London: Hotel Guides

Travellers of every ilk love the Corinthia. Really, what’s not to love? It’s a grand, Victorian, Thames-side, five-star stunner, done up for the exacting 21st-century guest with light, bright, stylish rooms clearly kitted out with the techy in mind, and superb dining options (their afternoon tea is famous, and the seasonal, British Northall restaurant faultless). But the four-floor ESPA Life spa is undoubtedly the star. A sprawling, subterranean pampering palace begging for a stolen, white-robed afternoon, R&R starts at the show-stopping thermal floor – an opulent, low-lit space featuring an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, swimming and vitality pools, and marble heated chill-out areas. Alongside a truly state-of-the-art fitness centre, nail studio and Daniel Galvin hair salon, ESPA’s crack team of acclaimed beauticians, masseurs, naturopaths and acupuncturists offers an incredible array of treatments – their ‘hero’ two-hour hot stone back, face and scalp treatment is hard to better.

Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD

One doesn’t walk through the doors of Belgravia’s Goring Hotel; one is ushered through, ever so politely, into another world entirely ­– one infused with fairytale-like romance (it was, after all, the place the future Duchess of Cambridge awoke on the morning of her royal wedding). You’ll soon forget you’re right by the real (Buckingham) palace – the transient tourist clatter seeps away as you pass through the resplendent Front Hall, past the Michelin-starred Dining Room, to a huge rear garden, hosting a croquet lawn fringed with flowers – perfect for refined drinks or afternoon tea. The air inside is thick with floral scent and birdsong, adding to the old-world romance of the garden rooms. Sumptuous and soothing, their walls are lined with Gainsborough silk and their marble baths big enough for two, flanked by Champagne glasses. Staff materialise, Jeeves-like, at just the right moment – glasses are filled, shoes buffed to a gleam in time for supper… It’s a love story waiting to happen.

15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW

There’s no shortage of spectacular in-house dining options amongst London’s hotels, but – since opening in 2013 – The London EDITION’s Berners Tavern has maintained its name as one of the city’s hottest tables. With culinary pin-up, the many-Michelin-starred Jason Artherton, at the helm of this modern British beauty and a dramatic former-ballroom setting, Berners is as beloved by Londoners as visitors – so even hotel guests will want to book ahead (try and squeeze in the Sunday brunch, too). The hotel itself oozes central London cool – all grand entrances, smart bars (craft cocktails at the cosy Punch Room and buzzy city vibes at the Lobby Bar) and luxe, wood-panelled rooms. Besides the in-house offerings, the hotel’s prime West End location puts the big-name eateries of Fitzrovia, Soho, Marylebone and Mayfair so close you may struggle to walk off supper. Thankfully, there’s also a 24-hour fitness studio.

10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP

While sufferers of vertigo may wish to seek accommodation elsewhere, those after a serious eyeful of the capital will find there is, quite literally, no topping the Shard: at over 300 metres, London’s tallest building offers spectacular views across town from its London Bridge location. And the Shangri-La resides in much of this. Fancy a bath overlooking Tower Bridge? Or a swim peering down at the Thames? You’ve got it. Everything about the hotel is geared around this spectacular vista – from the 52nd-floor infinity pool and dramatic GŎNG cocktail bar to the sumptuous 34th-floor TĪNG restaurant and lounge and bedrooms blessed with floor-to-ceiling windows and binoculars, the entire space looks out at and over the city. Of course, what’s inside counts too – this is a Shangri-La property, so expect exemplary service, opulent Oriental stylings and seriously smart, high-tech rooms, but never expect to get used to that startling view.

31 St. Thomas Street, SE1 9QU

The Langham’s prime West End location – at the top end of Regent Street and just a few minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus tube – means it’s perfectly placed for anyone visiting central London for work purposes. In the elegant bedrooms, business-friendly facilities include a full-size desk, media hub and free WiFi; upgrade to an Executive Room or above and you get access to The Langham Club, which brings extra privileges such as private check-in and check-out, complimentary pressing of three items of clothing on arrival and two hours’ use of the boardroom and media room. If you want to impress a client, meet them in Artesian, the hotel’s super-chic bar, and if work leaves you a little frazzled, you can work out in the state-of-the-art gym, put in some laps in the hotel’s 16-metre swimming pool or unwind in the spa, where stress-relieving treatments include a variety of massage therapies.

1c Portland Place, Regent Street

There are many reasons to choose Hotel Café Royal, from the luxurious bedrooms and super-central metropolitan location to the multiple ritzy dining options and fabulous on-site spa. Best of all, you can enjoy them all with a clear conscience, safe in the knowledge that the hotel delivers on the eco-friendly front as well: it has an excellent rating from BREEAM (which assesses the environmental performance of buildings) and a Butterfly Mark from Positive Luxury (awarded to brands with a proven commitment to sustainable and ethical practices). Every aspect of the hotel has been designed to be as green as possible, from the secondary double-glazed windows and smart lighting that make the bedrooms more energy-efficient to the ingenious waste-reducing initiatives in the kitchen. There’s even a green roof, complete with bird boxes, to welcome the local wildlife. Nice touch.

68 Regent Street

Tucked away from the bustling Piccadilly Circus crowds, Ham Yard emanates what it rightly calls an “urban village” vibe. Part of the much-loved Firmdale group – behind Charlotte Street, Soho and Covent Garden Hotels – it was always going to be a looker, lovingly interior designed in quirky-chic style by award-winning designer/owner Kit Kemp. While the tree-lined courtyard entrance exudes zen, it’s The Library that’ll first delight design buffs: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, eclectic prints adorning every possible surface and a secret bar hidden behind the shelves. Each airy room is individually decorated with more brilliantly bright prints and granite bathrooms filled with Firmdale’s signature products. Anything else you’d like? Whether it’s boutique shops, a cracking restaurant, heavenly spa, state-of-the-art gym, theatre or bowling alley, Ham Yard has it. Do make time for afternoon tea or cocktails on their roof terrace, too: a leafy escape in the heart of Soho.

1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT

It’s location, location, location that makes the London Marriott Hotel County Hall such a family-friendly base. Not only is it slap bang on the banks of the Thames, with views across the river to Big Ben, it also has key attractions such as The London Eye and Sea Life London Aquarium right on its doorstep, and plenty more within easy reach. The building itself is pretty impressive, too: a grand, stately affair that was local government HQ until civil servants gave way to hotel guests. Families can book interconnecting rooms or opt for an executive double, which sleeps up to four people – either way, the look is grown-up glamour but with quirky touches kids will love, like the colourful animal prints on the walls. Venture up to the sixth floor and you‘ll discover an unexpected bonus: a large indoor pool, flanked by artificial palm trees and open to swimmers of all ages.

Westminster Bridge Road