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The best streets in London for the young and wealthy

You're young, hip and have plenty of cash to burn. London is a great place to spend it, but it's a big city. The legwork is done, so pack your bags and enjoy these top picks. Save precious time and use the London Underground or Tube. It's been around since 1863, serves approximately 4.25 million people each day and is an invaluable resource to getting around.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street, Europe's busiest thoroughfare, is a 1.5 mile shopper's paradise with over 300 stores. Although the road has been around since the 12th century, the name Oxford Street wasn't official until approximately 1729. The stretch of Oxford Road between between Shepherds Bush and Uxbridge Road became notorious as the route taken by prisoners on their final journey from historicNewgate Prison to the gallows.

Start your day visiting Top Shop, House of Fraser, Moss and Oxford Street big-boy, Selfridges, the UK's 2nd largest department store after Harrods. Selfridges' pairing of designer clothes and trendy restaurants under the same roof is merciless, having 4 restaurants, 2 bars, 5 cafes and a food hall. If you're interested in fitting into your new designer duds, stay strong and head to Raw, specializing in, you guessed it, raw salads and cakes. If you're a bit more hungry, check out Frankie's Italian Bar and Grill or Gordon's Bar and Grill.

Check into the nearby 5-star Claridge's, hotel and indulge in La Prairie's Art of Beauty Five-Star Treatments. Another draw: Claridge's offers chauffer service upon arrival at Heathrow Airport. Also recommended is The Westbury-Mayfair Hotel.

Embassy and The Paper Club are 2 ultra chic A-lister hangouts, but also pop into The Old Explorer and the funky Wax Bar.

Four tube stations run the length of Oxford Street, including Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.

Jermyn Street

Men's Stores abound on Jermyn Street Think: crests, custom bespoke shirts, fine shoes and cologne. Located on a small street behind Piccadilly Circus, it's said that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams shopped here. Jermyn Street dates back to 1664 when Charles ll authorized the Earl of St. Albans, Henry Jermyn, to develop an area close to St James's Palace.

Although historically a street catering to men, women can find high-end clothing options here in addition to antiques, art, tapestries, hatters, cigars and fine food and cheeses.

Jermyn Street has an abundance of stores, including Alfred Dunhill, W.S. Foster & Son, Emmett Shirts, DAKS, New & Lingwood and Thomas Pink.

22 Jermyn Street, a luxury townhouse hotel gets quite a few high marks on Trip Advisor, as does the larger Cavendish, located at 81 Jermyn Street. It boasts 230 rooms and while some reviews comment on the small room size, the hotel and service get high marks. While you're there, be sure to eat at David Britton at The Cavendish, known for creating traditional favorites with contemporary flair.

Franco's serves fine Italian and Mediterranean all day and has a bar to frequent in the evenings. Get your steak fix at Rowley's Restaurant or opt for fine English dining at Wiltons Restaurant. Noura Central has fabulous Lebanese food. All are located on Jermyn Street and make for wonderful dining experiences. But, head to Piccadilly Circus for the bar and club scene.

The closest tube station to Jermyn Street is Piccadilly Circus.

Leicester Square

Leicester Square is located in London's West End and is a pedestrian - only area, home to many theaters and cinemas. Movie premiers are often held here, attracting celebrities and paparazzi. Leicester Square is named for Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, who purchased the land in 1630, although it was ordered to remain public property. The Square is bordered by Lisle Street,Charing Cross Road, Orange Street and Whitcomb Street.

A fun time will be had at the National Portrait Gallery, where visitors will see portraits from the late 15th century through today, including Henry VIII and the Beatles. Poste Mistress, on Monmouth Street, sells designer shoes from Vivienne Westwood and Chloe Sevigny. The Sancturary is a women-only day spa, offering their signature Sleep Retreat, including an immune boosting snooze. Massage is also an option at the Chinese Medicine Center.

The Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel is a boutique hotel on Leicester Square. It has 127 rooms and is an excellent choice because of its quiet location.

St. Martins Lane is an elegant hotel with clean lines and great service. Also home to the Light Bar, whose walls are decorated with huge black and white close-up photos of people making funny faces, as well as the Asia de Cuba restaurant.

Let loose at Oxygen Bar, off Leicester Square. It has 3 floors of dancing, cocktails and stylish patrons. Also offers fun mixology classes.

The closest tube station to Leicester Square is the Leicester Square station, found on Cranbourn Street. .

Piccadilly

Piccadilly Street runs east to west from Piccadilly Circus to Hyde Park Corner. Its name originates from a tailor named Robert Baker, the Piccadilly's creator. These hugely popular fashion accessories were stiff collars with scalloped edges and a broad lace or perforated border. During the late 16th - early 17th century Baker made a huge fortune, purchased land and built a mansion called Piccadilly Hall.

Piccadilly has some famous stores worth visiting: Fortnum & Mason is an elite, upscale department store with gourmet food and is a great place to enjoy afternoon tea. Hatchards, opened in 1797 is the oldest bookstore in the UK.

The Royal Academy of Arts is a must see. It houses remarkable paintings, sculptures, books and photographs by British artists from the 18th century through today.

Hotel accommodations at either the Ritz or the Park Lane are sure to be memorable. The Ritz Carlton has a guest to staff ratio of 2:1 and 24 hour porter service, but there is a formal dress code in the hotel's public areas. The Sheraton Park Lane has in-room spa treatments and beautiful views of Green Park.

No need to leave the premises for meals at either hotel - feast at the Ritz Restaurant among Louis XVI antiques or indulge at the Park Lane's extensive breakfast buffet at Bracewells Restaurant. Again, head to Piccadilly Circus for nightlife but, for a simple beer, head to The Chequers Tavern.

Piccadilly tube stations include Green Park,Hyde Park Corner and Piccadilly Circus.

Piccadilly Circus

The bright lights, constant traffic and hordes of people in London's Piccadilly Circus are often compared to New York's Times Square. Piccadilly Circus, built in 1819, is a famous road junction in the West End where Piccadilly, Shaftesbury Avenue, Regent Street and Haymarket converge. Circus is Latin for the word circle. Piccadilly Circus is a popular tourist destination for theater and shopping and has its own Tube line just underfoot. The Lord Shaftesbury memorial fountain and statue of Eros are directly in the circle and no visit would be complete without the obligatory tourist photo of this area, fast-moving cabs zooming in the background.

Just off Piccadilly Circus on Lower Regent Street is Lillywhite's, one of the oldest sporting goods shops in London, attracting athletes, celebrities and royals for over a century. And, Godiva for any chocolate fixes is also close to Piccadilly Circus.

Visit Tiger Tiger, on Haymarket Street for lunch, dinner or snacks. They serve delicious contemporary fare. Head back in the evenings to check out their lounge, blues bar and club. This place has it all!

Among the culinary choices near Piccadilly Circus, opt for Cafe de Paris or Caviar House. Cafe de Paris has been around since 1924 and was a favorite spot for Princess Margaret and Grace Kelly. Caviar House serves 7 types of Iranian caviar and two dozen champagnes.

Both the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire and the Thistle Piccadilly Hotel are upscale hotels with great locations to keep you in the action.

Air Street

Air Street is located off Regent Street, close to Piccadilly Circus and home to some of the hippest nightspots in London. Entering from either Glasshouse Street or Regent Street, you'll pass under the Air Street Arches. If you're into clubbing, Chinawhite is a must. It's an ultra chic, exclusive nightspot with fabulous Asian dcor. Known to be a celeb hangout, it also endures lots of customer grumblings about the rude doormen. Dolce is a few doors down, velvet furnished with sculptures throughout, described by some as the best club in London and others stating the pretentiousness will keep them away.

Cocoon Restaurant, on the corner of Air and Regent Streets serves food from South East Asia, China and Japan and is divided into 6 dining room cocoons. Cocoon also has a funky bar and lounge known for their innovative cocktails, including their Miyabi Cocoon, made of spiced rum, xante, cloudy apple juice and fresh pear pulp served over ice.

Mar I Terra is an authentic Spanish bar and tavern worth visiting. The tapas is incredible, especially the Tortilla Espanola, a tasty Spanish potato and onion omelets. The Aceitunas caseras are house marinated Arbequina, Manzanilla and Aragon olives. Housed in the old Southern Railway Company building from the 19th century, the simple but fun dcor complements the food.

Head back to your room at the Le Meridien Piccadilly for some quiet relaxation. Take afternoon tea at the Oak Room Lounge and savor the international cuisine at the Terrace Restaurant and Bar.

Soho Street

Soho Street runs slightly southeast off Oxford Street and flows directly into Soho Square, a charming park in Soho. Until the 1980's, Soho was known for its sex shops, but has since reinvented itself as one of the hippest and most expensive neighborhoods in London - many television, film and publishing companies now call the Soho Square area home.

Start your feasting at the Soba Noodle Bar on Soho Street. Trendy and cool, Soba has a great selection of noodle dishes. Enjoy delicious Indian fare a few doors down at Giovinda's Vegetarian Restaurant. For more upscale dining, check out Floridita Restaurant, approximately .03 miles from Soho Street, serving up Cuban food with rave reviews. Just across Oxford Street is Hakkasan Restaurant, which earned the first Michelin Star awarded to a Chinese restaurant.

The Hazlitt's Hotel in Soho Square and the Soho Hotel on Richmond Mews both offer individually decorated rooms and friendly service.

Pick up some fine Italian shoes at Donelli, or check out Designworks. It's rumored that Price William wears clothing from this store.

For some evening fun, Punk is a tapas serving cocktail bar on Soho Street, boasting a great DJ and dance music. The 100 Club is a couple of blocks from Soho Street and has a diverse history of hosting jazz, R&B, punk and pop bands such as Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols.

The closest tube is the Tottenham Court Road station, approximately a 2 minute walk from Soho Square.

Wardour Street

Wardour Street extends south to north from Leicester Square to Oxford Street and was named after architect Archibald Wardour in approximately 1746. Close to Soho Square, this appealing street is home to many production companies, recording studios, publishers and restaurants.

The restaurants are fabulous! La Casa del Habano is great on atmosphere - Cuban jazz in the background, Mojitos and cocktails with a dash of Tabasco and fine Cuban cigars. Ophim serves up funky Indian dishes, similar to tapas. Got a pizza craving? Ultra hip Spiga, known for their fresh Italian creations, including pasta, fish, chicken and lamb. Pure California specializes in smoothies. Try the famous Big Breakfast, yogurt mixed with museli, bananas, strawberries and orange juice.

What to buy? Chappell of Bond Street sells musical instruments. It may inspire you to take violin lessons! Scribbler is a trendy card store with witty and tasteful cards.

Catch some solid sleep at the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Hotel, a fully refurbished boutique hotel with a relaxing atmosphere, perfect for winding down after a long day of shopping. Or, try the Courthouse Hotel, a 5 star historic hotel and another great Soho find, several blocks off Wardour Street.

Exchange the cab for a rickshaw ride to your Soho destinations. Although a tad pricy, it will save your tired feet from any extra walking


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