· If you wish, you can enjoy a completely private two-day Christmas holiday - without any festive celebration - at the sumptuous boutique hotel Parkes in Knightsbridge (020 7581 9944). There are neither Christmas decorations in the bedrooms nor a Christmas tree inside the hotel. The suite has a kitchenette, so guests can be completely private and bring in treats to suit their tastebuds. The hotel, next to Knightsbridge's Beauchamp Place, is a luxurious home from home, providing comfort and tranquillity in a location that is just moments away from the hurly burly of the West End and only metres from Harvey Nicks and Harrod's food halls. With an exceptional staff-to-bedrooms ratio of 1:1, the hotel ensures a first-class service.
Julia Spence