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Divine, not too pricey and situated in the heart of London’s theater district, Covent Garden has an intimate and clubby atmosphere that draws a star-studded crowd—Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet are all fans. Owned by Kit and Tim Kemp’s Firmdale Group, which has six other hotels in London (the latest, the Haymarket, opened in May) and plans for a New York hotel in 2008, Covent Garden was designed by the talented Kit Kemp, who lovingly decorated each of the fifty-eight bedrooms and suites in a different style. Appealing touches include fabric-covered mannequins that complement the rooms, oversize headboards towering above plush four-posters and top-of-the-line Miller Harris bath products. Giorgio Armani likes Penthouse 303, and John Malkovich always books Room 201 (though Junior Suite 5, all red toile and high ceilings, would be my pick). Rest assured that whichever room you choose will be delightful. Rooms from $413.

From Steven Schapera, CEO of the Australian makeup company BECCA:

“Without any doubt my favorite “business hotel” is a small boutique hotel called the Pelham; it’s in South Kensington, and is one of those amazing hotels where everything comes together and you want for nothing. I learned a long time ago not to count the stars – for instance a 5-star hotel MUST have a swimming pool and 24-hour room service. That’s hardly important to me in London. The Pelham doesn’t have those but I can’t sing its praises highly enough. And if it’s full, its sister property the Knightsbridge Hotel is my other favorite.”

Editor’s Note: Rooms from GB£ 180 (approximately $355).

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Founded by Singaporean hotelier Christina Ong, this boutique hotel, on a quiet street in Belgravia, is a favorite retreat for the fashion crowd. The Ongs, who own Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos and the Four Seasons in the Maldives, study design trends; they built an empire on importing such labels as Giorgio Armani to Asia, so it’s not surprising that they know how to cater to fans like Donna Karan and Donatella Versace. In the sleek, 41-room Halkin, the staff wears Armani uniforms, the rooms have cherry wood paneling and the menu emphasizes fresh local ingredients. The rooms, with their minimal clutter, cream-colored fabrics and subtle touches, such as taffeta curtains, feel like experiments in inducing serenity—fittingly, they were designed by a Milan firm called Laborati Associati. Downstairs, off the cool lobby, is the very spicy cuisine of Australian chef David Thompson’s Nahm, the best Thai restaurant in London, from which you can also order room service. One major drawback for the fabulous-looking people who tend to stay there: If working out is part of your daily ritual, you will have to hoof it to the Halkin’s sister hotel, the Metropolitan, to use its small basement gym, which is decidedly less glamorous than doing yoga back in your meditative room. Double rooms from $490.

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