Fodor's Expert Review The Stafford London

This is a rare find: a posh hotel that's equal parts elegance and friendliness, and located in one of the few peaceful spots in the area, down a small lane behind Piccadilly. All the accommodations are luxurious and chic, but those in the 18th-century Carriage House, some of which feature fireplaces and exposed beams, are especially pleasant. Those who prefer more contemporary style should ask for a suite in the Mews. The restaurant's incredible wine cellar—several hundred years older than the hotel itself—is one of the best in the city. A curious historical nugget; in the 1930s almost every large hotel in central London opened an "American Bar," to entice the sought-after U.S. clientele (and their notoriously deep pockets). The Stafford has one of only two left in its original form (the other is at the Savoy), and certainly leaves you in no doubt of its heritage, with virtually every space filled with knickknacks of vintage Americana from model airplanes to club ties.