Claridge's
London

An elegant grand-dame of the London hotel scene, Claridge's is an iconic hotel that manages to maintain strong links with its legendary heritage while offering top luxury comforts in style. An art deco palace, Claridge's really hit the London social scene in the frivolous and flapping 1920s the hotel was the place to listen to Gershwin or dance the Charleston for royals, film stars and socialites alike.

In addition to hosting Queen Victoria, Audrey Hepburn and the Queen Mother over the years, one of Claridge's top suites was declared Yugoslavian soil in 1945 to welcome the birth of the exiled King and Queen's Crown Prince. Claridge's today reflects this royal legacy many of the suites have been recently refurbished by David Linley, interior designer extraordinaire and nephew of Queen Elizabeth II. Linley isn't the only big name to have collaborated with the hotel Diane Von Furstenberg, India Mahdavi and David Collins have all contributed to the hotel's luxurious and understatedly elegant interiors. The rooms are a seductive combination of Victorian grace, art-deco glamour and timeless tradition seductive touches like art-deco mirrored-desks, black and white marbled floors and Picasso prints all add panache. Afternoon Tea at Claridge's is almost as famous as the hotel itself but other dining haunts wont disappoint you'll also find Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsey at Claridge's, the famous Claridge's Bar, sexy Great-Gatsby-esque Fumoir and the all-day dining Reading Room.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson