This ultra luxe Chinese restaurant is tucked away inside The Dorchester (which just so happens to be one of the loveliest hotels in town). China Tang serves delicious Cantonese recipes in a chic setting that channels the best of 1930s Shanghai.

The Dorch rules Park Lane with a historic guest list that includes David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor. The pink marble bathroom in the Harlequin Penthouse was installed especially for the latter. These days we love the scalloped armchairs in the Martin Brudnizki-designed Vesper Bar (named after Ian Fleming, another former guest) and medical-grade facials in the spa. Plus, the knockout views from the summer terrace, which remains a relative secret.

The Berkeley is a proper old-school address with spectacular Hyde Park views. In the same family as The Connaught and Claridge’s, it always has an eye on keeping things fresh. For example, non-guests queue up for in-house patissier Cédric Grolet’s croissants.

Sitting pretty in the middle of Hyde Park, the Serpentine is an absolute must for contemporary art lovers no matter what’s on the agenda at the moment. Check out the yearly Pavilion designed by the most famous architects in the world. If you can’t swing a ticket to their wild & wonderful Summer Party, the free gallery entrance ticket is sure to soothe the pain.