A ‘boutique hotel’ long before the term was widely understood, The Capital has been refreshing Knightsbridge’s beau monde since 1971 in its timeless, snug bar. It’s the ideal spot for a post-Harrods flop; settle in for a gossip over oysters and Laurent-Perrier Champagne, or anything from Coravin-kept house Loire wines to haute Burgundy (a 2008 Bâtard-Montrachet, at around £100 for two glasses). A noon-until-late menu offers classic Belgravia feel-good food: smoked salmon with horseradish yoghurt and shaved fennel; sirloin steak with béarnaise butter, watercress and chips; chicken Caesar salad; and lemon pavlova or chocolate fondant tart to finish. Service can be ditzy, but The Capital’s English afternoon tea is something of a Knightsbridge bargain, as are well-known cocktails such as Rob Roy, Jack Rose, Between The Sheets, and Bay Breeze. House ideas, for instance a Vodka Martini made with pineapple juice, banana and banana liqueur, are similarly capital.