Once infamous for its Brad Pitt-frequented Light Bar and wildly popular Asia de Cuba restaurant, St. Martins Lane has lost some of its luster in its recent years, and frankly, thank god. Those familiar with Philippe Stark hotels will likely be bored by St. Martin’s gigantic golden tooth/chairs and technicolor light shows. That said, St Martin’s Lane is quintessential late-nineties Stark. It’s post-Delano but pre-Hudson: Ian Schrager’s first London foray made its debut just before world was jaded by clear plastic Louis Ghost chairs.

Most light-saturated bedrooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and impressive views; a few suites even flaunt lush private gardens fragranted by orange trees. The Covent Garden hotel offers surprisingly good packages on their website, especially considering its list of amenities which includes a full gym and two restaurants. And though it caters to the more average Joe these days, even we have to admit: the Light Bar is still pretty damn cool.