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London: Sheraton Park Tower

Sarah Lester
30/ 8/2008

I HAVE a recurring dream where I'm running along a hotel corridor which never ends. The carpet is soft as I sprint along but never reach a destination.

I'm not sure what that says about my psyche and I'm not sure I want to know.

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I checked in at London's Sheraton Park Tower to find that this was the hotel of my dreams in more ways than one. Built like a giant cylinder with rooms around the edge, I could have run along the corridors to my heart's content and never reached anywhere.

After resisting the temptation to recreate my dreamscape I decided instead to look at my room. Because of its circular shape everything in the hotel is unusual. Beds snugly nestle against curved panelling.

The Sheraton Park Tower is all classic glamour, chandeliers, thick carpet, exquisite afternoon tea accompanied by live harp music - it's just what you want from a traditional London hotel.

Award-winning

It stands, like a giant tin of baked beans, in the heart of Knightsbridge, next door to Harvey Nichols and a short stroll to Hyde Park. You'd expect to have to fork out big bucks for a hotel like this but in fact the rates, while not exactly cheap, are perfect for a short but luxurious stay in the capital.

Speaking of luxury, I spent much of my day sampling the area round Sloane Square, home of Hooray Henrys and Sloane Rangers. While there were many of the braying Chelsea set to negotiate, I surprised myself by enjoying the cool elegance of the place.

The Sheraton Park Tower is best known for its award-winning fish restaurant One-O-One, under chef Pascal Proyart. But I was particularly seduced by the after-hours piano bar. It's just what you want from a late night drinking den. You feel hazy without even sipping a cocktail. And there's a great deal of people-watching to be had.

The hotel is in a great spot for doing "tourist" London with Buckingham Palace and all the usual attractions nearby.

But I was in London to go to the theatre. Apparently the theatre world is one business escaping the credit crunch. I saw Glengarry Glen Ross at the Apollo. As relevant now as in the 1980s when it was written, the play exposes the moral disappointment of a consumer driven society. I felt guilty - for about 12 seconds - as I made my way back to my luxury hotel, laden down with shopping.

Rooms at the Sheraton Park Tower start from £219 per room per night exc tax.
Price is based on two people sharing on a room-only basis.
Information and bookings: 00800 325 45454 or visit luxurycollection.com/park towerlondon.
One-O-One restaurant has a new £19 three-course lunch menu inc a glass of wine and tea/coffee. (0207 290 7101 or visit oneoonerestaurant.com).