THE BEAUMONT, LONDON, ENGLAND

From the top-hatted doorman who greets guests in the port cochere to the elegant intimacy of its 50 rooms and 23 suites,

The Beaumont oozes class. One block from Oxford Street in the heart of Mayfair, it’s easy to see why this charming London hotel has garnered a slew of awards since it opened in 2014. The Beaumont is the dream of leading London restaurateurs

Jeremy King and Chris Corbin, who have created a grand but supremely comfortable Art Deco-style hotel, thoughtfully designed with an eye for detail. Original artworks, carefully chosen books and photographs enhance the comfort of the rooms, while marble bathrooms have added extras including TV screens above the tub, heated floors and rain showers. The stylish Colony Grill Room offers a menu based on upmarket versions of American diner favourites, while Jimmy's, The American Bar serves classic cocktails and stylish snacks and The Club Room offers a quiet corner to relax in.

But it is the 'sculpted darkness' of the $2000-a-night Room, created by artist and architect Antony Gormley, that is

The Beaumont’s most unusual feature, both from the inside and outside. While not for everyone (especially those prone to claustrophobia), Room is a wood-panelled bedroom hidden behind a black velvet curtain beyond nine white marble steps. Inside, it’s a cocoon of complete darkness; on the exterior of the hotel it sits like a crouching giant in cuboid form.