The Arch

A grand townhouse where heritage luxury meets modern perks
Talk of the town: Madonna is thought to live in a 10-bed mansion opposite.

Popular plate: While most hotel restaurants are disappointing affairs, chef Shane Pearson creates hearty, classic fare at remarkably affordable prices that has even attracted the local foodies.
The new kid on the block in the luxury hotel world, The Arch quickly found its following. Located in Marble Arch where virtually every building is a hotel, the Arch feels smaller, cosier and more personal somehow, despite being stretched over seven interconnected Georgian townhouses and two mews homes.

Designed in line with the trend for modern heritage chic, the 82 individually designed guestroooms have kept their classic Georgian features of sash windows, stone fireplaces and ornate cornices, while being brought up to date by contemporary art work, iPod docks and rain showers.

Nice perks include the hundreds of DVDs to borrow, goose-down duvets and a flat screen TV at the end of the bath tub (with waterproof remote, of course).