Brussels is cool now – we got the Eurostar to check out the new Standard hotel July 25, 2025 The Belgian capital is often referred to as ‘boring Brussels’ owing to its status as the de facto capital of the European Union and many other big political establishments. However, this stereotype and the city’s reputation for politics, doesn’t reflect the creative culture, multiculturalism or vibrancy of the city, which is exemplified with the recent [...]
Fantastic Four movie is unexpectedly… fantastic! July 25, 2025 Coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) via Disney’s acquisition of Fox, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a bit of a gamble. There have been three movie versions of the characters, all of which have been huge disappointments. None of those were made by Marvel Studios, however, and with the world’s biggest franchise desperate [...]
‘Our guests like to eat’: The Maldives hotel with incredible food, gorgeous sealife and 24 hour butler service July 25, 2025 At Malé Seaplane Lounge on the final leg of my journey to a rather gorgeous hotel in the Maldives, I found a glossy coffee table book. Inside were photographs of tropical sunsets, grinning locals, and thoughtful essays on Maldivian culture. I wanted a copy; it was a welcome shift from the influencer reels I’d scrolled [...]
Lunchtime Tourism: Why Goldsmith’s Garden is the bees knees July 24, 2025 Our new series Lunchtime Tourism tells you all about the places you can visit in the Square Mile on your lunch break. Think you have a better option? Our Toast the City awards are celebrating the green spaces and hidden gems (and much, much more) that make the City great and we want YOU to [...]
Forget Edinburgh Fringe: the Camden Fringe is turning 20 and is bigger than ever July 24, 2025 The Camden Fringe returns to the borough for the twentieth edition this August, bringing 400 live shows throughout four weeks. Billed as London’s alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe, the performances span comedy, theatre, circus, dance and spoken word. There are 100 more shows in over 40 venues this year than last as the festival continues [...]
EXCLUSIVE: The Ned to launch members’ club in the countryside amid aggressive growth plans that echo Soho House July 24, 2025 City icon The Ned is set to open a “rural” estate in the UK as part of an aggressive expansion plan, with a first outpost in mainland Europe also in the pipeline. Group managing director Gareth Banner told City AM the company has three additional “very serious offers with either real estate owners or potential [...]
The Ned boss Gareth Banner interview: This brand is just getting started July 24, 2025 “Ten years ago, people would have laughed at the idea of doing something like this…” Gareth Banner is talking about City AM’s new Toast the City Awards celebrating all the things that make the Square Mile great, for which he has signed on as a judge. And Banner knows a thing or two about the [...]
Burlesque musical review: Christina Aquilera show is a true spectacle July 22, 2025 Burlesque musical review: ★★★★ Was Burlesque going to be the worst musical of the year? Headlines suggest chaos: the director and choreographer exited the production weeks before the West End opening, and the late arrival of costumes forced the actors’ union Equity to put out a statement about a “number of issues,” including to do [...]
St Paul’s Cathedral and the best lunch spot in the City of London July 22, 2025 In a new series celebrating the people and places nominated for our Toast the City awards, celebrating the best of the City of London, Adam Bloodworth finds the ultimate spot for some lunchtime peace and quiet Londoners become immune to the daily joys of famous landmarks. Even for the most curious, the novelty eventually wears off. [...]
The ultimate Dubai city guide – where to get Dubai chocolate, best beaches and much more July 22, 2025 Dubai is booming. The most populated city in the United Arab Emirates welcomed 1.3 million visitors from the UK alone in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year, as British holiday-makers enjoyed the emirate’s year-round sunshine, luxury hotels and endless entertainment options. It’s no wonder that Dubai’s government-owned Emirates has recently announced a record [...]