Mr & Mrs Smith

St James's Hotel is an easy stroll from the leafy lakeside St James's Park (www.royalparks.org.uk), where the park's wildlife officers feed the pelicans every day at 2.30pm. The Serpentine Gallery (www.serpentinegallery.org), which hosts regular events and exhibitions of cutting-edge art and sculpture, is at the far end of the park. You're also very close to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, better known as the ICA (+44 (0)20 7930 0493; www.ica.org.uk), and, of course, Buckingham Palace.

Mayfair’s and Piccadilly’s finest and most fabulous eateries are all within ambling distance of St James’s. The closest is Le Caprice (+44 (0)20 7629 2239), which is just around the corner and serves a beguiling menu that attracts royals, stars and diners of discernment. Saka No Hana (+44 (0)20 7925 8988) is the St James’s Street outpost of Alan Yau’s Japanese haute-cuisine empire and satisfies sashimi cravings with style. Any other oriental culinary whims can be met at Nobu (+44 (0)20 7447 4747) in the Metropolitan London and nearby Berkeley Square. 50-year-old London landmark Bentley's (+44 (0)20 7734 4756) is a five-minute walk away on Swallow Street, owned and helmed by Irish superchef Richard Corrigan, who does speactacular things with fish. From the other side of the culinary globe, Automat (+44 (0)20 7499 3033) on Dover Street provides American brasserie fare (burgers to boast about) and while lunch, dinner and afternoon tea at The Wolseley (+44 (0)20 7499 6996) are indisputably fabulous, it’s the incredible breakfast menu that’s really worth raving about.

The 1707 Wine Bar (0845 602 5694) in Fortnum & Mason’s food hall lets you sample the wares on the neighbouring wine shelves for a £10 corkage fee. Louche and lively Aura (+44 (0)20 7499 9999) on St James' Street is a members' club, kitchen, and one of London's most cash-flashing club nights.