Colleen's Recommendations: The New Orleans Saints in London

The Saints are going all the way, but first, they’re making a stop in London! After spending a semester as a student at the Chelsea College of Art & Design and traveling there with her family this past summer, Colleen has the perfect London recommendations to make the trip memorable for football fanatics and those taking any excuse to visit this beautiful city. 

Spots to Stay

When traveling, Colleen prefers to stay in smaller boutique hotels that feel more like staying in a neighborhood. She finds that this allows her to walk to local restaurants but also not be so far off the beaten path that she can’t get quickly to the more iconic shops and attractions. 

Colleen recommends staying at Flemings Mayfair or The Orange. 

Spots for Afternoon Tea 

Afternoon tea is a tradition in London and a must-do while visiting the city. For a whimsical tea experience, visit Peggy Porschen. For a more traditional afternoon tea experience, visit The Ritz London or Fortnum & Mason. Each experience must be reserved in advance. 

Spots to Eat 

Rich in culture, the dining scene in London offers a plethora of cuisines and fun restaurants to try during your visit. 

Visit Hide for a super chic restaurant to enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Reservations can be made online. 

Dishoom pays homage to the old Irani cafés of Bombay and their food. Dishoom offers limited reservations, but if you cannot get one, Colleen says it is worth walking up and waiting and that food comes to the table quickly once you’re seated. She says the okra appetizer is a must-order! 

If you’re in the Covent Gardens area, The Ivy is an excellent spot for lunch, and Balthazar is perfect for any meal. 

The Orange Pub is a fun spot for lunch and is located close to the excellent shopping on Pimlico Road. 

Spots to Shop 

London has loads of shopping and neat stores to find everything from chic clothing to gorgeous interior designs. 

Fortnum & Masons is fabulous! Colleen says every detail feels like you stepped back in time while carrying the most current chicest of everything!  

Pimlico Road has many shops for furnishings, including a stretch only for local London makers. In this three-block stretch, you can find most of the brands Interior Designers worldwide work with! This is Colleen’s favorite part of London! 

Harrods is a classic London department store that offers luxury goods and a food hall, making this a spot for an over-the-top shopping experience. 

Covent Garden is one of London's most popular shopping neighborhoods, offering a range of world-class fashion, beauty and lifestyle stores.

To-Do’s

Rich in culture and tradition, the attractions in London are endless. 

Tours of Buckingham Palace are a great tourist attraction. These are only offered at certain times of the year, but if available, it is a fun glimpse at the historic British royal residence. Tickets can be purchased online. 

Sir John Soane was one of the greatest English architects, and his private home has been preserved as it was at the time of his death in 1837 as the Sir John Soane Museum. The museum offers free admission and allows visitors to view his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings.

The Churchill War Rooms offer guests the opportunity to walk the top-secret corridors and glimpse what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of WWII. Tickets can be purchased online. 

The London Tower, London Eye and Westminster Abbey are iconic tourist and historical attractions worth visiting while in the city. Colleen recommends purchasing your tickets in advance, so you do not have to waste time waiting in line.