London: 5 Places to Stay

With a prime address on Park Lane facing Hyde Park, this grande dame embodies a posh formality that's attracted Prince Philip (who held his bachelor party here in 1949) as well as rock and Hollywood royalty who regularly take up residence. Rooms are spacious and charmingly designed; you'll also find excellent service, afternoon tea in the opulent lobby lounge, a smart gift shop (think bespoke bathrobes), a luxurious spa, and China Tang, David Tang's Art Deco-inspired Cantonese restaurant and classic cocktail bar. Its 195 rooms and 55 suites are light and airy, and feature floral drapes and carpets, antique furniture and inviting armchairs, and marble bathrooms (with what may be the deepest tubs in town). For a large hotel, it's still reassuringly exclusive.

Insider Tip: Don't skip the immaculately landscaped flower gardens.

Room to Book: One of the Junior or Dorchester suites; each has access to a tech-savvy "E-Butler," on call daily to solve any Internet or plasma-screen-TV issues.

• 1. The Dorchester
  53 Park Lane, London, U.K. W1A 2HJ; 44-(0)20-7629-8888 51.36993-0.096701 thedorchester.com