Albemarle Street
London
England
Tel: 44 207 493 6020
How do you respect the beloved Victorian backbone of this historic landmark while updating it for the twenty-first century? In short, spend $33 million to make the comfort in the 117 rooms deep-dish but low-key, with ash-gray worsted-wool upholstery, a bit of op art, low lighting, potted orchids, and large baths with pie-plate showerheads. Add a slightly clubby tone to the service—the top-hatted doorman, for example—a discreet lobby, a large bar (essential), a tea room, and a grill. The new spa's not quite in keeping with the Bruce Chatwin meets the Rat Pack mood of the place, and the service errs on the side of Euro-priggishness, but otherwise this is one swell place to hang your hat.
(E-mail: reservations.browns@roccofortehotels.com)
When to go: London is a year-round destination, but spring through fall has the best weather.
Which room to book: Those on the fifth floor are brightest and quietest, especially if you get a junior suite like No. 516, which overlooks an interior courtyard instead of busy Albemarle Street (doubles, $514–$1,037).
Amenities:
24-hour Room Service,
Bar/lounge,
Gym,
Spa