Sitting right in the heart of the capital, Corinthia Hotel London is perfectly placed for breathtaking Thames views and easy access to Covent Garden, Westminster and the city beyond.

Once the Hôtel Métropole (before being requisitioned by the government during each of the two world wars), Corinthia revived the site’s rich tradition of hospitality when it opened in 2011. It’s consistently won awards for its service, interiors, restaurants and spa ever since.

With underfloor heating and ESPA products in the bathrooms and Hypnos beds, each of the Corinthia’s rooms is decorated like a lavish home-from-home. Forty individually themed suites, many of them brand new (London Suite pictured) offer views of the Thames, Trafalgar Square or the hotel’s peaceful courtyard garden.

It’s the hotel’s seven duplex penthouses, with their personal lobbies, balcony terraces and lounge areas with open gas fires, which truly dazzle. All come with 24-hour butler and optional personal shopping services. Each penthouse has been created with a different story in mind; for example, the Musician’s Penthouse’s double-height lounge (pictured) features a Steinway piano and state-of-the-art record player.

The most sumptuous of Corinthia’s luxurious spaces is the Royal Penthouse, which boasts its own private spa suite, a butler’s kitchen with walk-in wine cellar and a terrace with gas fire pit and panoramic views of the capital.

The Garden Lounge offers alfresco dining and a well-stocked humidor, while Massimo Restaurant and Bar serves a refined Italian menu. Even more excitingly, from September 2018 the Michelin-starred British chef Tom Kerridge will take over that space with his first ever London venture.

The hotel boasts up to five drinking destinations, including Bassoon, where live music is played most evenings as guests sip bespoke cocktails from replicas of Queen Victoria’s glassware at a seven-metre bar – previous performers have included Scissor Sisters and Lana Del Rey.

For guests seeking the ultimate wellness experience, ESPA Life at Corinthia London is set over four floors and staffed by a team of naturopaths, traditional Chinese acupuncturists and herbalists, osteopaths, personal trainers and spa professionals. There’s also a Daniel Galvin Hair Salon, a Margaret Dabbs nail studio and a 24-hour gym furnished with Technogym equipment.