(1) Berkeley, The; Hotels: Traditional; The grand sand stone building houses London's best open air swimming pool (The Spa) on its top, SR GBP 295-320, DR GBP 355-420, Suite GBP 490-3300, superb French restaurant La Tante Claire (see there) and French-Thai Vong, The Lounge for drinks & tea; Tel: +44-20-7235 6000; Fax: +44-20-7235 4330; Wilton Place; Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL ; Open: Vong: Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm, 6-11.30pm, Sun 11.30-2pm, 6-10.30pm, La Tante Claire (see there), Afternoon tea: Mon-Sun 4-6pm; Tube: Hyde Park Corner; e-mail: reservations@the-berkeley.co.uk; website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
 

(2) Brown's Hotel; Hotels: Traditional; Since 1837 guests have been enjoying a country house style atmosphere with antique furnishings, SR GBP 225-265, DR GBP 255-424, Suite GBP 385, '1837 Restaurant' for excellent traditional British cuisine; Tel: +44-20-7493 6020; Fax: +44-20-7493 9381; 29-34 Albemarle Street; Mayfair, London W1A 4SW ; Open: 1837 Restaurant: Mon-Sat 12.30-2pm, 7-10.30pm, Afternoon tea: 3.30-5pm, (jacket & tie advisable), Bar: noon-11pm (midnight for guests); Tube: Green Park; e-mail: brownshotel@ukbusiness.com; website: www.brownshotel.com
 

(3) Cadogan Hotel; Hotels: Traditional; Charming old town house in the heart of Chelsea, Oscar Wilde stayed here, tennis courts available, SR GBP 190-220, DR GBP 220-260, Suite GBP 270-350, Edwardian Restaurant, also for Afternoon tea, Cadogan Hotel Bar; Tel: +44-20-7235 7141; Fax: +44-20-7245 0994; 75 Sloane Street; Chelsea, London SW1X 9SG ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Fri noon-2pm, 6.30-10pm, Afternoon tea 3-6pm, Bar: Mon-Fri 11am-11pm; Tube: Sloane Square; e-mail: info@cadogan.com; website: www.cadogan.com
 

(4) Claridge's Hotel; Hotels: Grand Hotel; Art Deco, antiques and lavish bathrooms create a discreet elegance, frequently quoted as London's best hotel, SR GBP 295, DR GBP 350-385, Suite GBP 475-3500, Gordon Ramsey at Claridge's Restaurant opened in autumn 2001, Claridge's Bar, Afternoon tea in the Foyer or Reading Room (jacket & tie); Tel: +44-20-7629 8860; Fax: +44-20-7499 2210; Brook Street; Mayfair, London W1A 2JQ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Sun 12.30-2.45pm, 7-10.45pm, Afternoon tea: 3.30-5.30pm, Claridge's Bar: 11am-11pm; Tube: Bond Street; e-mail: info@claridges.co.uk; website: www.claridges.co.uk
 

(5) Connaught Hotel; Hotels: Traditional; An upper crust classic in the London hotel scene with a high staff to guest ratio, SR GBP 280-300, DR GBP 315-425, Suite GBP 495-1670, the mahogany-panelled Restaurant and the Georgian-style Grill Room are both award winning, American Bar (jacket & tie); Tel: +44-20-7499 7070; Fax: +44-20-7495 3262; Carlos Place; Mayfair, London W1Y 6AL ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Sun 12.30-2.30pm, 6.30-10.45pm, Grill Room: Mon-Sun 12.30-2.30pm, Sun-Fri 6-10.45pm, Afternoon tea: Mon-Sun 3.30-5.30pm, Bar: Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 5.30-11pm, Sun 7-10.30pm; Tube: Bond Street; e-mail: reservations@the-connaught.co.uk; website: www.the-connaught.co.uk
 

(6) Dorchester Hotel; Hotels: Grand Hotel; One of London's leading Grand Hotels built in 1931: comfort and style, owned and lavishly renovated by the Sultan of Brunei, SR GBP 295-315, DR GBP 330-385, Suite GBP 500-2,125, The Oriental (Cantonese cuisine) & Grill Room (Spanish Palace interior); Tel: +44-20-7629 8888; Fax: +44-20-7409 0114; 53 Park Lane; Mayfair, London W1A 2HJ ; Open: The Oriental: Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm, 7-11pm, Grill Room: Mon-Sat 12.30-2.30pm, 6-11pm, Sun 7-10pm, Afternoon tea: 2.30-6pm, Bar: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun noon-10.30; Tube: Hyde Park Corner; e-mail: reservations@dorchesterhotel.com; website: www.dorchesterhotel.com
 

(7) Gore Hotel, The; Hotels: Traditional; The most eccentric hotel in London: Victorian style with many old Oriental Carpets, SR GBP 130-170, DR GBP 170-210, Suite GBP 285-295, 'Bistro 190' restaurant for modern European and '190 Bar' with character; Tel: +44-20-7584 6601; Fax: +44-20-7589 8127; 189 Queen's Gate; South Kensington, London SW7 5AG ; Open: Bistro 190: Mon-Sun noon-11pm, 190 Bar: 11.30-1am Sun-12pm; Tube: South Kensington / Gloucester Road; e-mail: reservations@gorehotel.co.uk; website: www.gorehotel.com
 

(8) Goring Hotel, The; Hotels: Traditional; Since 1910 this charming quiet hotel hosts diplomatic guests to the palace, own garden, SR GBP 165-190, DR GBP 195-285, Suite GBP 270-365, Dining Room restaurant for traditional fine English cuisine and the Garden Bar; Tel: +44-20-7396 9000; Fax: +44-20-7834 4393; Beeston Place, Grosvenor Gardens; Belgravia, London SW1W 0JW ; Open: Dining Room: Mon-Sun: 7-10am, 12.30 2.30pm, 6-10pm, Garden Bar: Mon-Sun: 24 hours; Tube: Victoria Station; e-mail: reception@goringhotel.co.uk; website: www.goringhotel.co.uk
 

(9) Great Eastern Hotel; Hotels: Trendy; Thanks to Sir Terence Conran, the Great Eastern Hotel has been recreated into a trendy City hotel, SR GBP 225, DR GBP 260-325, Suite GBP 385-515, Restaurants: Aurora is grand traditional and Terminus more trendy, also 4 bars; Tel: +44-20-7618 5000; Fax: +44-20-7618 5001; Liverpool Street; City, London EC2M 7QN ; Open: Aurora Restaurant: Mon-Fri noon-2.45pm, 6.45-10.45pm, Sat 6.45-10.45pm, Sun 12-2.45pm, Bars: Mon-Sun 7am-11.30; Tube: Liverpool Street; e-mail: info@great-eastern-hotel.co.uk; website: www.great-eastern-hotel.co.uk
 

(10) Halkin, The; Hotels: Trendy; A trendy quiet hotel nicely fitted into a traditional Belgravian building, SR&DR GBP 295-395, Suite GBP 450-995, Stefano Cavallini Restaurant for fine Italian cuisine as well as petite bar; Tel: +44-20-7333 1000; Fax: +44-20-7333 1100; 5 Halkin Street; Belgravia, London SW1X 7DJ ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Fri 12.30-2.30pm, 7.30-11pm, Sat: 7.30-11pm, Sun 7-10pm, Bar: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm; Tube: Hyde Park Corner; e-mail: res@halkin.co.uk; website: www.halkin.co.uk
 

(11) Hempel, The; Hotels: Trendy; One of the first trendy London hotels designed in minimalist style by Anoushka Hempel, minimalist designer garden for receptions, 47 rooms, SR&DR GBP 220-290, Suite GBP 440-1300, trendy I-Thai restaurant for designer Thai-Italian cuisine with bar; Tel: +44-20-7298 9000; Fax: +44-20-7402 4666; 31-35 Craven Hill Gardens (Entr.: 32); Bayswater, London W2 3EA ; Open: I-Thai: Mon-Sun noon-2.30pm, 6.30-10.45pm, Bar: Mon-Fri 24 hours; Tube: Queensway / Bayswater; e-mail: hotel@the-hempel.co.uk; website: www.the-hempel.co.uk
 

(12) Lanesborough, The; Hotels: Traditional; The Lanesborough looks like an old stately mansion and has been restored to splendour, SR GBP 265-320, DR GBP 370-450, Suite GBP 570-4500, The Conservatory restaurant also for afternoon tea, The Library bar is known for its ancient cognacs; Tel: +44-20-7259 5599; Fax: +44-20-7259 5606; Hyde Park Corner; Belgravia, London SW1X 7TA ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Sun 7am-11pm, Afternoon tea: Mon-Sun 3.30-6pm, Bar: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun noon-10.30pm; Tube: Hyde Park Corner; e-mail: info@lanesborough.co.uk; website: www.lanesborough.com
 

(13) Metropolitan, The; Hotels: Trendy; Minimalist designer hotel in light beige colours and wood, SR GBP 250, DR GBP 275-485, Suite GBP 485-1900, Nobu restaurant for celebrated new Japanese cuisine and Met Bar; Tel: +44-20-7447 1000; Fax: +44-20-7447 1100; Old Park Lane; Mayfair, London W1Y 4LB ; Open: Nobu: Mon-Sat noon-2pm, 6-10pm, Sat 6-11.15pm, Sun 6-9.45pm, Met Bar: Mon-Sat 10.30am-3.30am, Sun -10.30pm, after 6pm members or residents only; Tube: Hyde Park Corner; e-mail: res@metropolitan.co.uk; website: www.metropolitan.co.uk
 

(14) One Aldwych; Hotels: Trendy; Trendy hotel for new media people with pool and private cinema, SR GBP 295-360, DR GBP 215-380, Suite GBP 495-1145, Axis restaurant for modern British cuisine with bar, main course GBP 12-18, set lunch: 2 courses GBP 16, buzzing Lobby Bar; Tel: +44-20-7300 1000; Fax: +44-20-7300 1001; 1 Aldwych; Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BZ ; Open: Axis Restaurant: Mon-Fri noon-2.45pm, 5.45-11.30pm, Sat 5.45-11.30pm, Lobby Bar: Mon-Fri 11am-11pm; Tube: Covent Garden / Temple; e-mail: reservations@onealdwych.co.uk; website: www.onealdwych.co.uk
 

(15) Ritz Hotel, The; Hotels: Grand Hotel; Built by Caesar Ritz in 1906 in new French Renaissance style: the real grand hotel, SR GBP 305, DR GBP 355-425, Suite GBP 495-1850, The Ritz Restaurant could be in Versailles, meal GBP 35-60, Ritz Palm Court for afternoon tea, GBP 24 (jacket & tie); Tel: +44-20-7493 8181; Fax: +44-20-7493 2687; 150 Piccadilly; St. James's, London W1V 9DG ; Open: The Ritz Restaurant: Mon-Sat 12.30-2.30pm, 6-11.00pm (dancing on Fri & Sat), Sun 12.30-2.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm, Ritz Palm Court: Mon-Sun 2-6pm, Bar: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm; Tube: Green Park; e-mail: enquire@theritzhotel.co.uk; website: www.theritzhotel.co.uk
 

(16) Sanderson, The; Hotels: Trendy; Ian Schrager's latest tres cool hotel makes you feel you are in a film, SR GBP 270, DR GBP 295-340, Suite GBP 340-850, Spoon+ restaurant (Alain Ducasse), main course GBP 16-28, and Long Bar (both with terrace), Purple Bar, surreal spa setting; Tel: +44-20-7300 1400; Fax: +44-20-7300 1401; 50 Berners Street; Bloomsbury, London W1P 3AD ; Open: Restaurant: Mon-Sun noon-3pm, 6-11pm Sun -10.30pm, Long Bar: Mon-Sat 10am-12.30pm, Sun 10am-11.30pm, Purple Bar (for residents only): Mon-Sun 10am-3am; Tube: Oxford Street; e-mail: sanderson@ianschragerhotels.com; website: www.ianschragerhotels.com
 

(17) Savoy, The; Hotels: Grand Hotel; A flagship grand hotel with English individuality and style, excellent river-view, SR GBP 290-335, DR GBP 345-515, Suite GBP 465-1775, The Savoy Grill (jacket & tie) & the River Restaurant for Thames view, American Bar, health club & pool; Tel: +44-20-7420 2300; Fax: +44-20-7872 8901; Strand; Strand, London WC2R 0EU ; Open: The Savoy Grill: Mon-Sat noon-2.30am, 5.30-10.30pm, Sun 5.30-10.30pm, The River Restaurant: Mon-Sun noon-3pm, 5.30pm-midnight, American Bar: Mon-Sat 11am-12.30am; Tube: Charing Cross / Covent Garden; e-mail: info@the-savoy.co.uk; website: www.the-savoy.co.uk
 

(18) St. Martin's Lane Hotel; Hotels: Trendy; Cool Philippe Stark design for fashion and new media people, rooms focus on design not size, SR GBP 235, DR GBP 235, Suite GBP 675-1400, Saint M's, Asia de Cuba and Seabar restaurants as well as Light Bar; Tel: +44-20-7300 5500; Fax: +44-20-7300 5501; 45 St. Martin's Lane; Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HX ; Open: Tuscan Steak: Mon-Sat noon-2.20pm, 5.30-12pm, Asia de Cuba: same, but no Sat lunch, Seabar: same, Light Bar (for residents or members only): Mon-Sat 5.30pm-3am, Sun 6-10.30pm; Tube: Leicester Square; e-mail: SML@ianschragerhotels.com; website: www.ianschragerhotels.com