Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, like any Mandarin, sets the bar rather high: it’s astonishingly luxurious, impeccably staffed, and not at all hard on the eyes. Budget travelers steer clear, as conspicuous consumption is the order of the day — not only does Mandarin Oriental service come at a price, but the location is so near Knightsbridge’s notorious shopping that you’ll likely take home one more suitcase than you arrived with.

Of course for most guests that’s exactly the point; Mandarin is accessible enough to the city’s business destinations, but it’s perfectly located for professional shoppers, the sort who need to be able to do Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Burberry and the designer boutiques of Sloane Street all in one go. And you can leave your personal valet at home, as the hotel will gladly send a porter to collect your haul of luxury goods, freeing your arms for further shopping.

The hotel’s style is still classic, none of the showy hyper-modernism of London’s most fashion-forward hotels, and the service is straight out of the Far East, with managers on call on every floor 24 hours a day. The rooms are elegant and traditional, though the infrastructure is modern, with high-speed internet and huge, luxurious bathrooms.

Among the attractions for guests and Londoners alike are Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Bar The Aubrey, Mandarin bar, and a selection of bespoke teas and champagne cocktails at The Rosebery — multiple settings in which to show off your new purchases. Expansive fitness facilities, some of the city’s best, include a 17-meter heated pool, Technogym equipment, and personal training by Bodyspace. As for the location, it’s hard to think of anything that’s not within walking distance, or at most a short taxi ride away—but if, for some reason, you want to do whatever common people do, the Knightsbridge tube station is right out the front door.