Where To Stay, What To Do and What's New in London

The United Kingdom recently eased travel restrictions, allowing fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and European Union to visit without having to quarantine. While inoculated visitors must still test negative for COVID-19 prior to boarding their flight and again within two days of their arrival in the U.K., the change, which took effect August 2, is significant in that it makes visiting and experiencing London a real possibility for Americans for the first time in nearly two years. The destination has largely reopened with limited restrictions in place but there are some things travelers should know before they go.

While the U.K. is open for tourism, the U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans to avoid travel due to COVID-19, as of July 19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the destination, warning of a very high level of COVID-19. "If you must travel to the United Kingdom, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel," the agency states. "Because of the current situation in the United Kingdom, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants." The U.K. has recorded more than 6 million COVID-19 cases overall but has seen new case numbers drop off somewhat since mid- to late-July. England reported just over 330,000 cases over the two week period between July 26 and August 8.

Airlines are expanding flight options between the U.S. and London as loosening restrictions catch up with demand. JetBlue is set to launch its inaugural flight from New York to London on August 12 while Delta Air Lines will add transatlantic flights from multiple U.S. cities this fall. Regardless of which airline their flying with, passengers will need proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result in order to board. What's more, the CDC requires travelers returning to the U.S. from other countries to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flight home. The agency will also accept documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

Hotel stays in the U.K. are in demand, with bookings recently reaching their highest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to SiteMinder's World Hotel Index. Interestingly, data shows that the bookings are being driven by domestic tourists with 92 percent of hotel bookings currently coming from within the country. While international visitors have no shortage of options in London, standout properties include the Clesea staple, 11 Cadogan Gardens and Mayfair Townhouse, a brand new hotel that opened this past December. The former is the city's only Relais & Châteaux hotel. It's located in London's elite Chelsea neighborhood and boasts individually designed spacious rooms and suites as well as an elegant hotel bar featuring an extensive Negroni menu. Meanwhile, The Mayfair is located just steps from Green Park, shopping and some of London's most renowned restaurants and offers 172 rooms and suites designed for modern travelers.

Most restrictions have lifted in London meaning that eligible visitors can look forward to a plethora of things to do, both indoors and out, including visiting mouthwatering restaurants and pubs, world-class shopping and, of course, the city's famous sites such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Museums, art galleries and theaters have been allowed to reopen as have London's inviting parks and gardens. Travelers can also take a bus tour or enjoy a river cruise if they want to see more of the city in less time.