The Franklin London - Knightsbridge, London

Perched upon the Egerton Gardens in Knightsbridge, The Franklin London - Starhotels Collezione offers an otherworldly boutique experience, just moments away from city highlights like the Victoria & Albert Museum, The Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall. Designed by Anouska Hempel, who is often touted as the creator of the world's first boutique hotel, The Franklin channels the glamour of a gilded age. The elegant, opulent interiors include a world-class hammam, Venetian stone floors and filigree silverware that captures the spirit of a bygone era.

Reopened in 2016 after a sensitive refurbishment, the hotel is set across four townhouses with private gardens and features 35 elegant rooms and suites designed to incorporate classic elements and Italian details. During our visit we stayed in the presidential suite and were impressed by its size - there was a cosy, private lounge with loveseat and views onto the archetypally British gardens. 

Alongside the informal English townhouse ambience there are other more sensual, Eastern influences. As part of the state-of-the-art wellbeing offering, guests have access to a fitness centre and one of the city's top hammams. For those that prefer a less salubrious means of relaxation, there's an excellent martini and champagne bar that exudes all the class you'd expect from a Knightsbridge hotel. And for the bookish, there's a great little library. 

Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo, The Franklin Restaurant serves an excellent array of classic Italian cuisine. During our visit we loved the aubergine tortino with cherry tomato confit, buffalo mozzarella and parmesan biscuit, the hen tortelli with parmesan fondue and lime zest and the kale lasagne with broccoli, cauliflower and anchovy. The pigeon with polenta, corn cream and sweetcorn and the fassona beef fillet with truffle and mixed texture of potatoes were equally winning.