When we emerge from the tube, the front steps of the hotel are busy with Louis Vuitton bags and boxes being unloaded, whilst Mercedes and Jaguars drop off well-heeled clientele.

Attracting a crowd is a bright red Lamborghini Countach, apparently a rare sight. Even the doormen are surreptitiously taking pictures on their mobiles.

Away from the bustle, the hotel's marble entrance hall has a cool and luxurious feel. Check in is easy and efficient and within a few minutes we are ensconced in one of the small suites.

Our room overlooks the back of the hotel, and a coveted view over Hyde Park that stretches to the Serpentine. French windows open onto a large stone balcony where we can take in fresh air.

St James's Hotel & Club, Mayfair, SW1

A Victorian townhouse with exquisite decor and central Green Park location

BACKGROUND

• Park Plaza County Hall, Waterloo, London SE1

• Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London SW1

• The Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1

• Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge, London SW1

BACKGROUND

• The Halkin, Belgravia, London SW1

• Dukes Hotel, Mayfair, London SW1

• The Berkeley Hotel, London SW1

• The Cadogan, London SW1

BACKGROUND

• 51 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1

• Haymarket Hotel, St James, London, SW1

• The Stafford, London, SW1

• 22 Jermyn Street, London SW1

The Mandarin is very generous as every room comes with a chilled bottle of champagne. In our case, we get a rose Moet and Chandon. The bathroom also has wonderful Jo Malone toiletries and the table in the bedroom has a large fruit bowl, although unfortunately both of the nectarines I try taste bruised. Some homemade mini brownies offer a less healthy alternative.

The bedroom is nicely furnished without being too chintzy and the bed is vast. The large French windows ensure the room has lots of light and there is a huge amount of cupboard space. The bathroom is long and thin, again filled with light from the windows and has plenty of space for a capacious Victorian roll top tub.

The Mandarin Oriental seems to attract a wealthier sort of tourist, and would certainly be a good choice for those who like their shopping.

Harrods and the designer shops of Knightsbridge are a few minutes walk and Harvey Nichols is directly opposite. The location is convenient for art lovers too, with Exhibition Road only one stop down the Piccadilly line.

The hotel is an attraction in itself - the spa was voted number 1 UK hotel spa by Conde Nast Traveller and the restaurant, Foliage, has a Michelin star.

The bar is funky, and buzzing with a glamorous mix of tourists and Londoners. Pre-dinner mojitos ( £14.50 each) arrive in huge fish bowls glasses with accompanying salty snacks to get us drinking. As it is Saturday, a live Jazz band is setting up.

In contrast, the restaurant Foliage feels strangely lacking in atmosphere. It is quite bright and narrow, with the remaining part of the restaurant opening out into a t-shape. We are tucked behind one wing and only have a few tables to oggle. For a people watcher like me, my options are limited.

However, the menu soon occupies my full attention. It is initially bewildering. The courses are split into five sections and diners are encouraged to have four courses (£60 for four courses). However, you can choose your four courses from any of the sections. There are starters, fish intermediates, main courses, cheese and dessert.

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