USP The weight and warmth of the wood-trimmed interior and the procession of carefully prepared meals as they arrived in our room, one by one, on dainty silver trays were impossible not to fall for.

AMBIENCE Marvellous views of Hyde Park. Every mahogany-panelled desk drawer or cupboard hides a DVD player, a box of chocolate-covered pecans, more alcohol or sets of embossed personalised stationery.

EXPERIENCE Go with a friend for the "Serail" treatment where you'll both be slathered in mud and then baked dry. Steam and "herbal essence" then fill the room, which help get rid of dead skin cells and toxins.

FOOD The wine cooler that you find in the centre of the room contains champagne; the fruit bowl, raspberries.

IN CROWD Those used to having everything handed to them.

WALLET WATCH A heart-stopping £400 for room, spa, dinner and breakfast. If you're not a guest, manicures start at £25. However, everything becomes progressively higher in price.

NEED TO KNOW Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1 (020-7259 5599; www.lanesborough.com)

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