Every month, the glamorous Réunion Champagne and Cocktail bar at The Grosvenor serves up a themed cocktail menu.

In April, our expert bartenders whipped up a range of tipples inspired by pear drops, mint humbugs, butterscotch toffees and other sweet shop staples. Today, we’ll be sharing our favourite traditional and contemporary London sweet shops with you as well as our Lemon Bon Bon cocktail recipe. Just read on and satisfy your sweet tooth…

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Queen Victoria wasn’t just the first British monarch to celebrate sixty years on the throne, she was the very first to enjoy afternoon tea – and she was most royally amused. It’s especially fitting then, that The Royal Horseguards will be offering a regal afternoon tea for you to enjoy (from 21 May – 17 June) in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

On the menu will be a selection of royalty-inspired treats designed to gain Her Majesty’s approval, such as a Lemon and Martini meringue pie inspired by her daily tipple, and peppermint creams inspired by her childhood sweet-shop favourite. Here, Joanne Todd – the pastry chef behind The Royal Horseguards’ award-winning speciality afternoon teas – will let us in on her recipe for a Crown Jewel cupcake that truly is too good to lock away in the Tower. Please read on for her recipe and expert cupcake-making tips …

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London has long been a world fashion capital. And if you’re heading to the capital to shop for vintage or unusual finds, continue reading as we will be listing our favourite boutiques, and featuring some advice from style-savvy bloggers.

Just remember to stay at one of our five stylish hotels if you are looking to make the most of London’s fashionable shopping scene, as you’ll get a complimentary £50 Selfridges shopping voucher when you book a Guoman Shopping Experience break.

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Royal Kiss Celebration by RenderDonkey used under Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, Available at www.flickr.com/photos/tomradenz/5677051060/lightbox/

This summer, Her Majesty the Queen will celebrate 60 years on the throne. And those looking to celebrate in style will be looking to London – where they will find official Diamond Jubilee events, street parties and pageants marking the occasion, as well as the Windsors’ favourite haunts. Just read on for our guide to London shops, bars and restaurants that are popular with the royal family – and indulge in a little of the royal treatment when you’re next in London.

Remember, if you stay in one of our five luxurious London hotels, you’ll be treated like royalty too – and if you book now, with our Diamond Jubilee Offer you can enjoy a princely 30% discount on your stay.
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London may be a global style and financial capital, but it’s also a ‘caffeine capital’ with hundreds of coffee shops serving artisan blends and putting the notion that tea is the nation’s favourite tipple well and truly to the test.

Whether you’re in London especially for UK Coffee Week 2012 (23-29 April) or looking for a caffeine hit on a city break, read on for our insider’s pick of where to go for a perfect barista blend …

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Easter is a time for indulging in a little luxury. And whether you plan on hunting for eggs, sitting down to a traditional Sunday roast or treating your loved ones to afternoon tea, London is the perfect place to spend your Easter bank holiday weekend.

With five luxurious hotels in the centre of London, we like to think we’re the experts on how to relax and indulge. So just read on for our pick of 5 things to do if you’re heading to the capital and want to leave with a seasonal spring in your step…

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The Grosvenor Hotel recently opened a lavish suite in the style of a sumptuous French boudoir in honor of the illustrious nineteenth century Parisian courtesan, Cora Pearl – who was famously turned away from The Grosvenor, then the grandest hotel in London, in 1870.

Here, Katie Hickman – author of the best-selling biography ‘Courtesans’ which features a chapter on Cora Pearl – will answer our questions about courtesans and the life and times of Cora Pearl, explaining why the two themes are synonymous with the high-glamour and decadence that it’s hoped The Cora Pearl Suite itself now exudes.

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When The Grosvenor Hotel first opened, it was considered to be the grandest hotel in London, and drew many fashionable and aristocratic guests to its smoking lounges, bridge rooms and bedrooms – most notably, the illustrious Parisian courtesan Cora Pearl, who was refused entry in 1870.

Now, the Grosvenor has opened a luxurious suite in the style of a courtesan’s sumptuous boudoir in honour of its most notorious visitor. Read on to find out more about the famous Miss Cora Pearl and the hotel suite that she has inspired.

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The Play House by agmwhite, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, Available at www.flickr.com/photos/agmwhite/4956692772/lightbox/

On Mother’s Day (18 March 2012), we have the opportunity to spoil and fuss over our mothers – just as they’ve fussed over and taken care of us throughout our lives. So, why not treat your mother to a truly lovely break in the capital?

We’ve put together our pick of outings and gift ideas, from theatre trips to coffee breaks, to help you plan the perfect Mother’s Day. Just read on now and find out where to take your mum, in London, for Mother’s Day.

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This Mother’s Day (18 March 2012), surprise your mother with a luxurious afternoon tea and some civilised conversation at one of London’s best cafes, tea rooms or coffee shops.

Ryan – the Assistant Head Concierge at The Cumberland and a member of The Society of the Golden Keys, a prestigious fellowship of Britain’s best concierges – has shared details of his favourite cafes, tea-rooms and coffee shops with us, as have some expert London food bloggers. Read on to find out where to go if you’d like to spoil your mother (and yourself) with an indulgent afternoon tea.

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