The Ampersand Hotel

Knightsbridge

Opened in 2012, this historic, 111-room South Kensington property
has bedrooms that mix restored Victorian features with sumptuous cappuccino-coloured velvet headboards, onyx-black bathrooms and design nods to the monopoly of attractions outside your bedroom door, including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Royal Albert Hall. Grey matter stimulated, head down to the hotel’s buzzy basement bar Apero to sample its delectable menu of Mediterranean small plates and cocktails. Doubles from £236.