Enfolded in a charming leafy quarter of London’s affluent W1 postcode, Marylebone Village sits as one of the Capital’s most vibrant and picturesque destinations, studded with a charming array of chic indie boutiques, artisan coffee hideaways, and gourmet eateries galore.
As the nation’s courtly residents rejoice in unearthing their 2023 groove having buoyantly waved the dreary spell of the January blues far away, we unearth some of the finest trinkets like shopping and dining spots of this blooming verdant enclave right at the beating heart of this pulse-pounding cosmopolitan city, whilst echoing a serene, charming tranquillity of our countryside havens making Marylebone Village an idyllic staycation vacation terminus.
Shopping
This quintessential lifestyle hamlet serves as a shopper’s Arcadia, abundant with an endearing and eclectic array of shopping emporiums a far cry from the customary high street brands that litter the Capital’s vicinities.
Caroline Gardner boasts a dazzling repute as one of the UK’s most gifted designers in the stationary and gifts realm, drawing on bold pigments and flamboyant designs from vibrant multicoloured, black ink pens encased in exquisitely printed boxes, to cosmetic bag collections enveloped in feather-soft borg fabric.
For book connoisseurs, Daunt Books serves as a literary utopia, engulfed in trappings of solid oak mezzanines as accumulating volumes of treasured historic tales and no holds barred memoirs, while fashion house Rixo draws onto the celebration of body empowerment, courtesy of bosom buddies Henrietta Rix, and Orlagh McCloskey with their jewel hand, hand painted print dresses and midnight blue tops designed to “flatter every woman, irrespective of age, season, nationality or time of day”.
Nestled in the village all the way from the historically rich city of Italy’s Syracuse lies Ortigia. An exquisite treasure cave odyssey of ambrosial aromas and soap formations, Ortigia pivots on creations strictly from wholesome organic Sicilian Lime, earthy sweet pomegranate and intense bergamot to immerse their clientele in a slice of Roman paradise.
Wining And Dining
Whether the cobblestone paths of the quintessential Cotswolds, to the big smoke of our bustling London Capital, the UK is never in a dearth supply of coveted fine dining establishments to please an abundance of worldly tantalising tastebuds.
Flaunting a delicious status as one of London’s sublime cheesemongers, La Fromagerie uncovers its walk-in cheese room playing host to an indulgent array of say Camembert aux truffles, loaded with lashings of rich mascarpone brimming with nut earthy notes, and generous helpings of chopped black truffle to elevate intense flavour depths.
Hot in its heels is the Corra Linn, crumbly with a salted full body profile, while the soft chewy Challerhocker unveils a sweet, hazelnut aroma enveloped with fruit-like hints.
A slice of classical, bona fide Viennese delicacies awaits to satiate the famished appetites of their village visitors at Fischer’s restaurant and cafe.
Doused in elegant adornments of polished dark wood panelling and sumptuous leather banquettes, Fischer’s serves up a theatrical gourmet affair of a traditional Viennese café encounter of würstchen-sausages, hearty with a smoked barbecue flavour profile accompanied with fresh homemade coleslaw, soft herbed potato salad and of course, a helping of finely sliced sauerkraut.
No Austrian feast can be complete than a customary Schnitzel, where tender, prime chicken arrives encased in a golden crisp, breadcrumb coating with a helping of lingonberry compote, while the dessert of decadently light chopped pancakes proves the perfect sweet treat conclusion to your epicurean Austrian fest.
Where To Stay
The big smoke that is our beloved bustling London, has never ceased in failing to effortlessly play host to some of the sphere’s grandest and most gloriously dandy hotels experienced by high-powered invitees and citizens alike, be they the sleek sky palace skyscrapers or ageless country manor-like pearls.
The Mandeville Hotel makes for the ultimate to-be-seen, Marylebone-worthy nesting domain a measly ten-minute stroll from the shopping hustle of Oxford Circus.
A resplendent cream and red brick exterior welcomes guests into a quirky, contemporary atmosphere bedecked with modern artwork collections (including a colossal ruby red toy car), alongside gleaming green walls, marble floors and shimmering mirrored pillars.
A military swift check-in process by the pristine staff team abundant with chivalrous charm no sooner has me in my palatial residence in the piece de resistance of the Terrace suite.
Unlike the fifth dwellings playing on a fashionista’s fantasy come alive with Christian Lacroix design sorcery of bold print walls and bright stripes, the terrace lodgings adopt a more bashful and modest philosophy, with a dainty colour palate of pastel pink, cream and yellow stretching over two floors, accompanied by a marble-clad bathroom kitted with fluffy white bathrobes, and an assemblage of C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries grooming cosmetic.
Joining an exclusive league penthouse league of hotels offering a rare opportunity of their own private rooftop terrace, the doors open to unparalleled panoramas of the city’s sights and settings, of course, kitted with chairs and a table to dreamily soak up the shelter’s radiant ambience with a champagne flute in hand.
No evening soirée is complete without a chilled cosmopolitan, or a sweet tangy gin fuelled gimlet in the avant-garde backdrop of the cocktail bar dressed up in strawberry red leather booths, and brass accents before venturing a few steps into Reform Social & Grill for your dining experience.
Unapologetically British, simple and unfussy, scallops come delicately seared with notes of lime marinade cutting through the sweet butter flesh, while the burrata reveals a smooth liquid cream enveloping the fresh crunchy courgette swirls. Although the pan-roasted salmon concluded a tad dry and under-seasoned peace was restored with juice brimming, succulent cut of prime beef befriended with crisped chunky chips.
Room rates at The Mandeville start at approximately GBP 200 a night, while suites begin from GBP 365.
For more information or to plan your visit, be sure to head over to www.marylebonevillage.com.
Images: Marylebone Village
