What's New in London

BY ROCKY CASALE

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SLEEP
Arch London: The 82 units at this posh townhouse hotel in Marble Arch come with Malin + Goetz bathroom products, Internet radios with more than 10,000 channels, and tufted beds. Stop by the intimate Hunter 486 restaurant for a bite or to sip a cocktail or two in the trendy Martini Library. Rates from $305. 50 Great Cumberland Place; 011-44-20-7724-4700; www.thearchlondon.com

Hotel Rafayel on the Left Bank: This new property helps make the case for a revitalized Battersea district. The 65-room hotel aims to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent with LED lighting, energy efficiencies, and rainwater harvesting, among other green plans. Amenities include a riverfront restaurant and spa, as well as "jet lag therapy" featuring special blue lights to boost alertness. Rates from $194. 34 Lombard Road; 011-44-20-7801-3610; hotelrafayel.com

The Savoy: Closed for 2-1/2 years for a $160 million makeover, the celebrated Savoy reopens in summer with its 268 rooms reworked by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Some classic elements of the 1889 icon return, including the Savoy Grill and the glass-domed tea room, refurbished. All-new public areas include secluded concierge check-in desks, Savoy Tea Shop, and a rooftop pool. Rates from $566. Strand; 800-441-1414; fairmont.com

EAT
Albion: For traditional British comfort food prepared simply, head to this stylish, hipster restaurant in East London. The straightforward menu tempts with stalwarts like kedgeree, Welsh rabbit, puddings, and fruit crumbles. 2-4 Boundary St., Shoreditch; 011-44-20-7729-1051; albioncaff.co.uk

Hix: Mark Hix is famous for opening restaurants that feature fresh oysters. In his eponymous second London venture, the restaurateur expands with superb British fare like roast gurnard with surf clams and Aberdeenshire beef fillets on the bone. In the tranquil basement bar, sample those oysters that earned Hix his name. 66-70 Brewer St.; 011-44-20-7292-3518; hixsoho.co.uk

DRINK
Old Brewery: This Greenwich microbrewery and bar opens in March at a 300-year-old brew house on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. An experimental laboratory, it will serve ale brewed in French oak casks previously used for wine and whiskey. Its museum recounts London's brewing history. Old Royal Naval College; oldbrewerygreenwich.com

SEE
The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters: You won't want to miss this milestone exhibition of about 65 Vincent van Gogh paintings and 30 drawings at the Royal Academy of Arts through April 18 in the West End. The first major van Gogh exhibition in more than 40 years, it mixes familiar and rarely seen still-life paintings and letters by the artist. Burlington House, Piccadilly; 011-44-84-4209-1919; royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/vangogh

Van Doesburg and the International Avant-Garde: Constructing a New World: Through May 16, in London's Southwark area, the Tate Modern hosts this major exhibition devoted to the Dutch artist and the early works of European avant-garde art. In all, the impressive lineup showcases more than 300 works by 80 different artists, including rarely seen works by Alexander Archipenko, Raoul Hausmann, and Piet Mondrian. Bankside; 011-44-20-7887-8888; tate.org.uk

DO
River Thames Bike Tour: This spring, Fat Tire Bike Tours London debuts this educational and entertaining cycling tour along both sides of the Thames. The pedalfests pass favorite landmarks like St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Tower of London, and Covent Garden. And you even get to ride on a Thames Clipper riverboat. 011-44-78-8233-8779; fattirebiketourslondon.com

SHOP
Louis Vuitton Maison: This one's getting a lot of buzz, but details are a bit sketchy for this stylish emporium scheduled to open in May. Look for the full range of Louis Vuitton bags, watches, jewelry, ready-to-wear, and shoes. Unlike other LV stores, the Maisons (there are only a handful worldwide) include permanent art installations to encourage browsing. louisvuitton.com

PLAY (Family Fun)
Darwin Centre: At this cutting-edge addition to London's Natural History Museum in South Kensington, feast your eyes on a riveting collection of animal and insect specimens and gorgeous permanent exhibitions, like the color-rich butterfly collection. The latter seems right at home in the white cocoon-shaped building. Cromwell Road; 011-44-20-7942-5000; nhm.ac.uk

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