1 London Syon Park, Kew
As if a butterfly house, ice-cream sundae bar and in-house plastic surgeon didn't render it unique enough, Waldorf Astoria's 'adult playground' is built above a Roman settlement, with finds displayed in the lobby. All of which makes the ritzy rooftop lounge bar, garden helipad and illuminated rain showers feel almost mundane. From £259 a night*. londonsyonpark.com
2 Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge
After Milan, Tokyo and Bali, Bulgari's fourth boutique hotel is due to open in Knightsbridge early in 2012. As you might expect from a legendary Italian jeweller, the interiors should be lavish: think grand staircases with silver balustrades. The facilities are rumoured to include a holistic spa, a pool, hydrotherapy steam rooms and a private members' club — not to mention six luxury apartments up top. Rates yet to be set. bulgarihotels.com
3 Eccleston Square Hotel, Pimlico
When 007's next in town, he'll be holing up at Design Hotels' new pad, which opens next month. The 39 bedrooms in a renovated townhouse promise unrivalled gadgetry — from 46in, 3-D LED TVs to £12K Hastens beds with inbuilt massage programmes. Bathrooms have TVs hidden inside mirrors. And things are similarly stylish downstairs, where black crystal chandeliers illuminate herringbone floor tiles. From £250 a night. ecclestonsquarehotel.com
4 Belgraves, Belgravia
Steps away from Sloane Square, this luxury 85-room lodging will become Thompson Hotels' first European offering when it opens later this summer. Designer Tara Bernard promises a neat blend of American boho and British tradition in her bold interiors, especially in the 80-seat signature restaurant. For rates and information, visit ba.com/london. Section1Rates will be available approximately four weeks prior to hotel opening. For more information, call +44 (0)844 493 0758)
5 45 Park Lane, Hyde Park
Opening in the old Playboy Club building this summer, this latest Dorchester Collection endeavour should satisfy on every level. Drool over the design by Thierry Despont and 45 rooms with Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems. Marvel at the aluminium fins that generate solar power, exult in Cut, the debut American steakhouse by Wolfgang Puck, and rejoice at the sprawling Hyde Park views. From £695 a night. 45parklane.com
6 St John Hotel, West End
From the same duo responsible for the revered St John restaurant, this new 15-room hotel presents another fabulous eatery serving contemporary British cuisine. Given its location in the heart of theatreland, dinners are offered in rhythm with curtain up. Food aside, there's white-wood panelling, a sleek bar and smart rooms with views of Big Ben. From £200 a night. stjohnhotellondon.com
7 Zetter Townhouse Hotel, Clerkenwell
While the Zetter Hotel is renowned for its modern design, its recently opened sister property — located in the same creative Clerkenwell corner — is more old-fashioned. Inside a converted Georgian building, 18th-century art and antiques lend the Zetter Townhouse's 13 rooms and cosy cocktail bar a private-residence feel, and help explain the official description of 'slightly dotty, but chic, cool and quintessentially English'. From £222 a night. thezetter.com
8 Avo Hotel, Dalston
Long established as a hipster hangout, Dalston is on the up and up, with a nearby Olympics site, a gleaming new rail station and recently, the arrival of a boutique hotel. Among the delights awaiting guests are a 'sexy café', six svelte bedrooms boasting Egyptian cotton and iPod docks, and a particularly plush penthouse suite. From £79 a night. avohotel.com
9 Aloft ExCel, Docklands
The first UK incarnation of Aloft, Starwood Hotels' lower-cost brand, this 252-room haven will soothe those braving fairs at the ExCel convention centre from this winter onwards. After a day's hard networking, exhausted exhibitors can use up any outstanding energy in the state-of-the-art gym and then retreat, via a lounge bar, to rooms with walk-in showers and, crucially, ultra-comfortable beds. For rates and more information, visit ba.com/london. (Rates will be available approximately four weeks prior to hotel opening. For more information, call +44 (0)844 493 0758)
10 The Corinthia Hotel, Whitehall
Corinthia Hotels' newest outpost opened in April as the luxury chain's '21st-century flagship' and boasts London's biggest spa. Once you've detoxed, there's a British grill and oyster bar, a converted Victorian ballroom, a Daniel Galvin hair salon, and 298 rooms with tropical rain showers and sprawling city views. From £450 a night. corinthia.com
