Polonium scare hotel voted the capital's finest
A hotel at the centre of the Alexander Litvinenko poisoning affair has been named the most luxurious in London.
The Parkes Hotel was one of the locations where traces of potentially deadly polonium 210 were discovered following the death of the former KGB colonel.
Despite the controversy, the stylish Knightsbridge townhouse has triumphed in website TripAdvisor's 2006 Travellers' Choice hotel awards.
The awards are based on five million reviews, submitted online, giving guests' opinions of hotels around the world.
London's classic hotels - such as the Ritz and Claridges - do not feature highly in the poll as they figure less often in the itineraries of ordinary travellers.
Voters said staying in the intimate 33-room Parkes was "like staying in a wonderful private home".
Other London hotels that made the grade included The Chesterfield Mayfair and the Covent Garden Hotel.
As well as applauding the finest hotels, the awards identified Britain's 10 dirtiest - four of them in the capital. TripAdvisor European Communications manager Ian Rumgay said: "Unlike any other hotel awards programmes that survey perhaps thousands of people, TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice winners are uniquely selected by millions of travellers from around the world.
"Clearly, London is a world leader in quality establishments and it is a shame that it is let down by properties at the other end of the spectrum."
London's winners and losers
London's winners and losers
Most luxurious
1. Parkes Hotel
Beaufort Gardens, SW3
2. Chesterfield Mayfair
Charles Street, W1
3. Covent Garden Hotel
Monmouth Street, WC2
4. Sofitel St James
Waterloo Place, SW1
5. Renaissance Chancery Court
High Holborn, WC1
6. Pelham Hotel
Cromwell Place, SW7
7. The Milestone Hotel
Kensington Court, W8
Best Service
The Milestone Hotel
Kensington Court, W8
Best Inn/B&B
Bay Tree House Bed & Breakfast
Brookdale, New Southgate, N11
Best for Romance
Hotel 41
Buckingham Palace Road, SW1
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