Best for: classic luxury
Since opening on a triangular site near the Embankment in 1885, the grand building has had multiple lives as both a hotel and a government headquarters, due to its proximity to the Palace of Westminster and 10 Downing Street. Entering off quiet Whitehall Place, in a pocket of London frequented by drab bureaucrats, the hotel’s opulence is a bit of a shock – a symphony of grand symmetry, with an enormous flower arrangement at the centre. Up a short flight of stairs is the light-filled Crystal Moon Lounge, where one of the hotel’s signature touches, a 1,001-crystal Baccarat chandelier, hangs.
The 279 rooms here, which include 55 suites, are notably generous, with king-size beds, a table and chairs, and plenty of room to stretch out. The suites have recently been overhauled and mine, the Trafalgar Suite, was an exceptional city oasis, with a sitting room, a dining table for four, and (as you might expect) views of Trafalgar Square. Downstairs, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is a notable draw, offering up the perfect elevated English pub experience. Likewise, the multi-level subterranean spa is one of the best in London, and recently partnered with luxury German brand Augustinus Bader. Jesse Ashlock
Price: Rooms from around £755 per night.
Address: Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Closest tube station: Embankment
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