Corinthia Hotel London - Embankment, London

Situated in the very heart of the Capital just south of Trafalgar Square in Whitehall, the Corinthia Hotel London has taken pains to redefine what it means to be a grand hotel in the contemporary era. The reception is of an immense size and scale, bathed in natural light and crowned with a spectacular full moon chandelier featuring 1001 hand crafted Baccarat globes.

Adjoining the lobby is Corinthia's destination bar The Bassoon, which incorporates a Roland Piano that seamlessly transforms into a seven-metre bar, behind which some of London's finest mixologists concoct molecular cocktails, pour champagne and serve vintage spirits in bespoke replicas of Queen Victoria's glassware. Corinthia additionally houses two gorgeous restaurants: The Northall, which serves Modern British fare with ingredients sourced from artisanal providers; and Massimo, which is discussed above.

The rooms are lofty and spacious, with a quality of finish and attention in every meticulous detail, including Loewe LED TVs and tropical rain showers. Many of the rooms boast views of the Thames and feature the finest materials and latest amenities. The penthouses set new benchmarks in luxury, and are all generously proportioned over two floors with expansive roof terraces that offer commanding views of the capital's landmarks - they're already becoming popular with some of the world's leading luminaries - most recently, Rihanna.

The spa, ESPA Life at Corinthia, is a stunning, dark and sexy lair occupying four floors, with expert beauty therapists working alongside globally acclaimed holistic health practitioners to redefine the nature of a contemporary spa. The gym is fully equipped with the most avant-garde technology while hair and beauty comes courtesy of Daniel Galvin OBE.