London's Latest Luxury Lodgings

One of Claridge's new suites, designed by David Linley.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Claridge's

As London becomes increasingly stylish and flush with cash, the city's top hotels are competing to satisfy the whims of high-end clients. Here, a few that have already staked out their territory: At the Dorchester (suites from $4,920; 800-727-9820; thedorchester.com), the top brass has invested $6 million in a redo of three penthouse suites, bringing in designer Alexandra Champalimaud's ultrasophisticated vision. No detail escapes her treatment, a subtle mix of Art Deco and contemporary glamour. There's furniture with a judicious dose of jewel-toned color — a purple shagreen-and-chrome console, for example — dramatic lighting and, in the Terrace Suite, such an un-British luxury as a circular bathtub with a 180-degree view of the city. The 1,646-square-foot Harlequin Suite's dining room now has silver walls, emerald-green velvet chairs and French doors that open onto a landscaped balcony overlooking Hyde Park. It was the London pied-à-terre of choice for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1950s, but even a classic needs a makeover every now and then. In fact, the only thing Champalimaud left untouched was the pink marble bathroom that the hotel installed expressly for Taylor.

As part of a total image upgrade four years ago, the Langham Hotel, formerly the Langham Hilton, opened its two-bedroom Infinity Suite (from $8,508; 800-588-9141; london.langhamhotels.co.uk). Named for its Kohler chromatherapy infinity tub, equipped with colored lights, the suite also offers other theatrical touches (motorized blinds, Bose surround-sound systems). But most impressive is its size: at 2,550 square feet, with thirteen-foot-high ceilings, the space — which has a grand entry hall, two and a half bathrooms, two dressing rooms, a kitchen and a living area flooded with sunlight that pours through high, arched windows — feels positively palatial and perfect for royals and heads of state. Perhaps that's why it has blast-resistant windows and panic buttons.

Not to be left behind, Claridge's (suites from $5,125; 866-599-6991; claridges.co.uk) made a canny decision when it called upon the interior-design firm of David Linley, the queen's talented nephew, to update ten spacious one-bedroom suites and one two-bedroom suite. He's done them in three styles, all featuring his company's custom wood furniture with exquisite marquetry. The Art Deco suites are the most chic, with such wow factors as mirrored vanities, lipstick-red carpets and Macassar-ebony bars whose glass surfaces are lit from below. The complimentary bottle of bubbly provided on arrival adds to the star treatment.