The pool: Two indoor stainless-steel vitality pools.
Since opening on a triangular site near the Embankment in 1885, the grand building has had multiple lives as both a hotel and a government headquarters, due to its proximity to the Palace of Westminster and 10 Downing Street. Entering off quiet Whitehall Place, in a pocket of London frequented by drab bureaucrats, the hotel’s opulence is a bit of a shock – a symphony of grand symmetry, with an enormous flower arrangement at the centre. The 279 rooms here, which include 55 suites, are notably generous, with king-size beds, a table and chairs, and plenty of room to stretch out. The suites have recently been overhauled and mine, the Trafalgar Suite, was an exceptional city oasis, with a sitting room, a dining table for four, and (as you might expect) views of Trafalgar Square. Downstairs, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is a notable draw, offering up the perfect elevated English pub experience. Likewise, the multi-level subterranean spa is one of the best in London, and recently partnered with luxury German brand Augustinus Bader. Jesse Ashlock