London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [148]
The Levin Hotel.
££££–£££££ | This posh boutique hotel created by the people behind the Capital Hotel is owned by luxury-loving oenophiles; expect smooth, duck-egg-blue walls, hyper-modern furnishings, and a champagne bar in every room. Yes, that’s right—each room has its own selection of pricey splits of bubbly, along with all the mixings (and directions) for making champagne cocktails. Downstairs, the relaxed Le Metro Bar & Brasserie serves French and English classics (steak frites, sausages and mash) paired with an outstanding wine list. Next door to Harrods, shopping locations don’t get any more prime than this. Pros: your own champagne bar; sauntering to Harrods. Cons: no elevator; few bargains to be had. TripAdvisor: “beautifully decorated,” “friendly and helpful personnel,” “not inexpensive.” | 28 Basil St., Knightsbridge | SW3 1AS | 020/7589–6286 | www.thelevinhotel.co.uk | 12 rooms, 1 suite | In-room: a/c, DVD, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, parking (paid) | AE, DC, MC, V | Breakfast | Knightsbridge
Fodor’s Choice | Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
£££££ | Stay here, and the three greats of Knightsbridge—Hyde Park, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols—are at your doorstep. Built in 1880, the Mandarin Oriental is one of London’s most elegant hotels. Bedrooms are Victorian but with hidden high-tech gadgets and luxurious touches like Frette linen duvets, fresh orchids, and delicate chocolates. Miles of marble were used to fill the grand entrance. It feels only appropriate that the Mandarin’s two restaurants are run by superstars of the culinary world—Bar Boulud, a French brasserie from New York–based Daniel Boulud; and Dinner, due to open in 2011, the first London restaurant from the insanely talented British chef, Heston Blumenthal (of the Fat Duck fame). The service here is legendary and there’s a butler on every floor, should you, for example, need a bit of help with the pillow menu. Even if you’re not staying, a visit the Mandarin Bar should be a quintessential London experience for lovers of a great cocktail. Pros: amazing views of Hyde Park; excellent service. Cons: nothing here comes cheap; you must dress for dinner (and lunch and breakfast). TripAdvisor: “made to feel very welcome,” “very good but understandably expensive,” “staff were super friendly and helpful.” | 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge | SW1X 7LA | 020/7235–2000 | www.mandarinoriental.com/london | 177 rooms, 23 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, DVD (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bar, gym, spa, laundry service, parking (paid) | AE, DC, MC, V | Knightsbridge
NOTTING HILL
The Main House.
££ | A brass lion door knocker marks Main House’s Victorian front door, typical of Notting Hill. With just four rooms, this hotel offers nothing but a good night’s sleep in a Victorian home. Furnished with clean white linens, polished wood floors, modern furniture, and Asian art, it is uncluttered and delightfully spacious. The tiny urban terrace is a great place for stargazing or reading the morning paper. A day rate at the local health club is available, too. Pros: unusual option; great location. Cons: few rooms mean it books up far in advance; two-night minimum stay; no room service. TripAdvisor: “felt very homey,” “very spacious and bright,” “charm and chic in buckets.” | 6 Colvile Rd., Notting Hill | W11 2BP | 020/7221–9691 | www.themainhouse.com | 4 rooms | In-room: a/c (some), Wi-Fi (some). In-hotel: bicycles, laundry service, parking (paid) | MC, V | Breakfast | Notting Hill Gate
The Portobello Hotel.
££££–£££££ | One of London’s most famous hotels, the little Portobello (formed from two adjoining Victorian