THE BIG SLEEP

TOP HOTELS

Blakes 33 Roland Gardens, SW7 Tel 370 6701 Sumptuous refuge in South Kensington

Browns 30-34 Albemarle St, W1 Tel 493 6020 Subdued elegance

The Conrad Hotel Chelsea Harbour, Chelsea SW10 Tel 823 3000 Views of Chelsea harbour. Nearby for Chelsea shopping and has an excellent swimming pool

Claridges Brook Street, W1 Tel 629 8860

World famous hotel, magnificent lobby

Connaught 16 Carlos Place, W1 Tel 499 7070 Grand, discreet, best grill in the country

Dorchester 53 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1 Tel 629 8888 Legendary, good location

Franklin Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW3 Tel 584 5533 Understated elegance with discreet good taste, very near Harrods

Halkin 5 Halkin Street, Belgravia, SW1X 7DJ Tel 333 1000 Striking contemporary Italian design and restaurant was voted Egon Ronay's hotel of the year

Ritz Piccadilly, W1 Tel 493 8181 Busy part of town, but it's got the name and the reputation

Savoy The Strand, WC2 Tel 836 4343

Stunning views, generally business-like

ALSO RECOMMENDED

Dukes 35 St James' Place, SW1 Tel 491 4840 Hard to find, but soothing luxury

Grosvenor House Park Lane, London W1 Tel 499 6363 Enough stars to fill a small galaxy. Sheer opulence

The Halcyon 81 Holland Park, W11 Tel 727 7288 A Moving Pictures favourite

Hazlitts 6 Frith Street, W1 Tel 434 1771

Eccentric, easy and in the centre of Soho