For centuries, London has been a playground for fabulously wealthy individuals. The city offers a certain timeless quality and sense of exclusivity, which continues to make it one of the world’s most coveted destinations for both residences and leisure. For those who appreciate heritage, craftsmanship, and impeccable service, the city offers a bounty of high-priced pursuits that are only accessible to a privileged few.
London is a global hub for the arts, history, gastronomy, viticulture, sport and entertainment. If one wishes to sample the finest options of any of the aforementioned categories, or immerse oneself in the most exclusive of experiences, the following suggestions are among the most expensive things to do in London.
Spend The Night in The Royal Suite at The Lanesborough
Few residences can compete with the opulence and exclusivity of The Lanesborough’s premier suite. Fit for a prince, the seven-bedroom Regency era mansion is bedecked in intricate wood panelling, hand-painted ceilings, and filled with gilded finery, epitomising Georgian grandeur. Renovated in 2015 and lovingly restored to its full prominence, The Royal Suite at The Lanesborough offers an overnight stay in London unlike any other.
With sweeping views of Hyde Park, guests may travel to and fro via Rolls-Royce, complete with private chauffeur, at their own behest, whilst the suite’s butler remains on hand around the clock to attend to every want and need. A stay in the Royal Suite starts at approximately £22,000 per night and includes an array of premium services, including the option for personal dining in the property’s lavish restaurant, courtesy of a chef with Michelin-star kitchen experience. Whether passing through or looking for an extended city break where money is no object, few places in London can exceed the price tag or exquisite nature of The Royal Suite.
Dining At The Legendary Araki Restaurant
Among all of London’s exceptional dining experiences, The Araki remains an icon. Not entirely as a result of the outstanding quality of service, ingenuity, and food on display, but due to one undisputed factor that presents an edge over much of its competition: privacy. Araki is only open to a dozen or so diners at any one time. The counter has only nine seats, and whilst there is the option of a private dining suite that sits six, few restaurants can offer an experience which matches the quality of founder and renowned master of sushi, Mitsuriho Araki’s philosophy and technique.
With its omakase menu, the Araki takes a distinctive approach to its food, focusing entirely on Edomae-style sushi, with an emphasis on every ingredient being of the highest quality, imported directly from Japan. This includes delicacies such as aged bluefin tuna, Hokkaido sea urchin, and rare cuts of Kobe wagyu beef. Prices for the most high-end dining experience start from £500 per diner. This provides the possibility to witness first-hand the masterful art of sensei Araki’s timeless techniques, as head chef Marty Lau prepares each dish with precision, balancing the delicate ingredients to deliver mouthwatering umami with every bite.
Private Shopping At Harrods’ Penthouse Suite
Harrods is synonymous with high-end retail and is a London institution that carries global appeal. Its By Appointment service is reserved only for Platinum tier members and offers an unparalleled experience from within the privacy of its penthouse suite. Established to cater to the world's most exclusive clientele, this invitation-only experience allows for an entirely private shopping session away from public view and is easily one of the most expensive things to do in London.
For those willing to spend upwards of £1 million, the experience includes after-hours access to the store, a personal stylist, and the option to consult directly with designers. Clients can commission bespoke pieces, ranging from high-fashion items to ultra-rare jewellery, or even arrange for entire store buyouts. The penthouse suite itself is as plush as it is comfortable, offering champagne, gourmet canapés, and live music to guests to enhance their private retail therapy experience, however they desire.
Take A Private Tour Of The British Museum
Established in 1753, the British Museum is home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of historical artefacts. Additionally, it is a cornerstone of London’s art scene, housing priceless objects such as the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles. While general admission is free, a private tour comes at a five-figure sum and offers privileged and unprecedented access to the museum’s treasures outside of public hours and to exhibits not presented to the public.
Guided by a senior curator from the museum, providing in-depth historical context and behind-the-scenes insights into the collection, guests will learn and discover an appreciation for some of the museum's timeless items that would otherwise be missed when viewing publicly. These tours are often reserved for major donors, heads of state, or corporate patrons and are always in high demand as a result of the rich collection and heritage housed within the museum's many galleries. Booking a private, extended tour of the museum sits comfortably amongst the most expensive things to do in London.
Experience The Ultimate Football Hospitality Package
For football fans, few can even attempt to compete with the Tottenham Hotspur Ultimate Matchday Experience. The North London club’s new stadium is one of the most advanced in the world, having opened in 2019 at a staggering cost of £1.2 billion. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, including the largest single-tier stand in the UK and a retractable pitch designed for multi-use events. Even the larger capacity national stadium at Wembley cannot hold a torch to the depth and modernity of Tottenham’s new stadium, nor compete with its matchday experiences.
The stylish “Loge” is the most coveted ticket in the stadium, and the best way to experience a Spurs match, priced at over £30,000 per season or available for select fixtures to non-members. This private suite accommodates 12 guests, offering three-course fine dining and personal concierge services throughout the match. Guests can also enjoy behind-the-scenes access, including a stadium tour and meet-and-greet opportunities with club legends, as well as post-match events. A must-try add-on is the impressive skywalk known as “The Dare”, where visitors can walk the edge of the stadium roof at 43m above ground with only a harness between them and the pitch below.
