A HINT OF SPRING

Paris and London in March! Why not? They are the perfect cities to appreciate history, culture, and a bit of romance. Wander with wonder, become a flâneur as they say in France, and take in the ambiance.

LONDON: ROMANCE & HISTORY IN ONE
The Royals in The Crown may have inspired you to look differently at London. Or perhaps it was the romance-filled scenes of Bridgerton and Downtown Abbey. Romance in London combines with history, transporting you to times past when a walk in Hyde Park or a nighttime stroll along the South Bank.

If budget isn’t a concern, stay at a classic hotel like The Connaught, indulge in their butler service, and cozy up in their intimate bar, where a martini cart is the order of the night. Then there are the more privacy-oriented boutique hotels, many set in London’s proper but romantic townhouses, where you’ll receive one-on-one service with a decidedly modern vibe.

The Franklin in Knightsbridge epitomizes La Dolce Vita, London-style. The concierge and hotel manager at this Small Luxury Hotel are your welcoming hosts, inviting you to sit over tea while they match your interests with London fare. You might be tempted to enjoy the lavish sitting room, bask in the hammam, or nest in the comfort of your accommodation in this group of four Victorian townhouses. Perhaps you’ll venture to the lobby to swoon over an Italian dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Alfredo Russo. But you should also explore the surrounding Egerton Gardens and neighboring attractions like Harrods with the legendary Sushi by MASA restaurant, the Saatchi Gallery, or the Victoria & Albert Museum, all within a short walk.

For a memorable experience without the crowds, St. Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster is a foray back to 1899 when St. Ermin’s Mansions became the base of a new hotel. St. Ermin’s fascinating history centers on its use by the UK’s secret intelligence agencies in World War II and artifacts attesting to its importance. But the hotel is also a haven for luxury. Ascend the double staircase to the pretty tea lounge. It’s easy to feel like a prince and princess here when you savor the just-baked scones on elegant china at the hotel’s afternoon tea. You’ll likely want to skip dinner after the elaborate spread of teas, savories, and sweets. 

Instead, walk through nearby St. James Park to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and marvel at the combination of ceremony and history. Then head across the Tower Bridge for a pre-theater cocktail at the Bridge Theatre to experience London’s immersive take on an American favorite, Guys and Dolls. 

PARIS: ALWAYS THE CITY OF
LOVE
When one thinks of Paris, one only must envision scenes from Midnight in Paris along the Seine or the exploits of Amélie or Emily as they turn the City of Light into a romantic playground. It’s easy to understand why Rose in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel can’t shake her attraction to Paris.

While locations are now limited for leaving behind a lock to signify eternal love, standing side-by-side against Le Mur des Je t’aime (The Wall of Love) is the perfect way to express your feelings. Spelling out love in more than 250 languages and dialects, this landmark structure in Montmartre is a rendezvous spot.

Two small Left Bank hotels will spoil you with their charm. Relais Christine in the Saint-Germain des Prés neighborhood is a Relais and Châteaux tucked away on a quiet side street. Each of the rooms and suites at the 17th-century residence-turned-hotel is a work of art, decorated with delicate wall coverings and period furnishings, some with cozy sitting areas with views of the Eiffel Tower. Service is discrete and personalized, and no request is too complex for the clef d’ors concierges. After an elaborate buffet in the beautiful breakfast room, pamper yourself with a massage at Spa Guerlain, a lower-level fantasy of indulgent treatments.

Nearby in the 7th arrondissement, Hotel Montalembert, a member of the prestigious B Signature Hotels & Resorts, offers an intimate boutique experience with luxury. You may think you’ve stepped into Charade with Audrey Hepburn, from the warm welcome at the door and the clubby lobby to the ride to your room in the tiny wrought-iron, glass-walled elevator. Rooms and suites in this former 1920s mansion are elegant, with some windows fronting the nighttime sparkle of the Eiffel Tower. The new brasserie invites you to enjoy a wine toast over an intimate dinner. 

From each of these boutique hotels, you can meander along charming streets and boulevards where cafés beckon and Paris’s distinctive balcony-fronted buildings create a cityscape unlike any other. There are museums, shops to peruse, and lounges and jazz clubs to experience. Ask a local what constitutes romance in Paris, and they’ll reply that it’s simply the city’s beauty. I must agree. Roam the cobblestone hills of Montmartre, stroll through the Tuileries behind the Louvre, or explore the hidden gardens of Le Marais and its gorgeous Place des Vosges—you don’t need an agenda to discover Paris.

Dining is a serious part of Paris’s appeal. At the Gare de LLyon, the legendary Le Train Bleu is an opulent mural-and-chandelier-filled Belle Époque eatery where traditional cuisine is served to diners seated on plush blue banquettes by the most polished of servers. Arrive just before sunset to the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower for an exceptional gastronomic experience and panoramic view of the Champ-de-Mars, the Quai Branly and the Trocadéro as rich hues of orange and red splash across the sky.

For more information on Paris, visit us.france.fr; for London, go to visitbritain.com