1936 On the Continent

deficiency been made good, but it is undoubtedly correct to say that no city in the world has better or more numerous and varied possibilities in the way of accommodation to offer than London. In addition to hotels of various types and grades, there are countless old-style boarding-houses and an increasingly large number of modern service flat establishments. In recent years a number of apartment houses, after the American model, have been erected and, of course, apartments are also available in private houses, though this form of accommodation plays a far less important rôle in London than in Continental cities.
Prices
    It would be impossible for me to give a complete list of hotels here, or even a selection, and all I can do is to offer the foreign visitor a few useful hints.
    Before setting out in search of accommodation the visitor must settle three questions in his own mind, the first and most important being how much he intends to spend. The second question is, which part of London will suit his purpose best, while the third question relates to his requirements in the way of accommodation, service, etc.
    With regard to prices, there is practically no limit in the upward direction. A suite at one of the big luxury hotels may cost anything from £10 per day. In the downward direction the cheapest hotel room capable of satisfying modest requirements, which I have been able to discover in the course of my peregrinations around London, costs 4s. 6d. per day—but at this price the visitor must not be too exacting. At 5s. 6d. comfortable rooms with every convenience may be had at the colossal but simple
Hotel Royal
in Russell Square, quite near to the centre of London and its theatreland. This price does not include breakfast. However, the average price at middle-class hotels, with breakfast, is on a somewhat higher scale, and varies between 8s. 6d. and £1 per day.
    Although there are hotels in almost every part of London, there are a number of hotel districts, each with a character of its own. The most exclusive of these is in and aroundMayfair, once a purely aristocratic district which used to contain, and to some extent still contains, the town houses of aristocratic families. It was only after the war that a considerable number of these historic houses disappeared, in order to make room for luxury hotels and vast blocks of luxury flats. This development is still continuing in Mayfair, but although the character of the district has necessarily altered in consequence, its incomparable air of distinction still remains.
Luxury Hotels
    Mayfair, in contrast to other districts, has clearly defined boundaries, and is bounded, on the one hand by Park Lane and Bond Street, and on the other by Piccadilly and Oxford Street. The names of these thoroughfares, which must sound familiar even to those who have never visited London, show that Mayfair, in the true sense of the term, lies in the heart of London. Mayfair is, so to speak, in Hyde Park, yet quite close to the best and most famous shopping centres, and not too far from theatreland, either.
    Most of London’s luxury hotels are situated in Mayfair. The
Dorchester Hotel
and
Grosvenor House
are both in Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park. Other hotels of the same type are
Claridge’s
, the
Berkeley
, the
Mayfair
, and the
Park Lane Hotel
. If we are to classify we must include in the same category the
Ritz Hotel
, the
Carlton
, and the
Hyde Park
and
Savoy Hotels
. All these are hotels of an international character, equipped with every luxury and serving the requirements of wealthy visitors from all over the world.
    It would be almost impossible to give a definite grading within this top class, as the visitor may prefer this or that hotel for reasons unconnected with actual quality, where quality is a common feature. However, perhaps it is possible to indicate certain differences which, though barely perceptible to the uninitiated, nevertheless exist.
    The most luxurious of all London hotels is undoubtedly the
Dorchester
, which is patronised particularly by wealthy Americans, but also favoured by foreign royalties visiting London. Indian maharajahs when in London invariably stay at the
Dorchester
. Many of the most brilliant society functions also take place here, and smart society gathersfor afternoon tea in the lounge, as well as for dinner and supper in the restaurant, with its Midnight Cabaret. The
Dorchester
is also unique among London hotels in that it has a small