The Goring

From the deep crimson walls and gilded ceilings of the bar to the bespoke silk wallpaper of the rooms, the Goring indulges in extravagance. The level of opulence feels warranted, as this is the only hotel in London with a strong royal family legacy. This is where the Duchess of Cambridge -- a.k.a. Princess Kate -- stayed the night before her wedding, and capacity overflow from private events at Buckingham Palace is regularly accommodated. The venue's classic Edwardian architecture, well-functioning original antique lift, and spacious hallways (designed to accommodate voluminous gowns) remind guests of the hotel's history. The property’s Pink Panther references and fuzzy sheep mascot, visible throughout the hotel, add humor to otherwise very formal surroundings.

The hotel is located in Central London on Beeston Place, right on the outskirts of the Buckingham Palace Gardens. It’s also a short walk to Victoria Tube station. Many of the area’s side streets are lined with tall, beautiful residential facades and Beeston Place is no exception. One can be assured of a relatively peaceful stay with the palace itself a stone's throw away; summer tours of its State Rooms are available. For other London destinations, Victoria station offers underground access to several lines.

With only 69 rooms and each one individually styled, the Goring is a classic English boutique hotel. Handmade carpets complement the damask silk wallpaper designed to suit the individual color theme of each room. Flat-screen TVs in most rooms can be hidden away into the desk. There are no minibars, tea, or coffee facilities in the standard category spaces, betraying the Goring’s aristocratic expectations: A five-star hotel would happily prefer to provide its guests with five-star, 24-hour in-room service -- as long as you can afford it that is, and if you’re staying here you probably can.

The Goring lacks some of the features expected of a five-star property, such as a fitness center and spa, but guests do have free access to a nearby gym. Rather, the Goring sticks to the luxury boutique basics, offering a chic bar and lounge with a clubby, stately feel, an Edwardian dining room serving gourmet British cuisine, and small handful of meeting rooms; the focus is more on Edwardian heritage and prestige than on in-hotel entertainment. There’s also a large private garden to enjoy on sunnier days if guests want to avoid the crowds of Hyde Park, which is close by. The afternoon tea, which has won awards from the UK Tea Guild, is also worth experiencing.