Welcome to my personal journey to finding London’s heartbeat and soul.
My story
I absolutely dread these "about me" pages, but for the sake of trust, you deserve to know who is behind The Londoning. So, I’ll keep it quick and painless.
My name is Maria (picture on the left), and I’m the creator of The Londoning Guide. I’m not a lifestyle blogger or an influencer, and don’t get paid for recommendations. For six years, I’ve been working as an Airbnb Experiences Superhost, showing guests from around the world the hidden, unique places in London.
The funny thing is that I don’t love London. In fact, that mild dislike inspired me to create this guide, as I searched for reasons and places to learn how to appreciate the city. It’s this particular feeling about the city that makes The Londoning Guide unique. Who is better placed to tell you, with unflinching honesty, what is truly great about London than someone who can see the city for what it really is? Only someone who sees the flaws can curate and find the true places worth leaving your home for.
What this means for you
The Londoning Guide combines my curiosity for finding the real, genuine, and unique experiences that every London visitor—whether a tourist or a seasoned traveller—might often miss. It was created first for personal use, then shared only with my Airbnb guests, and now, it’s available to you. This guide is a collection of my years working as an Airbnb Experiences Superhost combined with the insights I’ve gained from my guests: their frustrations with the usual tourist spots and their search for something more authentic.
These are the places for people who want to feel like a local, avoid the soulless tourist traps, and appreciate insider knowledge that saves time and money. Londoning is the guide for the traveller who wants to feel like a local, not a temporary visitor, and wants to connect with the true, beating heart of this city. It is for those who seek a genuine connection to London and want to find the places that make them pause, breathe, and think: “This is worth it.”
Last but not least…
I stand by every recommendation in this guide because it’s not just a list of unique bars, restaurants, and experiences—it’s my personal journey to finding London’s heartbeat and soul.
I could go on about myself and my work, so why not see for yourself what others think of me as an Airbnb Experiences Host? [Link to Airbnb Page Here]
Otherwise, if you’ve had enough of getting to know me, skip the small talk. Access the most unique experiences this city has to offer in this month's guide now.