Elite Traveler HRS 2022

is named. Bring your four-legged friend along for your city break as pets are welcome here, too. DINE A big draw is the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Betterment by Jason Atherton. The English chef, whose restaurant Pollen Street Social gained a Michelin Star in its opening year, first came to London at the tender age of 16 when he ran away from home. After opening restaurants all over the world, Atherton returns to London with this laid-back eatery. The menu, led by executive chef Paul Walsh, favors British cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients — the menu details where every ingredient is from: carrots from Surrey, crab from Salcombe, cabbages from Kent. Celebrating a special occasion? Book The Aquarium, a private dining space for up to eight guests, with ocean-inspired artworks, live lobster tanks and silver decor inspired by the creatures of the deep.

DRINK You may or may not have seen the cocktail that went semi-viral when the hotel opened — the libation, called The Orange American, was served in a Toby jug that resembled then-president Trump, topped with fluffy cotton candy. Cheeky gimmicks aside, the cocktail menu is one of the best in the city and the Terrace, a chic spot with vertical gardens crawling the walls, is made for after-work cocktails. The vibe is chilled and fun, and the drinks are a delight. A personal favorite is the Violet Sky — fragrant yet sharp, creamy yet light, sweet yet sour. It’s delicious. EXPLORE Lace up your sneakers and head out on a two-and-a- half hour walking tour with a blue-badge guide. You'll walk through Mayfair, Belgravia and the Royal Palaces, all while learning about the area’s rich history and the lives of high society and aristocracy from the 1800s.

THE BILTMORE MAYFAIR LONDON

In the heart of well-heeled Mayfair stands The Biltmore, the first UK-based hotel from the Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The facade is classic for the affluent neighborhood: all red brick and soaring cream columns. Inside is just as elegant: think seductive tones of purple, swathes of velvet and grandiose chandeliers. CONTACT Klaus Kabelitz, general manager, biltmore. reservations@hilton.com, +44 207 629 9400, thebiltmoremayfair.com There are over 250 guestrooms to choose from at The Biltmore yet it remains peaceful and quiet. The suites are more akin to a trendy city apartment than a hotel room, with a few considered touches: coffee-table books about London; tea fromWhittard of Chelsea and toiletries from Penhaligon's, the famed perfumer. The Roosevelt Suite is the largest at 1,720 sq ft with two ensuite bedrooms, a dining table for up to six guests, living room and kitchenette. The suite overlooks the leafy Grosevenor Square and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt statue for whom the suite STAY Roosevelt Suite Size 1,720 sq ft Nightly rate $10,250

The opulent lobby

The Terrace

Photo Niall Clutton