"Price: £285 The glitzy foyer of this Mayfair hotel is an entertaining Coutts safari but its flagship restaurant, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, feels like a luxury cruiseliner at times. The dark, windowless room is made up of heartfelt anniversaries, goutish business types, and flash-happy momagers—which makes for a less than special-feeling atmosphere. That said, the butter-heavy French cookery makes up for it at times, and the bread selection is excellent." - jake missing, sinead cranna