Wish List: Gifts, Dining, Hotels & Lovers

I am currently in the process of buying my forever home (hello, stamp duty!), so generous cash tips and surprise bank transfers are the most welcome of gifts and treats, whether for a special occasion or just to let me know you’re thinking of me before or after our date (maybe both?).

Currently I would also melt a little over John Lewis, Brown’s Hotel and Nail’d It Belgravia gift cards as thoughtful tokens to keep me well-fed and beautiful during the move, sent to misslillywatson@protonmail.com.

If you like to bring presents on dates, I enjoy Dior’s J’Adore eau de parfum, quality lingerie in UK sizes 8/ small/ 34C, pink and red roses, and organic dairy-free dark chocolate (preferably raw).

Personal favourites include Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Canton Blue at the Peninsula, Core by Clare Smyth, Hakkasan, Kioku by Endo at Raffles OWO, The Lecture Room & Library at sketch, Nobu Mayfair, The Pem at Conrad St James, Pétrus, and The Ritz Dining Room.

For a delicious cocktail in gorgeous, private surroundings with great service, I recommend the Fumoir at Claridge’s, The Ritz Rivoli Bar and Park Chinois, who also do beautifully indulgent dim sum.

On my bucket list are A. Wong, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royale, Amazónico, Chiltern Firehouse, The Clove Club, Club Gascon, Da Terra, Endo at The Rotunda, Evelyn’s Table, Farmacy, Ikoyi, The Ledbury, Marcus at The Berkeley, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and St Barts.

Most have some form of private dining option for an added layer of discretion, and as you can see, some excellent London restaurants are actually contained in 5* hotels. Very convenient, I’d say…

I adore high-end teas and coffees more than wine so if you prefer to grab a cup of something hot with a light bite instead of a full lunch or dinner, let’s go to The Coffee Bar at Harrods or stroll around Borough Market.

Depending on your personal style, aside from the London hotels mentioned above I also recommend 45 Park Lane, Brown’s Hotel, Bulgari Hotel, The Connaught, L’Oscar, Four Seasons Park Lane, the Mandarin Oriental, The Whiteley, and the suites at Batty Langley’s, The Mandrake, The Ned and The Rosewood.

I do not recommend using AirBnB. Cost-effective alternatives include The Hoxton, Leonardo Royal, Melia White House, Nobu Shoreditch, NYX, and the larger rooms at Mama Shelter.

For a countryside escape just outside of London, I would like to try Heckfield Place near Reading/ Hook, and Soho Farmhouse, which is about halfway between Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace. Both have highly regarded spas. Cliveden House is delightful if you want a quintessentially English experience with a rather naughty aristocratic history.

Some international hotels I have researched for discreet private getaways include Alila, Aman, Anantara, Banyan Tree, Bulgari, Cheval Blanc, One&Only, Six Senses and Soho House.

If you’re reading this then we probably already agree that good company is a special gift.

If you would like to arrange a duo (threesome) or an awesome “moresome”, I can recommend my beautiful friends and lovers who I share authentic connections with: Amelia Swann, Arabella Blair, Darla Blake, Elle Voss, Emilia Lang, Florence Wilde, Grace Gardiner, Lady Lola, Louisa Knight, Luke Hardy, Madame Caramel, Margot Alderton, Miss Harriet, Mistress Stone, Nikki Darling, Oz Bigdownunder, Sadie Scott, Scarlett May, Sienna Carlisle, Subby Katie, Valerie Mara and Victoria Rose.

In the interests of fairness, I kindly request rate-matching in all duo and moresome dates, i.e. that the highest quoted consideration is applied to all playmates involved equally.

I would love to have the pleasure of meeting Audrey Astor, Cassandra Gray and Sofia Miles, separately or all at once. You could say they are my bucket list ladies!