Tucked discreetly into St James's Place The Stafford Hotel could easily be mistaken for one of London's stately residences - which in fact it once was.

The Stafford has retained the air of a private home or club, with the emphasis on a very personal style of service. The rooms and suites, individually furnished in mahogany, chintz and crisp Irish linens, are among some of the most popular in London. The 'Grand Life' is preserved in the hotel's intimate public rooms and the charming drawing room where afternoon tea is served. Each year we spend over £1 million in redecorating and replacing fabrics and furniture, to ensure that all of our customers enjoy the first-class service and facilities that The Stafford is renowned for.

Every single one of The Stafford's guest rooms and suites is individually furnished and decorated in a traditional style - making use of striking fabrics and wallpapers. An abundance of period furnishings and antiques add to the charm. You will never need to stay in the same room twice - unless of course you want to!

In addition to the 68 suites and rooms in the main house, The Stafford also offers you the opportunity to stay in one of London's oldest rooms in The Carriage House. When comfort and space are an absolute must then The Guv'nor's Suite is the place to stay. A deluxe two-storey suite where you'll find modern amenities combined with gracious living accommodation.

DININGS & BARS: The Automobile Association has awarded the hotel two red rosettes in 1997 and 1998. Only hotels offering the highest international standards of cuisine and service merit the award and The Stafford is one of just five hotels in London to achieve this recognition. The restaurant is softly-lit and the atmosphere intimate, with ornate pillars and a hand-painted circular centrepiece on the ceiling. Lunch and dinner are available daily, with both prix fixe and à la carte menus.

The American Bar is small and definitely well lived in - but really does have a worldwide reputation. Hundreds of signed celebrity photographs crowd the walls and the ceiling is hung with a colourful collection of club ties, sporting mementoes and baseball caps. The bar is a confirmed favourite of American guests - one regular, Mrs Peggy Clare, has even catalogued the impressive collection in a book called 'Ties That Bind'.

An English Institution - and nowhere more so than at The Stafford. Each day the elegant Drawing Room is decorated with the crisp, white linen cloths and solid silver cake stands which have become a part of this very civilised ritual. The freshly prepared sandwiches, savouries, pastries and cakes are mouth-watering - and there are at least five different teas to choose from each day. The full English breakfast is a longstanding tradition and nowhere cooks a better breakfast than The Stafford. Wander down to the Restaurant at your leisure and choose from a wide variety of juices, fresh fruit and breakfast pastries. Hot dishes to tempt you include specialities such as smoked kippers or pancakes with maple syrup, Stafford Fishcakes or Aberdeen Angus steak - not forgetting the full cooked English breakfast, of course. Breakfast is also available through room service each morning.

As a guest of The Stafford, you have free unlimited access to one of the most exclusive health clubs in London - Champneys Piccadilly. Just five minutes from the hotel, on Piccadilly, the club offers 40,000 square feet of marbled tranquility and an opportunity to relax and forget the world outside. The facilities are first-class and are listed below: Galleried gymnasium, Swimming pool and whirlpool spa, Female, male and unisex sauna and steam rooms with plunge pools, Dedicated relaxation room, Two glass-backed squash courts, Members lounge, Two dance studios, Spa area with eight treatment rooms and Wet and dry changing rooms. To arrange your visit to paradise, simply call The Stafford Hall Porter.