Maranton House

What to expect: Located in a leafy side street, stone steps lead up to the reception area with fresh flowers and deep red armchairs. Once a home for Catholic women, the high-ceilinged Georgian building offers businesspeople and couples a relaxed retreat away from the bustle of Earls Court. Amenity highlights: Renovations in the late 1990s restored the original cornices of this Georgian building, while bringing bedrooms and bathrooms up to modern standards. Guests can unwind with a drink in the breakfast room-cum-bar or opt for room service and plug their computers into the dial-up internet service in their rooms. Insider tip: The Albert Memorial, commissioned by Queen Victoria in the 19th century to commemorate her late husband, Prince Albert, is just a 10-minute walk away in Hyde Park. An...