Worth getting out of bed for
You can walk from the hotel to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum (www.vam.ac.uk), the Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum.org.uk) and Hyde Park. Harrods (www.harrods.com) and Harvey Nichols (www.harveynichols.com) are also a stroll away. The Royal Academy of Art at Burlington Place (+44 (0)20 7300 8000; www.royalacademy.org.uk) holds temporary shows throughout the year. Its famous Summer Exhibition showcases around 1,200 works by established and unknown artists, sculptors and architects. And, ask hotel staff if you fancy a massage or facial – they’ll name-drop the best beauty salons and book you in if you’re keen.
Local restaurants
Sample some of the city’s most seductive seafood at Scott’s on Mount Street (+44 (0)20 7495 7309; www.scotts-restaurant.com). The Square, at 6–10 Bruton Street (+44 (0)20 7495 7100; www.squarerestaurant.org) is Philip Howard’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Expect modern French cuisine, a sleek contemporary setting and sophisticated service. Nearby Umu, at 14–16 Bruton Place (+44 (0)20 7499 8881; www.umurestaurant.com) sources the ingredients for its Kyoto cuisine from Japan, and has an ocean-spanning selection of sushi and sashimi. (try the tasting menu). Equally accomplished food is served at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley on Wilton Place, Knightsbridge (+44 (0)20 7235 6000; www.the-berkeley.co.uk). Dark, seductive Hakkasan off Berkeley Square (+44 (0)20 7927 7000; www.hakkasan.com) serves excellent Chinese food and very good, very powerful cocktails.
Local bars
Stake out one of the ruby-red chairs at Claridge’s Bar on Brook Street (+44 (0)20 7629 8860; www.claridges.co.uk). Cocktails come in crystal glasses and there’s an impressive array of late-night nibbles, including sushi, sashimi, truffle risotto and even fish and chips.
