What’s not to love? Wedding or no wedding, the city is a hub of food, fashion and all-round fabulousness, writes Vanessa Lawrence.

To market, to market
Camden and Portobello are the typical haunts for a scrounge, but Brick Lane and Spitalfields in the East End are edgier (McQueen didn’t live there for nothing!). Come Sunday, street vendors spruik spices, exotic food, pre-loved books and furniture. The surrounding shops also have vintage clothing at ripper prices. Stylist and personal vintage shopper Naomi Thompson takes us to hidden gems like Beyond Retro (an Aladdin’s cave of 10,000-plus pieces) and Absolute Vintage (a shoe-lover’s paradise). High-end Blondie stocks Chanel, YSL and Ferragamo. I snap up a 70s Halston dress for $200. Score!
www.vintagesecret.com

A right Royal sleepover
The unabashedly glamorous Langham Hotel redefines luxury accommodation (thanks to an OTT $124 million refurb a couple of years back). We check into our fabulous rooms, glam up, then swoon through the marble lobby and head for Artesian, the super-cool cocktail bar designed by interiors maestro (and Madonna’s BFF) David Collins. A rum cocktail later, we move on to dinner at Roux At The Landau, where Michelin-star chefs serve up seared Orkney scallops and toffee cheesecake on Bernardaud plates and Vera Wang chinaware.

Next day, it’s plastic fantastic with Regent, Bond and Oxford streets a stone’s throw away. Yes, that means Topshop, Urban Outfitters and Selfridges…After that credit-card workout we’re desperately in need of a pressure-point massage at the Langham’s newly opened Chuan Spa (Europe’s first), followed by afternoon tea at the Palm Court. This is seriously good stuff – so top-notch it nabbed the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea award last year (that’s the equivalent of an Oscar for tea types).
london.langhamhotels.co.uk

Martinis with the cool kids
From Mossy and LiLo to Ri-Ri and Kanye, big names knock back bevvies at Hawaiian-themed cocktail bar Mahiki – along with young Royals like Harry (and a posse of Harry Hunters). Think a whole lot of wicker, palm-tree cushion covers…plus the mother of all drinks menus. We sip on pina coladas until 9pm, then it’s time to order the Treasure Chest. It’s almost $200, but serves eight and the presentation – a steaming wooden chest topped up with peach liqueur and a bottle of Moët on arrival at your table – is second-to-none.

Later in the evening, skip across to FunkyBuddha for pumping music or head to converted antiques warehouse Public in Chelsea to rub shoulders with Brit socialites.
www.mahiki.com; www.fbmayfair.co.uk; www.public.uk.com

Be a (day) tripper
Rich in history and just a 90-minute train ride away, Bath is the go if you’re hanging for a break from the capital. Not only is it home to the Roman Baths – one of Europe’s best-preserved ancient sites – and the famous Bath bun (mmm), but it also has the only natural thermal spa in the UK. Bliss. We soak ourselves in the same mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans in the rooftop pool, then head downstairs for a Bamboo Facial.

After all that pampering, a trip to the Queen’s official digs, Windsor Castle, is just the ticket. We wander through the stunning State Apartments and Waterloo Chamber, where Wills held his African-themed 21st birthday party.

The hugely prestigious Eton College – where he and Harry went to school – is within walking distance, as is pretty Dorney Lake, where the 2012 Olympic rowing, kayaking and canoeing will be held.
www.thermaebathspa.com; www.windsor.gov.uk

Slip into a food coma
With gastropubs and so-hip-it-hurts eateries on nearly every corner, we’re spoilt for choice. The Punch Bowl in the West End’s Mayfair is a watering hole for A-listers like Cheryl Cole and Jude Law. Hint: pop in on a weeknight for ale-battered fish and chips and you’ll likely see owner Guy Ritchie chatting with locals in a dimly lit corner.

Love the hip crowd at nearby Sketch, an eclectic patisserie/restaurant/bar with super-imaginative decor in every room and pod-style toilets that wouldn’t be out of place in an art gallery. We treat ourselves to mac and cheese in The Parlour, a comfort dish with a fancy twist, courtesy of Emmental and remoulade salad.

For food on a budget (without compromising on cool) we love interactive Inamo in Soho – ordering is done on an illustrated menu projected onto the table. You can even view a Tube map or order a taxi.
www.punchbowllondon.com; www.sketch.uk.com; www.inamo-restaurant.com

Travel notes
Make the most of your visit by calling on an accredited Institute of Tourist Guiding London guide. Those with a coveted Blue Badge study their areas of expertise for almost two years, so you’re in capable hands. Plus, they’ve got so much street cred you get to jump the queue at most museums and galleries. Huge bonus.

Image: Go big-name vintage hunting at Spitafields (above).