A London Gem Expands

The Stafford, (020-7493-0111), on a discreet side street in central London, this spring opened 26 suites costing £26 million, on six floors in a new building called the Stafford Mews.

Like the 67 rooms and suites in the main hotel, and the 11 in the adjacent Carriage House, Stafford Mews suites are individually decorated, but are more contemporary in décor than other accommodations, which tend toward cheery wall-paper, antiques and furniture covered in patterned fabrics. Overall, a more subtle color palette of sands, creams and pale blues are used in the Mews.

Each suite has a marble bathroom with double sinks, walk-in shower and separate tub; plasma-screen TV; iPod docking station with pre-loaded iPod; and a Bose CD radio. The best of these is the Penthouse Suite, whose 20-square-foot terrace will be much in demand in warm weather. Other choices are Junior Suites, 550 square feet and £550; and Master Suites, 850 square feet and £850. The Penthouse Suite is 1,076 square feet and costs £1,200.

The Mews has its own front desk and there's a fitness room open to all guests.

Approximately 67 percent of guests are from North America. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and the most-booked Virtuoso property outside the U.S., The Stafford's rates start at £240 per night. There's an exchange rate guarantee of $1.70 to the pound.

For inquiries and VIP requests, agents should contact General Manager Stuart Proctor ([email protected], 020-7493-0111).