London Calling...

I just found the coolest hotel in London, and an amazing restaurant too. My wife and I met in London, at a dinner party in Chelsea, and this was our first time back together since getting married. So we wanted it to be special – and very romantic. I spent what seemed like weeks trying to choose the perfect hotel and finally picked One Aldwych, near Covent Garden right in the heart of London. It turned out to be the perfect choice, a blend of traditional and modern England within walking distance of nearly everywhere we wanted to go – Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the theatre district, shopping on Oxford Street and the giant London Eye.

One Alwych sits in the middle of London's theatre district and
within walking distance of most major landmarks.

The main entrance to One Aldwych boasts that blend of
classical and modern you find throughout the entire hotel.

The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych was always bustling in the late afternoon and early evening, filled tourists and locals, especially theater people and other artsy types.

What else makes One Aldwych so dreamy? You know it’s a good sign when your room is so comfortable (especially those pillows) you have to tear yourself away each day. Meals on the balcony of the hotel’s Indigo restaurant was another daily treat: the big red London buses whooshing past, young dancers rushing to rehearsal at the nearby theaters, and English bankers meeting for power lunches. The concierge was an endless source of tips and tricks for seeing London. And did I mention that “O.A.” is one of only seven hotels in London with its own swimming pool (heated, no less)?

One Aldwych is one of only seven hotels in central London with swimming pools.
In this case, indoors and nicely warmed.

Rooms at One Aldwych are large by central London standards, with windows that
look out on The Strand (with its steady stream of red double decker buses and
black London taxis) or the theatre where "The Lion King" is currently playing.

Floral martinis are the specialty at the One Aldwych lobby bar.
Although when in Rome (or London in this case) a gin-and-tonic
or summer Pimm's also goes down well.

Executive chef Tony Fleming captains the kitchens at both Indigo and Axis
restaurants. We had on the balcony at Indigo each morning, and had dinner their
once -- seared diver scallops, chilled tomato consommé, pan-fried Scottish
salmon, Suffolk pork and raspberry and lemon cheesecake for dessert.

Our restaurant discovery was St John in Smithfield Market, also walking distance from the hotel. It was awarded a Michelin star last year and is consistently ranked among the top 50 eateries on the entire planet. But don’t let that put you off – the prices are very reasonable, especially at lunch. St John is carnivore nirvana, a restaurant for those who truly cherish meat. Or you could just go there for the luscious desserts: eccles cake with Lancashire cheese, peach jelly with Jersey cream, strawberry trifle. All of them to die for.

guest blogger: Joe Yogerst