Claridge's

Rooms and decor

The lobby sets the tone: Art Deco in black-and-white marble, anchored by a giant Dale Chihuly chandelier that is the centrepiece of the Foyer. Every room is decorated by a renowned designer — names like David Linley, Diane von Furstenberg and Vivienne Westwood — with beds made specially for Claridge's, Pratesi sheets from Italy, Egyptian cotton towels and a marble bathtub in every room. One guest wrote that the service here makes you feel like royalty: they remember your name, the drink you like and the pillow you prefer. The top Royal Suite and Davies Penthouse come with a private terrace looking over Mayfair.

Food and amenities

The Foyer & Reading Room, under a glass dome, serves the most famous Afternoon Tea in London alongside the Ritz — and the royal family still turns up for it. Claridge's Bar and the Art Deco Fumoir cocktail lounge are meeting points for the fashion and art crowd. Claridge's Restaurant is run by Daniel Humm, serving contemporary French food. Claridge's Spa is small but plush, uses La Mer products and has a dedicated couples treatment room. There's 24-hour butler service for the suites and a Diamond-level Les Clefs d'Or concierge who'll arrange anything from the hardest Wimbledon tickets to a private visit to Buckingham Palace.

Location and getting there

Claridge's sits on Brook Street in the heart of Mayfair, on the corner of Davies Street, right by the luxury shopping of Bond Street. Bond Street Underground is a 5-minute walk on the Central, Jubilee and new Elizabeth Line, which runs direct to Heathrow in about 40 minutes. Hyde Park is a 10-minute walk, Buckingham Palace about 15 minutes, and Selfridges on Oxford Street roughly 5 minutes on foot. It's about as good as Mayfair gets if you want both shopping and the major sights within reach.

Things to know before booking

This is the most expensive hotel in the list — rooms open around $1,086 a night and the top suites push past $5,700. The higher-tier suites need booking 3 to 6 months ahead, and in peak season Claridge's is the toughest room in London to land. There's also a formal dress code, which makes it a poor fit for casual travellers or families with small children. None of that dents the score, but it does narrow who the hotel is really for.

Our take

Claridge's earns the 9.4/10 — the highest score in this list — on service more than anything: staff who know the regulars, remember the details and make you feel looked after. Pair that with the best Art Deco in Mayfair and a genuine royal pedigree, and you get a hotel that rewards the splurge. Book early, dress the part, and ask for the quieter Brook's Mews side.