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Liverpool Daily Post  

Live like a star on a city break; Sam Lister enjoys a luxury weekend in a discreet boutique hotel in London

IT BOASTS the ultimate fashionable London address, is footsteps away from the most glamorous and exclusive shops and is the regular home-from-home of a host of A-list stars.

But Durley House is not, I was told, a place where paparazzi hang around waiting to snap celebrities in various states of dishevelment. In fact the boutique, all-suite hotel is so discreet you could walk past it daily without noticing it existed, as one of my London-based companions on the
weekend-stay admitted.

Everything about it smacks of England from a bygone era - the Regency sofas, elegant decor and antiques. Each suite is unique with its own kitchen and lounge, and beds so huge you cannot reach the other side. But what makes it feel such a treat is the staff, who anticipate guests' every need.

There is no doubt that the dedicated team who work there have been called on to answer bizarre and whimsical "Hotel Babylon" style-requests from their guests in the past, but they are far too professional to spill the beans. The hotel prides itself on its privacy but what is known is that guests have
included Kevin Costner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rod Stewart, Catherine Zeta Jones and hubby Michael Douglas.

But the point about the hotel is that whoever checks in - be it Hollywood A-listers, CEOs from global conglomerates, friends on a shopping spree or a
couple marking their wedding anniversary - they will all get star treatment. The evening turndown includes a bubble bath run for you with lit candles
placed around the bathroom and the radio tuned to play soothing, classical music. The beds are so big, pillows and cushions so plump and linen so crisp it is a struggle to get up in the morning. And nothing is too much effort for the good-humoured staff.

Another service Durley House prides itself on is its private dining. As there are no public areas apart from the reception and beautiful drawing room
downstairs, guests meals are served in their suites. It is perfect for those who want to hide away from prying eyes and is a real decadent experience. I ordered breakfast and at the appointed time a butler arrived to call it up in the dumb waiter in the entrance hall to my suite, before laying an impeccable table and serving the food. The choice was extensive, and even the most basic option was too much for one. Evening meals are available but for guests wanting something extra special when entertaining guests celebrity chefs can even be hired to cook in the room. But we spent the first evening dining at its sister hotel The Cadogan, just a short walk away. The 65 rooms hotel is most famous, or infamous, for being the venue where Oscar Wilde room was arrested, and one of the suites is named after him. The elegant restaurant, Mes'anges, has a menu of modern classics and was a hit with our group. The Cadogan has only recently become part of the upmarket Stein Group, which owns Durley House.

One of the key selling points of both  hotels is their location - slap bang in the middle of a shopaholic's paradise, with Fendi, D&G, Nicole Fahri, Versace, Dior, Valentino, Armani, La Perla, Prada and Harrods near enough that even those wearing the highest of heels could easily totter there. For hopeless shoppers, like me, however help was on hand in the form of Toshiko Kobatake, the hotel's personal image consultant. She will, for an hourly fee, scour the city's finest stores to find the outfit you are looking for. And, after a taxing morning's shopping we could think of no better way to relax than with cocktails and lunch at nearby Gordon Ramsay's Boxwood Cafe. It offers a three course lunch time menu with offerings such as white onion soup, roast suckling pig and ice cream for a very reasonable pounds 21. The main just fell apart on the plate it was so tender and the ice cream had a quirky twist with different flavours served in mini cones. The mojito was pretty good too.

All that exclusive shopping and fine dining was taking its toll so we popped back to the hotel for an in-room massage from the hotel's regular masseurs. Then time for more fine food so we went off to Mosimann's restaurant, a private dining club owned by Anton Mosimann. The respected chef impressed with his culinary skills over an amazing four-course meal in one of the restaurant's six private dining rooms, each one with a character of its own. There is even a room for two, the smallest dining room in the world. Mosimann's, formerly The Belfry, is a private dining club in the heart of Belgravia and is a favourite with politicians. Membership fees range from pounds 150 annually for the Ladies' Lunch Club up to pounds 500. Various corporate memberships are also available. The sumptuous surroundings and impeccable service made it a great night.

It was a perfect way to round off the luxurious weekend and there was no doubt we had all become far too accustomed to our new lifestyles. Durley House really is top-end in the luxury market and gives you an insight into the life of the pampered and preened. It is such a treat to stay there that I would recommend hi-jacking the next special occasion in your diary and using it as a good excuse to pay it a visit.

SUITES start from pounds 340 up to pounds 620 per night, but there are special offers throughout the year. Packages for anniversary couples, shopping sprees and other special occasions can be arranged. One of their newest offers is a hen night stay for pounds 200 per person which offers girlie treats such as an evening of make-overs, limo services to a restaurant or private members' club, champagne in the suite and an in-house massage. The hen will also receive a gift and the packages can be tailor-made.

DURLEY House, 115 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, London, (020) 7235-5537, www.thesteingroup.com/durley

BOXWOOD Cafe, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, (020) 7235-1010

THE Cadogan Hotel, Cadogan Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, (020) 7235-7141, www.cadogan.com

TOSHIKO Kobatake, Personal Image Consultant, Talking Image, (020) 8458-4597, www.talkingimage.co.uk

ULLA Coulthard, Guest Relations Manager, Mosimann's, 11b West Halkin Street, London, (020) 7838-6331, www.mosimann.com

For booking appointments or enquiries, please contact Toshiko:

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)20 8458 4597