The Bar/Lounge at The Connaught

"There's a choice of two stylish bars and Espelette is an all-day venue for classic French and British dishes"

"Leaded skylights, liveried doormen who seem to know every guest's name, and shady, masculine bars and restaurants are the picture of restrained 21st-century glamour, while the rooms are spacious Edwardian gems"

"Its new bar, the Coburg, designed by Parisian India Mahdavi, instantly became the place to go for cocktails"

"The Coburg bar is a wink at the Victorian royal family (the current royal dynasty was named "'Saxe Coburg" until adopting the more British-sounding "Windsor" in 1917) and the hotel itself was named in honor of Queen Victoria's son, Arthur—the Duke of Connaught at the time it was built"

"The downstairs bar has a wonderful 'cocktails through the ages' menu, adding a bit of historical import to each whisky sour and champagne cocktail scoffed"

"Dining and drinking options include French cuisine at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, the more informal Jean-Georges at The Connaught and the clubby Connaught Bar"

"The cuisine is nonpareil, helmed by award-winning chef Hélène Darroze, and the Connaught Bar is a city landmark"

"Besides Darroze’s namesake restaurant, amenities include a more informal brasserie serving afternoon tea and more, two stylish bars, an indoor pool, fitness studio and Asian-inspired spa"

"A former brass humidor has been refashioned into a small bar area, housing a collection of hefty Baccarat crystal champagne flutes"

"The amenity roster includes flat-screen cable TVs, free wireless high-speed internet access, phones, safes, minibars, tea and coffee facilities and free bottled water"