The last few weeks have been all about family. A European holiday that took my mom to my most beloved places, from Monterosso, Italy to Paris to London, ending in the city where she and my father met years ago. For the grand finale, where better to stay than at One Aldwych, in the very heart of London. We arrived from Paris via the Eurostar, welcomed by bright blue skies. My mom has a habit of inviting the sun wherever she goes.

What was once a newspaper publishing house has in the last 20 years been converted to a privately owned five-star hotel. Though I soon found One Aldwych to be in a class of its own. The staff took every care to make our stay memorable, from the smiles exchanged in greeting to the personal notes left in the room. Not to mention the bed linens, fresh flowers, original artwork throughout the hotel… And did I mention the pool and spa? There’s also a 24-hour gym and private screening room. Had it been raining, I might not have left the hotel.

Just steps away from our room with a gorgeous view sits Covent Garden along with Seven Dials, a convergence of seven streets filled with boutiques, cafes, and plenty of charm. This being one of London’s most picturesque neighborhoods, we set off on foot to explore. We also stopped by the nearby National Gallery for a dose of British and French art. Across the street from One Aldwych, the Somerset House with the Courtauld Gallery houses one of the finest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections in the world. Art for days!

To venture further afield from Harrod’s to Oxford Street to Trafalgar Square, we hopped on the famous red London bus and took in the city from the upper deck. Here’s a tip: buy a £5 bus card and ride all day!

One Aldwych hotel is located in the heart of the theater district, evident as the Lion King peers into the windows of the elegant lounge. We opted to dine at the hotel which boasts two gourmet restaurants; Indigo, both locally sourced and dairy and gluten free at the helm of Chef Dominic Teague; and Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar, a more high end option from Michelin starred Chef Eneko Atxa. The Lobby Bar itself is worth a visit with its ‘Showtime Menu’ featuring theater themed cocktails. Neither of us could resist as we sipped our Dionysus and Aldwych Mule concoctions before heading to the mezzanine for a decadent dinner. I took note that One Aldwych offers Film & Fizz nights in their 30-seat screening room. Champagne, dinner and a movie, anyone?

It was not easy to leave when the time came, mom back to the US and I to Paris. Without a doubt there was no better place to end our mother/daughter sojourn than in the luxurious and friendly embrace of One Aldwych.

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