The Connaught, Mayfair

The entrance to The Connaught reveals itself through a cloud of mist. The granite-edged water feature that engulfs two London Plane trees in the hotel’s forecourt emits clouds of vapour for 15 seconds every 15 minutes. The effect is mesmerising, and an apt introduction to a hotel that mixes modern taste with traditional hospitality. The hotel first opened in 1897 and retains much of its Edwardian charm. So enamoured was Ralph Lauren with the staircase in the lobby of The Connaught that he had a replica installed in his flagship store on Madison Avenue. The hotel benefitted from a £70 million facelift in 2007, which saw rooms overhauled by David Collins Studio and, subsequently, the opening of the Aman spa – the first Aman Spa to be built outside the renowned Aman resorts. The décor may be turn-of-the-20th-century, but drinking and dining is very much cutting-edge. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught earned the French chef a second Michelin star; The Coburg Bar has been voted Best Bar in London by Time Out magazine; while The Connaught Bar came runner up at the World’s 50 Best Bar Awards and was named Best Bar in Europe. Elsewhere, Jean-Georges at The Connaught mixes British classics with flavours from the Far East and the 2020 opening of The Connaught Grill relaunched one of London’s most celebrated restaurants. Address: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL Number of rooms: 121 (including suites) Amenities: Aman spa, compact gym, indoor swimming pool Restaurants & bars: The Connaught Grill/Hélène Darroze at The Connaught/Jean-Georges at The Connaught/Connaught Bar/Coburg Bar Price: From £473 per night #เมืองนอกทิพย์