Stay here, and you're staying at a hotel legend with one of the world's classiest guest lists, founded in 1812. The friendly, liveried staff is not in the least condescending, and the rooms are never less than luxurious. Enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge, or retreat to the stylish bar for cocktails—or, better, to Gordon Ramsay's inimitable restaurant. The bathrooms are spacious (with enormous showerheads), as are the bedrooms (with soothing, modern decor in tones of taupe and cream). The grand staircase and magnificent elevator complete with sofa and driver are equally glamorous. Perhaps Spencer Tracy said it best when he remarked that, when he died, he wanted to go not to heaven, but to Claridge's. Pros: serious luxury everywhere—this is an old-money hotel. Cons: it's a bit pretentious—the guests in the hotel bar can be almost cartoonishly snobbish.
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