Sloane Street, SW1; 020 7235 5537, www.durleyhouse.com; from £375

The Rookery: in fabulously trendy Clerkenwell, this collection of Georgian houses oozes period charm, from its flagstoned floors to its rustic rafters. It has the city’s quirkiest bathrooms — with expertly renovated antique lavatories that are veritable thrones.

Peters Lane, EC1; 020 7336 0931, www.rookeryhotel.com; from £285

The Soho Hotel: from the 10ft-tall bronze cat guarding the lobby, and the fabulous cowhide seats in its private cinema, to the bold stripy fabrics in the bedrooms and the honesty bar in the drawing rooms, this is 100% English eccentricity. Strictly for 24-hour party people, you might well find yourself propping up the bar beside Jude or Kylie.

Richmond Mews, W1; 020 7559 3000, www.firmdale.co.uk; from £267

THE RESTAURANTS

Pearl: the glamorous “destination restaurant” of summer 2004 is set in the stunning former banking hall of the Pearl Assurance Building. It has been turned into an opulent dining room by the team behind Nobu, with tasty modern European cuisine overseen by Jun Tanaka, who learnt his trade under Marco Pierre White.

High Holborn, WC1; 020 7829 7000, www.pearl-restaurant.com; from £42.50

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