Dining Chairs Melboune

Twice as nice in London

I imagine Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer of Location, Location, Location telly fame rocking up and taking one look at The Capital's Basil Street locale, its proximity to Knightsbridge tube station, to the parade of big-brand shops on Brompton Road and Sloane Street, to the retail wonders of Harrods. In my imaginings, Kirstie and Phil nod knowingly to camera as a symphony of cash registers strikes up.

It doesn't stop here. Next door to the 46-room Capital is its little sibling The Levin, just 12 rooms and named confidently for its proprietor, David Levin, whose business card simply states "Hotelier" and who owns vineyards in the Loire Valley. He jokes, with some relish, that the French rejoice in calling him Monsieur le Vin.

That calling card could well say "Old-school hotelier" for here's a man who says he was "born to be in hotels" and is invested in the notion of hospitality, of keeping things small, manageable and in the family.

I imagine a register of regulars -- unreasonably well-dressed guests up from the best shires for weekends, shows and events, treating The Capital as their preferred London pied-a-terre.

I can't pretend the hotels are well-kept secrets for they are also favourites among Australian travellers in the know (our market represents an estimated 20 per cent of business; Levin's second wife is from Melbourne) and the hotel is always full during Royal Ascot and Wimbledon.

My room at The Capital is cosy, with a super-comfortable bed ("Savoir Beds, since 1905" according to the compendium), hillocks of pillows, writing desk, flat-screen TV and a chintzy decor that spells London townhouse. The hotel has 96 staff; service is tip-top.

Two days later I move mere metres to The Levin, where the 21st century has landed in the form of contemporary decor, all shiny surfaces, chrome trimmings and forthright colours. There's an honesty drinks cabinet in the lobby and its guestroom mini-bars are stocked with the makings of cocktails, including peach nectar for bellinis; naturally there is an ample supply of Levin organic wine, including a 2009 gamay or rose and a 2007 sauvignon blanc.

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