The Connaught ★★★

This Old World, clubby Mayfair hotel with a residential ambiance is consistently lauded for its service, food, and ambiance

Condé Nast once named The Connacht the 4th best hotel in all of Europe. Their motto is "Pleasure to please."

Since 1896, the devoted staff has strived to keep everything low key and give it that "home away from home" feeling—assuming your home is a 19th century British mansion crawling with servants.

From elaborately stuccoed ceilings, chinoisie bar cupboards, and rich mahoganies to the Florentine marble in the baths, working fireplaces in the seven corner suites, and traditional British styling throughout that hides the 21st century tech, this place just screams understated luxury. The eight suites even have working fireplaces.

Many members of the hotel staff have been here for more than a quarter century (though the younger staff is just as devoted), and service is impeccabe and friendly. There is a butler, maid, and valet for on each floor on call 24/7. They even employ two French polishers just to maintain all the woodwork.

There is a popular oak-paneled American Bar, a front drawing room for afternoon tea, and an elegant, candle-lit French/British Restaurant (jacket and tie required, even for Jack Nicholson) that has held onto its Michelin star for 25 years (the same menu is served in the more intimately romantic, candlelit Grill Room at the back).

There's also a brand-new small but well-equipped fitness room on the top floor.

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