This summer, explore West Kensington, a walkable neighbourhood where new hotels, dining, and culture seamlessly converge
This summer, West Kensington is emerging as one of London’s most exciting neighbourhoods to explore. Olympia‘s multi-year transformation has brought a wave of new hospitality, dining and cultural experiences to the area, from the newly opened Hyatt Regency London Olympia and live performances at British Airways ARC to rooftop dining at Wolves of Tokyo, Lillie’s and Bar Arriba, alongside a growing programme of art and design experiences.
From evenings of live music and rooftop cocktails to mornings spent exploring nearby gardens, galleries and design destinations, West Kensington now offers everything needed for a long weekend escape without leaving the capital.
Day One: Arrive, Live Music & Rooftop Views
Land in London and head straight to West Kensington, where a brand-new hotel, a major live music venue and rooftop cocktails immediately set the tone.
Stay: Hyatt Regency London Olympia
Newly opened this summer, the 204-key Hyatt Regency London Olympia offers a contemporary base for exploring West Kensington, moments from Olympia’s restaurants, rooftop bars, live entertainment and cultural experiences. It’s the ideal launchpad for a weekend built around the destination’s new offering.
Experience: British Airways ARC
Begin the weekend with a show at British Airways ARC, Olympia’s new 3,800-capacity live music venue, hosting a rolling programme of international artists. The venue launched with a line-up including Self Esteem, McFly and the Zac Brown Band, establishing Olympia as a fresh destination for live entertainment in west London.
Dinner & Drinks: Wolves of Tokyo
End the evening at Wolves of Tokyo, Olympia’s 740-square-metre Japanese restaurant and rooftop cocktail bar, serving expertly crafted sushi, yakitori and signature cocktails inspired by the energy of Tokyo after dark.
Day Two: Dining, Discovery & Local Experiences
Spend day two venturing beyond the hotel, from breakfast at Olympia’s new food hall to Holland Park’s gardens and a rooftop dinner overlooking the city.
Breakfast: Arbour
Begin the day at Arbour Bar & Food Hall (below), Olympia’s sprawling new dining destination, which brings together independent food concepts under one roof. With artisan coffee, pastries and breakfast favourites from Café Modo, it’s the perfect spot to start a day exploring West Kensington.
Explore: Holland Park & Kyoto Garden
Take a peaceful stroll through Holland Park and discover the Kyoto Garden, a tranquil Japanese-inspired landscape of koi ponds, waterfalls and beautifully landscaped grounds. It’s a quiet counterpoint to Olympia’s buzz.
Lunch: Idalia
Return to Olympia for lunch at Idalia (below), the destination’s elegant all-day restaurant set within the Grade II listed Pillar Hall. Led by Executive Chef Samantha Williams, formerly of Angela Hartnett’s kitchens, alongside Executive Pastry Chef Lorena Tommasi, who comes from Jeremy King’s restaurants and Caprice Holdings, Idalia combines modern British cooking with internationally inspired dishes in one of West Kensington’s most striking historic settings.
Evening Drinks: Lillie’s or Bar Arriba
End the day exploring Olympia’s rooftop dining scene with drinks and dinner at either Lillie’s, a beautifully landscaped terrace inspired by the elegance of an English garden, or Bar Arriba, a vibrant Mexican-inspired rooftop bar serving creative cocktails and bold sharing plates.
Day Three: Discover Art, Design & Culture
Spend the final day exploring Olympia’s evolving cultural landscape, from public art installations and digital experiences to seasonal events bringing the destination to life.
Immersive Art & Live Performances
Discover the immersive art installations at the heart of Olympia’s summer programme, bringing together art, play and design in a colourful, striking backdrop. Alongside it runs a free programme of live music and performances every Wednesday and Sunday from 12 pm–5 pm, featuring emerging artists, DJs and cultural showcases.
The Canvas
Explore Olympia’s Canvas, an 83-metre-long, eight-metre-wide Samsung digital screen showcasing digital art, live content and large-scale creative activations. It’s a striking centrepiece for the wider precinct.
Design Museum: NIGO: From Japan with Love
Finish with a short walk to the nearby Design Museum, where NIGO: From Japan with Love celebrates the creative journey of the Japanese designer, DJ and cultural icon.
With a striking new hotel, a major live music venue and a rooftop dining scene to rival anywhere in the capital, West Kensington has quietly become one of London’s most compelling long-weekend destinations this summer.
