My wife and I (mid 30s) are planning a trip to London this summer. We love staying at high end luxury hotels in great locations. After much research I have settled on a few nights at The Milestone Hotel for a boutique English experience but was then thinking of shifting for another few nights to either The Savoy or The Four Seasons Park Lane. Any thoughts on the latter two.? The Savoy looks sort of hip and lively, but could be a bit of a tourist trap. The FS looks prototypical FS, but might be a bit business-oriented and boring?

Hi doc04

We'll be in London the first week in April and staying at the FS Park Lane. This is our first time staying at the FS in London but I agree with you it looks typical FS. I'll post some feedback on the hotel after we arrive if you're still trying to decide in a few weeks. btw...the Milestone looks like a good choice. I just looked at the website and it looks wonderful!

I would not describe the Savoy as sort of hip or a tourist trap. It's a traditional old school hotel with alot of history and is in a very good location by the river, the views are wonderful. It underwent a costly renovation a couple of years ago.

Have you looked at St Ermin's? Great location and wonderful hotel. Four-star and unique. A fantastic southern India restaurant around the corner.

The one pic on their website, of the all-white lobby is a bit overwhelming, and it doesn't really look that way in person!

http://www.sterminshotel.co.uk/

Agreed, I am using AMEX FHR program.

Good Morning, Doc04

Have you made a decision on your hotel? We arrived in London yesterday and checked into the FS. IMO it's a wonderful hotel and I like the location. The decor is a little unexpected and not as traditional as some other FS hotels. It's absolutely beautiful though...very nice common areas. The gym is on the 10th floor with panoramic views of the city. Very nice gym and spa facility! We have a 1 br suite with a view of the london eye. We went to the hotel bar last night before going out to dinner. There was a mix of people but some younger people too at the bar. Very good 'lounge' music..upbeat atmosphere..beautiful/stylish decor. it was fun..

I would stay here again from our brief experience so far. Hope this helps if you're still trying to make a decision.

For anyone interested in a highly informed discussion of higher end properties I would recommend the Luxury Hotel Forum on Flyertalk where you'll get a lot more feedback.

I wouldn't call the Milennium a high-end luxury hotel.

The FS is probably excellent, but I don't like the location, practically on Hyde Park Corner. And you are already at the Milestone, at the other end of Hyde Park/Kensington gdns. The Savoy will give you another area to explore; next to the Thames and close to Covent Garden.

Or maybe Claridges?

I am trying to decide between the regency, the millennium and the chesterfield. We are travelling with 2 small children and the millennium seems to cater for this well but the room at the regency seems better . ..would be interested to hear what you chose

Check out the Goring, the first hotel in London to have all private bathrooms. That's were Kate Middleton and her family stayed before the wedding.

I would recommend The Covent Garden Hotel. A luxury hotel with a great vibe, on a charming, well-located street.

Let us know what you picked!

Doc04

We just returned from our trip and I thought I would add a couple other brief comments on the FS. I would definitely stay there again. The service was perfect! The hotel restaurant is wonderful and we had dinner there twice. Try the spinach ravioli - it's amazing!

There are certainly a lot of good hotel choices but we did enjoy the FS. The complimentary car service was easy to get use to also. It's a RR Ghost!

Good luck with your plans.

Have you considered the Dorchester ? VERY high end with great service to match ( especially if you go for one of their Terrace suites ) seriously stayed there a couple of times and loved it. Actually reall like Claridges as well.( the beds are SO comfy) again with high end service and a great cocktail bar.

There's a suite now vacant at The Ritz.

Maybe they'll do a discount?