Claridges is nice, but it's just so damned long. Added, when you're constantly being hit with the 'every room is different' pitch from the staff, it makes you want to stab someone with shards of the Dale Chihuly in the tea room.

I like The Berkeley a whole lot. Also, if you're a fan of staying in Knightsbridge, I'd recommend the Mandarin-Oriental. If design is primo for you and you can sacrifice some level of service, I'd say try a suite at St. Martins Lane. If you're a hotel-workout kind of person, I will say that they have an incredible new GymBox facility inside of the hotel. Absolutely stunning.


BN