Part of our Arts Culture guide.
For a comfortable stay near the Coachella festival, book a hotel or rental in Palm Springs or Indio; for an elegant London experience, the Connaught Hotel serves afternoon tea daily in Mayfair. These two guides cover very different sides of arts culture: one focused on festival logistics, the other on a timeless British ritual.
Related travel guides: Things To Do In Arts Culture, Getting Around Arts Culture, and Museum Visit London In Arts Culture.
Where To Stay At Coachella (If You're Not The Camping Type)
Coachella, the music and arts festival held annually in the Coachella Valley, California, draws crowds from around the world. If you prefer a bed and a shower over a tent, the valley offers hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals within a short drive of the festival grounds. Palm Springs, about 30 minutes northwest, has boutique hotels and mid-century modern rentals. Indio, where the festival actually takes place, has chain hotels and private homes available through rental platforms. Book early — rooms within a 20-mile radius sell out months in advance, and prices typically double during festival weekends. For a quieter option, consider La Quinta or Rancho Mirage, each about 15 minutes from the venue. Shuttle services run from many hotels to the festival entrance, so check if your accommodation includes a shuttle pass. If you want to explore a genuine art secret hidden in arts culture, look for the small gallery pop-ups that appear in Palm Springs during festival season.
Stepping Out In London: Afternoon Tea At The Connaught Hotel
Afternoon tea at the Connaught Hotel in London is a refined ritual served daily in the hotel's elegant lounge. The tradition originated in early 19th-century Britain as a light meal between lunch and dinner, and the Connaught presents it with a modern twist: a selection of loose-leaf teas, finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries from the hotel's pastry kitchen. The tea service runs from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, and reservations are required. The Connaught is located at Carlos Place in Mayfair, a five-minute walk from Bond Street tube station. The dress code is smart casual — no shorts or sportswear. Prices start at £75 per person for the classic afternoon tea and go up to £110 for the champagne version. This is one of the fascinating cultural traditions still alive today in London, and it pairs well with a visit to nearby art galleries or the museum secret secrets in arts culture found in the small museums along nearby Berkeley Square.
