Brown's has never quite achieved the grande dame status of the Ritz, Claridges or the Dorchester. Grandeur comes in many different forms, however, not always entailing gold leaf, high ceilings and a ballroom and the joy of Brown's lies within the hotel's heritage: the continually high standards, outstanding service and a discreetly lavish clientele.
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7493 6020
Price: £235–899
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Opened in 1837 by James Brown, butler to the poet Lord Byron, this was London’s first luxury hotel and has been a haunt for the rich and famous ever since. Following a £24 million refurbishment, Brown’s was reopened in winter 2005 by hotel supremo Sir Rocco Forte and his interiorista sister, Olga Polizzi. Her redesign of the 11 adjoining townhouses in Mayfair is an update rather than a reinvention – The Grill restaurant still has its dark wood panelling, intricate Jacobean plaster ceiling and famous carving trolley, but has been refreshed with moss-green leather banquettes and sparkling 1930s-style lanterns. The English Tea Room (where old money mixes with the chattering classes) and lobby are similarly traditional-with-a-twist. However, Polizzi has completely modernized the 117 five-star guest rooms (including 29 suites), chucking out the chintz in favour of a subtle mixture of Art Deco, contemporary furniture and original British artworks (such as graphic Bridget Riley prints); limestone or marble bathrooms are luxurious. The basement spa and Donovan Bar (a homage to the famous fashion photographer) are glamorous new additions that are always picture-perfect not least thanks to their well-heeled regulars.
