London's Most Expensive

By Londonist Last edited 160 months ago
London's Most Expensive

Our London On The Cheap suggestions are priceless in these cut price times but aren't you curious about how the other 'recession un-hit' half lives? We've been on a scout for some of the most expensive experiences London has to offer.

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Corniche Rolls Royce by D I C K S D A I L Y
Most expensive cinema tickets

At £21 per seat on weekends, the Odeon at Leicester Square topped our search for the single most expensive cinema ticket. And no, the popcorn is not gratis. We checked.

Most expensive tea

Claridges, The Ritz, Dorchester and Lanesborough hotels all serve afternoon tea for about £35 per head. But the stakes start to rise when you chuck in some champers. The high rollers prize goes to Lanesborough for their afternoon tea served with a cool glass of Grand Marque Champagne, Krug Grand Cuvee at 80 quid per head.

Most expensive whisky

At £760 for a double measure, the 50-year-old Balvenie Whisky at Albannach bar at Trafalgar Square has to be the most expensive in the city. A single cask of the whiskey contains only 83 bottles. As Alastair Foster of the Evening Standard eulogises: "it smells rich with hints of Christmas pudding, toffee and marzipan; tastes of honey and spices;" and left him with a glow long after he left the bar. Probably because he didn't have to pay.

Most expensive way to travel round town

Claremont Car Hire Service charges a cool £175 an hour for a chauffeur driven trip around town in a Maybach 62 or a Rolls Royce Phantom. Think we'll stick with those nice Golfs from the car club next time we need a trip to Ikea.

Most expensive meal

Yep, that would be at Gordon Ramsay's at Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea. But here’s how you to cause maximum injury to your credit card, once there: go for the restaurant's 5-course truffle menu at £225 per person - wine and service not included.

Most expensive season ticket

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal tops the list not just for London, but for the whole of the UK at £1,825 for a season ticket. Or if it's just a one off, an 15 seater Executive Box at Emirates for next weekend's north London derby is available for a neat £15k (ex-VAT).

Most expensive hotel room

Prices vary depending on season and availability but we'd hazard a guess that £8,500 a night for Diane von Furstenberg's Piano Suite at the Claridge's Mayfair will be hard to beat. But then again, what price a Japanese Toto toilet in your master bathroom?

Most Expensive PS

As the lady at Claridge's kindly reminded us: Don't forget to add VAT to the price.

We want your tales of decadence please! Can you top our expensive suggestions? Do tell us about the priciest haircut, most stupidly priced cocktail, bank breaking babysitters and anything else that put your home at risk in the name of totally obscene expenditure.

Last Updated 12 November 2010