Combining business and leisure – bleisure – has become one of the most rewarding ways to travel. It is certainly the way I have travelled for the last 25 years. Visiting a place for a meeting or two and then extending my stay to enjoy the town or city.
I have not lived in London for many years, so now whenever I have to attend a work event, conference or meeting, I take another couple of days to visit old haunts or discover new ones.
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London, with its thriving commercial hubs, rich cultural heritage, and outstanding hospitality, is the perfect destination to embrace this travel trend and the bleisure capital of the UK.
I recently spent a day in London with representatives of the Clermont Hotel Group and Custard Communication. During our visits to four different hotels, we discussed what bleisure is and how the range of Clermont Hotels are perfect for your bleisure stay in London.
A special thank you to the team at the Clermont Hotel Group for hosting me during my day in London. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Whether you’re in the capital for a conference, a client meeting, or a short-term project, there’s no reason to skip the chance to explore one of the most exciting cities in the world.
In this guide, I’ll share four fantastic hotels that make working and unwinding seamless, alongside tips on how to blend culture, food, sightseeing, and relaxation into your stay.
First, let’s have a look at what bleisure actually is and how it differs from a worcation.
Bleisure vs Worcation
What is the difference between “bleisure” and a “worcation”?
For me, I see a worcation as going on holiday but still working. Whether that is taking some conference calls in between hitting the beach; updating a website, working on a proposal before heading out for a day of exploring. Even just checking your work emails while you are waiting in the queue for a museum. It is a real blend of work and vacation.
With “bleisure”, I see the primary goal of the trip is business, with an extension of enjoying a few days extra – even a few hours – to take in a gallery, museum or show and just being in the place. London is my favourite place for “bleisuring” as I spent my student years in the city and love seeing how it has changed over the years.
Bleisure Facts
In this day and age of being in constant contact with everyone, it is not surprising that bleisure is on the rise. Here are some facts about how we still “work” when we are meant to be relaxing
- 42% of workers in the UK check in on work when they are on holiday
- 48% of employees respond to work messages during their leave
- 39% of employees respond to work messages even when they are off work ill
- 82% of bleisure travellers stay at the same hotel for both work and leisure.
- London is the world’s No. 2 bleisure destination for 2025 and No. 1 in the UK!
As you can see, by the statistics, more and more people don’t think twice about answering work calls and messages whether they are on holiday or sick.
What to look for your Bleisure-Friendly Trip to London
- Location, location, location: Obviously you need to be near to where you are having your meetings or in a hotel that has facilities to hold them. Not only that, but close to rail, air or coach links.
- WiFi: A fast WiFi is essential nowadays when we want everything completed as fast as possible.
- Working space: Choosing a room which as a desk with a decent height chair, for me, is essential. I have spent too many times sitting at a cramped dressing table or with my laptop on my knees.
Where to Stay: 4 Bleisure-Friendly Hotels in London
These four handpicked hotels from The Clermont Group offer convenience, comfort, and that perfect mix of business functionality with leisure flair—ideal for your next bleisure trip to London.
The Clermont London Victoria – Elegant and central, perfect for arrivals at Victoria Station
Just steps from Victoria Station, The Clermont London Victoria is this Grade II Listed hotel combines 19th-century elegance with modern convenience. With 348 beautifully appointed rooms, ranging from Classic Rooms to Studio Suites, The Clermont London Victoria is a great place to base yourself for your extended time in London.
With spacious rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and an excellent in-house restaurant, it’s great for early arrivals or quick transfers. The rooms have a useable desk space if you need to do some work before relaxing.
You’re within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, perfect for a post-meeting stroll, or head to St James, Green or Hyde Park.
If you are flying in from Gatwick, there are direct links into Victoria Station and to Stansted to the Victoria Coach Station. Euston, King’s Cross, Waterloo and Paddington Stations are all on the Circle or District Tube Lines into Victoria Station.
Take advantage of the Clermont London Victoria’s links to The Apollo Victoria and Wicked – even if you just have a Wicked themed afternoon tea.
If you are booking the hotel for a business meeting or event, there are ten meeting rooms. Keeping the railway links, they are all named after famous trains. The rooms can accommodate up to 120 people in a range of configurations.
Book The Clermont London Victoria here.
Hotel Fact Box
Address: The Clermont London Victoria, 101 Buckingham Palace Rd, London
SW1W 0SJ
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7523 5055
Website: https://www.theclermont.co.uk/victoria/
Restaurant: The Soak; Réunion Bar; Afternoon Tea Lounge; Wicked Afternoon Tea
Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout
Read my full review of the Clermont London Victoria.
Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle – Sleek and close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street
A smart option just off Oxford Street, the Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle is ideal for shopping, dining, and business meetings alike. Especially good if you are travelling with family, it gives them options while you are attending meetings.
Clean and contemporary, it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Hyde Park – great for some fresh air between calls. With excellent transport links, it’s easy to reach meetings across central London. Nearest Tube stations are Hyde Park on the Piccadilly Line or Marble Arch on the Central Line.
There are 692 spacious rooms and apartments with a blend of vintage and retro furnishings.
The hotel has 12 modern meeting rooms, all on the same level as the lobby and restaurants. The rooms are named after London locations like Westminster, Downing Street or Hyde Park. The rooms can hold up to 400 guests.
Archy’s Bar & Lounge is perfect for a break-out coffee or for head to the Deli for lunch.
Book The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle here.
Hotel Fact Box
Address: The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle, Bryanston St, Marylebone, London W1H 7EH
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7523 5060
Website: https://www.marblearchhotellondon.com/
Restaurants: Archy’s Bar & Lounge; The Deli; Breakfast
Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout
The Clermont London Charing Cross – Stylish with unbeatable access to Covent Garden and the South Bank
If location matters, this hotel is unbeatable. Connected to Charing Cross Station and a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, and the South Bank, it’s perfectly placed for sightseeing after work. If you want a selection of theatres, art galleries and shopping on your doorstep, choose the Clermont London Charing Cross.
Charing Cross Station is on the Northern Line connects you with Euston, Waterloo and Marylebone by Underground.
Another hotel with a strong link to the railways, The Clermont Charing Cross opened in 1865. The hotel retains its original features but enhanced with modern creature comforts.
The stylish rooms and on-site gym make it great for business travellers on the go. There are two winds, connected by a covered footbridge.
Opt for the delicious Afternoon Tea or have lunch or dinner in the Platform 7, the dining room.
For business people, there are nine rooms which are adaptable to your needs and can host up to 200 guest. With original high ceciling they are ideal for events, celebrations or business,
Book The Clermont Charing Cross here.
Hotel Fact Box
Address: The Clermont London, Charing Cross, Strand, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5HX
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7523 5052
Website: https://www.theclermont.co.uk/charing-cross
Restaurant: Platform 7; Afternoon Tea
Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout
The Royal Horseguards Hotel – Luxurious riverside stay with a historic edge
For a luxurious touch, The Royal Horseguards Hotel blends historic grandeur with five-star service. Set on the banks of the Thames, near Embankment and the London Eye, this hotel is ideal for hosting clients or simply indulging in a more refined bleisure stay.
If you really want to push the boat out, take the Tower Suite, with views over the Thames and to the London Eye, it is your own slice of paradise in London.
Afternoon tea here is a real treat. Held in The Lounge, you can indulge in a classic Afternoon Tea with delicous sandwiches, melt-in-the-mouth sweet treats and perfectly formed scones, with your choice of tea or bubbly to accompany it. You could also choose to have a Cream Tea, though I will leave you to decide whether it is jam or cream first!
When the weather is good, sit out in the Terrace for drinks or dining al fresco. Even though you are right on the Embankment, it feels private and special.
Book The Royal Horseguards Hotel here.
Hotel Fact Box
Address: The Royal Horseguards Hotel
Telephone: +44 (0)1835 822243
Website: https://www.royalhorseguardshotel.com/
Restaurant: One Twenty One Two Restaurant, Equus Bar, The Lounge, The Terrace.
Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout
You have your accommodation sorted, now what else can you add to your bleisure trip to London?
Make Time for Culture
London’s cultural riches are unparalleled, and many landmarks are open until the evening—perfect for after-hours exploration.
Major Museums
Visit the British Museum for ancient treasures, the V&A for design and fashion, or the Natural History Museum for dinosaur skeletons. Go for something a bit more sinister at Jack The Ripper’s Museum in Whitechapel; the delicate and beautiful displays at Fan Museum in Greenwich with a hidden Japanese garden or
Art Galleries
From grand to niche, old Masters to contemporary, art and sculpture in London is everywhere. From the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern or Tate Britain to the Saatchi Gallery.
Performing Arts
Catch a West End musical, comedy, play or watch Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre on the banks of the Thames. For something quirky, try a fringe production at the Almeida or Young Vic, or watch the street performers in Covent Garden. Don’t miss a performance of Wicked if you are staying at The Clermont London Victoria!
Hidden Gems
London is full of hidden gems, places that ordinary tourists don’t think of going to.
Take a quick detour to Leighton House in Kensington or explore one of London’s most extraordinary and fascinating time capsules at Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields – both are inspiring and less crowded.
Sit in quiet contemplation in the gardens at the rear of the 17th Century St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden. Also known as the Actor’s Church, it was the setting for the opening of My Fair Lady (George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion) and has many plaques and memorials to stars of stage and screen.
Explore London’s Food Scene
You don’t need a weekend to enjoy London’s culinary side. Workday evenings or long lunch breaks are perfect for discovering world-class dining.
- Street Food & Markets: Pop into Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, Spitalfields Market or Seven Dials for quick but quality bites.
- Food Tours: Join a guided walking food tour in Soho or East London to sample global dishes and hear local stories.
- Great Business Dining: For client lunches or team dinners, try Dishoom (modern Indian), Hawksmoor (British steakhouse), or Caravan (global small plates).
- Work-Friendly Cafés: Remote working is easy in cafés like The Attendant (Fitzrovia), The Hoxton (Holborn), Lantana (Shoreditch), and Notes (King’s Cross), which offer good coffee, decent food, and strong Wi-Fi.
Downtime: Sightseeing and Wellness Between Meetings
When meetings end early or there’s a gap in your schedule, here’s how to make the most of your time:
- Relaxing Walks: Stroll along the South Bank from Tower Bridge to Waterloo, passing landmarks like Shakespeare’s Globe and the London Eye.
- River Adventures: Take a Thames Clipper boat between meetings—it’s faster than a taxi and far more scenic.
- Green Spaces: Recharge in Hyde Park, St James’s Park, or the Japanese Garden in Holland Park.
- Spa and Fitness: Many hotels have gyms and spa services, but you can also try boutique studios like Frame (Pilates and dance) or Psycle (spin and yoga).
Productivity Tips for a Seamless Bleisure Experience
- Time Management: Plan cultural or leisure activities in early mornings, evenings, or extend your trip with a weekend.
- Smart Apps:
- Citymapper – Best for navigating London transport
- OpenTable – Book restaurants in advance
- Google Maps Lists – Save places to see, eat, and shop
- Coworking Options: For more focused work time, try coworking spaces like Fora, WeWork, or TOG, many of which offer day passes.
- Stay Connected: Opt for hotels with reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi. Tether your phone if you need backup.
Weekend Extensions & Day Trips
If you can extend your stay, London is a brilliant base for short getaways, here are a few suggestions for you:
- Windsor: Visit the Royal Castle and riverside town (40 minutes by train from Victoria, perfect if you are staying at The Clermont Victoria)
- Oxford or Cambridge: Enjoy the history and charm of these university towns (1 hour by train)
- Winchester: Steeped in Arthurian history with a stunning cathedral (1 hour by train)
- Bath: Channel your inner Bridgerton and stroll around the UNESCO Heritage City (1.5 hours by train)
- Brighton: For fresh sea air, art, and vintage shopping (1 hour by train)
Final Thoughts: Work Smart, Play Smart
London is a city that doesn’t stop — even when the workday ends. With its vibrant food scene, unparalleled cultural offerings, and elegant yet functional accommodation, it’s the ultimate bleisure destination.
Whether you’re sipping cocktails with a view, typing away in a chic café, or wandering through a world-class museum, there’s always a way to make business travel more fulfilling. So next time work brings you to London, don’t rush home—linger a little, and enjoy the blend.
Use these England Travel Tips to plan your adventure!
- Plan your trip with these England Travel Guides.
- Get the best deals on flights with Skyscanner.
- Find the perfect place to stay in England on Booking.com.
- Buy your e-sim before you go with Airalo
- Take your own portable wifi with you
- Explore more of England with local experiences.
- Don’t forget to arrange your travel insurance.
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