A Snapshot of London’s Timeless Harrods

LONDON, U.K. A popular hub for tourists and natives alike, Harrods boasts nearly two centuries as London’s premier luxury department store. Located in the west London district of Knightsbridge is an entire city block dedicated to hosting its seven stories’ worth of stores, restaurants, cafes, spas, and lounges. You will find anything from sushi to Chanel, to flower shops and postal services– a long way from its beginnings as a small grocery store and tea shop. Harrods is known for providing the world in a room and when Londoners say there was a time when a customer could even order an elephant in its offices, they are not exaggerating.

Walking through its doors, you will be immediately reminded of Macy’s and any other typical department store until you proceed further and realize that the M.A.C and Tom Ford sales counters are merely foyers in the extensive gallery. But honestly, the dollar conversion of the Pound will be more astonishing than the array of designer stores offered around every corner; Louis Vuitton and Gucci are not new names.

However, the Food Hall might leave you breathless. Displays of international delicacies and cuisines run rampant with every turn. If you’re craving Pastéis de Nata you will not need to travel all the way to Lisbon to get your fix. Macaroon, cupcake, and brownie castles temptingly wait about. Fruit stands and tins of coffee, cookies, and tea line the walls and aisles. Foodlovers everywhere are brought to the edges of their tastebuds from simply cruising through. Should you invest in anything at Harrods it would be wise to choose food. You won’t mind queueing for this one!

Harrods Marketplace

Be assured that you will find none like Harrods anywhere else in the world because well, it is the only one. But to alleviate the faithful fan on their ventures outside its doors, Harrods opened up shop in London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Although this is a nice try, these stand-alone mini Harrods’ fail to capture the larger persona of its Knightsbridge street address —so do visit on your way from Hyde Park.

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom

www.harrods.com