47 Park Street by Matthew Barker

Edwardian town house perched on the north-west edges of Mayfair with an unruffled, noble air but informal in the right places. Clubby, chintzy, exclusive. And proud of it. 52 suites.

Hotel Attractions: Room service comes direct from Michelin-starred Le Gavroche restaurant next door (one of the city’s finest by a country mile). Molton Brown in the bathroom. Health club and spa nearby.

Local Attractions: Hyde Park is just across the road (you’re at the Speaker’s Corner end); the Royal Academy, a short(ish) walk away, has found a new audience following its championing of Young British Artists; the Mash bar pulls in a regular in-crowd (or there’s Hush, over towards Regent Street). Philip Howard’s cooking at The Square is a must. Bond Street close by (Burberry, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Hermes, Armani…); Berkeley Square still has its charms.