The Berkeley

The Berkeley has always been the playful sibling among London's Maybourne trio, trading heritage pomp for a lighter, fashion-literate glamour. Its position on Wilton Place puts Knightsbridge shopping and Hyde Park within a few minutes' stroll, and the hotel leans into that geography: this is a house built for people who treat London as a stage rather than a museum.

Interiors have been refreshed in waves by designers from David Collins to Bryan O'Sullivan, giving public spaces a sleek, jewel-toned confidence. The Blue Bar remains one of the city's defining cocktail rooms, while Cédric Grolet's patisserie counter brings queues of pastry pilgrims to the front of the house. Prêt-à-Portea, the hotel's catwalk-themed afternoon tea, restyles its biscuit couture each season—a gimmick in lesser hands, executed here with genuine wit.

The crowning feature is literal: a rooftop pool under an opening roof, with loungers angled towards the Hyde Park treetops. Rooms range from crisp contemporary to softly classic, with suites by star designers for those who want a statement. The Berkeley is not the choice for guests seeking hushed tradition; it is London luxury with its collar unbuttoned, and it wears the look well.