The mansion house Parkes Hotel in Knightsbridge has an air of antique respectability. Sitting in the lounge among the rich brocaded fabrics and tasselled sofas, admiring the leatherbound library and the artwork, you might begin to feel as though you should be wearing a powdered wig - if it weren’t for the fact that you’re flicking through a copy of Esquire or Vogue.
The air of grandeur carries through from the wooden-clad reception throughout the hotel too. Though in the rooms, the emphasis is more on luxury, creature comforts and all the mod cons. For example, not only is there wifi (free of charge) throughout the building, but the large flat panel TVs in the rooms can also be used to access the internet using a keyboard remote.
Creature comforts don't stop at Egyptian cotton and Molton Brown cosmetics either – the marble bathrooms have underfloor heating to make sure your feet don’t get chilly during your morning shower and the mirrors are even steam-proofed. The shower itself, is like standing underneath a giant’s watering can the head is so big. Add to that an astoundingly varied minibar (mini doesn't describe it) and you might find you get a little too comfortable in your room to leave at all.
There are 32 spacious rooms in this seven floor hotel. They range from the superior suites, which are considerably larger than your average London flat and some even have balconies, to single rooms which have English-sized double beds and still enough space to swing a cat (though you’re not allowed pets so you can’t put that to the test). 
The location has to be one of the best in London, just seconds from Harrods’ ornate dome and the high-end shops of Knightsbridge. It’s also a great area for restaurants with dozens of choices for an evening meal. The Parkes Hotel doesn’t have it’s own kitchen, but it has a lovely breakfast room where you can enjoy anything from Swedish pancakes to a full English. When it comes to fresh, hot food, you won't be disappointed though. The staff are extremely accommodating; if you don’t want to leave the hotel, they have an arrangement with a number of the nearby restaurants and will bring you in any meal you choose, beautifully presented with everything you need from napkins to wine glasses. They also cater for ad hoc requests and will go out of their way to find you what you fancy. So whether it’s cream tea for two or a buffet lunch for a group of people, you won’t be left doing the shopping yourself.
If you'd like to spend the weekend at the Parkes Hotel, just email us with your name, address and daytime phone number to be in with a chance of winning a two night stay.
Or, if you'd rather not leave it to chance, book your stay here.
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