What to See, Where to Stay and What to Eat in London this Weekend

Featuring a must-see exhibition, a new take on a classic play and an exceptional hotel.

Where to stay

Cold temperatures demand warm hospitality, and The TwentyTwo (22 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair) provides this generously. A cosy yet luxurious boutique hotel in the city center, its high-ceilinged rooms have plenty of natural light, and its food and service are excellent. On a recent stay, I was especially charmed by the room’s view onto a private, leafy courtyard. – Marie-Amélie Sauvé

Kerry James Marshall, Knowledge and Wonder, 1995. Oil on canvas, 294.6 x 698.5 cm. City of Chicago Public Art Program and the Chicago Public Library, Legler Regional Library © Kerry James Marshall. Photo: Patrick L. Pyszka, City of Chicago

What to do 

Of the many excellent exhibitions on in London right now, Kerry James Marshall: The Histories at the Royal Academy is on another level. Running until 18 January 2026, the show is an unmatched opportunity for those in Europe to see 70 works by one of America’s greatest contemporary painters, who puts Black figures at the centre of the art-historical narrative.  

Where to eat 

An art-deco brasserie famous for its Argentine parrilla grill, 34 Mayfair, located off Grosvenor Square, turns out standout steaks, seasonal game and a few indulgent classics. The room has a warm, lively feel, and the marble bar is a great stop for one of their inventive cocktails, from peanut-butter bourbon to a Sakura martini. 

Paapa Essiedu (Chris Keller). Photo © Jan Versweyveld

What to see

Book a ticket for Arthur Miller’s classic All My Sons, by acclaimed director Ivo van Hove. The play, which tells of an American businessman post-WWII and the unraveling of his American dream, demands a cast capable of reaching its moral depths and dramatic heights. With Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu in the lead roles, this cast is up to the task. The play opened last week and runs until March.

And if you have time…

The sun will make an appearance on Sunday, so why not take a walk in the Kyoto Garden, tucked away in Holland Park, west London. The peaceful Japanese-style retreat features a waterfall, koi pond and immaculate greenery. Small but incredibly calming, it’s the perfect place for a quiet pause to end the weekend. Dress warm.