Berkeley Square is a town square in west London, UK. The square features a mid 19th-century statue by the sculptor Alexander Munro and a number of restaurants and bars. The square was the childhood residence of Winston Churchill and is home to the most haunted house in London, Number 50 Berkeley Square, which legend says is haunted by the lunatic brother of a former resident. Although there are no hotels in the square itself, several are within just a few minutes' walking distance.
Brown's, which was founded by Lord's Byron's former manservant in 1837, is situated just off Berkeley Square. The hotel has 117 bedrooms including 19 suites. All rooms are individually designed and are decorated in a blend of contemporary and English country style. Rooms feature soft colors, oil paintings, antiques and a selection of books -- including "The Jungle Book," which Rudyard Kipling wrote while staying at the hotel. Some suites also have four-poster beds. Facilities include a full-service spa, bar, tearoom and the traditional British restaurant, HIX at the Albermarle. Brown's was named one of the "World's Best Hotels in 2010" by National Geographic Traveler.
The Chesterfield, Mayfair is situated just off the western end of Berkeley Square and within a five-minute walk of designer boutiques including Vivienne Westwood, Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney. The hotel's 94 guest rooms and 13 suites are individually designed to reflect themes that range from "English country garden" to "African savannah." The Duchess Suite features antiques and a bathroom with built-in television, while the split-level Stanhope Suite has an exercise bike and canapes delivered nightly. While the hotel has no on-site fitness facility, there are jogging trails in nearby Hyde Park and Green Park, and the hotel offers guests a complimentary yoga mat and DVD.
This prestigious Ritz is a five-minute walk southeast of Berkeley Square. The hotel, which has been in business since 1906, is designed to resemble a French château, featuring marble columns, gold leaf molding and Belle Epoque furnishings. All 133 guest rooms and suites offer 24-hour butler service, marble fireplaces, Edwardian leather-topped desks and crystal pendant ceiling lamps; most rooms have views of Westminster or Piccadilly. Guests can take afternoon tea in the Palm Court, have cocktails at the Rivoli Bar and dine in the Ritz Restaurant, which features live music on weekends. All of the Ritz's dining venues require that men wear a jacket and tie. Leisure facilities include a fitness room and hair and beauty salon, and the hotel is just a minute's walk from Green Park.
Located a five-minute walk from Berkeley Square and Bond Street underground station, Claridge's is a luxury hotel founded in 1812. The hotel features original art deco design from its 1929 renovation with a chandelier in the foyer and grand staircase. All 203 guest rooms and suites are decorated in soothing colors and feature large bathrooms with oversize shower heads. Room choices include studios by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and the Brook Penthouse suite, which has a private butler and welcome bottle of champagne. Facilities include a sixth-floor gym and spa and dining venues include the modern European Gordon Ramsey at Claridge's. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from the nightlife center of Soho.
