The lights of London: Oxford Street

With the sterling/euro exchange rate more favourable to Irish shoppers than it has been for some time, a pre-Christmas shopping trip to London can almost be justified as the frugal option. Lower prices are easily verifiable from a quick online comparison of retailers with a presence in both markets, so that a targeted foray down Oxford Street (Topshop, River Island, American Apparel, H&M, Gap, Next and, if you can stand the heat – literally! – the flagship Primark that occupies the enormous building up at the Marble Arch end that used to be home to C&A) is satisfyingly worthwhile. The range on offer in the department stores, too, puts the offering of their Irish counterparts to shame.


Just as exciting as a bargain, though, is the opportunity to purchase goods that aren't available in Ireland. Uniqlo – there seems to be one every couple of blocks in central London, each with a slightly different offering (value cashmeres and very good jeans are the essential purchases here, the menswear is terrific and Jil Sander's range is more than classy) – is a must visit. On Regent Street, Liberty, Banana Republic and Jaeger are conveniently clustered a short distance away from Topshop, giving mothers a welcome respite from the subterranean life that is so appealing to their teenage daughters. And the extraordinary new Anthropologie store, also on Regent Street, the first European outpost of the American chain, with its living wall of 18,000 plants, will please everyone – plenty of interest here from covetable kitchen bits and pieces to pretty clothes and accessories and a quirky book selection.


All that shopping will give you an appetite. In Soho (just five minutes' walk from Oxford Circus) Anthony Demetre's wonderful Arbutus on Frith Street has a bargain three-course set lunch priced at £16.95 that would surely fortify you for the afternoon session. The Leon restaurants (not the same as the Dublin ones) that proliferate in London are also worth visiting for well-priced, quality fare – there are branches on Carnaby and Regent Streets.


If the heaving crowds of Oxford Street and environs do not appeal, however, the villages of London make for a more relaxing retail environment. Think about Pimlico, Marylebone High Street (home to the wonderful Daunt bookshop), Hampstead and Islington, all of which have plenty of interesting shopping possibilities.


In East London, the neighbourhoods of Hoxton and Shoreditch have gone through no small transformation over the past couple of years. If you're in London on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, make a visit to Borough market, the best food market in the capital. There are plenty of foodie treasures to take away, and Brindisa serves a killer breakfast using ingredients from its wonderful Spanish shop at the market.


The trendification of the area began with the arrival of über-gallerist Jay Jopling's White Cube on Hoxton Square, so do be sure to take a look. Hoxton has plenty to offer the shopper in search of one-off pieces and vintage clothing. The Hoxton Boutique stocks Isabel Marant and Dr Denim, plus the in-house +HOBO+ jersey range. Brix Smart's Start London boutique on Rivington Street is already an east London institution and Lara Bohinc on Hoxton Square has jewellery and accessories to please the most demanding fashionista. This is an area to take a leisurely stroll around and see what you happen upon. And when you're finished shopping, check out Pizza East – the new all-day eaterie from Nick Jones, the man behind Soho House – for a modestly priced glimpse of über-trendy London life.


In west London, Portobello market will already be familiar to anyone with an interest in antiques and collectibles, but nearby there is a host of small boutiques and branches of some interesting chains. On one stretch of Westbourne Grove alone you'll find familiar names such as Paul Smith, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Joseph, Theory, Ralph Lauren, Smythson, Whistles, LK Bennet and Nanette Lepore. There's also jeweller Dinny Hall, Aubin & Wills for retro tweeds and an Emma Hope store stocking the full range of her wonderful footwear. Good if pricey pickings for children's clothes around here too – as you would expect from a family neighbourhood favoured by bankers and hedge-fund folk. Try Petit Bateau, I Love Gorgeous, Caramel, Marie Chantal, Burberry and Bonpoint if you're feeling generous to a small person. If, on the other hand, you're more inclined to spend on adults, check out the cashmeres and slouchy suede boots in Brora, the beach wear in Melissa Odabash, handbags in Anya Hindmarsh, shoes from Mark Jacob and Viktor & Rolf at Iris, undies at Bodas and covetable clothes at Twenty8Twelve, Matches and Diane von Furstenburg. There are lovely homeware bits and bobs to be had at Brissi and candles at Diptyque.


For sustenance around Westbourne Grove, Tom's is good for a fortifying all-day breakfast, Ottolenghi for fabulous salads and signature meringues and Daylesford Organic and Nicole Farhi Cafe for wholesome fare.


Consider yourself at home: a place to stay


I stayed at the newly re-vamped Kensington Hotel, one of the Doyle Collection's London properties. Located a convenient stone's throw from South Kensington tube station, the hotel is seriously comfortable and packs more than a little glamour. My suite – luxe fabrics, two flat screen tvs (one over the bath!) and a Nespresso coffee machine all featured – was terrifically comfortable, somewhere I'd have been more than happy to linger. There is a business centre if there is work to be done. Breakfast showcased everything from the healthy (porridge) to the decadent (organic eggs benedict). Weekend rates from £120 plus VAT for a three-night stay, various other tailored packages available. www.doylecollection.com.