Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill

The 434-room brown and gray rectangular Churchill London looms a bit like a giant chocolate bar over Portman Square. Its regal entrance lined with black luxury cars can easily be perceived from a distance, and once inside, the lobby doesn't disappoint. A large portrait of the Queen with her eyes closed hangs over reception, and various different sized bronze statues of Winston Churchill -- who the hotel is named after -- are playfully scattered throughout the hotel. You can sit with a life-size version of him on the terrace, where he occasionally sports a fresh flower in his lapel. Overall, the hotel's dark wood accents, dimly lit halls and crystal chandeliers make it very clearly geared towards the upper crust.

While it's quite rare for London hotels to have access to green spaces, The Churchill London's location on the very green and tranquil Portman Square gives it an edge. The hotel has been known to host events in the spacious garden of the square, which is otherwise surrounded by a select coterie of high-caliber restaurants, including the hotel's own Locanda Locatelli (Michelin-starred fine Italian with a twist) and neighboring Texture (fanciful Scandinavian). While the strip of Oxford Street located closest to the hotel isn't the most exciting -- it's mainly full of lower budget chain stores -- Bond Street is just a short walk away and offers shopping options better suited to the well-heeled. Hyde Park and Park Lane are within walking distance, the Marble Arch station is also just a short walk from the hotel, and Heathrow can be reached in well under an hour via the Heathrow Express from Paddington Station.

Barring the Saatchi Suite, the decor of the rooms is too mainstream to be memorable. Most rooms are done up in a black, white, cream, gray and slate color scheme, and more in line with a business hotel than a luxury hotel for leisure travelers. Guests considering an upgrade to a suite might want to think twice, as aside from a few free English sweets, a Nespresso machine, more elaborate decor and a more impressive bathroom, the suite doesn't feel like that much of an indulgence. Fixtures in the bathroom look a bit too much like something you'd find in a fire department to be elegant, but the very generous provision of Molton Brown toiletries are a popular touch. There are iHome docks in all of the rooms.The Saatchi Suite is the most notable room offering. The hotel has an emerging young artist's initiative and in partnership with the renowned Saatchi Gallery, and the Saatchi Suite is packed with the artwork of up-and-coming artists, and doubles as a bit of an installation. It includes a master bathroom with a wall made entirely of soap bars which guests are encouraged to touch, stain, and even engrave their own messages on. Most of the art available in the suite can be purchased.Rooms with lowered beds, widened bathrooms and lowered peepholes available for guests with disabilities.

The stylish Churchill Bar, located off the lobby, is one of the most eye-catching areas of the hotel. Its fireplace and overstuffed armchairs are very inviting, and seem to incite good cheer and friendly banter. The bar's terrace is smashing, and the abundance of outdoor heaters, silky wraps and fuzzy seat covers mean that in can be enjoyed even in chillier weather.There are two restaurants on-site -- the Michelin-star Locanda Locatelli, serving fine Italian with a twist, and Montague, serving seasonal British fare. The modern, mirrored fitness center has windows and wood floors, and in-room massage services are available -- but there is no pool or full-service spa.On-site parking is available in a covered basement lot, and there are two Tesla electric superchargers offered. Plenty of business serves are available, and the business center includes two laptops and a wireless printer.