Located within the elegant margins of one of London’s most exclusive postal codes, Mayfair Village, The Connaught luxury hotel has been lavishly accommodating guests for more than a century and was recently named “One of the world’s Top 30 hotels” via the 2008 Travel+Leisure “It List.”

Originally called the Coburg Hotel, after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, The Connaught was built in 1897 and has impressively had only six general managers running it since its construction, which has resulted in the hotel’s widely recognized reputation for great service. Renamed The Connaught in 1917 after Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, the hotel has been aptly renovated and refurbished over the decades to consistently uphold its high standards of class, comfort and convention.

In its most recent renovation throughout 2007 — a $140 million renovation total — The Connaught’s interior was redesigned by classicist designer Guy Oliver, whose timeless taste has managed to anchor the hotel as one of London’s most well-established luxury accommodations. The gravitas of the interiors have been maintained, while, at the same time, modern statements have fitted in with stylish ease. A refreshed palette of sophisticated colors, such as peppermint green with silver leaf and Edwardian-slate, adorn the walls, while gilt mirrors and period oil paintings have been spectacularly restored. White Grecian Thassos marble outfit the bathrooms and cast iron baths keep true to the hotel’s timeless allure.

Accommodations
The Connaught features 90 rooms and suites that have all been updated, decorated and stocked to reflect luxury and convenience. Plans for an additional wing housing 33 new rooms and suites are also underway. All guest rooms and suites at The Connaught feature the following amenities: Chauffeur-driven car and airport meet-and-greet service on request; personal butler service 24 hours a day, plus 24-hour concierge service; complimentary unpacking service on arrival and packing service upon departure; iPod docking stations; flat screen TVs in rooms and bathrooms; two-line telephone, dedicated fax line, ISDN and WiFi; USA and UK voltage outlets; pressing of two garments on arrival; Asprey bathroom products; newspapers and magazines; freshly cut flowers; 5:00pm butler’s tea time; complimentary mineral water at turndown; complimentary John Lobb-trained shoe shine service; and departure gift for first time guests.

Additionally, guests of The Connaught’s suites will receive the following extras: An advance telephone call by one's personal butler prior to arrival to ascertain individual suite requirements; espresso coffee machine; champagne and chocolates; a wider selection of and magazines; and more.

Dining
Currently, all cuisine at The Connaught is overseen and designed by two-Michelin Star Chef, Hélène Darroze, who serves as the hotel’s Executive Chef. Her new restaurant, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, was designed by Parisian designer India Mahdavi, who also designed the hotel’s Coburg Bar, which has garnered a reputation of being a hot nightspot for guests and non-guests alike. A second bar at The Connaught, The Gallery, is a new Portland stone-clad conservatory looking out onto Carlos Place and Mount Street. Set to launch this fall is the Connaught Grill, which also will feature Hélène Darroze cuisine and likely serve as the hotel’s answer to casual dining. Private and in-room dining also is available.

Recreation
Hotel guests can partake in fitness bliss at its gym. The Connaught has a fitness room on the fifth floor that features various cardio equipment, free weights, and Keiser pressurized resistance weight training equipment used by NASA. For those who want a customized service, rigorous personal fitness training is available with Michael Garry, who has logged his time in several top London health clubs (£80 can get you 60 minutes). Although The Connaught does not have an actual spa, it does offer several in-room treatments that include everything from facials and massages, to personalized in-room yoga sessions for £100 per hour.

Rates
$600-$3000 per night