Maybe you live in the capital and just want a change and a rest. Or perhaps you are a country dweller and crave a dose of its buzz, shopping, thrilling culture and equally thrilling world-class restaurants. Whichever, London’s hotels make brilliant – and sometimes surprisingly affordable – boltholes.

There can be few more cosmopolitan cities on earth and massive building and infrastructure projects are transforming the skyline. It’s surfing a wave right now, in part thanks to spectacular events such as the Royal Wedding, Diamond Jubilee and 2012 Olympics. But though the city is alive as never before, there is a wealth of quiet corners, open spaces and village-like districts in which to take a breath and recharge. Potter in a pedalo on the Serpentine; wander round the Chelsea Physic Garden; discover the charming sophistication of Marylebone and so much more. In fact, there is almost no part of London that hasn’t picked itself up, dusted itself down and shown its best face to the world. It rocks.