I didn’t expect to fall for this historic London precinct

This historic London precinct is having a quiet renaissance, and exploring it felt like stepping into layers of story, flavour and memory.

I did not expect Fleet St Quarter to move me as much as it did. I knew it would be historic, of course. This is, after all, the home of British journalism, where newspapers were once printed through the night and the stories that shaped the nation were written. But what surprised me most was how alive it feels today. It is not just a place you visit for history. It is a place you experience, layer by layer, through food, storytelling and deeply human connections to the past.

Over 48 hours wandering its narrow lanes and hidden courtyards, I realised Fleet St Quarter is less about ticking off sights and more about immersing yourself in stories. And there are plenty to uncover.

Walking through journalism’s beating heart

Fleet Street — The London Spy walking tour of Fleet St Quarter was intriguing. (Credit: Mickey Ling-fan Lee)

One of the highlights of my time in Fleet St Quarter was joining a walking tour with David Harry, better known as The London Spy. It turned out to be one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave.

It was absolutely pouring with rain that day. The kind of relentless London rain that soaks your shoes and makes you question your life choices. Yet despite the weather, a surprisingly large group gathered, drawn by David’s reputation as a storyteller. And from the moment he began the tour, it was clear why.

David worked in the Square Mile for more than 25 years, and later changed careers to follow his passion for history, qualifying as a prestigious London City Guide and later as a City of Westminster guide. That background gives him a unique perspective. He doesn’t just know the history; he understands how the city works, how it has evolved and why its stories matter.

As we moved through hidden alleys and historic sites, he brought Fleet Street’s past vividly to life. His storytelling style is engaging, detailed and deeply enthusiastic. Even in torrential rain, he held everyone’s attention effortlessly. You could tell how much he loves London and how genuinely he wants to share that joy with others.

A deeply human literary legacy

Dr Samuel Johnson's writing desk in his house in Fleet St Quarter — The writing desk where Dr Johnson allegedly wrote his groundbreaking dictionary. (Credit: Supplied)

The most surprising part for me came when I visited Dr Johnson’s House. Before going, I have to admit I knew very little about Samuel Johnson.

The house itself is beautifully preserved, intimate and atmospheric. Walking through its rooms feels like stepping directly into the 18th century. But what struck me was learning about Johnson himself.

He was complex, brilliant and far ahead of his time. He faced significant personal struggles throughout his life, yet remained deeply compassionate and committed to intellectual honesty. As a journalist, I found his story especially powerful. He believed fiercely in the importance of language, truth and thoughtful debate.

Standing in the rooms where he compiled his groundbreaking dictionary, I felt unexpectedly emotional.

Eating my way through a new culinary chapter

Fleet St Quarter’s evolving dining scene was a highlight. Beyond the historic pubs, some of London’s most interesting new restaurants are quietly settling into these centuries-old buildings.

CORD

My first dining experience here was at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, and I went all in with the tasting menu. The restaurant sits inside a beautifully restored heritage building, and walking in feels like stepping into something refined but never intimidating.

The tasting menu itself felt like a masterclass in balance and technique. Each course was elegant without being overly complex, allowing the ingredients to shine while still delivering moments of surprise. It made me slow down and pay attention, not just to flavours but to textures, presentation and pacing. You can feel the legacy of Le Cordon Bleu in every dish, yet the experience still feels modern and approachable.

Leydi

If CORD represents culinary precision, then Leydi represents pure warmth and generosity. This Turkish-inspired restaurant is vibrant, welcoming and built around sharing, which immediately changes the mood from formal dining to something more joyful.

I started with marinated olives bursting with garlic, oregano, coriander seed and lemon. They were simple but intensely flavourful. The hummus with chilli butter, served with soft Turkish bread, was deeply comforting, creamy and just spicy enough to keep you reaching for more.

The standout, though, was the Sultan’s Delight: slow-cooked Westholme wagyu paired with smoked aubergine and cheese purée. It was rich, indulgent and incredibly tender, and I couldn’t stop myself from devouring the whole plate.

I finished with pistachio and chocolate ice cream alongside a seasonal sorbet, which felt like the perfect sweet, playful ending.

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Where to stay nearby

View out room window in Lost Property St Paul's London — Lost Property St Paul’s is a great base. (Credit: Emily Murphy)

If you’re planning to explore Fleet St Quarter properly, staying nearby makes all the difference. I based myself at Lost Property St Paul’s London, which sits right in the heart of the area, making it easy to wander between historic sites, restaurants and hidden corners without rushing.

It’s the perfect base for immersing yourself in this neighbourhood, where every street seems to hold another story waiting to be discovered.

Why Fleet St Quarter deserves your time

Exterior of Dr Samuel Johnson's House in Fleet Street, London — Fleet Street feels especially meaningful for anyone who works with words. (Credit: Supplied)

What makes Fleet St Quarter special is not just its history or its new restaurants. It’s the way everything here feels connected by storytelling.

You can dine in a cutting-edge restaurant inside a centuries-old building, then walk a few streets and stand in the home of one of Britain’s greatest literary figures. You can listen to a passionate guide bring the past to life while rain pours down around you. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, look closer and let the stories unfold.

By the time I left, I realised Fleet St Quarter is not just about London’s past. It is about the ongoing act of storytelling itself, something that feels especially meaningful for anyone who works with words.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.