Despite being a luxury hotel, Chiltern Firehouse has been deeply embedded in the fabric of London’s nightlife since it opened in 2014. On Friday nights, the dark, velvety lobby is where locals and tourists alike flock for a martini or two, paired with a game of backgammon (sets dot the small tables). The rooms, like the atmosphere, are sexy—clad with warm carpets, perfectly crisp bedsheets, and wooden bedframes. And the best part is, you can give the receptionist a call at three A.M. for a bottle of champagne on ice without getting so much as a sideways look. Chiltern Firehouse is the brainchild of André Balazs, who also took over and restored the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles in 1990. Similarly to the Chateau, there are patrons who live at Chiltern, others who book a regular table for Friday or Saturday night, and others still who wind up staying there out of sheer luck. In all cases, discretion is paramount. And everyone comes away with a smile. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is the Senior Editor at AIR MAIL