas Wonderland in the middle of the summer and immediately felt like I had been transported dab smack into the heart of the holiday season. Mr. Wanner himself took me on a tour of his Christmas House and the neighboring Christmas Café, which are chock-full of the most whimsical holiday decorations you can imagine.

Madison Avenue, New York, NY  | essential-new-york-city-guide.com/christmas-windows.html

Perhaps the most legendary holiday window-shopping destination in the world, and with good reason.

The Trocadéro Christmas Market, Paris, France | The European Christmas Village “Trocadero On Ice”

Shopping and ice skating with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop—what could be more spectacular?

Zürich Christkindli Market, Zurich, Switzerland | christkindlimarkt.ch

As the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe, Christkindli is filled with holiday cheer, entertainment and more than its fair share of original gift ideas, crafts and delicacies.

Bond Street – Bond Noel, London, UK | bondstreetassociation.com

Unwrap the best the season has to offer along one of London’s chicest boulevards.

Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland | bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch

This Christmas, shop the most luxurious brands in the world on the Bahnofstrasse. Since precisely 6 p.m. on Nov. 22, “Lucy”—as the Christmas lights are called—has been switched on for visitors to enjoy all along Zurich’s most famous shopping street. With almost 12,000 crystals containing luminescent white, red and blue LED lights, producing dots of color of varying intensity in the sky, the display lives up to its name “Lucy in the Sky”.
For a complete list of my picks for the best holiday shopping destinations around the globe, visit my World of Christmas Shopping notebook at Springpad.

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However, in all the years I had been visiting London, it was not until after it was announced that London would host the 2012 Olympic Games that East London ever showed up in earnest on my radar (that is, of course, beyond my knowledge of British television shows like The East Enders and accounts from friends about the scrappy, scruffy nature of the then-rough-and-tumble section of London). Prior to that time, my London stomping grounds had been limited to the likes of Knightsbridge, Soho, Hampstead Heath, Notting Hill, Mayfair and Trafalgar Square, among other well-tread haunts.

But then something happened around 2007. There was suddenly an energy that drew me out of my London comfort zone. Around that time I discovered glimmers of fabulousness that made the voyage to Canary Wharf, Bethnal Green and Shoreditch worth the trip. Subsequently I ventured to Brick Lane, which became a regular stop on my visits, and later to Greenwich.

Finally, I came full circle when I set upon the new and improved East London just a few weeks ago and felt the full weight of the renaissance the area had witnessed. What was once something of a ‘no man’s land’ had been transformed into one of London’s trendiest, coolest neighborhoods in large part thanks to the Olympic Village that was now its centerpiece. The streets, crowded with hipsters, were lined with edgy new shops, galleries, bars and restaurants. I wouldn’t exactly call East London shiny and new, but I would say it is without question gritty, urban, young and possessed of a definitive and magnetic personality all its own. And, after all, is that not the very essence of cool?

One of the favorite new spots I unearthed during my discovery of East London 2012 included the swank bistroLes Trois Garcons, a converted Victorian Pub in Shoreditch that is now awash in a whimsical, eye-popping medley of crystal chandeliers and taxidermy. From the decidedly French menu, I sampled the Escargot de Dorset, Homard Ecossais (Scottish Lobster served with Lobster Butter Sauce), Côte de Veau et Ris de Veau aux Asperge (Veal Cutlet served with Sweetbread Wontons and Asparagus) and Tarte Tatin aux Pêches (Peach Tart Tartin). Classically French and utterly elegant, the combination of the service, the ambiance and the food at Les Trois Garcons only reconfirmed what I already knew—East London had entered the big leagues, more than able to compete with the London’s heretofore most-buzzed-about neighborhoods.

Steps away from the restaurant, I ventured into a cult gay pub, The George and Dragon, where the party was in full swing on a Friday night. Packed to the gills with sweaty, sexy alternative types grooving to one dance classic after another, it was immediately clear that I was no longer in Soho but in a parallel community that thumbed its nose ever so slightly at the established gay centers in London.

Jacket off, hands raised, I think I actually might have danced liked nobody was watching until the sheer heat in the place forced me on to my next and final stop, the cult gay pub The Joiners Arms. In this larger yet similarly intimate space, resident DJs spin the crowded dancefloor into a frenzy each week while more low-key patrons mingle on the packed smoke-filled back patio. Another winner, the mazelike bar/club delivered the fun with a uniquely funky East London spin.

Riding home at just around 2 a.m. (admittedly early), I contemplated just how much not only East London but London in general had changed since my first trip all those years ago and I felt reminded of why my love affair with the city has remained so passionate despite the passage of time. Like a great lover, London has evolved as I have evolved, and after more than a decade and a half, it just keeps giving me more reasons to love it. Now that’s my kind of romance.

Until next time, cheers!

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Speaking of Martinis—those beautiful, clear, mind-numbing libations that bring such joy and pleasure—if you’re anything like me, you just can’t get enough of them. As a bit of a connoisseur of the drink, I make it a point to try them as often and in as many places as I possibly can. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it is a grueling endeavor, but I feel like I owe it to you and to everyone who wants to understand the art of Living Wells to continue my quest to find the most brilliant martinis in every destination around the globe.

This week I reconnected with one of my favorite martinis at my favorite hotel in London, the Egerton House. You absolutely have not lived until you’ve sat by the fireplace in the elegantly appointed, cozy drawing room of the Egerton House hotel and sipped one of the house martinis made by the hand of legendary bartender Antonio (no need for a last name, as with most icons).

The other night I stayed up until 5 a.m. having far too many martinis and chatting with Antonio about his 40-plus years behind the bar serving a plethora of boldfaced names from both sides of the Atlantic at some of London’s swankiest hot spots over the years. The man is a legend, and a very smart set from all over London—and, indeed, the world—gather nightly to watch the legend work his magic.

All martinis at the Egerton House are prepared right in front of guests on a little table that carries all the ingredients Antonio needs—a splash of vermouth, perfectly chilled Belvedere vodka and a thin slice of lemon rind cut fresh before guests’ eyes and dropped into the martini glass as a finishing note. How such simple ingredients become so much in Antonio’s hands is a mystery (although I think it has something to do with the way he shifts his shoulders as he puts the final touches on his creations), but the magic of his martinis is undeniable.

Stop by the Egerton House and plan to be transported over one of these delicious cocktails, but do be sure to make a reservation or at least call ahead, because the bar is small and Antonio’s martinis are always in demand. Here’s the contact info:

The Egerton House Hotel
17-19 Egerton Terrace
Knightsbridge
London SW3 2BX
Tel: +44 20 7589 2412

Cheers!

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London may be a grand old dame of a destination, but don’t be fooled into thinking it has lost one ounce of its spunk or legendary cool with the passage of time. After years of being thought of as one of the world‘s leading gay-friendly destinations, London remains home to more than one queen and with very good reason.

SoHo along with the familiar Old Compton Street and its equally gay-friendly neighboring tributaries might still form the nucleus of LGBT life in London, but these days the city’s  gay scene has evolved and is now distinguished by vibrant arteries that extend far beyond the boundaries of its well-established gay heartbeat.

Once upon a time, a trip to London meant perusing the city’s ‘crown jewels’ solely within the confines of clubs and bars like the now-defunct G-A-Y, the rock-steady Admiral Duncan or the mega club Heaven, which is in and of itself a rite of passage in London’s gay nightlife scene. But that was then and this is now.

Nowadays London offers alternatives of the variety that befit its unofficial designation as the ‘gay capital ofEurope.’

Alternative London Nightlife

Perhaps the most buzzworthy gay nightlife area in London at the moment is Vauxhall in South London. In this once run-down area of town now resides super clubs like Fire, one of the biggest and busiest nightspots in the Vauxhall gay village, which is sometimes referred to as “Voho.” 

At Fire, the crowd tends toward the young and trendy and the music plays well into the wee hours of the morning. Neighboring hotspots include the equally hipster-filled Barcode and Area as well as the more down-and-dirty leather-oriented The Hoist and The Eagle, which holds the popular “Horse Meat Disco” on Sunday nights.

Meanwhile, across town, bears and those who love to hunt them will feel right at home at XXL London, which promises three times the fun twice a week on Wednesdays from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. and on Saturdays from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. It’s a little out of the way, but XXL definitely delivers the fur on two packed danced floors, so for those so inclined it really can’t be topped.

Another great, more casual gay area in London can be found in Islington where the bars have a laidback, neighborhood-y feel. Because the area is more gay-friendly than anything else, the popular choice is the always-packed The Green which attracts an attractive, low-key crowd.   After drinks, you can also always check out the King’s Head Theatre & Pub which regularly  has something gay or of gay interest on the marquee.

Off The Beaten Path Dining

Sure London has J. Sheeky, The Ivy, Nobu and Cecconi’s, among a plethora of other fine-dining eateries to choose from, but off the beaten path you’ll find some real gems.  For instance, in super trendy Bermondsey, where celebrated Brit designer Zandra Rhodes has staked her headquarters, The Village East is an über-hot dining choice, as much for the well-heeled, artsy crowd that frequents it as for its modern and eclectic menu.

Another great option is Chino Latino restaurant at The Park Plaza Riverbank London hotel, where Pan Asian cuisine gets a modern twist. The drinks are fruity and delicious and the waiters provide mouthwatering eye candy. As an added bonus, this restaurant is also perfectly situated en route to a night out in Vauxhall by taxi, so you can begin the evening with a little dinner and end it with a whole lot of dancing.

Where To Stay

Some of the most gay-friendly accommodations in London are still, not surprisingly, located in close proximity to the better known gay areas in the city, like SoHo. That said, they are also conveniently near tube stops, which provide easy access to areas like Vauxhall and Islington. And for those on a less restrictive budget, these hotels are also a relatively inexpensive cab ride (by London standards) from Londontown’s burgeoning alternative nightlife scene. Here are three great choices and three very different price points:

Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel:  Fans of the film Love and Other Disasters, which was one of Brittany Murphy’s last, will recognize this hotel as the place where Matthew Rhys finds true gay love—most appropriate given that the hotel is a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, London’s West End (La Cage Aux Folles anyone?) and  Old Compton Street. The breathtaking entryway and genuine pearl-studded Pearl Lounge are worth the price of admission alone. Old world elegance and service at its best.

Montague on the Gardens:  Located equally close to gay nightlife in London, the Montague on the Gardens is an ideal choice for those who prefer a more boutique hotel experience. A townhouse hotel, this property has the advantage of having the British Museum as a neighbor, making it a big hit among the culturati. Rooms tend to be on the smaller side, but are impeccably designed. Tip: Request one of the newer Bloomsbury rooms.

The Egerton House Hotel: If it’s the pinnacle of luxury you seek, then the intimate 30-room Egerton House Hotel in Kensington is the place for you. A stay at The Egerton House is more akin to paying a visit to a stately country residence than checking into a traditional hotel. Each room is individually decorated, every service carried out with precision and the martinis made by the steady hand of 40-year hotel veteran barman Antonio Pizzuto are consistently named the best in London. What more could you ask for? The hotel is also walking distance to Harrods, Harvey Nichols and some of the city’s best high-end boutiques, Sweetie darling.

Bottom line—if you thought you knew London, take a look at the city again through a different lens and you just might find that all that is old is indeed new again.

Gay News – FrontiersLA – Breaking Gay News | London 2.0: Undiscovered Gay London.

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Duane Wells
7/12/2012

All photos by Jeffrey James Keyes

It is no secret that World Pride 2012 was plagued by a series of widely reported calamities along the way, but in the final analysis, out of what might be called chaos arose a global celebration worthy of the title World Pride. The annual parade might have been turned into a ‘procession’ held far away from the traditional gay hub of Soho, and there might not have been a series of colorful floats or a barrage of corporate sponsors as one might have expected, but what was left was the very heart of what Pride celebrations should be all about—plainly and simply, celebrating who we really are as a community and all of our wonderful diversity.

The day begin with a march toward Trafalgar Square, which included parade participants from around the world who gathered to deliver unique messages in their own unique ways to the world about who they are, what their gay communities look like and what their challenges are. To be sure, there was also a fair amount of leather as well as the expected hordes of shirtless men whose torsos had been emblazoned with the logos of various adult entertainment websites, but there were also gay choruses, marching bands and soldiers marching alongside LGBT groups advocating on behalf of LGBT civil rights in destinations as diverse as the Philippines, New York, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Bermuda, Mexico and Turkey.

Given the looseness of the parade, some might have called the affair amateurish—but, again, in the end, it all just felt like a giant street party, a day when the community came together to commune and give a shout-out to the world to remind them that despite all the strides forward in the realm of LGBT rights around the world, we’re all still here, we’re all still fighting and we all still love a party (and a good reason to dress up—or not, as the case may be). To my thinking, it was a gathering that truly represented the many proverbial colors of the rainbow for the estimated 25,000 participants in attendance.

For those of us able to let go of our strictures about what Pride celebrations should be, even the infrequent rain showers couldn’t dampen our pride or enthusiasm. At one point towards the end, my group even jumped into the parade and marched with various groups, which just gives an indication of how lighthearted and participatory World Pride 2012 felt.

The culmination of the day took place in Trafalgar Square, where a capacity crowd gathered to take in a performance by gay icon Boy George, who was preceded on the main stage by a bevy of local talent before headliner Deborah Cox delivered a rousing set, cut all too short by time constraints. By 6 p.m. the event was done, and the crowd quietly dispersing to fill the bars along Old Compton Street or dress for the evening’s big parties—like Hustlaball in Brixton, which delivered its usual mélange of pornstars, rentboys, scantily clad muscle boys and sexual intrigues that went on well into the wee hours of the morning.

World Pride now moves on to Toronto in 2014, but looking back on 2012, London gave the LGBT community a day to remember—a day that in its stripped-down imperfection recaptured some of the magic of Pride that hearkened back to a simpler time. And that is a feat that simply can’t be planned.

Stay tuned for more about World Pride in Toronto in 2014 at torontopride.com.

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