Alex Plim

It’s that time of year again – time for the legendary, heroic and what some are calling era-defining Time Out Christmas sandwich taste test. Our team have tirelessly trawled London’s high streets, foodie markets and bakeries for the mightiest seasonal sarnie of the year, leaving no chiller cabinet unturned. After all, the true meaning of Christmas is surely all about putting some vaguely festive fillings between two slices of bread. Let battle commence. RECOMMENDED: For more festive fun here’s our guide to the best Christmas markets in London.  And don’t miss the best Christmas events, either. 

O potencial cinematográfico (e não só) da ficção científica é quase infinito. É nestes filmes que os nossos maiores pesadelos podem tornar-se realidade e os nossos sonhos concretizar-se, ao mesmo tempo que é dito e posto em causa algo sobre o nosso presente. E o género sempre fez as delícias do público, desde o tempo dos efeitos especiais básicos e rudimentares dos filmes mudos ao excesso digital dos blockbusters contemporâneos. Hoje, no entanto, é a própria crítica quem aplaude e celebra muitos destes filmes, tal como acontece com os super-heróis e o terror. A pensar nisso, elegemos os 100 melhores filmes de ficção científica de sempre. Recomendado: Filmes em cartaz esta semana

★★★★☆ First things first, it’s pronounced ‘k-wor-bs’, so relax: you can stop scratching around inside your underpants. But if you’re a fan of soulful grooves, crackling synths or generally good music, you probably knew that already. This 25-year old Londoner has been making waves for a couple of years now, and it’s not difficult to hear why. Kwabs can sing. I mean, really, really, sounds-a-bitlike-Luther-Vandross sing – and he makes sure you know it with a bunch of excellent pop bangers and the odd pulsating ballad on this debut LP. Head straight to delicate piano weepie ‘Perfect Ruin’ as an example of the latter. There are one or two worrying moments, where things threaten to go a bit Mick Hucknall, but, frankly, Kwabs could be backed by the Teletubbies and this album would still be an impressive debut.

The Greater London area is spread across more than 600 square miles, from the glimmering terminals of Heathrow Airport in the west to the edges of Epping Forest in the east, and it feels like you can see every little inch of it from the Shangri-La. Hell, it feels like you can see as far as Birmingham on a good day. The floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around each of the hotel’s 202 rooms are truly panoramic, and they’re there everywhere you go. This is exactly what you’d expect from a place that occupies floors 34 to 52 of the iconic Shard – the massive glassy spike that has come to define London’s south-of-the-river skyline. And, bearing in mind this is the Shangri-La we’re talking about, a brand that’s built its name on luxury, you can expect everything else about the hotel to reach a similar height. The beds are insanely comfy, the armchairs are covered in squeaky brown leather, and the bathrooms sparkle with a whole lot of marble that makes them feel like a Russian palace (and yes, the big windows can be found in there too). When it comes to food, the Shangri-La has established itself as one of the city’s most popular spots for afternoon tea, but the buffet breakfast deserves just as much attention. It’s sensational. The selection is extensive and top-quality ingredients from Borough Market ensure every plate you load up will be bursting with flavour. Leave plenty of time to make the most of it. Neighbourhood:Borough is one of the city’s most exciting places to be if fo

Apparently, all Mandarin Oriental hotels have the same scent, a perfume that’s spritzed into the air so that you know exactly where you are when you walk in. That’s not the only thing that’ll catch your attention when you enter this London outpost of the famous global brand: the wallpaper is so fancy that the metallic detailing had to be painted in situ, and the lamps in the corridors are hung with horse hair in a nod to the big beasts that trot through Hyde Park at the back of the building. No wonder Heston Blumenthal – famous for his specificity and attention to detail – decided to open Dinner by Heston Blumenthal here, which went on to win two Michelin stars. It’s remarkable that any of this is even here at all. The hotel underwent a massive renovation back in 2016, but much of that was ruined when a fire broke out a couple of years later. Fast forward another year and the doors swung open on the place you see now – just in time for Covid-19 to come along and send us all into lockdown. Now that things are back to normal, you can appreciate the Mandarin in all of its palatial glory, with floors and walls decked in marble and modern chandeliers dangling overhead. As you’d expect, rooms are incredibly plush and packed with an impressive array of gadgets and goodies, including Diptyque bathroom bits that you won’t want to leave half-finished. Many have an expansive view across Hyde Park too, but if you miss out just ask for a window seat at breakfast. If you can afford to spla

Just like the city in which it sits, Emeline has a rich history that can be traced all the way back to the mid-1800s, when an entrepreneur established a wholesale grocery business within the building that went on to become the biggest in the South. More recently the property housed a DoubleTree by Hilton, but the remnants of that chain have been swept aside completely in favor of a classy and timeless aesthetic. First impressions at Emeline are impressive: you’ll be given a welcome cocktail shortly after stepping into the chic lobby, after which you can opt to head to your room or hang out on the first floor a little while longer. There’s the wood-paneled Keep Shop packed with fancy trinkets and homewares; a cozy lounge area where guests can relax with a glass of wine; the bright and spacious Clerks Coffee Company if you need a light bite or caffeine kick; and Frannie & The Fox for those in the mood for something more substantial (try to snag a seat at the Foxhole, a secret cocktail window just behind the bar). Emeline’s rooms are just as beautifully designed as the rest of the hotel, with velvet sofas and leather chairs, smart wicker cabinets and a record player that comes with a selection of classic discs. Coupled with the free tumbler of coffee guests can collect from Clerks each morning, it’s an ideal environment in which to relax with a newspaper or book before heading out to explore the city on one of Emeline’s custom bicycles. Neighborhood:Emeline sits in one of Charle

The LINE launched its first hotel in 2014, bringing its uber-stylish, modernist aesthetic to LA’s Koreatown before following up with locations in Washington, DC and Austin. In that short time, the brand has become a go-to for travelers who value great design at a surprisingly affordable price. The LINE Austin occupies an enormous mid-century property that overlooks Congress Avenue Bridge, making it an ideal spot for watching the city’s bat colony – estimated to be 1.5 million in number – emerge from beneath the bridge in great clouds every night at sunset from mid-March to November. The building itself used to house a jazz club that broadcast live on local radio stations, but that’s long since gone – in its place you’ll find a lobby that feels like a Bond Villain’s underground lair (in the best possible way), a sparkling outdoor infinity pool and a bunch of excellent places to eat and drink, including P6 (go for brunch, order the pastry basket) and Arlo Grey, which is helmed by Top Chef winner Kristen Kish. The broad windows that cover the building’s exterior walls allow light to spill generously into the LINE’s spacious and comfy rooms, which come with thoughtful touches such as local artwork and vintage books about Texas dotted in, around and on top of the chic furnishings. It’s a theme you’ll notice elsewhere in the hotel too: the first floor hosts a rotating residency program that gives five artists a year space to showcase their art. Neighborhood:Downtown Austin is, in m

FieldHouse Jones Nashville sits in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, and it doesn’t feel a bit out of place. The lobby sets the tone for the hotel’s stylish and quirky vibe, thanks to an abundance of curiosities that are packed into the light-filled space, including vintage cabinets, kitsch statues, giant test tubes filled with pick-a-mix candies and a sparkling cream Fiat 500 (that’s right, they’ve parked an entire car inside the hotel). You’ll want to take half the stuff you see home with you – and you can: it’s all available to purchase, each item sporting a little price tag. The rooms are no less stylish, though they have a more pared-back and minimalist tone, with enormous beds, leather sofas, large windows that let in plenty of light and bright bathrooms stocked with fancy toiletries. It’s a smart base if you just want to drop your luggage and head out into the city, but it’s also a comfy spot in which to hang out and relax. Neighborhood:East Nashville is a buzzy area filled with many of the city’s best restaurants and bars, making it an ideal nabe for foodies and night owls. It’s also just a quick taxi (or half-hour walk) from Broadway, Nashville’s beating heart, along with many of the city’s most popular attractions, including Ryman Auditorium, Hatch Show Print and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Nearby:1. Attaboy: For outstanding, made-to-taste cocktails from a New York favorite.2. Edley’s Bar-B-Que: For some of the best brisket in the city.3. But

Kimpton Fitzroy makes quite a first impression. The hotel’s 19th-century terracotta exterior stretches an entire block along the edge of Russell Square – surely some of the most sought-after real estate in the city – and is adorned with life-size statues of former British monarchs, while inside the place is downright palatial, with mosaic floors, marble columns and heavy chandeliers. The rooms are a little more subdued, though still extremely lush, with pillowy carpets, beds you’ll never want to leave and, if you’re lucky, a bath deep enough for scuba diving. But the real stars of the show in this hotel can be found on the ground floor. Neptune, Kimpton Fitzroy’s restaurant, dishes up fresh seafood in a dazzling peach setting, which our critic described as “fancy-but-fun”. Fitz’s Bar, on the other hand, serves some of the best cocktails in the city with free dishes of Twiglets on the side, which is why we gave it five stars and a spot in our DRINK List. Neighbourhood:Kimpton Fitzroy sits in Bloomsbury, which is an ideal place for those looking to explore London’s most popular sites, with the British Museum a few steps in one direction and the British Library a short stroll the other way. You’ll also be within spitting distance of Soho and Covent Garden, where many of London’s best restaurants can be found, and the West End if you’d like to catch a show. Nearby:1. Store Street Espresso: For a top-notch caffeine kick.2. Bao: For unbeatable Taiwanese plates which are worth queue

The Battery isn’t really a hotel at all: it’s a members’ club that happens to have 14 luxurious rooms you can stay in, overseen by staff who are chatty, helpful and happy to give solid recommendations for things to do and places to eat nearby, or guide you through the club’s range of restaurants and bars. This level of service is perhaps to be expected from a place that costs upwards of $500 a night (if you’re traveling on a budget, turn away now), but you do get a lot of bang for your buck here. Rooms are absolutely enormous, with wide hallways and even wider beds, and you could spend days in the luxurious bathrooms without ever coming out, thanks to the spacious walk-in showers and bottomless baths. Plus, guests get access to all of the members’ club’s facilities during their stay, including gym classes, concerts and a jazzy private bar. Neighborhood:Sitting on the fringe of San Francisco’s Financial District and sandwiched between Chinatown and the Embarcadero, The Battery is in an ideal location for exploring some of the city’s most popular landmarks, including the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s also a handy spot for anyone who wants to cross the bay and explore Oakland. Nearby:1. Museum of Ice Cream: For an immersive journey into your favorite sweet treat.2. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: For seeing how your fortunes are made.3. Spec’s: For enjoying a beer in one of SF’s quirkiest bars. Time Out tip:Make the most of The Battery’s events program, which in

Freehand Chicago squeezes itself into a relatively slim space in the heart of River North, and, as with every other property in this brand’s collection, transforms it into an utterly gorgeous hotel that’ll leave you with enough interior design inspiration to last a lifetime. The rooms here feature plenty of mid-century furniture, jazzy wall hangings and lush, green-tiled bathrooms, creating a comfortable, chic vibe that’s echoed elsewhere in the building, including the hotel’s bar, The Broken Shaker, which is known for serving some of the city’s most creative cocktails (order their quirky old fashioned for an inventive spin on a classic). Guests looking to fix a fuzzy head rather than create one can grab a quick caffeine fix from Café Integral, which uses beans sourced exclusively from Nicaragua. Neighborhood:Freehand Chicago’s location in River North, just outside of the Loop, is a short stroll from some of the city’s most popular tourist spots, such as the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier, where you can jump on the Centennial Wheel and get a bird’s eye view of the city. It’s also home to some of the best places to eat in the city, making it a great area for foodies, and is a cultural hotspot too, with a number of excellent museums and theaters located nearby. Nearby:1. Museum of Contemporary Art: For gawping at one of the country’s best collections of modern art.2. Headquarters Beercade: For enjoying a craft brew while playing a classic arcade game.3. iO Theater: For long-for

Named after local sculptor Douglas Tilden, Tilden Hotel’s airy lobby is a dedication to his legacy, filled with a curated rotation of works by local artists from in and around San Francisco. It’s a theme that extends beyond the hotel’s decor, to the Tilden Tuesdays Art Program that creates a space for San Francisco’s creative community to host exhibitions, events, performances and discussions. The hotel’s rooms are a little less spectacular: clean, fresh and functional, with minimal decor but all the essentials (including fancy toiletries from MALIN+GOETZ), and serviced by a compact elevator that occasionally gets overwhelmed by too many guests. Elsewhere, you’ll find Tilden Café, which stocks yummy breakfast pastries from Berkley-based Starter Bakery, and The Douglas Room, which churns out excellent cocktails and has a generous happy hour that runs from 1pm-6pm, Mon-Sat. Neighborhood:Tilden Hotel is situated within San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, a couple of blocks from Market Street in one direction, Union Square in the other, and, just beyond that, Chinatown. It’s also a handy location for exploring the city’s key attractions thanks to the nearby cable car stop. Nearby:1. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse: For seeing what the hype over the cruffin is all about.2. Mikkeller Bar: For sipping on some of the finest beers in the city.3. Great American Music Hall: For catching a gig in a lavish setting. Time Out tip:Head to The Backyard to find a little bit of peace in the city (along w

You’ll struggle to find many hotels as stylish as The Pilgrm, which combines throwback details such as polished parquet flooring and sturdy iron radiators with modern touches to create a warm, lived-in feel. There’s not a huge amount of space in this place, which is why wardrobes have been done away with in favour of wall rails, some rooms come with sinks by the bed and there’s no check-in desk. But if anything, this just adds to the hotel’s satisfyingly pared-back aesthetic. Rooms are connected by a maze of corridors and hallways. Follow them for long enough and you’ll arrive at the first-floor lounge and terrace, where The Pilgrm serves an outstanding breakfast and brunch – we particularly enjoyed their spin on the Full English. Later in the day you can hang out and enjoy cocktails and snacks while curled up on one of the room’s cosy velvet sofas. Neighbourhood:Paddington is primarily known as a transport hub thanks to its eponymous train station, but it’s also an ideal place to base yourself if you’re looking to explore west London. Posh neighbourhoods like Kensington and Chelsea are just a couple of stops away on the tube, which means you’re also within spitting distance of popular sights like the Royal Albert Hall, Natural History Museum, V&A, Harrods and Buckingham Palace. Nearby:1. Hyde Park: For enjoying a picnic in London’s most iconic green space.2. Floating Puppet Theatre Barge: For a classic puppet show with a modern twist.3. Pergola Paddington: For sampling some

Hotel Peter & Paul is a stunning hotel spread across four historic buildings from the mid-to-late 1800s, each of which has been thoughtfully renovated – via a joint partnership between ASH NYC and NOLA resident Nathalie Jordi – into a stylish boutique that’s packed with character. The hotel’s 71 rooms are all unique; some have standalone bathtubs, others have canopied beds, most have large windows framed with heavy, draping curtains, and many have showers lined with bright, stripy tiles. Antique and locally crafted pieces of furniture are dotted throughout the hotel, along with small hand-painted details across cupboards and walls, all of which combines to create something both magical and theatrical. The hotel’s ace card is The Elysian Bar, which has deservedly won rave reviews as one of America’s hottest places to eat and drink right now – grab a table for dinner if you can, or just order a Vieux Carré cocktail (a New Orleans specialty) in the bar and gawp at the room’s show-stopping bamboo decor. There’s also an ice cream parlor that serves delicious sundaes, and a coffee shop to sort your morning caffeine fix. Neighborhood:Hotel Peter & Paul is ideally located in the heart of the Marigny district, a calm area lined with beautiful buildings that’s just a short walk from the throbbing streets of the French Quarter and must-do’s like Napoleon House and Cafe Du Monde. A stroll in the other direction will take you to the more hip and less visited Bywater neighborhood, where yo

The Kimpton Goodland is a 158-room boutique hotel located in Goleta, a short drive from Santa Barbara, and the fact that there’s a section on its website advertising its availability as a photoshoot location tells you a lot: this is very much a place to see and be seen. The hotel is arranged, like a motel, around a sparkling, puddle-shaped swimming pool that’s surrounded by towering palms, which is easily accessed from the stylish, surfer-chic rooms that line it. But this is more than just an Insta-perfect place to hang out. The Goodland’s restaurant, Outpost, is an excellent spot to grab a bite made with locally-sourced ingredients, while Good Bar brings washed-out beach vibes to the hotel for those in need of a cocktail. Plus, there are complimentary yoga classes for fitness-minded guests, and a regular trivia night for those who want to exercise their brains instead of their muscles. Neighborhood:The Kimpton Goodland is situated in Goleta, just ten minutes in a car from the center of Santa Barbara, which is where most guests are likely to want to spend a good amount of their time when they’re not in the hotel. It’s also a great jumping-off spot for Santa Barbara wine country, which is roughly 30 minutes away in a car. Nearby:1. Inspiration Point: For stunning views via an energizing hike.2. Cold Spring Tavern: For hearty grub in an atmospheric former stagecoach stop.3. Loquita: For Spanish bites in a lush, tucked-away courtyard. Time Out Tip:Don’t miss the chance to mingle

I used to delight at listening in on strangers’ conversations while wandering a city, but then I moved to New York. Now, I don’t have a choice in the matter: The way people here gab on their cell phone, it’s as if they don’t understand the device transmits their voice electronically and believe they must communicate by lung power alone. The worst offenders are those hands-free chatting chatters with earbuds you can’t see. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve entered a conversation before realizing this person is addressing someone else entirely, and the “Hey, what’s up?” wasn’t meant for me after all. Sometimes I carry on talking to myself so no one notices my mistake, but of course, this makes me part of the problem. RECOMMENDED: See more New York rants It wasn’t always like this. When I first arrived in NYC, I loved the way I could walk down the block and hear, unfolding all around me, 10 different conversations in 10 different accents. I’d hang back at crosswalks longer than necessary to catch the end of a story told by someone with a brusque Brooklyn drawl or a Kentucky twang. But I have become a put-my-head-down, mind-my-own-business New Yorker. Does everyone really need to talk so loudly? I don’t want to know what time you think you’ll be home tonight or what happened in that meeting at work today or what you’re going to eat for dinner tonight. Actually, I’m quite interested in what you’re having for dinner, but that’s not the point: You take the fun out of eavesdr