Dorset Square Hotel – Marylebone, NW1

The first of Firmdale’s vibrant and welcoming city hotels, opened in 1985 by multi-talented husband and wife team Tim and Kit Kemp. It’s a beautiful London townhouse, with some gentle decorative reminders that it overlooks the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground, Dorset Square. There are cricket bats arranged like works of art, miniature balls used as wardrobe door handles, photographs and cartoons of famous cricketers and other memorabilia, all incorporated into Kit’s sophisticated interiors. Her style is witty, contemporary and bold, combining strong colours and contrasting fabrics, enhanced by exciting modern art. There’s an elegant drawing room with an honesty bar and fireplace, and 38 seductive bedrooms, many overlooking the private Dorset Square garden, to which guests have access. The Potting Shed restaurant serves exceptional modern British food, with a clever lighting installation by Martha Freud. Ask reception supervisor Edyta Gurgul for her insider tips on local shopping and what’s on at the theatre.

Doubles from £300

+44 (0)20 7723 7874; firmdalehotels.com