London is one of the most decadent cities in the world, and for those who value luxury, it can be an unparalleled playground. There is a world of luxury, sensory richness and subtle indulgence here for those who know where to look. This guide isn’t for tourists who tick off tourist hotspots like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben; it’s for those who understand that indulgence is a full-sense experience, from velvet seats at the chef’s table to late-night velvet ropes at the most exclusive clubs.
We asked for suggestions on the most stylish experiences and tips on how to get the most out of the city from a local London escort, a woman who is no stranger to the high life.
The Ritz London
The Ritz is more than just a restaurant; it’s an institution.
The dining room is a vision of gold leaf and chandeliers that feels halfway between Versailles and your very own fever dream. Every movement of the staff feels like it’s been meticulously choreographed, from the clink of silver trays to the gentle pour of vintage champagne.
The two-Michelin-starred cuisine under Executive Chef John Williams MBE is British fare at its most decadent. Think native lobster, Highland venison, and soufflés that arrive with the solemn grace of a ballet performance.
The Ritz embodies indulgence in its most traditional form. It’s less about novelty and more about precision, ritual, and an almost cinematic level of service.
If you’re after a dining experience that feels like a scene from another century, this is the place to start.
Rosewood London
For those who equate luxury with stillness and privacy, the Rosewood London offers a kind of urban sanctuary that’s difficult to replicate.
Behind its grand Edwardian façade lies a courtyard that silences the chaos of the city. Inside, marble staircases wind up to suites so large they have their own postcode… Literally, the Grand Manor House Wing is registered with its own.
The design is timeless: deep velvets, smoky woods, rooms that glow like candlelight. But what sets the Rosewood apart isn’t just its beauty; it’s the feeling of being sealed off from the world. The staff know when to appear and when to vanish, and it makes all the difference.
For the indulgent traveller, it’s the perfect cocoon. Order champagne to the suite, slip into the spa’s heated pool, or linger over a late-night martini at Scarfes Bar, where live jazz plays beneath walls lined with caricature art.
In a city obsessed with exposure, the Rosewood celebrates discretion.
Annabel’s
Some clubs are exclusive; Annabel’s is legendary. Founded in the 1960s and reborn in 2018 under interior designer Martin Brudnizki, it’s a maximalist fantasy where no surface goes undecorated. You’ll find a rose-pink dining room with silk wallpaper, a jungle-themed bar with hand-painted murals, and a bathroom that looks like a Baroque powder room built by aliens with perfect taste.
Annabel’s has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Kate Moss, and yet the magic is that it still feels current, not nostalgic. The energy is a blend of excess and intimacy. You can sip champagne under a Swarovski-encrusted ceiling, disappear into the hum of conversation, and for a few hours, feel like part of a private world that will never repeat itself.
If hedonism has an address, it’s probably Berkeley Square after midnight.
The Bulgari Spa
Some of London’s greatest luxuries happen in silence, and the Bulgari Spa in Knightsbridge might be the most quietly opulent experience in the city.
The spa stretches over two floors beneath the hotel, with an onyx-lined pool so long it looks endless, like something from a Bond film. Treatments combine traditional techniques with cutting-edge wellness technology. You’ll leave feeling not just pampered but recalibrated, as if someone has quietly restored your operating system.
What makes it truly indulgent is the sense of privacy. You’re rarely aware of other guests or even staff. Every detail, from the quality of the robes to the post-massage tea, feels obsessively considered.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you that true hedonism isn’t just excess, it’s equilibrium.
Claridge’s Bar
Some bars serve cocktails, some pull the perfect pint, some have the best playlists, and then there’s Claridge’s Bar, which serves an atmosphere. It’s not flashy, it’s not loud, it’s exact. Every drink is built like a story, with heritage spirits, crystal glassware, and bartenders who remember your preferences from a single visit.
The interiors, designed by David Collins, are a symphony of art deco glamour, polished chrome, mirrored panels, and the soft glow of amber light. The bar feels suspended in time; you can almost imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald sipping champagne at the next table.
This isn’t where you come to party, it’s where you come to linger, flirt, and watch the rhythm of London pass by one perfect pour at a time.
The Ned
If The Ritz is about ritual and the Rosewood about stillness, The Ned (27 Poultry, Bank) is indulgence in motion. A converted 1920s bank turned into a labyrinth of restaurants, bars, and live music venues, The Ned offers something rare: energy without chaos.
There’s a rooftop pool overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral, a subterranean members’ club that hums with late-night piano music, and a spa that feels like a Roman retreat. You can have oysters, cocktails, a massage, and a midnight dance all without ever stepping outside.
It’s a building that captures the rhythm of modern hedonism: busy, bold, and beautifully excessive.
Why Indulgence Still Matters
In a world obsessed with efficiency, indulgence is rebellion. It’s choosing to linger over a meal, to feel texture under your fingers, to be present in a room built for pleasure. Whether it’s a martini at Claridge’s or a massage at the Bulgari, these moments remind us that luxury isn’t about escaping life, it’s about noticing it.
When I called the escort again to tell her about my research, she just smiled.
“You see?” she said. “Luxury isn’t what you buy. It’s what you allow yourself to feel.”
And in London, there’s no shortage of places to feel everything beautifully, deeply, and without apology.
