Ed Cunningham

Atlanta’s the largest city in the South, so of course it’s absolutely packed with things to do, see, eat, and drink. From exploring ATL’s phenomenal civil rights institutions to diving into the endless aquatic wonders of the Georgia Aquarium, this is a city primed for bustling tourists and brimming with some of the best cultural stuff in the entire US of A. If you're planning on taking a summer vacation to Atlanta, be warned, the summers can be sweltering and humid. Our hair is frizzing up as we speak. So of course, it's essential to find an Airbnb with a pool allowing you to cool down whenever you want, but also because it's fun to splash around. So whether you're coming for the city’s finest attractions, its unmissable bars, its enviable foodie culture, or its unbeatable nightlife, we’ve got you covered. For couples, families, friends, and the rest, here are the best Airbnbs with pools in Atlanta.  Updated November 2024: We'll cut to the chase: if you want somewhere truly iconic it had to me this midcentury home tucked in the woods.RECOMMENDED:🏙 Read the best things to do in Atlanta🏨Check out our list of the best hotels in Atlanta💎See the best luxury Airbnbs in Atlanta Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have

Colorado’s a state of mind-boggling contrasts. It’s got barren deserts, snow-capped mountains, lush forests, historic settlements, sprawling metropolises – and that’s us barely getting started (for all the deets, check out our best things to do in Colorado). The Centennial State has it all, but wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, there’s always one thing you need to ensure you have the most soothing, opulent stay possible. That’s right. We’re talking about hot tubs.  On your trip to the state, you're going to need a stellar place to stay. And luckily for you, there's a whole lotta Airbnbs in Colorado for you to choose from. But why don't you treat yourself to some R&R and book one with a hot tub? Soak all of your troubles away. From tranquil oases in city centers to rentals with stunning views, we’ve got a hot tub Airbnb for every occasion. So whatever your budget, whether you’re looking for a family stay, couples getaway or group break, below are Colorado’s best Airbnbs with hot tubs. Updated in November 2024: We've re-jigged our lineup a little with two new, shiny holiday rentals. The first is a charming rustic cabin in Cascade-Chipita Park, and the second is an epic pool party house.  RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in ColoradoThe coziest Airbnb cabins in the U.S.The 12 best Airbnbs in Colorado Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article include

Forget room service and breakfast buffets. Visiting Paris means setting off every morning in search of the best bakery (and the best croissant!) in the neighbourhood, sipping your morning coffee on a cafe terrace with the locals, and going to one of its many food markets on Sundays before preparing a huge late brunch at home. To live the city fully, the need of a room of one's own is real, and usually translates into a frantic search for the best possible Airbnb. Often cheaper than hotels, they are also the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Looking at the books on the shelves, bumping into the neighbours, or enjoying an impromptu aperitif in your own living room… To find the one of your dreams, start by choosing the area. Party-goers will look in Pigalle or Belleville, fashionistas in the Marais, nostalgics in Saint-Germain-des-Prés… Paris is huge, and so are its possibilities. To help you make the most of it, we've selected for you the most welcoming flats, homes and unique stays on Airbnb, in every part of the city of lights. Bon voyage! Updated November 2024: To bring you the freshest holiday rentals, we're always on the lookout for guest favourites and rare stays that are normally booked out – like the mid-century home and the central local's apartment. Enjoy! RECOMMENDED:🇫🇷Here's where to stay in Paris🏨 Take your pick of the best hotels in Paris💰 Check out the best cheap hotels in Paris Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb fea

Colorado is one of America's most unspoiled—and thereby most drop-dead gorgeous—states. Within its hundreds of thousands of square miles (which, in fact, make it the eighth largest in the union) are cultures and environments aplenty. From the dramatic, towering Rockies to the southwest’s endless desert, Colorado is packed full of incredible landscapes and exciting, adventurous things to do. Fittingly, the state also has no shortage of truly fantastic hotels. After all, once you’ve finished trekking or climbing, there’s nothing quite like putting your feet up in a deluxe pad. From bougie boutique hotels to rustic inns, all the way from Vail and Aspen to Denver, we’ve sorted the best hotels in Colorado for every kind of getaway.  RECOMMENDED: 🫧 The best Airbnbs with hot tubs in Colorado🏠 The best Airbnbs in Colorado Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

No matter what gets you in the mood, Chicago's hotels are perfect for a couple's vacation or staycation (or as we like to call it: bae-cation). But which of the city's hotels are the most appropriate for a seriously loved-up time? Below are some of our faves, based on everything from jaw-dropping skyline views and open-air hot tubs to rooftop cocktail bars and dining experiences at some of the best restaurants in the city. This glitzy city is already known as one of the USA's most romantic, with its plethora of couple-friendly activities and awe-inspiring attractions which are best seen with a travel buddy by your side. So pack your overnight bag and prepare for an evening (or more) to remember at Chicago's most romantic hotels. Alexa: dim the lights. Updated August 2024: Because we believe in spreading the love all year round, we've added two new hotels to encourage you to take more than one romantic getaway before the year's end – they include the seductively chic Allegro Royal and one of the best Virgin Hotels we've ever seen.  RECOMMENDED: 💆 The best spa hotels in Chicago🏠 The best Airbnbs in Chicago 🍕 The best deep dish pizza in Chicago Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editoria

NYC can be a very, very expensive place – but it doesn’t have to be. And you don’t have to sacrifice style or quality for cheap prices, either. If you know where to look, NYC is packed to the brim with chic, cozy hotels at prices that won’t make your eyes water. So whether you’re hunting for a historic hideaway, a room with a view, or simply a hotel with an uber-convenient location, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ve rounded up NYC’s finest cheap hotels, helping you leave plenty of room in your wallet to splurge on the rest of your trip. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC Updated December 2024:  Heck, we all want a bite of the Big Apple without going for broke. And because the cheaper options tend to fill up quite quickly, we're keeping 'em coming with our two newest additions, the U Hotel Fifth Avenue and La Quinta in Times Square South. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Boutique hotels in NYC have a special place in our hearts - they're not just luxurious with top-notch amenities, they’re bursting with character, offering experiences that few others can match. Seriously, these independent hotels have such unique styles that you'll be planning a full-scale home makeover in your head before check-out. With so many amazing choices, picking the best boutique hotels in NYC is tough. From the Financial District to Williamsburg, these hotels with rich histories and daring designs offer everything from mixology classes and indulgent full-body massages to Parisian-style gardens, rooftop bars, and jaw-dropping views of the city's iconic landmarks.  To help plan your perfect NYC trip, we've done the legwork for you, rounding up our personal favorite boutique hotels in New York City. Because when you're in one of the world's greatest cities, your stay should reflect the unique character and style of the place. As a final note, among some of the editor's old favorites, you'll find some new digs on this list too. Expect a contemporary retreat for the urbanites with "drop dead" views and one of the most iconic luxury stays in Manhattan that money can buy. Welcome to the good life. Updated August 2024: Our list just got even better with this old-money glam, Hotel Giraffe, and the Broadway chic, CIVILIAN Hotel. Take a peek.  RECOMMENDED:🇺🇸 View our full guide to the best hotels in NYC🏊‍♀️ Discover the best NYC hotels with pools🚶‍♂️ Check out the best thi

Want a drink? You've come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, featuring the buzziest booze dens in the capital right now. If it’s on this list, it’s excellent. These are the 50 places we'd recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail joints to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars, London's got them all. But what makes a truly good bar? Well, our critieria for inclusion on this list is simple; a menu of genius drinks is important, but so is overall vibe – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bins. To make the Top 50 a bar has to be fun, full of lovely folk, be inclusive and also look the part.  The latest additions to our list include Below Stone Nest in Chinatown, Rasputin’s by London Fields, Bar Lina, an Italian aperitivo spot underneath the famous Soho deli, Jumbi hifi bar in Peckham, Oranj's vertitable wine warehouse in Shoreditch, and Helgi’s, a suggestively Satanic rock bar in Hackney. Now go forth and booze. RECOMMENDED: Like bars? Then you'll love London's best pubs.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and she'll have a dirty gin martini if you're buying. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

For most of us, treehouses bring to mind memories of makeshift abodes constructed out of a few planks of wood and ramshackle hideaways usually found in childhood back-gardens. But these days treehouses can be so much more than all that. The UK’s top treehouses come in all shapes and sizes, from neat retreats at canopy height to entire houses up a tree. They have central heating, can fit in entire families, boast awesome views and even function as above-ground spa retreats with saunas and hot tubs – all entirely submerged in nature. Magical, we know.  Time Out’s list of the UK’s best treehouses has a bit of all that. Five-star forest retreats? Plenty of that below. Stripped-back tree-height alternatives to camping? We’ve some of that, too. Our list is updated for 2025, featuring game-changing TreeDwellers in the Cotswolds and Shropshire ‘fairytale paradise’ Bluebell Treehouse.  When is the best time of year to stay in a treehouse? Naturally, the warmer months are better for staying at more barebones, less-heated treehouses, as well as for outdoor activities. But it also depends on the treehouse – if you’re in a heated ’house and quite like a nip in the air, any time of year will do. If frosty nature walks and cosying up among nature is your thing, the winter often offers off-peak rates (and fewer bugs and creepy-crawlies, if you’re not fond of those).  RECOMMENDED:💕 The best romantic weekend getaways in the UK🏞️ The most beautiful national parks in the UK🏊 The UK's best Ai

Barcelona attracts the beach-goers, Seville brings in the honeymooners – but for a Spanish city with real cosmopolitan vibes, there’s nowhere quite like Madrid. With its all-night fiestas, pulsing bars, world-class museums, and stylish stores, the historic capital makes for a great city-break destination all year round. Though, it is especially popular to visit in spring when the city welcomes its eye-catching pink almond blossoms, while July and August tend to really bring the heat. Now you've got whether or not to go heavy on the SPF 50 out of the way, all that's left is to decide is where to stay. Amigos, we've taken care of that for you. Just take a look through our list of the very best Airbnbs in Madrid – We've got one to suit every budget and length of stay.  November: While it may be custom in some parts of Spain to take a little siesta, we urge you not to sleep on this centrally located loft or this designer apartment right next door to Glorieta de Bilbao RECOMMENDED:🏛 Check out the best attractions in Madrid🇪🇸 Discover the best neighbourhoods in Madrid🏨 See our guide to Madrid's best hotels Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our

As the second-largest island in the Med (after Sicily), Sardinia boasts an enormous range of stuff to see, do, eat and drink. From the pristine aquamarine waters and dusty white sands of Costa Smeralda to the buzzing streets of Cagliari, Sardinia appeals to nature lovers, beach bunnies and urban explorers alike. Fittingly, hotels on the island cater to all kinds of visitors. Featuring spas, villas, city centre locations, family-run establishments and swanky five-star resorts – these are the best hotels in Sardinia. Updated August 2024: We've added a contemporary resort that offers immersive views, authentic Sardinian cuisine and a whole host of activities throughout the day and night – including a poolside BBQ on weekends.  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Of all the many things that have been upended since 2020, office life is one of the biggest. While some of us have settled into a half-office, half-home working hybrid set-up, others have taken the opportunity to untether themselves entirely from the workplace and copped themselves a visa that enables them to live and work remotely. While there are downsides to the digital nomad lifestyle, we’re still living in an era where digital nomadism is bigger than ever. Many destinations are selling themselves as idyllic remote-working spots, with visas that allow you to live and work there for up to a year – or sometimes even longer. Here’s a guide to the countries offering digital nomad visas right now, and how you can qualify. And here’s what it’s actually like to be a digital nomad – and how to become one yourself.

What comes to mind when you think of a treehouse? Woodlice, splinters, cold – yes, probably all those things. But treehouses are also secluded and peaceful, dwellings a few feet up in the air that feel that bit away from the rabble below and closer to nature. And a treehouse, crucially, is all yours.  The treehouses of TreeDwellers in Cornbury, northeast Cotswolds, are treehouses in a spiritual sense. No, they aren’t up trees (nor do they even touch them), but they’re surrounded by them, sitting an impressive height above the forest floor. TreeDwellers takes the idea of a treehouse – as something special, private, embedded in nature – and turns it into a luxurious experience genuinely unlike anything, anywhere else. Pulling up to a TreeDwellers dwelling (a TreeDwelling?) has a supreme sense of occasion. This is the sort of architectural magnificence you thumb through in glossy mags, lustfully dreaming of one day giving it all up for. Handsomely curved tubes are perched atop stilts; inside is all sleek, clean wood and floor-to-ceiling windows, each and every convenience slotted in with impossible neatness. It’s all so stunning that you could easily be satisfied with the design and that alone, left gawping at it for days on end. But these treehouses aren’t just flashy façades: they’re comfortable and practical, too. You check-in with slick door-code entry, the heating is underfloor and toasty on your toes, everything you could possibly need is on a tablet (or on hand from delig

On the face of it, Portobello’s neat, proper Holy Carrot and Dalston’s fire-worshipping feast ACME Fire Cult share little common ground. ACME is roaring and showy, as much a swaggering religion as a restaurant; Carrot is prim as a perfume shop, soft clay surroundings fronting a menu that is plant-forward, ‘root to peel’ and sustainable.  But there’s a clear link between the two – namely Daniel Watkins. The ex-ACME founder is now executive chef at the first permanent home of Holy Carrot (previously known for its supper clubs and Knightsbridge residency), and brings his ‘fire and ferment’ ethos across the capital from one neighbourhood of cool to another.  More than just Holy Carrot’s first proper restaurant, it’s also a Watkins-helmed reboot – and it has plenty of his signature punch. From the off, the pre-starter ‘snacks’ offer a studied but unshowy sort of tastiness. Pillowy insides dramatically burst out of crisp ‘honey’ drenched Jerusalem artichokes; one couldn’t help but mop up the warming chilli ragu with ultralight koji bread. Two cold ‘smalls’ followed suit, both intricately flavoured: each mouthful of the smoked beetroot breathing freshness, each spoonful of the stracciatella with persimmon and bitter leaves with deftly measured amount of creamy tang and gentle crunch. This is innovation of a dependable, not reckless, sort Imprinted upon my memory the most, however, was one of Holy Carrot’s ‘larges’: the crispy celeriac with pickle butter. I know what you’re thinking

The Nobu brand, in a word? Dependable. Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japan-via-USA restaurant empire both draws celebrities and is a celebrity itself, but it’s best regarded for its high-quality dining: nearly 30 years after it opened, Nobu’s Park Lane spot remains one of London’s best places for sushi. These days Nobu isn’t just a restaurant chain but a hotel brand too, with two outposts in London. The Shoreditch one, which opened in 2017, was the first of these – not just London’s first Nobu hotel (since followed by Nobu Portman Square in Marylebone) but the first in all of Europe. The greatest compliment one can pay to this place is that the dependability of the Nobu name transfers seamlessly from restaurant to hotel. This is a sleek and comfortable choice, a beacon of minimalist taste in the midst of Shoreditch’s gaudy pick-me bars and tech-bro co-working spaces. Nobu as a chain is Nippon-by-’Murica, and its hotels are too – Japanese style meets American comfort and convenience. From the front Nobu Shoreditch resembles a Pacific battleship, from the side it’s a hillside Kyoto villa. And inside the hotel offers plenty of that same cultural middle ground: polished black wood, sleek furniture and a tea set in every room, but also huge plasma TVs, delightful staff and an in-house spa.  All aided, of course, by housing a Nobu restaurant, the chain’s third in London. You know exactly the deal here: a spoiled-rich clientele, sure, but also generous portions, attentive service (I did exceptio

If you plonked a point on a map denoting Stuttgart’s absolute centre, I’m fairly certain it’d be directly right on top of the EmiLu. Or it may as well be. Dead opposite the city’s Rathaus (town hall) and a few steps from Königstrasse (Stuttgart’s main shopping street), EmiLu is within easy walking distance of most city-centre sights. Just a couple of years old (it opened in 2022), EmiLu occupies an old mid-century city government building and gets its name by combining the names of its co-owner (Petra Luise Bräutigam) and her daughter (Emilia). A self-professed ‘design hotel’, it boasts 90 ‘unique and special’ rooms that range reasonably in price per night from €85 to €200 (£72 to £170). So, the good: EmiLu, with its focus on individual, tasteful design, is a handsome and neat establishment. The chic reception is kitted out with dark wooden furnishings, while the rooms are airy and uncluttered. Cuboid furniture and crisply-shaped décor work well with bare-material walls; an open shower-room (with a curtain) and a mini-bar cut into the corner wall fit the minimal, trendy vibe. In another positive, my room looked out over the atmospheric street below (with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony) but also boasted exceptional sound insulation – an entire crowd of football fans in the space outside were reduced to noiseless silhouettes. Elsewhere, EmiLu’s staff are delightful, the rooftop space is great for taking in Stuttgart’s skyline and the ‘fitness area’ is remarkably well-eq

Over the years, London has done a fabulous job of finding new uses for its many, many historically fascinating buildings. The Bankside Power Station is now the Tate Modern. Churchill’s Old War Office is a hotel and apartments. County Hall houses restaurants, an aquarium and That Shrek Thing. Another of those retrofits is the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, a Grade II-listed building which dates back to the 1820s and was once the Ministry of Defence’s old library. Sitting at an address best known for also housing the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, the building has been a hotel for a while – though was spruced up a few years ago with a £75 million revamp.  Admittedly, the words ‘Scotland Yard’ do not exactly scream ‘mega-luxe five-star hotel stay’, but… maybe they could? This 151-room Hyatt is as deeply, thoroughly refined as hotels in this city get.  Each step of a stay at Great Scotland Yard is virtually faultless. The neat rooms are full of light, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies looking out over the turrets, towers and courtyards of the Palace of Whitehall. Full of modestly luxurious conveniences (like Chromecast TVs and fancy Japanese Toto loos), the rooms are also of a satisfyingly comfortable size: neither small and cluttered nor massive and awkwardly empty.  Beyond the rooms, Great Scotland Yard is far from a copy-paste Hyatt. Playing into the history of the building and address, the doors are slathered in a deep and polished police blue. The fo

If you’ve ever spent time in Leeds, you’ll know the Queens Hotel. Quite literally on top of (part of) the Yorkshire city’s train station, it’s an art deco concrete titan and inarguably the city’s most famous hotel. Dating back to the 1930s, the Queens was the first British hotel to have air con and ensuite bathrooms in every room, and over the years it’s welcomed the likes of Cary Grant and Nelson Mandela. While the Queens could easily rest on its historical prestige, in recent years it’s attempted to keep with the times and undergone a vast refurb. A whopping £16 million has been pumped into bringing the place back up to snuff, glamming it up with communal areas, a huge new dining venue and more rooms. How does all that sprucing up actually feel? In short, pretty damn good. The moment you step into the Queens’ lobby, with its endearingly gauche décor and genially raucous ambiance, you get a proper sense of occasion that feels appropriate for somewhere so stacked with history. The Queens might have been hauled into the 21st century, but it embraces its historical glamour – and the refurb certainly hasn’t sucked out any of its soul. The Queens is entirely decked out in stuff that harks back to the art deco 1930s – and what isn’t from the Queens’ original period (or directly linked to it, like the hallways’ historic photographs) is tastefully matched. The Queens balances modern polish and historical character in a caring, detailed sort of way, ensuring all additions – everythin

Few London hotels so boldly take inspiration from their surroundings as the Ampersand. Steps from Kensington’s Museums Quarter, this boutique riffs off the studies and research of nearby world-leading institutions like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, combining it all with many of the bells and whistles of a luxury hotel. From ornithological wallpapers and artworks to complimentary galactically-themed macarons, everything at the Ampersand plays heavily into the hotel’s neighbours. Its ‘science’ afternoon tea spectacularly involves making your own lemonade (with wacky test tubes and all) plus dry-ice and space-themed treats. Sure, this sort of stuff will no doubt be naff to anyone wanting a frilly, snooty sort of posh hotel; but it also makes everything a bit more fun, much less stuffy, and a lot more memorable. Beyond that, lots of the rest is solid, occasionally a bit more. Rooms are decked out with nice stuff: vast, comfy beds, sizeable TVs, Malin + Goetz toiletries, a standalone bath (with full view of the telly), nifty, sleek desk and huge, glitzy headboard. You’d be hard-pressed to criticise the style or function of any individual pieces within the Ampersand’s rooms, while the first three floors of Victorian ceilings are spacious and fresh.  The staff are as helpful as you’d want them to be, everything is delightfully clean, there’s a gym and two restos (one, Apero, is Mediterranean-themed). There’s also a general sense of calm. Compared to the shoulder-to-

Some five-star hotels are all-guns-blazing affairs: immaculate service, supremely stylish décor, spotless cleanliness, peerless comfort. Others? Well, others aren’t. Some AA-awarded five-star hotels get a top-tier rating by simply doing all the basics really, really well. Sort of technical, no-frills five-star hotels, if you will. Where does the brand-new Hyatt Regency Blackfriars fit with all that? It’s somewhere between the two, but mostly falls into the latter category. You get the feeling here that the comfort is well-honed, that it’s part of a formula thoroughly, thoroughly tried and tested. And that’s because it is: it’s a Hyatt Regency hotel, meaning that it’s one of American hotel giant Hyatt’s signature outposts. Looking at Hyatt Regency Blackfriars functionally, there’s very little it doesn’t do. The rooms are spacious and bright with Scandi-ish décor that is a few notches swisher than Ikea. The beds are plush, the Chromecast-compatible TVs are big, the standards of cleanliness are decent, the curtains are marvellously blackout and the bathrooms are well-equipped. In the rooms, the closest you get to a bit of OTT luxury are the floor-level lights specifically designed to show you the way to the loo. Though those are, admittedly, pretty snazzy. The flashiest part of Hyatt Regency Blackfriars is almost certainly the building itself, which is Grade II-listed and on the former grounds of Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace. The location’s pretty unbeatable, too: in the City o

Looking to seriously broaden your musical horizons? Colour Green could well be just the ticket. Pitching an evening of tremendously diverse sounds and styles – with a focus on women and non-binary musicians – this brand-new night has a line-up teeming with music from the world over. Camden’s intimate Green Note (our very own ‘London’s Favourite Music Venue 2015’, no less) will be graced by the soaring Latin/jazz/R&B of XATIVA, marvellously textured electronica from Alice Boyd and the studious jazz and South American folkloric music of Delfina Cheb. Musical adventurers, don’t miss it.

On the hunt for the heights of convenience and cleanliness with a healthy helping of luxury and space? Look no further than the Henrietta. This sort-of boutique hotel (it’s a little bigger than most boutiques) sits steps away from the main Covent Garden piazza on Henrietta Street. It’s technically not one site but two; split between two townhouses that aren’t connected but aren’t more than a dozen feet or so from each other  As the townhouse location beckons glamour, so does the hotel’s inner chambers. Hidden behind an otherwise-unassuming door, you’ll find a place that reeks with design, from its loud wallpaper to the carefully placed Henry Moore, Man Ray and Roy Lichtenstein books in the lobby. The Henrietta was made with an eye for design and it wants you to know – but there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s all an exhilarating change from the dime-a-dozen, copy-paste rooms of many of the West End’s ginormous multinational hotel brands. The rooms are also exceptionally design-y (this time taking from art-deco, from golden lamps to swishly round sofas, stools and coffee tables) but don’t skimp on the essentials. The beds are massive and plush, the windows and huge and airy, the lighting is controlled and tasteful. There’s a decent mini-bar and tea/coffee selection, effective air-con, plenty of cupboard space and a well-equipped bathroom. If you want the basics covered – and a little more – few do them better than the Henrietta. Neighbourhood When it comes to the West

London’s Latinx music scene has a lot going on at the mo – and there’s nowhere better to get a taste of it than Alturas, which returns to Stoke Newington’s Doña this January. From the Latin/folk/jazz fusion of singer-songwriter XATIVA and silky, dark pop of Sophie Castillo to the Andean-inflected dancefloor concoctions of ANTIK’ARA and classic bossa nova of Cláudia Marques, revel in a diverse blend of contemporary Latinx sounds. And better yet, the deliciously kitsch Bar Doña will be dishing up its usual array of tacos and mezcal all night.

Would you ever imagine that a mere 33 metres below Clapham High Street, there lies one of the UK’s most cutting-edge urban farms? Us neither, yet that’s where you can find Growing Underground, a farm fashioned out of a former Second World War bomb shelter. Cultivating veggies using LED tech and hydroponic systems, the farm produces pesticide-free, carbon-neutral and nutrient-rich greens that taste delicious. Snoop around and discover more about the history of the tunnel and the farm’s sustainable credentials during a 75-minute tour, which includes a fresh micro herb salad to take home with you. Green in more ways than one. 

London is city with a thriving tourist economy – so, naturally, it’s got an appropriately vast, dazzling hotel industry. Budget-friendly options and five-star abodes, romantic hotels and ones for business, from Covent Garden to Shoreditch; you name the location or occasion, London has a hotel for you.  Time Out’s definitive ranking of the best hotels in London already stretches beyond 100, and in 2025 the capital will be getting even more swish places for people to stay in the city. Former embassies, centuries-old palaces, Kensington’s Olympia exhibition hall and old department stores are among the places being transformed into hotels. Here are the ones we’re most looking forward to opening in 2025. RECOMMENDED: The 25 best new things to do in London in 2025. The best new London hotels opening in 2025 Image: Cambridge House, Auberge Resorts Collection Cambridge House, Auberge Resorts Collection What is it? 94 Piccadilly has had a heck of a life so far. The Grade I-listed Palladian-style townhouse at its centre hosted Queen Victoria and was a proxy No. 10 for Lord Palmerston, it was home to the Duke of Cambridge and Lord Cholmondeley, then the Naval and Military ‘In and Out’ Club. Needless to say, it’ll be particularly glamorous when it opens as a 102-room hotel and private members’ club later this year. Where is it? Mayfair. Opening date: Late 2025. Find out more. Image: CitizenM London Olympia CitizenM London Olympia What is it? Over four years in the making, CitizenM’s

The high street isn’t having a great time of it right now. From Marks & Spencer and New Look to Boots and literally thousands of local banks, over the past couple of years stores of all shapes and sizes have had to close their doors as shoppers flock online.  The latest shopping heavyweight to be impacted? The British supermarket chain Iceland, which has closed several branches around the country. Twelve of the stores have already shut their doors for good, and two others are set to close down by the end of September. Here’s everything we know. RECOMMENDED: Here’s the full list of high street stores closing in 2025. Which Iceland stores are closing down and when? These Icelands have already closed in 2025: Shenley Road, Borehamwood (closed January 4) Alphington Road Retail Park, Exeter At the tail-end of 2024, Iceland revealed that its 10 stores in the Channel Islands would all be closing. This is because of a new franchise agreement meaning Iceland goods will be sold in Alliance stores.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country. 

Meal deals can be a divisive topic among Londoners (and Brits in general). Quality, selection, cost and value are among the factors that split Tesco loyalists and Sainsbury’s die-hards from M&S devotees and Waitrose cash-flashers. And it isn’t often that the meal deal status quo gets properly disrupted. But that could all soon change, as Amazon Fresh is launching what it says is ‘London’s best value meal deal’. Amazon Fresh stores across the capital will be selling a main, snack and drink for just £1. Yep, you read that right. One pound. A single quid. There are, of course, a few Ts and Cs to Amazon Fresh’s deal. For one, it only applies to the chain’s meal deal range which usually costs £3.90 – ie, not its ‘premium’ £5.50 meal deal. Meal-dealers can opt for a hot drink at no extra cost. Another catch is the time frame: Amazon Fresh’s £1 deal is also only on this month, lasting until January 31. The participating Amazon Fresh stores are: Southwark, Holborn, Moorgate, Wood Wharf, Euston, Liverpool St, Monument, Hoxton, East Croydon, West Hampstead and Aldgate East. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. 

The start of January is prime holiday planning season. The weather here in Blighty ain’t the best (and that’s putting it lightly) and plenty of travel sales are in full swing (like Eurostar this week). In other words, it’s a top time of year to plan a getaway. If you’re stuck for holiday inspo, we at Time Out are here to help. We’ve just published our definitive list of Europe’s best places to travel in 2025, with our 14 selections featuring everywhere from Girona to Krakow. Top of the list, in case you were wondering, is the ‘cultural heart of the Netherlands’, Rotterdam. If you’re on the hunt for one of Europe’s top destinations this year, us Brits won’t have to travel far – in fact, we don’t even necessarily have to leave the UK. None other than Birmingham features in our 2025 travel list, coming 13th overall.  Time Out travel editor Grace Beard described Brum right now as ‘humming with new energy’, writing:  ‘Under railway arches and in old factories, the already well-established creative scene in Digbeth continues to boom: take new indie book store Voce Books, part of community space The Warehouse, where Brum’s readers, writers and activists gather for regular readings and talks.  ‘Don’t leave without getting to know the buzzy neighbourhoods beyond the city centre – Stirchley, in particular, is the hotspot du jour for some of the city’s most exciting independents (Verbena, Eat Vietnam and Birmingham Brewing Company, to name a few).’ You can find Time Out’s full list of t

The Silvertown Tunnel, London’s first sub-Thames road tunnel in 30 years, was announced way back in 2012. Construction began in spring 2021, we got a sneak peek in spring 2024, the toll fee was confirmed last November and now, finally, we have a planned opening date. Today (January 6) TfL has revealed that it plans to open the Silvertown Tunnel to the public on Monday, April 7 2025. Construction work and testing are apparently now ‘sufficiently complete’ to announce an opening date. The 1.4-kilometre tunnel in east London will link Newham on the north side of the Thames with the Greenwich Peninsula on the south. TfL says the Silvertown will make journeys ‘faster and more reliable’, as well as reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes during peak periods. Once the tunnel is open, buses will operate through it and a special shuttle will run for cyclists. It’ll also be subject to a toll – as will the Blackwall Tunnel. Silvertown Tunnel route and map Here’s where the tunnel goes from and to, as well as the cycle shuttle routes. Image: TfL   Toll fee: amount and exemptions As soon as the Silvertown Tunnel opens on April 7, it will be subject to a toll fee – and so will the Blackwall Tunnel. During peak hours, which are 6am to 10am northbound and 4pm to 7pm southbound on weekdays, car and small van drivers will be charged £4 each way. During off-peak hours, which are at other times and weekends, these drivers will be charged £1.50 each way. At night, between 10pm and 6am, there wi

Has the UK’s recent snowy, blustery, goddamn freezing weather got you dreaming of somewhere else? Somewhere, perhaps, just maybe, ever so slightly warmer? Well, here’s just the thing. This week Eurostar is holding a flash sale with discounted tickets to the likes of Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Between now and January 9 and 10.59pm, prospective travellers can snap up one-way Eurostar tickets for as little as £35. City break destinations Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam are included in the deal (from London’s St Pancras International). So, the Ts and Cs. If you’re up for Paris, Lille and Brussels, you’ll need to be travelling between January 14 and April 3 2025. For Amsterdam and Rotterdam, your travel dates will need to be between January 14 and March 28. It’s worth knowing that not all travel dates are included in the sale (some Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays aren’t available for £35). There are also no services from the Netherlands to London until February 10, though there are trains from London to Amsterdam and Rotterdam.  So, what’re you waiting for? Book on the Eurostar website here. Time Out and Eurostar Big changes could be coming to Eurostar (and international rail travel out of London) in the next few years. St Pancras International could double its capacity, a new competitor Evolyn could launch, while both Deutsche Bahn and Richard Branson are reportedly interested in setting up their own rail connections with mainland Europe. Eurotunnel, which is

It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis and pandemic-era pay cuts, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too. Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action. Strikes can, obvs, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.   Aviation workers strike in Italy  In a bid to negotiate better pay and working conditions, aviation workers in Italy are set to go on a 24-hour nationwide strike on January 10, meaning major hubs like Milan Malpensa, Linate and Venice airport will suffer from delays and cancellations.  British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair are the biggest flight carriers from the UK to Italy, and though only one day of industrial action is planned, the disruption is expected to be substantial (given people will be headed away for the weekend) and have a domino effect on January 11 and 12, too. By January 13, operations will hopefully be back to normal, accor

Just days after dramatically pulling out of the festival, Neil Young has been confirmed as the second headliner of Glastonbury 2025. The Canadian-American singer-songwriter is the festival’s second headliner, following the announcement of Rod Stewart in the ‘legends slot’ last November. On Wednesday (January 1) Young pulled out of Glasto 2025 before the fest had even had the chance to announce him as headliner. On his website Young wrote: ‘The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all time favorite outdoor gigs,’ but that the BBC, Glasto’s partner, ‘wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in’. He said: ‘Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.’  But now Young has confirmed that he will headline the Pyramid Stage this summer, and that his previous declaration was due to ‘an error in information’. He said: ‘Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing! Hope to see you there!’. Young’s headline slot announcement was followed up by organiser Emily Eavis, who said: ‘What a start to the year! ‘Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury. He does things his own way and that’s why we love him. We can’t wait to welcome him back here to headline the Pyramid in June.’ Neil Young and Rod Stewart are currently the only two acts confirmed for Glastonbury 2025, though in November Nile Rodgers appeared to accidentally let slip t

Last summer, Londoners who love snacking on street food while watching big-ticket sports events in massive crowds (and occasionally getting pints chucked over them) received crushing news. Boxpark Shoreditch, London’s OG Boxpark, announced that it would be closing. This week, however, we have a much more positive update: Boxpark Shoreditch has secured a short-term lease and continues to trade. Furthermore, according to Restaurant Online, the brand says ‘negotiations are positive’ about extending the lease further. Beyond that, we don’t have many details. We don’t know when Boxpark Shoreditch’s current lease will end, nor when the site is looking to extend until. We’ll update this piece when we know more. Boxpark’s Shoreditch outpost opened in 2011 at Bishopsgate Goodsyard and was the first-ever Boxpark. It opened under a ‘meanwhile use’ scheme, meaning it was only ever meant to be temporary. It was then served notice by landlords Bishopsgate Goodsyard in July 2024, who eventually plan on turning transforming the site with homes, retail spaces, offices and a park. Since 2011, Boxpark has expanded to London locations at Croydon and Wembley, and last year it opened in Camden’s Buck Street Market. In 2024 Boxpark also welcomed visitors to its first venue outside London, in Liverpool.  And the venue chain isn’t stopping there. In 2025 Boxpark is expanding to Birmingham and Bristol, and here in London it’s opening its first Boxhall in the City, near Liverpool Street. Get the lates

London’s old gasholders occupy a special place in many Londoners’ hearts. Sure, these great rusty monoliths might be a bit spooky, but they’re also resilient titans of a bygone age, homely landmarks visible for miles around.  Many of the structures, which were once used to store natural gas, are now redundant – and London has found ways of reusing them. Gasholders in King’s Cross have been turned into flats, while a more controversial project intends to turn Bethnal Green’s structures into housing. Most recently, plans have been revealed to turn Bromley-by-Bow’s Victorian gasholders into over 2,000 homes.  The next of the capital’s gasholders to be at the centre of a development project is at Albert Road in New Barnet, north London. Built in 1934, the holder was decommissioned in 2009 – and now developer Berkeley Homes has revealed plans to demolish it and build 200 homes on the site.  Berkeley Homes wants to develop the northern part of the Albert Road gasworks. A different developer, Fairview, received approval last March to build 420 homes on the southern part.  RECOMMENDED: Barnet is one of 7 London boroughs receiving millions to build on brownfield land. Berkeley Homes’ development of the Albert Road gasworks hasn’t yet been approved, and the project is currently in its consultation phase. Following an in-person consultation in December, a formal application is expected to be launched by Berkeley Homes this year.    The online consultation is now open, asking whether the

London’s k-pop obsession continues apace!  Following K-pop headlining slots at BST Hyde Park, one of London’s biggest music festivals (with Blackpink in 2023 and Stray Kids in 2024), and Stray Kids playing two further dates in the capital this July, next summer an entire three-day K-pop festival could be coming to London. Exciting, eh? The festival would be called Made in Korea (MIK) and it’d take place sometime in June. MIK wants to set up at Northwick Park in Brent, northwest London, and have space for 15,000 attendees.  It’s worth noting that, right now, all this hasn’t been confirmed. MIK’s organisers (Magic Sound Ltd) are seeking permission to host the event from Brent Council, with tentative dates of June 6-8.   Any K-pop devotee reading this piece will know that this isn’t the first time London has hosted a MIK festival. The first MIK London was held in Southwark Park in 2022. According to the organisers, Made in Korea 2025 in Northwick Park would have a single stage hosting both Korean and Chinese performers. Music aside, the fest would boast merchandise stands, 40 food outlets and two bars, as well as have a licence to show films, plays and dance performances. Doors would be open from 11am to 11.30pm, and alcohol could be sold from 11am to 10.30pm.  Describing the event, the organisers said: ‘MIK 2025 is the second year of Magic Sound’s outdoor festival experience, showcasing international talent born out of the Korean Pop movement (K-Pop), now a globally recognised

Earlier this week British Airways, the UK’s national carrier, announced an overhaul of its loyalty points system. Previously named the ‘Executive Club’, BA’s loyalty programme has been rebranded ‘The British Airways Club’ and the airline has significantly changed the way flyers earn ‘tier’ loyalty points.  BA’s loyalty system changes will come into effect on April 1 2025, and it’ll see changes to the way loyalty points are earned. But that isn’t all – the thresholds for membership levels will change, too.  So, what exactly does the revamp to British Airways’ loyalty programme mean? Below we’ve laid out the changes, from the new way points are earned to how many you’ll need for each tier.  What has changed? The big change is that flyers will gain ‘tier’ points based on the cost of the flight, rather than the distance. For every one pound spent, the flyer will get one point.  Previously, flyers have accrued points based on miles travelled rather than money spent. Some savvy travellers, therefore, have been able to gain points by travelling far on cheaper flights  How do you earn tier loyalty points with British Airways?  You’ll be able to accrue points through more than just flights. Tier points will be able to be earned through spending through British Airways Holidays, so packages that include hotels. They’ll also be earnable through non-mileage factors like paying for extra baggage and choosing your seat on flights, as well as through co-brand credit cards. What are the new