Checking in: London

Where? Whitehall
Like a Russian doll of increasing impressiveness, what was once the pleasure palace of Henry VIII became the Old War Office, with its 10ft-wide corridors navigated by messengers on bicycles, weaving through the smoky swirls of the cigar of then Secretary of State for War, Winston Churchill. Now, the OWO is a five-star hotel, courtesy of the strictly luxurious Singaporean powerhouse, Raffles. Unchanged since 1906, the lobby is gobbled up by a grand staircase, whose balcony atop was the favoured spot from which Churchill would address his staffers. It shoots off into nine restaurants (you’ll find one up on the roof), three bars (a London Sling in the Guard’s Bar is a must), and, below ground, a slinky 20m pool and four-storey Guerlain spa. From the Turret Suite, a secretive staircase ascends to the very summit besides which Daniel Craig’s crestfallen Bond stands at the end of Skyfall, staring out at Whitehall’s rooftops and almost every icon of your average London postcard. And while all five heritage suites once played host to some major military strategy, the Churchill Suite experienced the most direct combat. This former office turned £13,000-a-night mega suite is, after all, where the decision to go to war was made, where the early stages of D-Day were planned and where MI5 and MI6 were formed. Keen on the latter? Keep your eyes peeled for the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 007 sign marking the Spy Bar, a clandestine cocktail spot where the secret service’s identity papers and mission reports were once held…
If you only do one thing: Make it the morning heritage tour with resident historian Emiel Danneels. He’ll tell you why you should rub the lion’s nose, why the Horse Guards might steal the curtains and so much more. If he’s able, he’ll even give you some sneak peeks into the suites. By Hannah Ralph

Where? Stratford
Arms full of shopping bags. Giddy, post-theatre stumbles – you might think this is the West End, but actually, you’re minutes away from the trendy East End’s often overlooked corner. The Gantry (part of Hilton’s Curio Collection) is a haven for the area’s creatives, artists and foodies. Its cool, slatted tower seems to burst above the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, steps away from Stratford’s handy train and Tube stations, and the bustling behemoth that is Westfield shopping centre. The hotel guides you towards post-shopping relief and relaxation with its hard, slick industrial aesthetic (think brushed copper, powdered metals and panelled fixtures), softened by the friendly staff that will go above and beyond. The creative, local ethos is sewn into the fabric of the place, with artworks curated by Shoreditch-based The Jealous Gallery, an airy lobby serving Hermanos coffee (with an on-site grocer) and live R&B in the Soul Mama lounge. Once the bags are dropped off, refresh yourself with Grown Alchemist toiletries and watch the sunset framed by the floor-to-ceiling windows in your room (or from the rooftop terrace with a cocktail – The Tropical Hummingbird is a work of art). As for food, Union Social will serve you up a relaxed global menu (go for the ragú) and a plethora of small plates within an achingly relaxed lounge setting.
If you only do one thing: Take the express lift to Coupe and sip on UK-sourced fizzies at the rounded Art Deco inspired bar, gazing out at the dynamic development beyond. By Jon Wiggins

Where? Marylebone
Stepping into the theatrically marbled lobby of Hyatt Regency’s bougiest London bolthole, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d teetered back into a bygone era of high society balls and abounding chandeliers (though the latter remain in glittering abundance). Instead, this five-star abode harks back a mere half-century, succeeding even the heyday of its namesake – a certain British prime minister who can be admired via a brilliantly curated art collection throughout the hotel, from sculptures of the man himself and cabinets of curiosities to grand portraits of Churchill and his wife, and touching love letters between the two. You can even spot a couple of original artworks by the painterly PM in the Churchill Residential Suite – home to four sprawling bedrooms and one rather ostentatious full-size piano. And with not one, but two rooftop balconies, you’ll have dual vistas across Marylebone from The Churchill’s auspicious location, just north of Oxford Street. Savvy shoppers and theatre buffs won’t have to travel far to get their fix, while the leafy embrace of Hyde Park sits just around the corner. Best of all, the hotel walks straight into Portman Square Garden, where colourful beds make for a blooming backdrop to a spot of tennis on the private courts.
If you only do one thing: Make like the man himself and unwind from all that grandeur with a Churchill Negroni, inspired by his favourite liquors, at the hotel’s award-winning cocktail bar. By Rebecca Naylor

Where? Southwark
When it comes to iconic London stays, Shangri-La The Shard surely has to be top of the list. Check in here, and you’ll not only be staying in the capital’s tallest building, but you’ll also get front-row seats to unparalleled, catch-your-breath views of the city skyline. The staff are impeccably attentive (we’d expect nothing less from brand Shangri-La), anticipating your needs without being intrusive, and there’ll be palpable excitement from the off, as guests are whisked up in the high-speed lift to check in on floor 35 in a matter of seconds. Inside, décor is sleek and minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling windows, body-contouring beds and marble bathrooms, plus thoughtful touches such as Nespresso machines, Jo Loves toiletries and binoculars for spotting the landmarks of Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. Dining at the hotel is a similarly elevated experience. Head to Gong, the highest hotel bar in Europe, for pre-dinner cocktails celebrating historic moments from the last decade such as the Lillibet, a memorable gin, Champagne and lavender medley garnished with a diamond-shaped ice cube in honour of Elizabeth II, before delectable Asian-inspired dishes (the Wagyu bao buns are a standout) at Ting, which come served with – you guessed it – 360° vistas. Be sure to book a slot for the sauna and heated infinity pool (they’re free for hotel guests) for luxurious wellness up in the clouds.
If you only do one thing: Watch the sun set over London and see the city twinkle from your window as you sip tea or soak in the freestanding bathtub – it’s a view that’s hard to forget. By Hannah Hopkins

Where? Bloomsbury
Get your ‘room of one’s own’ in one of London’s most distinctive, literary districts. Originally designed in 1898, this grand hotel, affectionately called the ‘Russell Square Ritz’ by locals, was a landmark well known to the Bloomsbury Group of artists and writers, including Virginia Woolf herself. You can follow in their fabled footsteps with a trip to the nearby British Museum (founded in 1759), browse the excellent local bookshops and pick up a bubble tea (fine – maybe Woolf didn’t do that bit). Taken over by the stylish Kimpton brand in 2018, the property has been immaculately renovated with a lighting design that illuminates Victorian architect Charles Fitzroy Doll’s mania for marble. Look out for the Lucky George sculpture, whose twin went down with the Titanic (hence the moniker). Up in the rooms, you can expect an understated glamour that’s clean and fresh, without compromising on cosiness. We wouldn’t blame you, though, if you end up spending most of your time in the casual wine bar – perfect for a few chapters of a book – or its contemporary brasserie, which puts an emphasis on British produce and food. A regular steak night is popular, but it’s also heralded as the place for fish and chips or a luxurious shepherd’s pie. To complete the sophisticated ‘school dinners’ feel, finish off with a superb sticky toffee pudding before moving on to the hotel’s trendy cocktail joint.
If you only do one thing: Go for a room with a view of the gardens if you can – this is one of London’s largest squares and beautiful all year around. By Carl Harrison

Where? Trafalgar Square
If it’s hustle and bustle you’re after, this cosy Clermont puts you in the heart of one of London’s liveliest hubs: Charing Cross station, originally built on the site of the famous Hungerford Market (presided over by renowned St Paul’s Cathedral architect, Sir Christopher Wren). The Clermont has neighboured the station since 1865 – in years gone by, servants of the staying nobility would bag a room for just 2d a night. Today, it remains a jewellery box of shiny marble, tall windows, fine chandeliers, ornate arches and a rather grand staircase spiralling from the lobby. You can (and should) strike a pose by the Instagram-friendly cherry-blossom sculpture at its splendid foot. And while the communal spaces have considerable flair, rooms are impeccably modern, decorated with retro portraits of the station and styled in a clean, warming colour palette. Back downstairs, the restaurant is suitably ballroom-esque with its own roaring fireplace, and the afternoon tea, designed in homage to one of the West End’s most beloved musicals and recent movie sensation Wicked, is a total fan favourite. Best of all, though, is the newly refurbished, speakeasy-style bar, where you can join all the American tourists in enjoying a delicious Cognac Sour.
If you only do one thing: Raid the complimentary mini-bar, of course! Cans of coke, bottled water, cookies, popcorn and the like are all there for your snacky pleasure. By Maddie Gaskin

Where? Tower Hill
Boutique charm with all the bells and whistles of a Hilton? Cue the UK’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel. This surprisingly romantic city-centre stay features all manner of floral patterns, playful art, and woven fabrics celebrating London’s East End textile history. Rooms are neutral and earthy, with herringbone wooden floors, local curios inspired by the 17th century Huguenot silk weavers who settled in nearby Spitalfields, and the brand’s signature geometric canopy bed that’s unique to each location. Sink into 300-thread-count white sheets or refuel with a double shot Nespresso (for an extra caffeine fix, St Clare Coffee and Bar is just downstairs). You’ll want to hop on a complimentary orange Canopy bike next, and flit between the nearby sights – St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London are a stone’s throw away – before dining at Italian Penny Squares. The Parma and porcini pizza and tiramisu made for sharing (although, who are we to judge?) are crowd favourites. Fitness fanatics, meanwhile, will want to snap up the junior suite featuring a Peloton bike, or at least make use of the 24-hour fitness centre and complimentary earphones. A home away from home, as they say…
If you do one thing: Claim a spot at Florattica, the hotel’s rooftop bar with sweeping city skyline views. With a ceiling adorned with pink, orange, and red heather, and green velvet floral chairs, the interiors are just as dazzling. The shiso yuzu cocktail is a must-try. By Emma Blackmore

Where? Westminster
This handsome Edwardian hotel by Hyatt Unbound has gone all out to exploit its previous incarnation as a police HQ (begging the question, does crime pay?). Characterful décor includes a surfeit of moustaches (the ‘cunning disguise’ of gentlemen detectives), sham bookcase doors, keys as handles, magnifying glasses and a stirring hotchpotch of curiosities. The artwork is vivid – a rogue’s gallery of dignitaries and ne’er-do-wells is memorable – with a good many painted by prisoners, courtesy of UK prison arts charity the Koestler Trust. Once home of the Peelers – the original Met, immortalised by Dickens and Conan Doyle and later visited by Kitchener and Churchill, the site even housed Christopher Wren, Inigo Jones and John Milton back in the day. And while rooms are fairly neutral, the common spaces all, therefore, have all these stories to tell. Afternoon tea is taken in The Parlour, resplendent with foliage and murals of the Raj, while The 40 Elephants Bar is named after all-female shoplifting gang who used diamond rings as knuckledusters. You can ogle their booty in a central glass-topped ‘evidence’ table. Then there’s the Bugsy Malone-esque Síbín Speakeasy, hidden behind more of those bookshelf doors.
If you only do one thing: Make it the tasting menu at Ekstedt at The Yard, where everything is cooked over open flames to magical, mediaeval effect. Watch the theatrical preparation of your oyster flambadou and work your way through amuse-bouches and plates of smoky fish and meat culminating in a sweet cep mushroom soufflé with woodruff ice cream. This chef is on fire! By Bryony Coleman